India

The good clams of Ashtamudi
Thanks to the timely intervention of fishermen who adopted sustainable fishing practices, the clam population in the Ashtamudi was saved from total depletion. Posted on 03 Jul, 2017 08:03 PM

Spanning an area of 61 sq km, the Ashtamudi lake is considered the gateway to the backwaters of Kerala. While the lake on the outside radiates with natural beauty, there is a notable treasure nesting deep within its waters--the short-neck clams.

(Source:Ken Hammond, Wikimedia)
Why save the vultures?
The country’s vulture population has declined by a whopping 99 percent in the last 15 years. A video tells us what it means to us and the environment. Posted on 30 Jun, 2017 04:28 PM

Vultures are nature’s own cleanup crew. These scavengers are known to be immensely effective in managing animal waste by feeding on animal carcasses that, otherwise, have no other ways of disintegrating quickly.

Griffon Vulture (Source:Thermos,Wikipedia)
What we should know about National Water Commission
Mihir Shah Committee report suggests restructuring CWC and CGWB and setting up an apex body for water management. Experts, while welcoming the idea, raise some concerns. Posted on 29 Jun, 2017 07:26 PM

The landmark report titled A 21st century institutional architecture for India's water reforms submitted by the expert committee chaired by Dr Mihir Shah on restructuring the

Restructuring water governance. (Source: India Water Portal)
Mihir Shah Committee report: How to solve water crisis
As a solution to the water crisis, Mihir Shah Committee recommends constituting National Water Commission--a multidisciplinary organisation that will look into water management more holistically. Posted on 29 Jun, 2017 03:23 PM

The country’s water sector is going through a rough patch. From polluted water resources to increasing demand for water due to rising population and frequent droughts, there are many problems that plague the sector. The worst sufferers are farmers and this is evident from increasing farmer suicides.

Water governance for future water security. (Source: IWP via Flickr photos)
Every drop that matters!
A short film provides insight into the water sector situation in the Marathwada region in Maharashtra. Posted on 27 Jun, 2017 10:12 PM

The people of the Marathwada region have been facing severe water crisis for more than three decades. Despite adverse circumstances, the Akoladev panchayat in the Jalna district has set an example for other panchayats by solving their water woes through community participation and effective water harvesting measures that suit their geographic terrain.

Jivrekha river, Akoladev (Source:Dilasa)
Seed of doubt
While several studies confirm that GM crops can have serious impact on the safety of both humans and environment, the government is going ahead with GM mustard. Posted on 21 Jun, 2017 05:30 PM

Signs of mustard aphid, a key pest of the mustard crop appeared predictably in November last year in Dinesh’s farm. Drifting across the open green fields, it landed on the tender leaves of the mustard crop. “It sets in November during the flowering and pod bearing stage of the crop and lasts till January.

Opposition to GM mustard intensifies in India. (Image: Swadeshi Kheti)
Government allows closure of Sardar Sarovar dam gates
News this week Posted on 20 Jun, 2017 10:42 AM

Centre gives permission to close Sardar Sarovar dam gates

Sardar Sarovar dam (Source: Shahakshay, Wikipedia)
Chilka's health brings wealth
The Chilika Lake is Asia’s largest saltwater lake known for its biodiversity. The video, Going the Chilika Way provides insight into the importance of investing in nature and improving biodiversity. Posted on 19 Jun, 2017 12:44 PM

Spanning over 1,165 sq km, the Chilika Lake is Asia’s largest saltwater lake. Over 200,000 fishers and 400,000 farmers depend on the lake for their livelihood. But what makes this lake stand out is its biodiversity.Over a million migratory birds winter here, making it a bird watcher’s paradise in India.

The Chilika Lake. (Source: India Water Portal)
Stringent punishment for polluting Ganga
Policy matters this week Posted on 13 Jun, 2017 09:49 AM

Strict punishments proposed for polluting Ganga river

Ganga river at Kachla, Uttar Pradesh. (Source: IWP Flickr Photos)
Better yield with customised rice cultivation
A new way of planting paddy with wider spacing gives better yield in a village. Posted on 08 Jun, 2017 04:57 PM

Purba Bhateni is a village located in the Mahakalapada block of Kendrapara district of Odisha on the coast of the Bay of Bengal. Abutting the coastal tidal line, the village is surrounded by tidal water bodies and protected by saline protection embankment. Farming and small-scale fishing in the tidal water bodies is the source of livelihood for farmers here.

Farmer Hrushikesh Mandal with his yield.
×