News and Articles

When natural forests prevailed in Himachal
Veteran activist Kulbhushan Upmanyu talks about how the people of Chamba in Himachal Pradesh campaigned to protect the region's natural forests as well as their own rights. Posted on 09 Feb, 2014 07:51 PM

The mountain states are at a loss when it comes to a defined livelihood option for its inhabitants. Himachal Pradesh is no different. While the upper reaches of the state have excelled in growing niche products like apple and chilgoza (a variety of pine nut), areas like Chamba that are below 4000 metres, have to depend on farming.

Himachal's forests help conserve springs
The primary caretakers of water?
Women have always had an important role in water management. A study in South Sikkim aims to find out if topography, in addition to gender, influences access to water. Posted on 09 Feb, 2014 07:48 PM

Gender influences access to water to a high degree throughout the world, a fact recognised in the Dublin Principles but how does topography influence this access? This study detailed in this post aims to find the answer to this question.

The women of Sikkim manage their water resources
Engineering witchcraft in Bihar
The Bhutahi Balan, a tributary of the Kosi may be a small river but it has caused immense devastation. Dinesh Mishra says that embankments aren't the answer to this problem. Posted on 09 Feb, 2014 07:46 PM

It's been years since Bhutahi Balan, a small tributary of the Kosi river in Madhubani, North Bihar, has been causing devastation on both its banks. Dinesh Mishra in his book 'Story of a ghost river and engineering witchcraft' objectively analyses the failure of embankments, which are raised banks to contain the river's flooding.

Devastation due to floods
Pooling borewells and opportunities
Groundwater use is synonymous with individual rights. Malkaipeta Thanda, a village in Andhra Pradesh, has shown the opposite-that a community can share and benefit from it too. Posted on 03 Feb, 2014 12:48 PM

Gamalibai is a farmer in Malkaipeta Thanda, a small tribal hamlet of the Lambadi community in Ibrahimpur village, Ranga Reddy district in Andhra Pradesh. She does not have much in common with the image of the hearty, prosperous farmer that beams at us from posters selling agricultural machinery.

Gamalibai on her farm
Do we need so much energy?
"Understanding the legitimate demand for electricity is key in reducing the burden on water resources in India", says Shankar Sharma, a power policy analyst. Posted on 03 Feb, 2014 08:11 AM

The power sector has a large impact on the amount of water consumed. Certain processes in coal power plants require large amounts of water. In India, most of these power plants are installed in coastal areas. These plants draw ocean water, desalinate it and bring it to the required quality of water for the turbines and then re-use it.

Effluents greatly affect marine life
Painting Mumbai blue!
Drop Dead', a foundation started by Aabid Surti that offers free plumbing services to residents of Mumbai, saves water one drop at a time. Posted on 02 Feb, 2014 10:12 PM

Aabid Surti who lives in Mira Road, a Mumbai suburb, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from Hindi Sahitya Sanstha by the Uttar Pradesh Government in 2007. He has multiple creative talents. He is a painter, cartoonist, author, playwright and water warrior.

Water warrior?!

Drop Dead Foundation Volunteers
Land of water, no more
Tripura has 35,000 litres of water annually per capita. That is double that of the national average. So why are its people still facing water shortage? Posted on 02 Feb, 2014 10:11 PM

The name Tripura originated from 'Twi' meaning water and 'Para' meaning land. The indigenous population, which is about 32%, refer to Tripura as Twipra, meaning land of water. However, the state no longer seems to be living up to its name.

Soil erosion raises river beds in Tripura
Rurals move away from agriculture: Assocham
News this week: Rural employment in agriculture reduces significantly; Activists demand 'Sarus Safari' in UP; 285 people in Karnataka died drinking contaminated water between 2010-13. Posted on 02 Feb, 2014 10:08 PM

'Rural job profile observes a significant change'

Decline in agriculture (Source: Neil Palmer, CIAT)
Authority bans sale of packaged drinking water without BIS mark
Policy matters this week: FSSAI declares no selling of packaged drinking water without BIS mark; President gives nod to Maharashtra groundwater bill; Govt opposes tribals way of cultivation. Posted on 02 Feb, 2014 10:07 PM

No sale of packaged drinking water without BIS mark: FSSAI

Packaged drinking water (Source: Ricardo Bernando)
Bird sanctuary Chilika designated 'Destination Flyways'
News this week: UN to develop strategies to protect migratory birds in Chilika, Odisha; Cochin estuary has highest in toxicity in the world; Jaipur farmers in conflict with bottling plant. Posted on 29 Jan, 2014 12:29 PM

Chilika lagoon named as 'Destination Flyways' by UN

Chilika bird sanctuary, Odisha (Source:Aditi Pany)
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