Gujarat

The report by Institute for Resource Analysis and Policy (IRAP) and Society for Integrated Land and Water Management (SOFILWM) presents the findings of a research study undertaken in north Gujarat region, an area which has been undergoing significant changes in its farming systems as a result of several developmental interventions.

The study looked at a project initiated by IWMI and managed by SOFILWM in which water-efficient irrigation devices, water-efficient crops and land management practices were introduced among farmers in an effort to help them cut down groundwater use in irrigated agriculture without adversely affecting the economic prospects of farming.

 The agricultural ‘growth’ seen in the recent past in Gujarat is nothing but a good recovery from a major dip in production occurred during the drought years of 1999 and 2000, because of four consecutive years of successful monsoon and bulk water transfer through the Sardar Sarovar project. The real ‘miracle growth’ in Gujarat’s agriculture appears to have occurred during the period from 1988 to 1998.

VIKSAT (Vikram Sarabhai Centre for Development Interaction), established in 1977, is an activity of the Nehru Foundation for Development (NFD), Ahmedabad. VIKSAT, engaged in promotion of participatory management of natural resources, believes that the goal of sustainability in natural resources development and management can be achieved only through decisive participation of the local communities aided by an enabling role of the government agencies.

VIKSAT is looking for Field Coordinator for its Radhanpur Field Office, in Patan District of Gujarat.

VIKSAT (Vikram Sarabhai Centre for Development Interaction), established in 1977, is an activity of the Nehru Foundation for Development (NFD), Ahmedabad. VIKSAT, engaged in promotion of participatory management of natural resources, believes that the goal of sustainability in natural resources development and management can be achieved only through decisive participation of the local communities aided by an enabling role of the government agencies.

VIKSAT is looking for a Project Associate (Agriculture) to be based at the Kheroj Field Office, in Sabarkantha District.

The terms of reference of the study for formulation of guidelines included:

 A large number of farmers and well operators were interviewed in the process. Data was also collected from the power utility that supplies power to this region. Along with this the climatic peculiarities of the region, farmers and well users perceptions on ground water management and use were also collected.

This Current Science paper uses secondary data to discuss the disappearance of the river Saraswati. The enigma that was the disappearance of this river, which according to the author once upon a time greened Rajasthan and had nurtured civilizations on its shore, brought archaeologists, geologists, geophysicists, and climatologists to find answers. The author uses the body of work created by these scientists to solve the puzzle of the disappearance of the Saraswati.

Organizer: Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd.

Venue: Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University (PDPU) Auditorium, Gandhinagar, Gujarat

Topics:

• Water for Inclusive Growth

Organizer: South Asian Fund Raising Group

Venue: Gandhi Labour Institute, Ahmedabad

 This book is being read by wider professionals all over the globe with interest and many people have also offered their review on the same.  Keeping in view the activities of India Water Portal, we feel that it may be of interest for the portal readers to know more about this.  One such review of the book written by Prof. D. T. Shete, Former Director, Water Resources Engineering and Management Institute, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara is attached herewith.