Uttarakhand

Centre provides relief fund to drought and flood-hit states
Policy matters this week Posted on 05 Jan, 2016 11:19 AM

Relief assistance to drought-hit Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh and flood-hit West Bengal

Drought affected area in Karnataka (Source: Pushkarv via Wikipedia)
The Last Builder of Naulas in Chatola, Nainital
Constructing naulas, the small structures that house springs in Uttarakhand, requires an intimate knowledge of many sciences. One of the last practitioners of this dying craft tells his story. Posted on 03 Jan, 2016 05:57 PM

No 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.

Ratan Singh Bisht is one of the few people today who constructs naulas
The importance of women in natural resources management
A study among the hill women in Uttarakhand found that they showed a high inclination to participate in water and forest management programmes through Informal communities. Posted on 16 Dec, 2015 12:40 PM

Although the state of Uttarakhand is rich in water and forest resources, its watersheds are under threat of wasting and erosion due to decreased forest cover, faulty agricultural practices, hydrologic imbalances and natural calamities. The growing population is further increasing the pressure on natural resources.

Hill women and natural resources management (Source: India Water Portal)
A thousand streams spring back
Sahastradhara near Dehradun is testimony to the fact that nature’s bounty is unlimited if man treads carefully. Posted on 15 Dec, 2015 12:58 PM

Govind Ram has seen the worst and best that man can do to nature.

A view of Sahastradhara region from the  ropeway (Source: Dr Umesh Behari Mathur/ Flickr)
Wildlife Board panel not to consider projects in and around protected areas
Policy matters this week Posted on 11 Nov, 2015 08:23 PM

Panel not to consider projects until eco-zones are clearly demarcated

Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan (Source: Vasundhara Deogawanka via IWP Flickr Photos)
State Government's slow response caused 2013 flash floods: CAG
News this week Posted on 11 Nov, 2015 08:19 PM

CAG report blames Uttarakhand Government for 2013 flash floods

House washed away by the Uttarakhand floods (Source: IWP Flickr Photo)
Why seeds sprout 'hope'
Seeds are not a just a gateway to the future but also a link between our today & tomorrow, and a harbinger of hope, says Biju Negi of Beej Bachao Andolan. Posted on 31 Oct, 2015 05:09 PM

Beej Bachao Andolan (Save the Seed Movement) is not an organisation nor is it a registered entity. It does not take on projects nor does it crave funding.

Forests, water & seeds are all interconnected (Source: India Water Portal)
Srinagar's Dal Lake shrinks by 36% in the last 37 years
News this week Posted on 26 Oct, 2015 09:43 PM

Study shows half of Srinagar's water bodies have disappeared in the past century

Dal Lake in Srinagar (Source: McKay Savage via Wikipedia)
Community conservation of forests is successful when women participate
Van Panchayats have only been successful in conserving their forests with the enthusiastic participation of women. This is how to increase women's leadership in forest conservation. Posted on 24 Oct, 2015 04:34 PM

When I first spoke with Bhagoti Devi, I attempted to break the ice by telling her how warmly our mutual acquaintances spoke of her. She was nonchalant. "Of course they will recommend you speak to me”, she said. “After all, it took a lot of hard work to have such a thick forest standing here.”

These two neighbouring oak trees, one untouched and the other over-lopped, are both managed by the women of one family and illustrate the impact that women have on forests
Environment Ministry allowed to clear hydel projects in Uttarakhand, except in Alaknanda-Bhagirathi basins
Policy matters this week Posted on 20 Oct, 2015 07:10 PM

MoEFCC can approve hydel projects in Uttarakhand, except in Alaknanda-Bhagirathi river basins: SC

Bhagirathi river at its source, Gaumukh (Source: IWP Flickr Photo)
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