News and Articles
Let the Western Ghats be 'damned': A presentation on how dam building affects the ecology and social structure of these biodiversity spots
Posted on 29 Jan, 2013 03:19 PMThese global biodiversity hotspots in the country, extraordinarily rich in plant and animal species, are being submerged in the name of development and growth. An overview of the dams built and proposed in this area.
Delhi’s draft water policy released - Roundup of the week’s news (January 21 -27, 2013)
Posted on 28 Jan, 2013 08:14 PMDelhi’s draft water policy
Just how large is MGNREGA: Making sense of the numbers
Posted on 28 Jan, 2013 12:12 PMThe lyrically named MGNREGA is India's flagship programme and the worlds largest employment guarantee scheme. No doubt, other superlatives can also be added to it. But just how large is India's top flagship programme? This article tries to understand the numbers.
Ahar pynes, traditional flood water harvesting systems can help revive agriculture in south Bihar
Posted on 26 Jan, 2013 07:48 PMAhar pynes are traditional floodwater harvesting systems indigenous to South Bihar [1], and have been the most important source of irrigation in this region.
Ahars are reservoirs with embankments on three sides and are built at the end of drainage lines such as rivulets or artificial works like pynes. Pynes are diversion channels led off from the river for irrigation purposes and for impounding water in the ahars. It is mostly to the credit of these that paddy cultivation has been possible in this otherwise relatively low rainfall area, when compared to North Bihar. The system attained its highest development in the district of Gaya [2].
This article provides an account of the ahar-pyne systems of South Bihar and the need to build organizational and institutional capacities of civil society and government agencies to undertake ahar pyne renovation and management.
Ahar Pyne system in Gaya, South Bihar
Image courtesy: Hindi Water Portal
Videos: Lovraj Kumar panel discussion focuses on the challenges to biodiversity conservation, livelihoods and ecological sustainability
Posted on 26 Jan, 2013 04:14 PMGuest post: Amita Bhaduri
Compendium of sewage treatment technologies by Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur
Posted on 24 Jan, 2013 04:14 PMThis compendium of sewage treatment technologies by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur has been prepared, based on primary and secondary data gathered from operation of sewage treatment plants (STPs) in the country over the last two decades.
Water: Towards a paradigm shift in the Twelfth Plan - A paper by Mihir Shah in the EPW
Posted on 22 Jan, 2013 10:37 AMA fundamental change in the principles, approach and strategies of water management in India has been proposed in the Twelfth Plan
Why is this paradigm shift needed ?
"Launch research initiative to mainstream groundwater into urban water supply" - Arghyam’s inputs to the 2013-14 pre-budget consultation of the Finance Minister with social sector groups
Posted on 21 Jan, 2013 05:54 PMThese were the inputs given by Rohini Nilekani, Chairperson, Arghyam, to the Finance Minister at the pre-budget consultation event that took place on 4th January, 2013.
Udupi in Karnataka, sets standard for water management - Roundup of the week’s news (January 14 -20, 2013)
Posted on 21 Jan, 2013 03:20 PMUdupi in Karnataka, sets standard for water management