Political
Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2010 - Welcome, but a lost opportunity - Press release by SANDRP
Posted on 04 Feb, 2011 10:33 AMOn the occasion of the World Wetlands Day 2011, while we welcome the notification of Wetland (Conservation and Management) rules 2010 by the Union Ministry of Env
Proceedings of the second international symposium on the management of large rivers for fisheries by FAO and Mekong River Commission
Posted on 03 Feb, 2011 07:55 PMThe second international symposium on the management of large rivers for fisheries was held by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and Mekong River Commission on 11 - 14 February 2003 in Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia. It had three primary objectives: (a) To provide a forum to review and synthesise the latest information on large rivers; (b) To raise the political, public and scientific awareness of the importance of river systems, the living aquatic resources they support and the people that depend on them; and (c) To contribute to better management, conservation and restoration of the living aquatic resources of large rivers.
The symposium was organised in six sessions:
Session 1: Status of rivers
Session 2: Value of river fisheries
Session 3: Fisheries ecology and conservation
Session 4: Management of river fisheries
Session 5: Statistics and information
Session 6: Synthesis
It came up with the following recommendations for action -
- Improve the valuation of living river resources in order to contribute to equitable and sustainable management of fishery resources and properly place the fishery in the context of the other uses of rivers.
- Direct greater effort to better understanding the social and economic aspects of fisheries to support policy and management priorities; livelihood approaches will be a valuable tool.
- Communicate and engage with environment and water resources managers within the context of multi-use of water in order to accurately assess impacts and to sustain the benefits of river fisheries in an equitable manner.
- Develop processes that facilitate the users and beneficiaries of the fishery resource to assume greater control of its management.
- Establish appropriate mechanisms at national and basin level to enable negotiation for the needs of communities dependent upon the living aquatic resources. In particular further regulations need to be elaborated to protect general ecosystem function and provide for environmental flows.
- Use instruments such as the freshwater eco-regions approach, the Ramsar Convention and the guidelines for water allocation suggested by the World Commission on Dams, to enhance planning for conservation and sustainable use of river habitats.
- Incorporate ecological flow requirements of river-floodplain systems into development plans and impact assessments that affect river flows, taking into account the seasonality of the system and the environmental cues needed by the fish for migration and reproduction.
- Rehabilitate degraded ecosystems wherever possible. Prioritize schemes that ensure connectivity and protection of critical habitats.
Run for Bellandur Lake, 6th February 2011, Bangalore
Posted on 03 Feb, 2011 03:26 PMOrganizers: Group of Environmental and Social Activists
Venue: Bangalore
Description:
This run is a demand from citizens for government action and it is also intended to spread awareness of the situation.
This event is for all of us in Bangalore, our children, our health and well being. We can get back our wonderful lakes, not to mention valuable drinking water for the future.
MGNREGA completes 5 years - PIB Release
Posted on 03 Feb, 2011 01:34 PMAddressing a large gathering at Vigyan Bhawan on this occasion in New Delhi, the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh called upon the states to strengthen the Gram Sabhas for rural empowerment. He said the Ministry of Rural Development and Ministry of Panchayati Raj has jointly chalked out a plan to strengthen the Panchayats. Technical Units will be set up in Gram Panchayats and to improve the managerial efficiency every unit will have a Panchayat Development officer and one Junior Engineer. Focus would be on Left Wing Extremism(LWE) affected districts and the districts where more than Rs.100 crore have been spent under MGNREGA.
Conjunctive use of surface water and ground water - Lecture delivered by Dr. R. Jagadiswara Rao at National Water Academy, Pune
Posted on 03 Feb, 2011 12:09 PM
Dr. R. Jagadishwara Rao
Former Professor of Geology
Sri Venkateswara University
Tirupati, AP 517502
Permaculture Designers Course, 1st - 14th April, 2011, Sambhav, Odisha
Posted on 03 Feb, 2011 11:07 AMOrganizer: Permaculture Association of India
Venue: Sambhav, Rohibanka, Nayagarh district, Odisha, India
Topics:
- Introduction-The Permaculture Principles and Ethics
- Principles of Natural Systems,understanding patterns in nature and design
- Pattern In Design-Cultivated Systems: zones and sectors, micro-climate, plants and animals
- Natural Systems: climate, landforms,water, forests and trees
"Recommendations on water and sanitation services to urban poor"
Posted on 02 Feb, 2011 05:31 PMThe India WASH Forum newsletter for January 2011. It is an open platform for engagement on contemporary issues, for an independent credible voice in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector.
- Recommendations on water and sanitation services to urban poor
The group came up with a list of prioritised issues that need immediate attention if the urban poor were to be provided with sustainable and equitable water and sanitation services. - Water resources are under stress of depletion as well as denial of access for the poor
Drinking water needs are met primarily from ground water. Except for the large metros that suck away water from rivers, most small towns in India depend on ground water supply.
"Urban sanitation in India: life after Common Wealth Games"
Posted on 02 Feb, 2011 05:16 PMThe India WASH Forum newsletter for November 2010. It is an open platform for engagement on contemporary issues, for an independent credible voice in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector.
- Recent estimates of drinking water and sanitation status of India
As per the estimate, India has achieved a coverage of 68% rural population having access to an individual household toilet. - Urban sanitation in India: life after Common Wealth Games
The Commonwealth Games generated a media blitz recently. Unfortunately, instead of highlighting the sorry state of sanitation in India, the issue was trivialized in the media.
Millet Mela, Sahaja Samrudha, 5th - 6th Feb, 2011, Gandhi Bhavan, Bangalore
Posted on 02 Feb, 2011 04:44 PMTheme: Meet the Millet! Say hello to HEALTH
Organizer: Sahaja Samrudha
Venue: Gandhi Bhavan, Bangalore
MSW graduates required for data collection on watershed
Posted on 02 Feb, 2011 03:25 PMForwarded to the portal by: L.C.Nagaraj
We have taken up evaluation of 65 water sheds in Northern districts of Karnataka. These water sheds are spread across Bagalkot,Raichur, Koppala, Bellary and Davanagere districts.