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DR. INDIRA KHURANA

Chairperson, Indian Himalayan River Basins Council (IHRBC) Vice Chairperson, Tarun Bharat Sangh (TBS) Director, Coastal Salinity Prevention Cell (CSPC)

Dr. Indira Khurana is a leading expert in the fields of water governance, sanitation, climate resilience, and natural resource management. With over three decades of experience, she has emerged as a powerful voice for coastal and rural communities, championing their rights to water, livelihoods, and environmental justice.

She holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and is a Post-Doctorate in Biotechnology, bringing a strong scientific foundation to her policy and grassroots engagement. Her career spans work with national and international organizations where she has held leadership roles, managed diverse teams, and influenced discourse at platforms including the United Nations, UNEP, WTO, World Bank, and World Water Forum.

Currently serving as the Chairperson of the Indian Himalayan River Basins Council and Vice Chairperson of Tarun Bharat Sangh, she is also a Director at the Coastal Salinity Prevention Cell (CSPC) and a Commissioner at the People’s World Commission on Drought and Flood. She is an Advisory Council Member of the Balipara Foundation.

Dr. Khurana has authored numerous books, research papers, and articles in both scientific and mainstream media. Her work has led to tangible policy shifts and improvements in community-based water and sanitation management across India. In recent years, her focus has been on the impact of climate change on water resources and its intersection with rural livelihoods, gender equity, and migration.

GNY LIVE Salty Invasion: Sea-Level Rise, Saltwater Intrusion and Coastal Communities

India’s coastal regions, stretching thousands of kilometers, are on the frontlines of a creeping environmental crisis—saltwater intrusion. Unlike cyclones or tsunamis, this is a disaster that doesn’t make headlines, yet its impact is profound, slow-moving, and multi-generational. From contaminated drinking water and degraded farmland to the forced migration of traditional fishing communities, saltwater intrusion is a pressing issue that touches the lives of millions. In this episode of GnY Live, Dr. Indira Khurana—an influential voice in water and sanitation policy—joins Dr. Sulagna Chattopadhyay, Editor-in-Chief of Geography and You, for a deep and evocative discussion. They explore the science behind saltwater intrusion, its socio-economic toll, and the urgent need for inclusive coastal policy frameworks. At the heart of this conversation lies a compelling call: to prioritize ocean health, listen to affected communities, and design policies that are both responsive and respectful.