Down to Earth

Down to Earth
Census: India, a nation of 1.21 billion - Article from Down to Earth
India is home to 1,210 million people, almost equal to the combined population of the US, Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Japan (1,214 million).
Posted on 25 Apr, 2011 05:30 PM

 

CENSUS: A nation of 1.21 billion - Article from Down to EarthIndia is the most populous nation after China (1,342 million). India hosts 17.5 per cent of the world’s population compared to China’s 19.4 per cent. Of 28 states and seven Union Territories, 20 states contribute to 98 per cent of India’s population.

Urban lakes - A series of current articles from Down To Earth magazine
This presents information on lakes in Delhi, Hyderabad, Bhimtal, Surajkund and Kolkata.
Posted on 14 Apr, 2011 07:11 PM

Article Courtesy: 

Delhi
On June 7, 2000, the Delhi Jal Board and the Municipal Corporation announcement that they would create 150 ponds for rainwater harvesting. TAPAS, a non-governmental organisation, approached the Delhi High Court on June 22, 2000, to force government authorities to improve water availability and quality in the national capital. It sought restoration of neglected lakes and depressions in the city as well as the implementation of the announcement made by the authorities.

Hyderabad
The Andhra Pradesh High Court is hearing three different public interest petitions to protect the Hussainsagar lake. One seeks to prevent construction on or around the lake or its catchment area. Another aims to prevent heavy siltation due to annual immersion of idols in the lake during religious occasions.

Rice intensification for increasing productivity in Koraput, Odisha
System of Rice Intensification is new mantra for reducing water usage and increasing productivity
Posted on 24 Dec, 2010 10:12 AM


System of Rice Intensification

Photo: Muralidhar Adhikari

Rain shocked: A Down To Earth's study on the effects of climate change on precipitation patterns in India
A Down To Earth research study on how climate change is leading to a rising trend of short but intense spells of rainfall, which is making usable water scarce in India
Posted on 20 Aug, 2009 05:11 PM

This research study (Mar 15 2009) throws light on how climate change is leading to a rising trend of short but intense spells of rainfall, which is making usable water scarce in India.

Read the study

Hiware Bazar water balance sheet 2007: From scarcity to surplus
The story of how villagers of Hiware Bazaar in Maharashtra turned the water situation around in their villages from 'scarcity to surplus'
Posted on 20 Aug, 2009 05:03 PM

The work done by the villagers of Hiware Bazaar (Maharashtra) in transforming their village, through soil and water conservation works with Government / Panchayat funds is well known.

Paper and pulp mills pollute Uttarakhand hills
An article from Down to Earth on the pollution caused due to the paper and pulp units in several villages across Uttarakhand
Posted on 20 Aug, 2009 04:49 PM

Villagers and townsfolk of Lalkuan, Bindukhatta, Pantnagar, Kichha, Bazpur and Kashipur in Uttaranchal's terai belt are beset by water and air pollution, and have picked up a struggle against a number of red-category (most polluting) paper and pulp units and distilleries in the districts of Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar and Hardwar, which are polluting the Uttarakhand hills with impunity.

Mapping water pollution and groundwater depletion due to industrial activities in India
This map from Down To Earth indicates that most of India's industrial zones are in water stressed regions, hence water prudence on the part of Industries become crucial
Posted on 20 Aug, 2009 04:28 PM

This map provides the of levels of water pollution and groundwater depletion due to industrial activities in different parts of India. 

Fed by rain - India's rainfed and poorest areas overlap
India's rainfed areas are agriculture intensive - 85% of the employed people in these areas are engaged in agriculture.
Posted on 20 Aug, 2009 03:52 PM

Consisting mainly of arid and semi-arid areas and the country's 200 backward districts, these rainfed regions are concentrated in 13 states.

Ozone depletion trend map for India from Down to Earth
This map shows the difference between predicted and observed ozone trends in 14 cities of India, based on data collected over a decade
Posted on 19 Aug, 2009 03:52 PM

/sites/default/files/iwp/Ozone%20levels_Difference%20between%20predicted%20and%20observed%20trends%20in%2014%20cities_2005_Down%20to%20Earth.jpg

Rain Shocked-Climate change and the rainfall pattern
Rain Shocked: A research study by Down to Earth, on how climate change is leading to a rising trend of short but intense spells of rainfall, which is making usable water scarce in India.
Posted on 11 Jun, 2009 02:40 PM

The research study was published in Down to Earth in March 2009 issue. The study describes how climate change is leading to a rising trend of short but intense spells of rainfall, which is making usable water scarce in India.

×