News and Articles

Guidelines for submission, appraisal and clearance of irrigation and multipurpose projects - Central Water Commission (2002)
The article deals with the CWC for project appraisal of irrigation, flood control and multi-purpose projects for both major and medium projects, with inter-state ramifications revised in 2002. Posted on 14 Sep, 2010 09:06 AM

This deals with the guidelines of the Central Water Commission (CWC) for project appraisal of irrigation, flood control and multi-purpose projects for both major and medium projects, with inter-state ramifications revised in 2002. Under the new procedure the concerned State Government, in the initial stage first submits preliminary report covering surveys and investigations, international and inter-state aspects, hydrology, irrigation planning, brief environmental aspects, intended benefits etc., which are obligatory to establish the soundness of the project proposal.

Guidelines for preparation of a river basin master plan - Central Water Commission (2007)
The article deals with the guidelines of the CWC for preparation of river basin master plan, which was revised in 2007 in view of the new issues that have emerged in the water sector. Posted on 14 Sep, 2010 08:19 AM

This deals with the guidelines of the Central Water Commission (CWC) for preparation of river basin master plan, which was revised in 2007 in view of the new challenges and issues that have emerged in the water resources sector. The need for integrated river basin planning, development and management arises from the relationship between the availability of water resources and its possible uses in various sectors.

Unusually intense monsoon rains in many parts of Asia - Article from Earth Observatory
Floods and torrential rains witnessed across the continent, from North Korea to Pakistan Posted on 13 Sep, 2010 11:20 PM

 

Unusually intense monsoon rains - Earth Observatory

The first week of August 2010 brought extreme flooding and landslides to many parts of Asia. By August 11, floods in the Indus River basin had become Pakistan’s worst natural disaster to date, leaving more than 1,600 people dead and disrupting the lives of about 14 million people, reported Reuters. Across the border in northeast India, flash floods killed 185 with 400 still missing, reported BBC News. Floods in North Korea and northeast China buried farmland and destroyed homes, factories, railroads, and bridges. And in northwest China, rain triggered a massive landslide that left 702 dead with 1,042 missing, reported China’s state news agency, Xinhua. All of these disasters occurred as a result of unusually heavy monsoon rains, as depicted in the above image.

Allocation of water charges for multi-housing communities in India: Sub-metering and ratio utility billing system (RUBS)
A deliberate competition insinuates among water users as the demand for water increases along with its overuse. All key lies in allocation, reuse and recharge. Posted on 10 Sep, 2010 01:35 PM

 One of the most serious issues of water management is the question how to allocate the water resources to guarantee sufficient amount of water for all demands. That is why, it can be expected that allocation management will gain further importance in the future. It is not exaggerated to declare that “the issue of allocation overshadows all other aspects of water management”. 

Planning Commission solicits your views and suggestions on the "Twelfth Five Year Plan" approach paper
Approach to the Twelfth Five Year Plan: Planning Commission solicits your views suggestions on the broad issues Posted on 04 Sep, 2010 04:58 PM

Planning Commission

Transparency demanded in a letter to Jairam Ramesh on Polavaram Project - Himanshu Thakkar
An open letter to the Minister of Environment and Forestry demanding transparency in the Polavaram project undertaken by the government Posted on 04 Sep, 2010 10:43 AM

SANDRP logo

From:
Himanshu Thakkar
South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers & People,
c/o 86-D, AD block, Shalimar Bagh,
Delhi,

To: Shri Jairam Ramesh
Union Minister of State for Env and Forests (IC), New Delhi

Respected Sir,

I have just seen your letter dated Aug 18, 2010 to Orissa Chief Minister on the aboves subject, uploaded yesterday on MEF website.

  1. Your letter says that the Forest Clearance has been given to the Polavaram Project on July 28, 2010 is subject to the condition, "... no submergence and displacement of people including STs take place in Orissa and Chhattisgarh...". However, this condition is in complete contradiction with the environment clearance given by your ministry on Oct 25, 2005, which says in para 2, "Total 1,93,35 persons are likely to be affected by this project, out of that 1,75,275 persons in Andhra Pradesh and 6,316 persons from Orissa and 11,766 are from Chattisgarh." It is clear the condition of no submergence and displacement on Orissa and Chhattisgarh, stated in your letter, in the Tribal Development Ministry's condition, and in the forest clearance letter is in complete contradiction with the environment clearance given by you. One of them have to be cancelled due to this contradiction, we would like to know, which one would be cancelled.
Sanitation models in Trichy, Tamil Nadu
Lack of sanitation affects women's health and living in the slums of Trichy Posted on 01 Sep, 2010 04:19 PM

A few weeks back I had the opportunity to visit a couple of partners in Tamil Nadu. These two partners are facing a difficult task—sanitation and hygiene implementation through community participation. One project is in the urban slums of Trichy while the other one is a rural project a few hours outside of Trichy. These communities have open defecation rates of 90%. The problem mostly lies on the women. Women feel embarrassed and ashamed to go out in the open, so as a result they only go in the early mornings or late at night—basically during pitch black. Menstrual Health is a topic that is only now being addressed with organizations developing their own branch of sanitary napkin production, sold cheaply to women in rural areas. In addition to the burden on women, open defecation pollutes water sources, thereby leading to diarrhea, one of the biggest killers of children in the developing world.

Dr G.D. Agrawal s tapasya - Achieved the desired result
Dr. Aggarwal's tryst to let Bhagirathi flow its natural course succeds Posted on 30 Aug, 2010 12:47 PM

Dr G.D. Agrawal’s tapasya, his third fast-unto-death, has finally achieved the desired result.  Since 2008, Dr Agrawal has been trying to persuade the Government of Uttarakhand and the Government of India that R. (Bhagirathi) Ganga must be allowed to flow in its natural state in the uppermost reach between Gangotri and Uttarkashi.  The two governments had plans to construct three new large hydropower projects in this stretch.  Dr Agrawal’s fasts have led to the scrapping of all the three projects.

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