North Eastern Range

"Understanding and resolving water conflicts in the North East": Workshop held at Guwahati, 23-26 January 2012
This report deals with an event on resolving water conflicts in the North East held at Guwahati. Posted on 16 Feb, 2012 01:31 PM

Guest post by: Raju Mimi

Adapting to climate change - Conserving rice biodiversity of the Apatani tribe in North East India - An IGREC working paper
This working paper published by the Institute of Green Economy (IGREC) describes the traditional rice growing practices of the Apatani tribes in Arunachal Pradesh. Posted on 15 Feb, 2012 11:47 PM

It also deals with the threat to the biodiversity in the area due to climate changes and argues for the need to devise adaptation strategies at an urgent level to preserve the unique genetic variability of the region and the indigenous knowledge of farming practices in the area.

Bangledesh's perspectives on Tipaimukh dam
This article by Md. Khalequzzaman deals with Bangladesh's position on the Tipaimukh dam. Posted on 18 Jan, 2012 11:33 PM

The Indian government and two other Indian authorities have signed an agreement on October 22, 2011 regarding construction of the Tipaimukh Dam.

Hydropower in the Northeast: Potential and harnessing analysis - A critique
This paper was commissioned as an input to the study “Development and Growth in Northeast India: The Natural Resources, Water, and Environment Nexus” by the World Bank. Posted on 15 Jan, 2012 11:41 PM

The main objectives of the hydropower study are as follows: 

  • An analysis of the hydropower potential in the Northeast and key elements of the strategy that should be followed for optimal realization of this potential 
  • An overview of the hydropower development options in the Northeast with regard to the water resources in the different river basins, including consideration of flood control and irrigationmap of the north-eastern states

Map of the north-east states

Ministry of Environment and Forest hails Supreme Court Order on Lafarge mining in July 2011
A special forest bench headed by the Chief Justice S H Kapadia of the Supreme Court has on July 6, 2011 allowed French cement giant Lafarge to mine 116-hectare limestone in the forests in the East Khasi hills in Meghalaya Posted on 07 Jul, 2011 09:28 PM

lafarge

Photo Courtesy: NewsofAP.com

. The apex court also upheld the revised environmental clearances given to Lafarge by the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) and invoking the principles of sustainable development, inter-generational equity and the doctrine of proportionality the Bench stated “The word “development” is a relative term.  One cannot assume that the tribals are not aware of principles of conservation of forest. In the present case, we are satisfied that limestone mining has been going on for centuries in the area and that it is an activity which is intertwined with the culture and the unique land holding and tenure system of the Nongtrai village. On the facts of this case, we are satisfied with the diligence exercise undertaken by MoEF in the matter of forest diversion.”

Optimal water resource management in water stress condition : A Newsletter of AFPRO Volume 2, Issue 2 of July 2011
Action for Food Production (AFPRO) newsletter - Volume 2, Issue 2 of July 2011, focuses on water scarcity, drought and salinity, which are among the most important environmental constraints related to food security in rainfed agriculture systems. Posted on 07 Jul, 2011 11:29 AM

AFPROSmall and marginal farmers are most affected from water stress situations, and need simple, sustainable and effective measures for water conservation and management.

Weather variability and rainfall pattern of Sidr, the post-monsoon cyclonic storm of November 2007 in the Meghalaya Plateau – A paper in Current Science
This paper in Current Science deals with the weather variability and rainfall pattern of Sidr, the post-monsoon cyclonic storm of 15 November 2007 in the Meghalaya Plateau. Posted on 25 May, 2011 07:52 PM

Atmospheric depressions sometimes initiate tropical cyclones in the pre- and post-monsoon season in the Bay of Bengal, which move to land and create havoc. Their intensity and pattern vary individually.

Water poverty in the northeastern hill region of India: Potential alleviation through multiple-use water systems - A report by IWMI
Local water resource-based multiple-use water systems that provide water supply both for household and livestock needs and for small high-value agriculture are understood. Posted on 20 Dec, 2010 12:07 AM

This study by IWMI maps the household water poverty in a typical remote village of the northeast, understands the causes for such a scenario and reflects on the past efforts. Local water resource-based multiple-use water systems that provide water supply both for household and livestock needs and for small high-value agriculture are understood. 

The per capita and per hectare availability of water in India is highest in this region but the societal (both productive and consumptive) water use is less than five per cent of the existing potential. The unutilised and excessive water supplies during the rainy season create a mayhem of devastations almost every year with ravaging floods, landslides, soil erosion and other infrastructural failures and miseries and unrest in large parts.

Approach and achievements of individual water management by Dr Choudhury of Guwahati
In the recent past, Dr. Dipul Choudhury from Guwahati (Assam), managed to ensure rainwater harvesting arrangements in his newly constructed multistoried building at Tarun Nagar, Guwahati (Assam). The results have been very satisfactory and he is proudly nicknamed "Resident Water Manager". Posted on 18 Jun, 2010 10:07 PM

In the recent past, Dr. Dipul Choudhury from Guwahati (Assam), managed to ensure rainwater harvesting arrangements in his newly constructed multistoried building at Tarun Nagar, Guwahati (Assam).

How changing climate and melting glaciers affects nations across the globe: Spotlight on the Himalayas
In the next decade, the Himalayas are projected to suffer from devastating Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and landslides - Is climate change the culprit? Posted on 25 Aug, 2009 05:11 PM

As observed by the United Nations Environment Program (GRID-Arendal) ice and snow are major components of the climate system. That is why human induced climate change can be first observed in Polar Regions where most of Earth's snow and ice are concentrated. In these areas global warming induces the progressive melting of ice and snow.