News and Articles

Damming Bhutan affects India
Could there be a repeat of the 2004 dam breach caused by the bursting of the Tsatichu lake that resulted in flooding areas of Assam? Posted on 06 Jan, 2014 08:54 AM

Hydropower development in Bhutan has gained considerable ground as a sector capable of contributing to the development of the country. In 2012, Bhutan earned $177 million through energy export. However, these developmental activities are also prone to natural hazards like landslides since the region lies in a high risk earthquake prone zone and also registers heavy rainfall.

Manas river flowing through wildlife sanctuary
Restoring water supply to Nagaland's hills
Damage of water pipelines due to landslides can be tackled by creating quick action plans and alternative sustainable sources. Posted on 06 Jan, 2014 08:52 AM

Nagaland depends on surface sources such as streams, rivulets, springs and ponds, which are monsoon fed for its drinking water. However, the quantity of water in these sources has depleted across the state. This could be due to deforestation, jhum cultivation and other human intervention.

A damaged water pipeline in Nagaland
The indefinite fast continues
River activist Shashi Shekhar has restarted his fast to protest embankments on the Adhwara Samuh rivers in North Bihar. Will the authorities relent this time around? Posted on 06 Jan, 2014 08:50 AM

Noted activist Shashi Shekhar has been on an indefinite fast since December 10th, protesting the construction of embankments on the Jheem Jamura river. These rivers are a part of the Adhwara Samuh rivers in North Bihar, which originate from the foothills of Nepal.

Activist Shashi Shekhar (Source: Water-Vagabond)
Environment Minister Moily takes controversial decisions
Policy Matters this week: Moily takes controversial decisions on the Western Ghats, UP declares eco-sensitive zone around sanctuaries and the UN appreciates Odisha's disaster management efforts. Posted on 29 Dec, 2013 06:54 PM

New Environment Minister brings in new polices

Environment Minister Moily (Source: Livenewz)
Drinking water quality worst in Kerala: Report
News this week: NSSO says drinking water quality worst in Kerala, migratory birds desert flooded wetland and villagers protest against hydel project in Uttarakhand. Posted on 29 Dec, 2013 04:50 PM

Kerala scores worst in access to potable water: NSSO

House wells not safe? (Source: Wikimedia)
How do rural India's toilets measure up?
The Total Sanitation Campaign now called the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan is the country's flagship programme for improving rural sanitation, with a spend of Rs. 7000 crore every year. How is it faring? Posted on 28 Dec, 2013 12:21 AM

India's rural sanitation programme- Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) was started in 1999, with a goal of eradicating open defecation. Renamed to Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (NBA) in April 2012, the focus and approach of this programme was supposed to undergo a paradigm shift.

Toilets constructed under Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan
A peak at the future: Simulating Coonoor’s water situation
Using computer simulation, Keystone Foundation demonstrates the impact of domestic use, tourism, plantation and farming on the water situation in Coonoor in the Nilgiris. Posted on 23 Dec, 2013 03:40 PM

The Nilgiris have undergone an incredible amount of change in the last 10 years. Coonoor, an area well endowed with natural resources, is the second largest tourist destination here. However, over the last year (2012-13), the town has been reeling under a water crisis [1].

Coonoor Land Use Map
Coca Cola plant in UP lowers groundwater level
Policy matters this week: Coca Cola plant in Mehdiganj lowers groundwater level, Haryana plans water misuse bill and Punjab makes water recycling compulsory for water consuming industries. Posted on 22 Dec, 2013 08:41 PM

Coca Cola plant in Mehdiganj lowers groundwater level

Mehdiganj protest (Source: AID Kolkata Newsletter)
Bihar villagers against asbestos plant
News this week: Bihar villagers oppose asbestos plant, J&K government restricts civilian movement near Kishanganga dam site and dams for Mumbai result in tribal displacement. Posted on 22 Dec, 2013 08:40 PM

10,000 Bihar villagers file petition against asbestos plant

Asbestos inflammation (Source: Adam Cohn, Flickr)
Yamuna Nama: a book review
Born out of citizens' concern for the Yamuna, the bi-lingual Yamuna Manifesto presents a lucid and succinct snapshot of the river, it's troubles, and the potential for its resuscitation. Posted on 22 Dec, 2013 05:51 PM

The Yamuna Manifesto -or Yamuna Nama- is a bilingual book with passages in both Hindi and English, published as part of the Yamuna Elbe project. In five deceptively short sections, the book takes us from the birth to the river to its future.

Yamuna river (Source: www.pilgrimageindia.net)
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