India
Low carbon strategies for inclusive growth - An interim report of the Planning Commission's expert group
Posted on 28 Jun, 2011 11:44 PM
Some policy measures implied by various options have also been indicated. The main sectors examined in the report are power, transport, industry, buildings and forestry.
Increased concentrations of Green House Gases (GHGs) and the overall warming of the atmosphere has resulted in changing rainfall patterns, disruption in hydrological cycles, melting of ice caps and glaciers, rise in sea levels, and increase in frequency and intensity of extreme events such as heavy precipitation and cyclonic activities.
These have in turn had serious impact on sustainability of water resources, agriculture, forests and ecosystems, affecting the well being of billions of people on earth. Widespread melting of glaciers and snow cover will reduce melt water from major mountain ranges (e.g. Hindu Kush, Himalaya, Andes) where more than one billion people currently live.
Establishment and management of community sanitary complexes in rural areas - A handbook by Water and Sanitation Program
Posted on 28 Jun, 2011 10:45 PM
It is intended primarily for programme implementers to help them understand the critical need for Community Sanitary Complexes and inform them of the guiding principles to be adopted while planning for these.
India remains one of the countries wherein concerted efforts are still required to eliminate the practice of open defecation. The lack of priority given to safe confinement and disposal of human excreta poses significant health risks manifest in the sanitation challenge facing the nation today.
The provision of sanitation facilities through public toilet complexes is the most suitable option for those who cannot afford individual toilets for monetary reasons or due to lack of space, and opt for open defecation. Such complexes are a useful and valuable option at public places, markets, taxi stands, etc., where a large congregation of people takes place. The Community Sanitary Complex (CSC) fosters the cognitive development of healthy sanitation practices in the community.
Centrally sponsored schemes ARWSP and TSC have not done enough to ensure right to water and basic sanitation : Article from Combat Law
Posted on 28 Jun, 2011 04:59 PM
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) recognises the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all human beings. There are certain basic needs that are essential for a dignified life. Water and sanitation are two of these essential human needs and a clean environment is also increasingly recognised as a fundamental human right.
Challenges of food security and its management: A position paper by the National Rainfed Area Authority
Posted on 28 Jun, 2011 08:07 AM
The paper also discusses their future potential and possible impact on national food security of diversification into non-PDS, fruits, vegetables and other commercial crops. This kind of analysis is likely to help planners and policy makers in choosing appropriate policy framework in evolving the strategies for enacting and operationalization of Food Security Act.
With increase in population, income and urbanization, the demand for food grains has also increased and diversified. Although there has been more than four-fold increase in food grain production from 1950-51 (50.82 mt) to 2008-09 (233.88 mt), a large section of our population continues to suffer from malnutrition and inadequacy of food grains. On the other hand degradation of land, water and other natural resources have started impacting production through increased biotic and abiotic stresses.
Release of the latest issue of The Hindu's annual publication - Survey of Indian Agriculture 2010
Posted on 27 Jun, 2011 12:41 PM
The survey aims to cover major crops and suggestions to farmers on how to take preventive steps to avoid yield loss. There will also be a special article on improvement in living conditions of the rural people.
Contents
Section-1
Overview:
Enhancing the disaster resilience of agriculture
Prof. M.S. Swaminathan
Drought:
Preparedness to face drought challenges
Dr. V. Rajagopal
Intensive farming responsible for farmer suicides - Interview with Devinder Sharma with special focus on Odisha
Posted on 27 Jun, 2011 11:54 AM
Q: Odisha is not much known for farmers' suicide the way we hear it in Vidarbha, Andhra Pradesh etc. But of late such cases are being reported in the media. What's the reason?
A: When you look at the issue of farmers' suicide, it's an indication of the crisis that exists in the agriculture sector. This is linked to monoculture and intensive or industrial farming model that have been implemented in the country. Vidharbha for instance has been in the news on the issue of farmers' suicide mainly because there is one NGO namely Vidharbha Jan Andolan Samiti which regularly compiles the figures of farmers suicide and feeds to the media. Unfortunately there are no such NGOs elsewhere to do a similar job. So therefore we do not get the real picture of farmers distress in other areas where conditions are equally bad. If suppose this NGO also stops compiling suicide figures, our impression about Vidharbha as a suicide belt of India will also disappear. In other words, not only in Vidharbha, agriculture across the country is in a terrible crisis.
Sitaram Jindal Foundation invites nominations for Jindal prize 2011 – Apply by June 30, 2011
Posted on 27 Jun, 2011 11:31 AM
The Sitaram Jindal Foundation formerly known as S.J. Jindal Trust, set up in 1969 is a charitable organisation engaged in promoting education, healthcare & rural development. The foundation believes in serving humanity without consideration of caste, creed, religion or gender. It has no political, religious or commercial affiliation. The foundation has set up several schools, colleges, hospitals and has awarded scholarships to more than 1 lakh students.
Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Allied Trusts is looking for Program Associate at Mumbai – Apply by June 27, 2011
Posted on 27 Jun, 2011 11:16 AMEstablished in 1932, Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Allied Trusts, collectively form one of the largest private sector philanthropic organisations with an annual disbursement of Rs. 300+ crores. The Trusts offer individual assistance to students and to poor patients, make financial contributions to Institutions and provide financial support to over 600 NGOs in the country.
To administer their grant making and management activities, the Trusts are looking for a suitable professional for the position of Program Associate - Civil Society, Human Rights and Governance.
An Indian perspective on the conservation and management of lakes – A report by Ministry of Environment and Forests
Posted on 25 Jun, 2011 10:43 PM
This publication will serve to be useful reference material for policymakers, implementing agencies, environmentalists and those who enjoy the beauty and diversity of India’s water bodies.
Lakes are not only a source of water and livelihood for many of our populations, but they also support a large proportion of our biodiversity. The wetlands, shallower peripheral areas of large lakes, provide breeding and nesting grounds to huge population of birds, many of which migrate to India from as far north as Siberia.
Ashwas process handbook - A planning and execution guide for participatory surveys of household water and sanitation
Posted on 25 Jun, 2011 04:31 PMThe handbook was created as a result of several organisations expressing their interest in conducting an exercise similar to ASHWAS. The purpose of this handbook is thus to serve as a template for those wishing to carry out a similar effort in the other parts of the country.