In this episode, Bruce Currie-Alder from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada, joins host Veena Srinivasan to unpack the vision behind the CLARE (Climate Adaptation and Resilience) programme – a global initiative supporting action-oriented climate adaptation research across Africa and Asia.As climate change unfolds in real time, Bruce argues that research can no longer operate at a distance from action. Instead, it must be embedded within development processes, communities, and institutions – shaping decisions from the next climate shock to the next two decades.The conversation explores why adaptation is no longer a future problem, the tension between short project timelines and long-term transformation, what “development under a changing climate” really means, gender equity and social inclusion in climate research, and the need to build the next generation of climate problem-solvers.Bruce reflects on what success would look like 20 years from now — not only in terms of project outcomes, but in the people and partnerships that continue solving problems long after the programme ends.CLARE (Climate Adaptation and Resilience) (https://clareprogramme.org/) is a global research programme funded by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). It supports transdisciplinary, action-oriented research to strengthen climate resilience across Africa and Asia.The WELL Labs Show features rich conversations on water, environment, land and livelihoods, from the people and partners of WELL Labs. Hosted by Pavan Srinath, each episode explores complex environmental and social issues and helps you understand the systems and the dynamics better. For all references and further readings related to the episode, visit https://welllabs.org/twls-bruce-currie-alder/Subscribe to the WELL Labs YouTube channel @welllabs and watch all episodes on the official playlist here(https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrHB5gd1QIB_5Bt9nGOQkQRhbeXBEtU7M&si=c7D6GbQKA-8JWiNN) Recording by Nabina Chakraborty and Ritik Pathak. Video editing by Ranjith Kumar S. Graphics and artwork by Aparna Nambiar and Kanishka Goyal. Podcast production and management by Nabina Chakraborty and Pavan Srinath.

In this episode of The Water Data Podcast, host Veena Srinivasan speaks with Dr. Himanshu Kulkarni, hydrogeologist and co-founder of ACWADAM, about groundwater science in India – from basalt aquifers and rural irrigation to springshed revival in the Himalayas and participatory groundwater management.

This episode was recorded in November 2025 on the sidelines of a two-day event celebrating the life and work of Dr. Himanshu Kulkarni, marking his recognition with the 2025 International Water Prize by the University of Oklahoma. Because the conversation was long and deeply insightful, we’re releasing it in two parts – this is Part 2.

In this episode, Dr. Kulkarni explains how participatory groundwater management (PGWM) evolved in India, and why aquifers must be treated as common pool resources. He shares field-based examples of PGWM “models” in practice — from borewell bans and drinking water protection zones to borehole pooling and crop planning. He also reflects on the biggest external forces shaping groundwater outcomes, especially energy policy and market incentives.

Through this conversation, he explains why urban groundwater remains “hidden”, and why cities must treat recharge as a public service, not just an individual mandate. Finally, he highlights the major unanswered questions in groundwater today — contamination and depletion — and why groundwater science will always remain a field science.

The Water Data Podcast is a talk show on the science, systems, and stories of water hosted by Veena Srinivasan.

For all references and further readings related to the episode, visit https://welllabs.org/wdp-himanshu-kulkarni-pt2/

Subscribe to The Water Data Podcast on your favourite podcast app – and catch video episodes on the WELL Labs YouTube channel @welllabs.

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Recording by Vedant Ambrule and Tippana Chaitanya. Video editing by Nabina Chakraborty. Graphics and artwork by Aparna Nambiar and Kanishka Goyal. Audio mixing and mastering by Vijay Doiphode. Podcast production and management by Nabina Chakraborty and Pavan Srinath.