Centre releases drought assistance to Karnataka and Maharashtra
The High-Level Committee (HLC) on Drought on Thursday approved a central assistance of Rs. 1,304 crore to Maharashtra and Karnataka parts of which faced drought in the kharif cropping season last year. Other than Karnataka and Maharashtra, parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat had also been declared drought-hit. Anantpur district in Andhra Pradesh too witnessed a sharp decline in cultivation during 2012, due to prolonged dry spell.
However, despite the existing water crisis in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, cultivators there hope to have an above average yield of pomegranate in current season, by implementing modern farming methods, such as mulching. To tackle drought situation in Maharashtra, state Agriculture Minister also urged Chief Minister to stop water supply to real estate sector and other water-intensive industries until the situation improves.
Water scarcity in Aurangabad has convinced farmers to go for shade net houses; a kind of farming practise done in a covered shade where water, temperature and proportion of oxygen and carbon dioxide are controlled .
River activists utilise the occassion of Maha Kumbh to spread awareness
For the first time in its modern history, river activists are trying to utilise the occasion of Kumbh. The plan is to use the occasion of Maha Kumbh, the biggest religious congregation on earth which begins in Allahabad on the occasion of Makar Sakranti , to help people differentiate between well wishers of rivers and their enemies and spread awareness about India’s gasping lifelines.
Installation of water meter leads to dramatic drop in water consumption
In Ahmedabad, apartments are installing water meters for each individual flat and residents are arriving at their own tariff for the borewell-based supply, as people have realised that only a reduction in water consumption will lead to a more modest electricity bill.
Food wastage in the country
50 per cent of all food produced around the world never reaches a human mouth, says recent report. India stands out for its glaring lack of infrastructure and food storage facilities, in a new study that says 21 million tonnes of wheat -- equivalent to the entire production of Australia -- goes waste in the country.
Lakes in Bangalore
Mestripalya Lake in Bangalore to get a fresh lease of life, after nearly seven years, as authority agrees to fence the nine-acre lake bed. Also Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike is to take up rejuvenation work for Subramanyapura lake, lying in a state of abject neglect for nearly five years