DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY
The Department of Geology at the Savitribai Phule Pune University, tracing its origins back to 1955 and fully established in 1971, stands as a pioneering center for Earth Sciences education and research in India. With a focus on Forging the Future of Earth Science, the department is committed to providing a comprehensive and cutting-edge academic experience.
The department provides a world-class environment for advanced geological study and discovery. Our students and researchers have access to state-of-the-art infrastructure for Cutting-Edge Facilities & Research Excellence, including a fully equipped thin-section and polishing lab, high-resolution optical microscopes, microwave digestion systems, and a Millipore filtration system for meticulous sample preparation and analysis. Furthermore, we maintain comprehensive specialized facilities, such as our palaeomagnetic and sedimentary labs, enabling ground-breaking research into Earth's history and depositional environments. Additionally, the department actively conducts crucial research in hydrogeology and water resources. This commitment to quality is nationally recognized and supported through prestigious government schemes such as DST-FIST (Level III) and UGC-SAP-DRS-2.
We boast a powerful Legacy of Achievement & Global Impact, demonstrating that we don't just teach geology—we shape its leaders. The department has produced over 125 Ph. D.s, and its faculty and students continually contribute to special and emerging fields of science through numerous acclaimed books, monographs, and research publications. Our vast network of Esteemed Alumni holds influential positions as renowned researchers, scholars, and administrators both in India and abroad. .
Graduates from our program are highly sought after by leading organizations worldwide, ensuring High-Value Career Pathways and a strong return on their academic investment. Our students secure placements with reputable petroleum, geotechnical, and mining companies, as well as various premier institutions and government organizations. Join us to delve into the Earth's mysteries and build a career that truly matters!
About ACWADAM
ACWADAM (Advanced Center for Water Resources Development and Management) is a pioneering non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting scientific groundwater management across India. With a strong foundation in hydrogeology, the organisation works to bridge the gap between science and society by making groundwater knowledge accessible to communities, practitioners, and decision-makers. ACWADAM’s work emphasises aquifer-based groundwater management, capacity building, and field-based research, enabling sustainable and equitable use of groundwater resources.
Over the years, ACWADAM has partnered with governments, civil society organisations, academic institutions, and donor agencies to integrate hydrogeological principles into water security initiatives. Its efforts span aquifer mapping, groundwater governance, spring rejuvenation, urban groundwater studies, and climate resilience programmes across diverse geographies. By combining rigorous scientific approaches with participatory engagement, ACWADAM continues to strengthen water management systems and empower communities to secure their groundwater futures.
Urban Groundwater: Securing the Hidden Lifeline of Our Cities.
Rapid urbanization has emerged as an alarming concern across cities worldwide. As urban expansion continues at an unprecedented pace, our water systems are facing immense pressures and challenges from growing populations, rising industrial activity, aging infrastructure, and intensifying impacts of climate change. With an expanding urban population and limited options for expanding surface water supplies to meet increasing domestic demand, local groundwater resources are being seen as the last resort.
Expanding urban areas often lead to a deterioration in the quality of urban water. The degradation of urban water quality has far-reaching consequences: outbreaks of waterborne diseases, ecosystem degradation, significant economic losses, and a reduced quality of life for urban communities. Addressing these complex, interlinked challenges requires a comprehensive, interdisciplinary, and collaborative approach that transcends traditional boundaries and fosters innovative, sustainable solutions.
Pune’s daily water demand is about 1600 MLD (roughly 20 TMC annually). Being one of the most “dam-water endowed” cities in India, 20% of this comes from groundwater. Yet, despite its vast surface water supply, groundwater extraction in Pune remains significant!
This conference seeks to provide a platform for pioneering researchers, practitioners, young hydrogeologists, environmental scientists, and industry leaders to exchange ideas, share best practices, and showcase cutting-edge technologies in urban groundwater management.
