News and Articles

Reverence abounds in this lawkyntang
Is this sacred grove of Mawphlang, Meghalaya spiritually significant or have legends been passed down through the years just to preserve it? Posted on 03 Nov, 2013 02:16 PM

Meghalaya, one of the seven sisters of the beautiful northeast Indian states, means 'abode of the clouds' (megh - clouds, alaya - abode). Lush green paddy fields, swirling mists and the whisper of rain in every breath add to this serene landscape.

Sacred grove in Mawphlang, Meghalaya
To benefit people or to beautify places?
Raipur in Chhattisgarh, once had approximately 130 lakes. That number stands at 37 today. Restoration efforts are visibly limited to their beautification and not their benefit to the people. Posted on 03 Nov, 2013 02:13 PM

The population of Raipur has increased over the years and with it, the demand for land. Encroachment along with the unplanned construction of residential colonies, independent houses, commericial complexes and industrial structures have resulted in 93 lakes disappearing. Even the 37 lakes that are in existence are highly polluted; the water isn't fit for drinking or bathing.

Budha Talab - the largest pond in Raipur
Have zones for renewable energy: MNRE
Policy Matters this week: MNRE devises zones for renewable energy production, Orissa bans fishing for Olive Ridley turtles' nesting and India and China sign agreement on trans-border rivers. Posted on 01 Nov, 2013 11:55 AM

Ministry recommends dividing the country into renewable energy zones

Wind energy in go green zone Source: Wikipedia
Sikkim villagers revive lake dry for 25 years
News this week: Sikkim villagers revive lake, power production from Kudankulam nuclear plant begins and solar micro-grid project to come up in Bihar. Posted on 01 Nov, 2013 11:42 AM

Sikkim village revives lake that lay dry for 25 years

Lake revival in Namthang Source: PIB
The Taj Mahal's poor neighbour
Tajganj once bore the stamp of Mughal architecture. It is now a sewage-filled, crowded slum. Revival efforts are on to restore its water systems and the quality of life that the residents once had. Posted on 31 Oct, 2013 01:32 PM

 The Tajganj boasts a heritage walk taking sightseers back in time to the excellence of the Mughal era. History-loving eyes examine this threshold to the mausoleum for its remains from the urban landscape of the Mughal lay.

Overlooking the Taj
Six women change Agra's water story
A suburb of Agra, Nehar ka Nagla, found itself without access to potable water. The solution came from within the slum and it wasn't water tankers. Posted on 31 Oct, 2013 12:56 PM

Historically, Agra has had decentralized water systems that were derived from a riverine core and supplemented by numerous lakes, wells and baolis (step wells). The system was a synthesis of geography, excellent Mughal fluvial engineering and an involved citizenry. Unfortunately,  much has been lost over the years.

Six women change Agra's water story
A school that doesn't teach
This girls' school in Punjab has much more than a regular curriculum. It educates its students on life skills and lets them live and learn for themselves. Posted on 31 Oct, 2013 11:43 AM

Constant giggles, playful pulling of plaits and teasing is common in girls' schools. Though the Baba Aya Singh Riarki College in Gurdaspur is different in many ways, it is filled with similar scenes. This school is an exceptional experiment in education for rural girls of Gurdaspur and Amritsar.

Baba Aya Singh Riarki College in Gurdaspur
India moves up on the Global Hunger Index
News this week: India moves up on the Global Hunger Index, Churu on its way to total sanitation and Phailin affected areas face drinking water stress. Posted on 21 Oct, 2013 04:56 PM

India moves up two notches on the Global Hunger Index

Child malnutrition Source: The Indian Express
37% of the Western Ghats to be eco-sensitive
Policy matters this week: One-third of the Western Ghats declared eco-sensitive zone, Narmada canals' water to go to industry and the government to construct godowns for food grains under MNREGA. Posted on 21 Oct, 2013 04:20 PM

37% of the Western Ghats "ecologically sensitive"

Shola grasslands in Western Ghats Source:Wikipedia
Upper caste'-only school toilets in UP
Not only is the condition of the toilets in many village schools in UP poor but also children are being discriminated upon because they belong to lower castes and "don't clean the toilets properly". Posted on 16 Oct, 2013 10:32 AM

Every school needs good students and students need good sanitation. According to India Sanitation Portal, access to sanitary toilets not only ensures dignity of the individual but also positively impacts health, well-being and productivity, reduces drop-out rates and encourages regular attendance in schools.

Toilet in Uttar Pradesh village school
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