Aarti Kelkar Khambete

Aarti Kelkar Khambete
Assessing the health of river Ganga
How are dams affecting the river Ganga? What are phytoplankton and how can they help assess health of rivers? What is the connection between dams, barrages, river flows and phytoplankton growth? Read this recent study to know more.
Posted on 08 Dec, 2022 07:07 PM

Dams can bind and gag rivers 

Structures such as locks, dams, barrages, and weirs are known to drastically reduce the longitudinal connectivity of rivers, impact downstream flow, and alter riverine ecosystems.

The polluted Ganges (Image Source: Lane Rasberry via Wikimedia Commons)
Small scale inland open water fisheries of India
What is the status of inland fisheries in India? Read these situational analysis reports to know about inland fisheries, the life of the fisherfolk, governance and tenure in inland fisheries and threats to the sustainability of inland fisheries.
Posted on 04 Dec, 2022 11:24 AM

What are inland waters 

Fishing in an irrigation canal in Kerala (Image Source: Martin Pilkinton via Wikimedia Commons)
Chaos in a concrete jungle
Heavy rains and floods have battered Bengaluru yet again. Uncontrolled and unregulated development and concretisation of the city that pays no heed to the ecology and hydrology of the region needs to stop!
Posted on 13 Sep, 2022 06:32 PM

Bengaluru, once a city of lakes - is in crisis.

Urban flooding in Bangalore (Image Source: Thejas via Wikimedia Commons)
Poisoned waters, threatened lives
Studies reveal that children are the most vulnerable to the health risks associated with groundwater contamination due to nitrate and fluoride, highlighting the need for urgent remedial measures.
Posted on 05 Jul, 2022 11:58 PM

Non carcinogenic health effects of groundwater contamination are equally challenging as the carcinogenic risks.

POisoned waters, dangerous outcomes (Image Source: India Water Portal)
Fluoride contamination of groundwater in Punjab, a growing concern
Fluoride contamination of ground water is on the rise in the Malwa region of Punjab threatening the health of the population. Urgent remedial measures are needed.
Posted on 16 Jun, 2022 02:05 PM

Nearly 85 percent of the Indian population consumes groundwater and this groundwater can get polluted because of a number of contaminants - with fluoride being an important one.

Fluoride contamination of groundwater - a grave risk to health

Groundwater contamination in Punjab, a growing problem (Image for representation only, Source: India Water Portal)
Droughts reduce India's GDP by 5 percent in twenty years
News this fortnight
Posted on 24 May, 2022 08:37 PM

Droughts reduced India’s gross domestic product by 2-5 per cent over 20 years from 1998-2017: Report

India, vulnerable to droughts (Image: Pixabay; hbieser)
Ministry weakens protections against coal mine expansion
Policy matters this fortnight
Posted on 24 May, 2022 08:02 PM

Ministry weakens protections against mine expansion using coal shortage excuse

Work in progress in coal mines in Jharsuguda (Image Source: Makarand Purohit)
Taking people along, to conserve freshwater ecosystems
Citizen science can be greatly useful in breaking down the barriers between local and expert knowledge and help in better management and protection of freshwater ecosystems.
Posted on 17 Apr, 2022 02:23 PM

Freshwater, a rare resource

Pashan lake in Pune (Image Source: India Water Portal)
India, in the hot seat!
The intensity and duration of heat waves is predicted to increase in India and human induced anthropogenic changes are to blame.
Posted on 29 Mar, 2022 03:31 PM

The India Meteorological Department has warned of severe hot weather conditions across large parts of India this month.

A man sits under the scorching heat of the sun in front of Amer fort in Jaipur (Picture courtesy: Prabhu B Doss, Flickr Commons: CC-By-NC-ND-2.0)
Drugged and poisoned, how do rivers in India fare?
Contamination of Indian rivers with pharmaceutical residues is not only posing a grave threat to human health, but also to river ecosystems and the survival of aquatic organisms that reside in the waters.
Posted on 24 Feb, 2022 06:49 PM

Pharmaceuticals, an increasing threat to aquatic ecosystems

The use of pharmaceuticals world wide is increasing and so is the pollution of river waters with pharmaceuticals! A pharmaceutical is any kind of drug used for medicinal purposes.

The serene and drugged river Ganga (Image Source: IWP Flickr album)
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