Rajendra Singh is the 2015 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate
Rajendra Singh, the water man of India, has won accolades for his efforts towards innovative water restoration as well as for improving water security in rural India. The Stockholm Water Prize is a global award presented annually by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) to an individual, organisation or institution for their outstanding water-related achievements. Singh and his organisation have restored several rivers and improved living condititons for those most in need.
UN World Development Report launched
A report titled 'Water for a Sustainable World' was launched in New Delhi last week. Per the report, water directly affects the world's future as it is linked to critical areas such as human health, food and energy security, urbanisation, industrial growth and climate change. The report is expected to act as a guideline for good governance and for bringing a balance between fresh water resources and sustainable growth.
Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation prepare maps for groundwater prospecting
Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation has prepared 4,898 Hydro-Geo-Morphological Maps for all India's states and Union Territories with the help of the National Remote Sensing Centre of Hyderabad. The maps will be used for groundwater prospecting and for selecting sites for artificial groundwater recharge. It is also assumed that these maps have the potential to reduce insitu chemical contamination like fluoride in groundwater.
Natural disasters impact 22% of World's agriculture: FAO
According to the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) report that quantifies the impacts of natural disaster, the agriculture sector suffers nearly a quarter of damages. The study is based on reported damages in 78 post-disaster risk assessments in 48 countries between 2003 and 2013. Out of the $140 billion total damages in the economic sector from natural disaster, agriculture accounts for $30 billion that includes crops, livestock, forestry, and fisheries. Crops is te most affected subsector while forestry is the least.
DMRC sets up treatment plants, as part of its initiative towards maximum reuse of water
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has installed effluent treatment plants (ETP) and sewage treatment plants (STP) at five of its depots and three residential colonies in the capital, in a bid to ensure maximum utilisation of water. The treated water from these plants will be utilised for horticultutre and in toilets. The DMRC is planning to set up similar facilities in the third phase of Delhi Metro's expansion.
This is a roundup of important news from March 17 - 22, 2015. Also read last week's policy updates.