Our shared goal is to foster meaningful dialogue, build strategic partnerships, and collaboratively develop strategies to identify, monitor, and mitigate the sources and impacts of
urban water pollution on groundwater. This conference will focus on:
- Discussing geological and hydrogeological dimensions of urban groundwater environments.
- Exploring urban soil–water interactions, microplastics, and micropollutants.
- Formulating policies and regulatory frameworks to ensure equitable access to safe drinking water.
- Engaging communities and stakeholders in co-creating resilient urban groundwater futures.
- Development and implementation of sustainable treatment technologies and resilient infrastructure for urban groundwater management.
- Promoting responsible water resource management and conservation practices.
Recognizing the urgency and complexity of these issues, the Department of Geology at Savitribai Phule Pune University is committed to fostering open dialogue, critical inquiry, and actionable outcomes through this initiative. We sincerely hope that the exchange of knowledge and collaborations formed during this conference will contribute meaningfully to shaping a future in which all urban populations have access to clean, safe water.
Together, we can cultivate thriving, resilient, and sustainable cities for generations to come.
ABSTRACTS
The conference will feature oral and poster presentations, as well as invited talks by renowned scientists and experts. Plagiarism checked abstracts with a maximum limit of 250 words, formatted in A4 paper size, Times New Roman font size-12 and spacing 1.2, with normal margins of 1” should be submitted on or before 15th January 2025. Poster templates should be A) size (118.9 cm x 84.1 cm) and should include the title, author(s) with affiliation(s) and email, followed by introduction, objective, methodology, results, conclusions, and/ or discussion, references, and acknowledgement. Accepted Abstracts will be published in the pre-conference abstracts volume and made available to registered participants.
Themes
- Understanding Urban Aquifers a) Hydrogeology
- Intersectoral Water Management in Urban Planning a) Integrated Water Resource Management
- Groundwater sustainability in the urban environment a) Participatory community-based groundwater management
- Governance of Urban water: Risks, resilience and adaptation in groundwater governance a) Regulatory framework: for recharge, extraction, and contamination
b) hydrogeomorphology
c) Geochemistry and Groundwater Contamination
d) Improved planning of groundwater through aquifer monitoring
b) Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) in integrated Urban water management
c) Use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Internet of Things (IoT) in Groundwater Management
d) Challenges and remediations: Urban water flooding, River system management, and catchment protection
b) Groundwater as part of public water supply systems
c) Stakeholder participation and groundwater literacy-sensitisation
d) Mitigation and remediation of groundwater contaminants in the urban environment
b) Groundwater consideration in urban design and planning
c) Institutional structures around urban water governance
d) Protecting catchments, aquifers and ecosystems in an urban environment
Important Dates
| Particulars | Date |
| Online abstract submission opening | 05/12/2025 |
| Deadline for abstract submission | 15/01/2026 |
| Conference registration | 05/12/2025 |
REGISTRATION FEES
| Registration type | Amount in INR |
| University/ College/ Institute Delegates | INR 3000/- |
| Industry Delegates | INR 5000/- |
| Student Delegates | INR 2000/- |
| Accompanying member | INR 2000/- |
| Filed trip fee | INR 2000/- |
For registration click on: events.unipune.ac.in
Fieldwork
The fieldwork component offers participants a hands-on exploration of urban groundwater dynamics in Pune, highlighting its critical role in meeting the city's daily water demand of about 1600 MLD, where groundwater constitutes roughly 20% despite abundant surface water from dams. Participants will visit key sites to observe the intricate relationships between surface water structures, such as rivers and natural lakes, and underlying aquifers, demonstrating how urban expansion alters these interactions through over-extraction and contamination.
Urban springs, often overlooked in city environments, will play a significant role in our discussions. They demonstrate resilience amidst increasing concrete development and serve as valuable indicators of aquifer health in urban settings. The itinerary will also include activities focused on artificial groundwater recharge, featuring managed aquifer recharge (MAR) structures. These structures are integrated into urban water management systems, enabling participants to evaluate real-world implementations that improve infiltration from surface sources.
