News and Articles

An analysis on the performance of System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in 13 states of India- A paper in Economic and Political Weekly
Can farmers adopt a new technique without shunning their traditional farming practices, which results in increased yield and profits? Through System of Rice Intensification (SRI) it is possible. Posted on 27 Feb, 2013 08:10 AM

 SRI is a new method of paddy cultivation, which uses local/traditional seed and organic compost to increase production.

An assessment of the impact of MGNREGA on rural water security : Talks from the IWMI-Tata Annual Partners' Meet held at Anand in November 2012
In this article, we look at the efficacy of this programme at providing water security. This article is based on discussions at the IWMI-Tata Annual Partners' Meet in 2012. Posted on 26 Feb, 2013 04:04 PM

A month ago, India Water Portal tried to make sense of the numbers involved in India's flagship programme. Two-thirds of the works in progress in the current financial year (2012-13) were devoted to works linked with water - split nearly equally between water for domestic use and water for livelihoods.

An insight into the management of forest resources by tribal communities in Kargata and Bhagwanpur villages in Vidarbha, Maharashtra
The indigenous knowledge of in tribal communities in managing the forest resources cannot be overlooked. This paper in Economic and Political Weekly, sheds light on this aspect of forest management. Posted on 25 Feb, 2013 10:03 PM

The Forest Conservation Act and Forest Rights Act have acquired significant attention ever since they were passed in 1980 and 2006. While the former restricts the alteration brought to the forestland, the latter extends the rights of forest dwellers to use its resources.

Even as Maharashtra faces acute water scarcity, a green, lush village in the heart of Marathawada stands water rich and drought proof- Roundup of the week’s news (February 18-24, 2013)
This article presents the news for the week of Feb 18-24, 2013 Posted on 25 Feb, 2013 04:00 PM

A green oasis amidst despair and drought hit Maharastra

Subsidy or shame: Which technique works better in improving sanitation in India ? - Talk by Sumeet Patil, NEERMAN, at the 3ie seminar at Delhi, February 2013
Sumeet Patil provides insight on a study carried out to examine the effects in Orissa of a “community-led total sanitation” model implemented there. Posted on 25 Feb, 2013 09:48 AM

Subsidy proponents believe that the poor need economic incentives while shaming proponents contend that to bring out lasting behavioural change, intrinsic motivation is required; people are more likely to use and value things they have had to pay for.

Living on water: An architect constructs homes, offices and even a golf course as floating buildings, using water as a workable layer
Imagine looking out of your window onto the blue sea, living in a building in the midst of water! Koen Olthius, a Dutch architect’s passion for water has transformed this magical image into reality. Posted on 22 Feb, 2013 03:06 PM

Imagine looking out of your window onto the blue sea, living in a building in the midst of water! Koen Olthius, a Dutch architect’s passion for water has transformed this magical image into reality.

Some strategies for managing groundwater by Aditi Mukherji, IWMI
Groundwater is essential for India's agricutural economy. In her blog 'Waterscapes', Aditi Mukherji discusses the need for regional strategies to manage groundwater economy. Posted on 22 Feb, 2013 09:53 AM

Groundwater is essential for India's agricutural economy. However, there is a large variation in the groundwater resources of each region. Some regions are already over-exploited, while others can still tolerate more withdrawal. In her blog 'Waterscapes', Aditi Mukherji discusses the need for regional strategies to manage groundwater economy.

Rights of adivasis over forest lands diminishes; their consent no longer mandatory for all development projects taken up on forest land - Roundup of the week’s news (February 11-17, 2013)
Adivasis' rights over forest lands diminishes. Government dilutes its stand on requiring consent from tribals before handing over their forest lands for projects. Posted on 18 Feb, 2013 11:18 PM

Adivasis' rights over forest lands diminishes

A note on System of Rice Intensification practices in 13 states of India
Can the System of Rice Intensification be the answer to meet the country's future rice demand? A macro-level study covering 13 major rice-growing states indicates that fields with SRI have a higher average yield compared to non-SRI fields. Posted on 17 Feb, 2013 07:55 PM

Article Courtesy: Economic and Political Weekly, Vol - XLVIII No.8

Author(s): K Palanisami, K R Karunakaran, Upali Amarasinghe, and C R Ranganathan

Influence of anthropogenic contamination on fluoride concentration in groundwater: A study of Mulbagal town, Kolar district, Karnataka
Groundwater contamination is a serious, but relatively ignored issue in the country. This contamination occurs in either through geogenic or anthropogenic means. This paper analyses the Fluoride contamination, one such example of geogenic contamination, widely found in the Kolar district of Karnataka. Posted on 15 Feb, 2013 04:53 PM

Groundwater contamination is a serious, but relatively ignored issue in the country. This contamination occurs in either through geogenic or anthropogenic means. Fluoride contamination is one such example of geogenic contamination that is widely found in the Kolar district of Karnataka. However, the fluoride levels in the town of Mulbagal are lower than those in the surroundings. Earlier, a study was conducted on the impact of pit toilets on the groundwater in the area. The present paper investigates the presence of any link between these two phenomena.View of Mulbagal Town, Kolar District, Karnataka