News and Articles

Groundwater: From mystery to management - An article by TN Narasimhan
Ground water is the source we survive on. This source is depleting. And rapidly. no direct observation and an almost occult status make alarm ring muffled low. Posted on 22 Apr, 2011 12:07 PM

Groundwater has been used for domestic and irrigation needs from time immemorial. It is a component of the hydrological cycle, vital for human sustenance. Unlike surface water, groundwater cannot be readily observed. Consequently, it was long considered to be mysterious or even occult in nature, influencing legal decisions relating to groundwater ownership and use.

Adapting to the global groundwater crisis - Its usage needs to be regulated and monitored
The current global groundwater crisis reflects the fact that over the past century, groundwater withdrawal has grown to exceed natural renewable groundwater storage. Posted on 22 Apr, 2011 12:03 PM

The global groundwater crisis centers on withdrawals notably exceeding short term renewable storage. The current global groundwater crisis reflects the fact that over the past century, groundwater withdrawal has grown to exceed natural renewable groundwater storage. The single most important cause is the deep well turbine pump. Groundwater depletion is very high in both the United States and India.

Country to have normal monsoon this year - PIB release
The country will have normal monsoon this year. There is very low probability for season rainfall to be deficient (below 90% of LPA) or excess (above 110% of LPA). Posted on 21 Apr, 2011 03:21 PM

 Releasing Long Range Forecast for coming June to September period, Union Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal said, “The rainfall for the country as a whole is most likely to be normal i.e. 96-104% of Long Period Average (LPA).  Quantitatively, monsoon season rainfall is likely to be 98% of the LPA with a model error of + 5%.

Development of training module for water safety plan in urban areas - A document by ESCI
A new Risk Management tool to improve Water Safety Plan
Posted on 20 Apr, 2011 03:48 AM

A Water Safety Plan (WSP) is an improved risk management tool designed to ensure the delivery of safe drinking water. It identifies hazards, means to control them, means and actions to identify loss of control and its restoration. It comprises system assessment and design, operational monitoring and management plans (including documentation and communication). Water quality guidelines have been issued by the WHO.

Guidelines for water safety plans for rural water supply systems - A document by SIAES and WHO India (2009)
Delivery of safe drinking water is vital for protecting public health and of promoting more secure livelihoods. Posted on 20 Apr, 2011 01:10 AM

HandpumpDelivery of safe drinking water is vital for protecting public health and of promoting more secure livelihoods.

The traditional approach to water quality and safety management has relied on the testing of drinking water, as it leaves the treatment works or at selected points, either within the distribution system or at consumer taps. It is referred to as ‘end‐product testing’.

Application of Composite Correction Program for improvement in efficiency of water treatment plants - A WHO paper
Safe drinking water, sanitation, water purification, secured supply, are all unchecked on goals' checklist; emphasizing on the need of intricate tools and plans and their implementation. Posted on 20 Apr, 2011 12:41 AM

The goal of safe and affordable drinking water and sanitation has not yet been achieved. The current practices of water purification are inadequate to produce secured water supply. Maintaining health protection at water supply systems has become more challenging with resistance of some pathogens to disinfection using chlorination and an increase in the immuno-compromised population (e.g., people with HIV, organ transplant patients, the elderly).

In this context, it has become essential to develop various tools such as Composite Correction Programme (CCP) and Water Safety Plans (WSP) to improve water purification and distribution systems, to achieve the goal of providing safe drinking water.

Resistance against the Polavaram dam - An EPW article
Displacement of the tribal population caused by the Polavaram dam under construction on the Godavari river in Andhra has led to substantial number of protests in recent years Posted on 19 Apr, 2011 11:02 PM

 

This EPW paper studies the various forms of resistance against the construction of Polavaram dam, and notes that the main feature of the struggles has been the involvement of people’s organisations due to the failure of traditional as well as statutory bodies, representatives and regional leadership of mainstream political parties.

Vedanta’s red mud pond leaks into Vamsadhara river, Lanjigarh, Orissa - A Down To Earth report
Reports from Lanjigarh say a crack in the western part of the red mud pond of Vedanta Alumina refinery has leaked into the Vamsadhara river. Posted on 18 Apr, 2011 05:23 PM

This happened following a thunder burst on April 5.

According to Mahammad Ashlam of KBK Samachar, the local news agency, the downpour lasted 45 minutes and resulted in a huge run-off of the toxic waste into nearby water bodies from a crack in the pond wall of the one-million-tone refinery. Red mud or bauxite residue is a waste product of the alumina manufacturing process.

Heavy rains and dry lands don t mix: Reflections on the 2010 Pakistan flood - Article from NASA Earth Observatory
Each summer, monsoon rains soak India and Bangladesh. In nearby Pakistan, the rains are usually less intense, more intermittent, and centred in the northeast. Posted on 16 Apr, 2011 03:42 PM


Flooding forced millions of Pakistanis to flee their homes in July and August 2010.Flooding forced millions of Pakistanis to flee their homes in July and August 2010.

 

The summer of 2010 was different. In July and August, rain fell over most of Pakistan and persisted in some places for weeks.

SRI sammans for 2010-11 awarded to 35 farmers at symposium organised by Pragati in Koraput, Orissa - A report
The SRI sammans for the year -2011 were received by thirty five farmers in the symposium on System of Rice Intensification (SRI) organized by Pragati at Koraput on Tuesday. Posted on 16 Apr, 2011 03:37 PM

These farmers were rewarded for successfully increasing the production of paddy using SRI in different parts of Koraput district.

SRI sammans for 2010-11 awarded to 35 farmers at symposium organised by Pragati

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