By integrating field observations with discussions on Pune's hydrogeology, the fieldwork provides practical insights into intersectoral planning and catchment protection, aligning with various themes of this conference.
Vice Chancellor, Savitribai Phule Pune University
Pro-Vice Chancellor, Savitribai Phule Pune University
Ms. Neha Bhave
National Advisory Committee
- Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, MoES, GoI
- Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary D.S.T, GoI
- Dr. Mihir Shah, Former Member of Planning Commission, GoI
- Padma Shri Dr. Shailesh Nayak, Director, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru
- Prof. N. J. Pawar, Vice Chancellor, Dr. D. Y. Patil. Vidyapeeth, Pimpri
- Prof. N. R. Karmalkar, Former Vice Chancellor, S.P.P.U
- Shri. Shravan Hardikar, Commissioner P.C.M.C
- Shri. Prithviraj B.P., Additional Commissioner, P.M.C
- Dr. Vijay Pakhmode, Additional Director, G.S.D.A
- Dr. Umesh Balpande, Regional Director C. G. W.B, Nagpur
- Dr. Anadi Gayen, Regional Director C.G.W.B, Kolkata
- Ms. Lubaina Rangwala, Program Head, Urban Development, World Resource Institute
- Prof. G. J. Chakrapani, I.I.T. Roorkee
- Prof. L. Elango, I.I.T. Madras
- Dr. N. C. Mondal, National Geophysical Research Institute
- Dr. A. K. Sinha, President, INCIAH (Indian National Chapter of Indian Association of Hydrogeologists)
- Dr. Gurudas Nulkar, Director, Centre for Sustainable Development
- Prof. Bhagwan Singh Chaudhari, Head, Department of Geophysics, Kurukshetra University
- Prof. D. B. Malpe, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur
- Prof. D. B. Panaskar, Borehole Geophysics Research Laboratory
- Prof. S. N. Patil, School of Environmental & Earth Sciences, NMU.
- Dr. Shyam Mude, Principal, Fergusson College, Pune
- Dr. Pandith Madhnure, Central Ground Water Board, India
- Prof. N C. Narayanan, Ashank Desai Centre for Policy Studies, IIT Bombay
- Prof. N. J. Raju, School of Environmental Science, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
- Prof. Sekhar Muddu, Water Resources & Environmental Engineering Group. IISc, Bangalore
- Dr. Navin Gandhi, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology
- Dr. K. M. Wanjarwadkar, Geology Department, Government Institute of Science, Aurangabad
- Dr. R. D. Deshpande, Geosciences Division, PRL, Ahmedabad
- Mrs. Uma Aslekar, Advanced Center for Water Resources Development and Management
LOCAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE
- Prof. Bhavana Umrikar
Head, Department of Geology - Prof. S. J. Sangode
- Prof. Dr. Vivek Kale
- Dr. Himanshu Kulkarni
- Prof. Ashish Dongare
- Prof. S. K. Gaikwad
- Prof. M. A. Herlekar
- Dr. Raymond Duraiswami
- Dr. D. P. Mohanty
- Dr. Aditi Mookherjee
- Dr. Sanjay Kale
- Dr. Avinash Kandekar
- Dr. Kiran Kumbhar
- Jairaj Rajguru
- Vinit Phadnis
- Suhani Srujanika
- Gunjan Suruse
- Payal Waindeshkar
- Prachi Jadhav
- Pushkar Nalawade
- Pushpali Sane
- Shweta Patil
- Himani Sonawane
- Huma Tasleem Shaikh
- Vivek Bhore
- Dr. Ajaykumar Kadam
- Amarjit Bhagat
- Pratiksha Bagul
- Anshika Singh
- Shubham Kamane
- Snehali Dongare
- Amit Shirke
- Jyotibala Singh
- Najjim Mulla
- Dnyaneshwar Korte
- Sumit Sonar
- Shubham Waghmare
- Prafull Kamble
- Mahesh Mopkar