Which State of India has launched the country's first digital water data bank 'Aquarium' for clean water and water security in April 2022 ?

In March 2022, the Karnataka government launched 'AQVERIUM' (often referred to as Aquarium), India's first digital water data bank, in Bengaluru. This innovative platform was developed by AquaKraft Group Ventures and inaugurated by the state's Minister for IT-BT, Science and Technology. The data bank is a curated repository of water-related data sourced from various institutions, designed to provide insights into water usage, pollution, and availability. By utilizing data science and information technology, it aims to facilitate evidence-based decision-making for sustainable water management and water security. The initiative also focuses on training youth as 'water entrepreneurs' to promote clean water and sanitation. While other states like Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have robust water management schemes, Karnataka is the first to establish a dedicated digital data bank for this purpose.