News and Articles

Barrages would prevent Polavaram dam from being an economic and environmental disaster : Analysis reveal
An analysis/study on the Polavaram dam project and the need for barrages to prevent submersion of villages and help in inland water navigation of sea going vessels Posted on 12 Jan, 2010 02:20 PM

 Prof.T.Shivaji Rao,

Director, Centre for Environmental Studies,

Gitam University, Visakhapatnam.

Historical Developments: Initially the Polavaram project was proposed as a storage reservoir with FRL at +150ft  with a water storage of about 150TMC in 1941.  Subsequently many changes were made and in 1948 it emerged as Rampada Sagar dam with FRL at +208ft. with water storage of 836  TMC including 150 MW of hydro-power generation at an estimated cost of 129 crores (at 1948 rates) This scheme was abandoned because it was too costly and was bristled with foundation and construction problems.  Subsequently several expert committees were appointed by the Government of India to study the problems of Godavari water utilisation.  These committees under the Chairmanship of  Dr.A.N. Khosla (1953), Mr.Gulhati (1963) and Mr.A.C.Mitra  (1965) suggested to the state Government to build a barrage at Polavaram for improving the irrigation facilities and also to divert Godavari flood water into Krishna river.  https://www.thehindu.com/2009/05/02/stories/2009050260540600.htm

A green experiment: Life after Aila cyclone
Implementation of sustainable agriculture methods in disaster situations Posted on 12 Jan, 2010 10:55 AM

 

The solar power generator in future:Barmer, Rajasthan
Information on solar power that can be harnessed in Barmer, Rajasthan Posted on 11 Jan, 2010 06:28 PM

Barmer district is situated at the 71° 23' East Longitude and 25° 45' North Latitude in west of state Rajasthan and country India. Total area is 28387 km2. Even 1% of this area can produce 24GWh electrical energy per year. The average sun shines for 340 days a year. The Sun gives light energy @ 1KW per square meter at   25 ° cell (solar cell) temperature and 1.5 air mas The solar insolation is 2400KWh per year. This means that if we install 1KW solar power plant at home, we can get energy of 2400KWh per year. This amount of energy is sufficient for average house hold. Besides this small power plant we can construct big plants in the range of 1MW to 500MW or more. These big plants can be grid connected for further supply to destinations. Though the energy cost of generated electricity is Rs.15/- per KWh, but it is pollution free energy. 1KW solar plant saves 0.8tones carbon. The solar energy is not only environmental friendly, but it also generates employments. The land owners can be made partner for that power plant.The secret of solar power plant is that it can be constructed in 1KW, 2Kw, -----1MW, 10MW ,100MW and so on  

Mulla Periyar dam: Safety aspects to save farmers of Tamil Nadu and Kerala
A review of the Mulla Periayr dam Posted on 09 Jan, 2010 01:17 AM

 EXPERTS MUST  HOLD TIMELY DEBATES AND RESOLVE ON  SAFETY OF MULLAPERIYAR DAM TO HELP THE FARMERS ?

Prof.T.Shivaji Rao,

Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) - The Himalayan tsunami in a village in Nepal
A first hand account of Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in Dudh Kosi in the Himalayas Posted on 29 Dec, 2009 04:47 PM

It was an uncharacteristically sunny day for the monsoon, with blindingly clear skies. Namgye Chumbi was weeding his potato garden in Phakding by the Dudh Kosi on the morning of 4 August 1985.


There weren't too many trekkers on the trail. The Dudh Kosi was tumbling noisily over boulders nearby. Around two in the afternoon, the river went quiet. Namgye sensed danger.

"I noticed that the white water had turned muddy brown, and in the distance I heard a thundering sound like an approaching helicopter," recalls the 50-year-old farmer. "I looked upstream and saw this huge wall of dark brown water approaching very fast."

Interim Report on organic farming initiatives in AILA affected areas
A report on the after effects of the cyclone Aila and how organic farming has helped reclaim saline affected land Posted on 28 Dec, 2009 06:19 PM

Cyclone Aila hit the coasts of Bengal on May 25th displacing millions from their homes and livelihoods in the Sundarbans. AID responded immediately working with Baikanthapur Tarun Sangh (BTS), Mukti and Rights & Equity for All (REFA). Relief & Rehab efforts reached out to 150,000 people in 7 blocks of 2 districts in West Bengal.
             
Aila 1

        Aila 2

Overarching conclusions during World Water Week- Stockholm International Water Institute
Stockholm International Water Institute’s conclusions after the intense and fruitful discussions during the World Water Week Posted on 28 Dec, 2009 04:58 PM

This section is based on Stockholm International Water Institute’s conclusions and what we consider as the key threads that emerged from the week. These overarching conclusions are also based on the summary reports from workshops and seminars and the rapporteur theme reports (see next section of this publication). Our interpretation of issues raised from over 100 substantive sessions are intended to provide meaningful messages for both participants who were at the week and other stakeholders unable to attend. The overall aim is to maintain a dialogue beyond the intense and fruitful discussions during the World Water Week itself.

Access to water

Water scarcity, poverty in its multiple manifestations, conflicts and political circumstances influence people’s ability to access water, particularly for the daily requirements for drinking water and household needs. Water may be available in aquifers, in nearby streams or even in village ponds, but due to technical, economic, cultural and other reasons many people may not have access to water sources or to the services that are organised by the public sector or other providers. Not having access to the most basic necessity of life is causing dramatic and detrimental consequences for the people concerned. Detailed statistical accounts and a large number of illustrated cases of people affected from a lack of access to drinking and household water, are repeatedly presented in literature and media. It is, indeed, mindboggling that in spite of repeated high level commitments and the fact that there are few, if any, political disagreements, the efforts to substantially reduce the plight of the 1.1 billion who lack access to household water are not enough. It is essential to recognise that it is not only the 1.1 billion who are affected. Families and relatives of those who are affected, their farms or work places and society at large also bear the brunt of this lingering tragedy. For various reasons, there is less evidence of these wider costs to society.

A village in Tamil Nadu realises the necessity of hygiene and sanitation for health and dignity of women
A rural village in South India realizes, day-by-day, the necessity of appropriate hygiene and improved sanitation for the good health of all people and the dignity of women. Posted on 23 Dec, 2009 03:36 PM

Through a maze of winding, curving roads off a main highway in Tamil Nadu, one must travel to reach the small, agrarian village of Muthampatti.

A woman who brought toilets, education and compassion to her village - The story of Anna Lakshmi of Tamil Nadu
One woman – with the help of a local NGO – learns how to become a leader in her household, village, and beyond bringing toilets, education, and compassion to those around her. Posted on 23 Dec, 2009 10:29 AM

Priyadarshini, or Priya to friends, wanders inquisitively around a large cement pad where a group of about thirty women and men are gathering to create a map of their village using a colored chalk powder called Rangoli.

Global Sanitation Fund - Proceedings of the India launch workshop - India WASH Forum - New Delhi (2009)
A report on the workshop of the Global Sanitation Fund to discuss its programme priorities Posted on 16 Dec, 2009 03:46 PM

The India WASH Forum (IWF), a coalition of individuals representing an independent credible voice in the water and sanitation sector that is aligned to the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC), supported the launch of the Global Sanitation Fund (GSF) in India, to assist the people of the country, who do not have adequate access to clean water and sanitation.

A launch workshop of the Global Sanitation Fund was organised on 4th August 2009 in New Delhi, by the India WASH Forum, to discuss GSF programme priorities and its implementation structure for India. Representatives of national and international organisations, Government of India, as well as sector experts participated in the workshop.