Kumaun Himalayas
Hydropower in the Himalayas: Potential and risks
Posted on 21 Aug, 2019 11:01 PMWorldwide, the demand for energy has risen significantly and quickly, leading to serious impacts on environmental sustainability and hindering global efforts to mitigate climate change. Hydropower, a leading renewable option has the additional benefits of water storage for agriculture and other uses.
Springing back to life
Posted on 25 Jul, 2019 12:48 PMIn popular imagination, steeped in consumer culture, the hills are exotic and aesthetically sublime places to find solace away from busy urban life. This kind of imagination conveniently ignores and de-contextualizes the hills and the problems they face today. The Himalayas, often known as the Water Tower of Asia, are revered because many of the world's important rivers originate from them.
The Last Builder of Naulas in Chatola, Nainital
Posted on 03 Jan, 2016 05:57 PMNo temple is as venerated in Uttarakhand as the little unassuming naulas. These small hut-like structures dot the mountains and hold within them a great treasure--water. Usually made of stone masonry with pyramid-like slate roofs, every naula respresents within it a residing spirit which can range from a simple stone piece to an ornately carved statue.
Barefoot hydrogeologists: The next generation
Posted on 18 Jun, 2015 02:55 PMI first met Kunti and Priya at a meeting of the Springs Initiative, which is a network of organisations and individuals working across India to restore their springs.
Studying springs: A matter of life and death
Posted on 16 Feb, 2015 10:55 PMHydrogeology has, before this, been considered a highly specialised field known only to dedicated academics.
Uttarakhandi women 1, Ultra Tech Cement 0
Posted on 15 Aug, 2014 12:42 PMWhen Basanti Devi entered the village of Bachwadi in Uttarakhand's Takula block on one of her routine visits, she knew that something was wrong. Instead of the normal hustle, groups of men stood about talking quietly.
Small schemes, big impact
Posted on 13 Jan, 2014 01:54 PMDespite being endowed with adequate rainfall, most parts of the Himalayas are considered water-stressed for both agricultural and domestic purposes. This is mainly due to the seasonality of precipitation, which is concentrated to the monsoon months. It remains dry for rest of the year.
Separated by a spring
Posted on 06 Jan, 2014 10:02 AMNumerous small villages dot the Himalayas. These villages obtain water from springs that are in their turn supplied by small aquifers. Due to the complex folded nature of the rocks that make up the mountains, the area from which these aquifers receive their water may be at some distance away from the actual spring.
Resurrecting the dying 'gharats' of Uttarkashi
Posted on 14 Sep, 2013 05:30 PMGharats are water-powered grinding mills found in Himalayan villages. Though these are owned and managed by individuals, they are considered to be the common property of the entire village.
Sacchidanand Bharti - in his own words
Posted on 15 Jul, 2013 07:12 PMReams have been written about Sacchidanand Bharti, of Ufrenkhal fame and his work on afforestation and water conservation. However, very rarely does he speak about his own efforts and experiences.