World

Sanitation as a business - A new spin on the challenge of sanitation operation and maintenance - A paper by Water for People
Sanitation is the unpopular cousin of water supply, and that investments, interest and motivation to transform the sanitation sector are lacking, the report says. Posted on 24 Aug, 2011 11:34 AM

This paper published by the Water for People describes Sanitation as a Business, an innovative approach to operation and maintainance challenges in household sanitation improvements, by describing the case of the implementation of the approach in the context of Malawi, by Water for People. The paper argues that programs that build latrines have consistently struggled to have impact or reach scale, and have often distorted the market environment in ways that have undermined future sanitation development.

The paper emphasises the relevance of this approach in the context of developing countries such as India by stating that the world would not be able to achieve even half of the Millennium Development Goals for sanitation at current rates of installation and consequently is projected to miss the sanitation MDG by more than 700 million people. Among the twenty two percent of those without access to improved sanitation, the greatest challenge remains in Asia and India in particular.

Water.org invites applications for the post of Program Officer - Apply by September 7th, 2011
Posted on 23 Aug, 2011 05:57 PM

water.org

Water.org is a dynamic, rapidly growing international organization addressing the global water supply crisis. It is committed to providing clean drinking water and improved sanitation to communities in developing countries. Working in partnership with donors, beneficiaries and other stakeholders, Water have helped people around the world develop accessible, sustainable, community-level water and sanitation (watsan) services. Water.org currently operates in several countries, including Ethiopia and Kenya, and is considering other countries for expansion.

Background:

Water.org has pioneered its WaterCredit initiative over the last several years, which enables clients of microfinance institutions (MFIs) to improve the access, quantity, and quality of their families' water and sanitation services.

World Water Week training courses on water management, Cap-Net/UNDP – Stockholm International Water Institute, August 19-20, 2011, Stockholm
Posted on 11 Aug, 2011 10:32 AM

Logo

Organizer: Cap-Net/UNDP and Stockholm International Water Institute

Venue: Stockholm International Water Institute, Drottninggatan, 33, 111 51 Stockholm, Sweden

Troubled waters - Climate change, hydropolitics and transboundary resources – A report by TERI and The Henry L Stimson Center
The report evaluates whether climate change impacts on shared freshwater supplies could produce conflicts that might threaten global security. Posted on 02 Aug, 2011 07:38 PM

This report is a part of Stimson’s Regional Voices: Transnational Challenges project and provides valuable cross-regional and multidisciplinary insights into the complex issues surrounding transboundary water resources and climate change. It examines the environmental dangers and policy dilemmas confronting the sustainable management of shared water resources in a warming world.

Kailash sacred landscape conservation initiative - Feasibility assessment report by ICIMOD
The project attempts to recognise and strengthen local capacity for community-based participation in conservation and sustainable development. Posted on 25 Jul, 2011 03:19 PM

CoverThis publication by International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) deals with Kailash Sacred Landscape Conservation Initiative (KSLCI), a project that seeks to conserve and sustainably manage a highly unique and special landscape through the application of trans-boundary ecosystem management approaches.

This region, like much of the rest of the Hindu Kush-Himalayas, faces many challenges, not the least of which are global warming, globalisation and environmental degradation. The Kailash region is considered sacred to five major religions and to a large number of people in Asia and throughout the world. This area is historically, ecologically, and culturally interconnected and is the source of four of Asia’s most important rivers.

The KSLCI is an attempt on the part of the three neighbouring countries of India, China and Nepal to join hands to help preserve the unique biological diversity, the many ecosystem goods and services, and the value-based cultural heritage of one of the most revered and sacred landscapes in the world.

APN's call for proposals under ARCP programme and CAPaBLE programme - Apply by July 29, 2011
Posted on 15 Jul, 2011 03:15 PM

Asia-Pacific NetworkCountries within the Asia‐Pacific region support more than half of the world’s population and changes in the Earth’s bio geophysical system are clearly impacting the societies and economies of these countries.

The APN is inviting proposals under two separate programmes, the ARCP Programme and the CAPaBLE Programme, for funding from April 2012, and is able to provide a limited amount of financial support1 for research and capacity development activities that fall within its areas of interest.

Why India's 'growth' focus is ignoring the food access question - Article from Infochange India
How much food will India need to grow to feed our population in 2011-12? How much in 2013-14? Will we need to import wheat and rice or will we be self-sufficient? Do we know the environmental cost of this self-sufficiency? Are we willing to bear it? These are the questions that the Government of India, its ministries and its planning agencies must find answers to before the start of the Twelfth Five Year Plan period, which is 2012-17. Posted on 14 Jul, 2011 11:41 AM

Article and Image courtesy: Infochange India
Author: Rahul Goswami

Celebrating the fact that per capita agricultural income is increasing faster than overall per capita income, the government is targeting 4% growth in agriculture in the Twelfth Plan period. But this is a rosy view that does not stand up to scrutiny.

Why India's 'growth' focus is ignoring the food access question - Article from Infochange India

Indus Equation' report by Strategic Foresight Group - Provides clarifications on the water issues between India and Pakistan
Strategic Foresight Group, a political think tank based in Mumbai-India, has released a report called ‘Indus Equation’ that provides clarifications on the water issues between India and Pakistan.The Pakistani media is full of reports claiming India is encroaching on their water supply but a close examination of the facts reveals that the controversy over water is much ado about nothing and easily avoidable. Posted on 13 Jul, 2011 04:38 PM

Release of 'Indus Equation' report

New Book : "Coping with climate change: In the Asian context"
The Environmental and climatic issues varies from continent to continent and is unique to Asia. Understanding the issues does need lot of research and study material which students may not be able to gather due to shortage of time and resources. Hence an effort is made by authors gathering there experience and academic input from renowned universities of world. Posted on 13 Jul, 2011 04:33 PM

Coping with climate change: Principles and Asian contextAbout the book:

 Climate change is real and coping with it is major concern in coming days. Most of the books written and sold in the past need updating and customizing. The general description of climate change and world will not help the professionals and students. It needs to seen area wise as a professional will work in specific geographic area. Hence an effort is made to collect data from Asia which host most populated countries along with ecological hot spots.

Geospatial technology for groundwater management – An article in Geospatial World
This article by Sangeeta Deogawanka in the Geospatial World deals with the issues related to the use of geospatial technology for groundwater management in the country. Core agencies of the government dealing with the management and development of groundwater resources identify and map hotspots of salinity, chloride, fluoride, arsenic, iron and nitrate in groundwater. However, most online information is of a generic nature, lacking detailed database or methodology used. On the whole a picture evolves of national bodies looking into the groundwater policy and potential zoning on a hegemonic model, with regional state-level groundwater departments. Posted on 13 Jul, 2011 03:05 PM

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