Awantipora, Nov. 14: The Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) has been awarded the “Best Institution (other than school or college)” category of the 6th National Water Awards, announced by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India. With this award, IUST joins a select group of national institutions recognised for translating the vision of “Water Secure India” into action on the ground.
The award ceremony was scheduled for 18 November 2025 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The jury appreciated the IUST’s holistic, science-based model for water conservation and environmental sustainability which integrates rooftop rain-water harvesting, mountain runoff (from wastoorvan hills) through check-dams and recharge pits, and a 100 KLD sewage-treatment plant that treats campus wastewater and supplies it for campus irrigation.
IUST has also afforested hilly terrain, developed biodiversity and medicinal-plant parks, and engaged a large number of participants through environmental-awareness programmes.
Innovatively, IUST has converted high-velocity mountain runoff into groundwater using geophysically-guided recharge structures, and rolled out an efficient water conservation system.
Prof. Shakil Romshoo, Vice Chancellor of IUST, stated that by integrating large-scale infrastructure with cutting-edge recharge technology and active community participation, the University has significantly strengthened its groundwater resources, mitigated flash flood risks
arising from the rapid runoff of the Wastoorvan hills, and enhanced campus ecology, setting a new benchmark for institutional water stewardship in mountainous regions. He also congratulated the entire university community whose dedicated efforts made this achievement
possible.
