Durg District

Dumping waste effectively
Three environment-friendly ways of disposing of human waste have proven effective in various districts of Chhattisgarh. Posted on 16 Mar, 2019 03:51 PM

According to the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) website, access to toilets has improved in India and 28 out of 36 states and Union Territories are now open defecation free (ODF). While that’s good news, managing faecal sludge in ODF states in an eco-friendly way continues to be a big challenge. 

Evapotranspiration community toilet at Shankarnagar, Kumhari (Source: India Water Portal)
Not enough water, villagers look for solution
Chhattisgarh’s Bemetara district has been facing severe water shortage for a while now. Rainwater harvesting could be a solution to this. Posted on 25 May, 2018 06:03 PM

There seems to be no end to the drinking water crisis in the Bemetara district in Chhattisgarh. It is only becoming worse with every passing day. More than 40 percent of all the hand pumps installed in the district have run dry due to the depletion of groundwater level.  

Women of Bagledi struggle to get a pot of drinking water from one of the four stand posts.(Pics: India Water Portal)
Living in fear of water
The proposed Mohar reservoir project is expected to submerge two villages and adversely affect 10 other villages when completed. Needless to say, the villagers are anxious. Posted on 31 Jul, 2016 11:41 AM

Farmer Ravikant Deshmukh (40) is a much worried man. He lives in Kudari Dalli in Balod district in Chhattisgarh, a village that would get affected adversely if Mohar reservoir project takes off. The project, once realised, is estimated to submerge the agricultural land and houses of 1200 villagers in Kudari Dalli.

Punam Kumar Deshmukh at the proposed Mohar reservoir site near Banjaridihi village.
State does a Nero while Kharun weeps
Despite the pitiable state of a polluted Kharun, the government is keen on developing the riverfront to attract tourists. Posted on 18 Jul, 2016 09:30 AM

At sunrise, everything is luminous but not clear. 

― Norman Maclean, A River Runs Through It and Other Stories

Kharun river at Mahadev Ghat, Raipur.
Water vending machines: How equitable are they?
Water ATMs have been in use in India for a decade but who are they helping and are they fulfilling their objective, which is to provide safe and clean drinking water to the poor at a low cost? Posted on 05 Dec, 2015 02:34 PM

A water ATM, as the name implies, is a sort of a water vending machine similar to bank ATMs except that in a water ATM, money goes in to the machine in return for water. These machines, which run on a cash as well as a prepaid card or smart card system are built, owned and operated by private companies that have rights over public resources such as land and water.

Water vending machines at work (Source:Sarvajal)
Why use a refrigerator to store water when you can use a clay pot?
Decreasing demand in India for earthen pots to store drinking water has affected thousands of potters' livelihoods. The film 'Vanishing Potters' provides a closer look. Posted on 04 Jul, 2015 10:06 PM

What's not to like about clay pots? "They cool water naturally due to the tiny air pores present in them, are affordable, save energy and are eco-friendly when compared to refrigerators", says Gautam Bandhopadhaya, a water expert in Chhattisgarh.

A potter making a clay pot in Jevra Sirsa village in Durg district
How has water privatisation affected Chattisgarh?
The Mahanadi's longest tributary, the Shivnath, has borne the brunt of urbanisation and industrialisation but the impact has been felt the most by residents. We capture their story in pictures. Posted on 27 May, 2015 04:37 PM

The Shivnath River is the longest tributary of the Mahanadi River.

Shivnath river near Mahamara Barrage, Durg
The Bhilai Steel Plant, a symbol of modern India, is running out of iron ore
Once filled with dense forests, the Dalli Rajhara area which supplies iron ore to the Bhilai Steel Plant, is now a reddish vast expanse taking a toll on the villagers and their water resources. Posted on 06 Jul, 2013 09:31 AM

For the last 50 years, the Bhilai Steel Plant, which is India's largest integrated steel plant has got its supply of iron ore from Dalli Rajhara's mines. Dalli Rajhara, a municipality which is also an industrial city is located 90km south of Durg in Chhattisgarh. It is a part of the Rajhara group of mines. Iron ore mined in this area are of two types - hematite and magnetite.

Dalli Rajhara Mines in Chhattisgarh
The 15-year old battle for the Shivnath river still rages!
Protests against privatisation of the river pay off but only partially; fisher folk still struggle to make a living. Posted on 03 Jun, 2013 07:53 PM
The Shivnath River, which is 345 kms long, is the Mahanadi’s largest tributary. It originates from the Godari village in Gadchiroli district, Maharashtra and flows northeast for 300 kms and joins the Mahanadi river near the town Shivrinarayan in Chhattisgarh.
Dam built by Radius at Rasmara, Chhattisgarh
WASH – It’s important for children!
UNICEF Chhattisgarh initiative on WASH- A workshop report Posted on 13 May, 2013 04:13 PM

UNICEF recently conducted a workshop in Raipur to highlight the importance of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in schools. WASH is essential for the all-round well-being of all children, especially girls. 

 

 

 

Mrs Reena Kangale, Mission Director, Sarva Sikhsha Abhiyan, Chhattisgarh during inaugural address

Photo Courtesy: UNICEF Chhattisgarh

 

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