Western Himalayas

The inhospitable Indus
This photo essay illustrates how the historic river offers sustenance to the residents of the high Himalayas. Could 'development' end its age-old relationship with the people of Ladakh? Posted on 04 Nov, 2013 08:29 PM

Flowing through Tibet, northern India and Pakistan, the Indus is the western-most major river of the Indus-Ganga-Brahmaputra basin. This basin extends over most  of South Asia from the Himalayas to the Vindhyas, excluding Peninsular India, and carries the rain that falls in this region to the Indian Ocean.

The Indus between Domkhar and Skurbuchen
Call for Proposal 'SERVIR-Himalaya Small Grants Programme', ICIMOD
Aim is to help utilize geospatial tools and services to improve decision-making related to sustainable mountain development with a special focus on climate adaptation, vulnerability or mitigation.
Posted on 04 Nov, 2013 11:42 AM

For further information on the organisation, The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), please click here.

Invitation to International conference on 'Addressing Poverty and Vulnerability in the Hindu Kush Himalayas', ICIMOD, Kathmandu, Nepal
The conference will bring together stakeholders from the Hindu Kush Himalayan region and beyond to foster regional partnerships for transformative change.
Posted on 30 Oct, 2013 06:57 PM

For more information on the organisers, ICIMOD, please click here.

Details of the conference may be viewed here.

For programme details, click here.

ICIMOD
Sanawar school makes good use of its sewage
The Lawrence School, Sanawar, couldn't meet its water requirements until it implemented a wastewater recycling program within its campus. It is now water-surplus. Posted on 20 Sep, 2013 04:46 PM

If you visit Shimla during the summers, you will notice people being asked to use water judiciously. You will likely see tankers queue up around residential areas as the supply from the municipal corporation declines. Why would a hill station that is fed by mountain rivers and overlooked by glorious snow peaks face water scarcity?

The Lawrence School, Sanawar. Source: Pankaj Sapru
Resurrecting the dying 'gharats' of Uttarkashi
Once thought to be common property of the village, these traditional water-powered grinding mills are disappearing. Can reviving them restore a sense of community as well? Posted on 14 Sep, 2013 05:30 PM

Gharats 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.

The improved gharat (watermill) at Ganeshpur
Fall in love with Tso Moriri
A monastery, a village, rare bird species and a high altitude lake in Ladakh - this is the beautiful setting of Tso Moriri. Posted on 01 Aug, 2013 07:59 AM

This brackish lake is located 4,595 metres above sea level, an altitude to tax the lungs of the most dedicated trekker. With two wetlands - the Nuro Sumdo on the North, and the Pare Chu on the South - the lake is a breeding ground for many rare bird species. It is a day's travel from Leh and a popular destination for the avid birdwatcher.

Tso Moriri during spring time
Help influence water and environmental policy for the Himalayan states: Sustainable Development Forum, Nagaland and India Water Portal invite contributions for the upcoming Mountain Summit at Kohima, Nagaland in September 2013
Send us technical papers, articles, photo essays or videos on topics related to water and development in the Himalayas, for inclusion in the Summit discussions by 01 September
Posted on 29 Jul, 2013 06:15 AM

The catastrophe at Uttarakhand in June 2013, was a hot topic of discussion for many of us across the country, but only those who live in the Himalayan states understand the significance and impact it has on their lives. Poor policies and governance were the root cause; much more than heavy rains.

3rd Sustainable Mountain Development Summit Kohima
Sacchidanand Bharti - in his own words
The environmental conservation efforts in Ufrenkhal have been written about for nearly three decades but always by others. Here is the story in the protagonist's own words. Posted on 15 Jul, 2013 07:12 PM

Reams 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.

Sacchidanand Bharti in the Ufrenkhal forest
Extreme weather warning!
Climate change is manifesting itself through modified rainfall patterns, extreme events and temperature fluctuations. What effect will these have on water, sanitation and health in India? Posted on 11 Jul, 2013 04:04 PM

We sat in a plush climate-controlled room and deliberated climate change as the outside world collapsed around us..

The flooded Bagmati river
Breaking a centuries-old curse in Uttarakhand
A small village in Uttarakhand stands testimony to the fact that rooftop rainwater harvesting is a reliable, economical and logical way of ensuring self-sufficiency and dignity. Posted on 09 Jul, 2013 11:23 AM

Sudha Gunavante is a contented woman. She has reason to be. After all, she and her husband have managed to prosper on their farm, her children are well-educated and well-settled, and her rhododendron syrup is the pride of the village. If that is not enough, she has also managed to escape a centuries-old curse.

Sudha and Bhuvan at their home in Gauna village
×