Research Papers

Sustainable Development Framework for the mining sector in India – A report by the Ministry of Mines
This report by the Ministry of Mines presents the draft Sustainable Development Framework (SDF) for the mining sector in India. Posted on 29 Jul, 2011 01:03 PM

MINEIt does this in light of the recommendations of the Anwarul Hoda Committee, a High Level Committee set up by the Planning Commission in 2005. The draft SDF prepared by ERM India Pvt. Ltd. for the Ministry of Mines was released recently for seeking public comments before its formal adoption. It presents a set of guiding principles for the mining sector in India, which aims at achieving resource efficiency, business viability and environment stewardship around development of affected communities.

Climate change hits food production
Researchers from Stanford University studied global production of four major crops, maize, wheat, rice and soybean. The results of the study are presented in this article Posted on 28 Jul, 2011 03:10 PM

Article and Image courtesy: Down To Earth
Author: Indu Mathi S

Global warming has resulted in 20 per cent increase in price of wheat, maize, rice and soybean.

Estimated impact of climate change on crop production during 1980-2008. Negative values indicate climate change reduced yieldsEstimated impact of climate change on crop production during 1980-2008. Negative values indicate climate change reduced yields

There have been many indicators that global warming could be hurting the world food production, lowering yields and increasing prices. Turns out the warming of the planet over the past three decades has already led to a measurable reduction in crop production of wheat and maize.

Economic and Political Weekly 2011: Review of Agriculture (June 25 - July 8, 2011)
Review of AgricultureHalf a century ago, scholars first noticed that small farms in India demonstrated a higher per acre productivity than large farms. In the 21st century these farms still produce more per acre than large farms. We should be looking at making the most of the higher agricultural productivity on small landholdings.
Where earlier seed varieties were seen as a crucial input for Indian Agriculture, it is now water that has become a critical resource because of its over-exploitation and wasteful use on crop land. In the search for better ways to harvest and use water resources, there has been tendency to hark back to the past and look at small and localized systems, but we forget that the demographic settings then were different and we do not acknowledge the fact that the institutional settings of the time made for inequitable access.
AS the government grapples with modifying the 2002 National Water Policy, an independent effort is made to formulate a draft that looks at water use in all areas in a holistic manner. These and other articles in this review look at different aspects of Indian Agriculture.
Posted on 28 Jul, 2011 02:25 PM

 

Issue: VOL 46 No. 26 and 27 Jun 25 - July 08, 2011

Review of Agriculture

Irrigation in Telangana: The Rise and Fall of Tanks

Gautam Pingle

The changing Himalayas - Impact of climate change on water resources and livelihoods in the Greater Himalayas – A report by ICIMOD
This report by International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) deals with the impact of climate change on water resources and livelihoods in the Greater Himalayas. Posted on 27 Jul, 2011 09:56 PM

CoverThe greater Himalayan region “the roof of the world” – contains the most extensive and rugged high altitude areas on Earth, and the largest areas covered by glaciers and permafrost outside the polar regions.

Perspectives on poverty in India - Stylized facts from survey data – A report by World Bank
This report by World Bank was prepared with the objective of developing the evidence base for policy making in relation to poverty reduction in India. Posted on 26 Jul, 2011 04:38 PM

CoverIt produces a diagnosis of the broad nature of the poverty problem and its trends in India, focusing on both consumption poverty and human development outcomes.

It also includes attention in greater depth to three pathways important to inclusive growth and poverty reduction harnessing the potential of urban growth to stimulate rural-based poverty reduction, rural diversification away from agriculture, and tackling social exclusion.

The political economy of sanitation - How can we increase investment and improve service for the poor? – A report by Water and Sanitation Program
This report presents the results of a study on the political economy of sanitation in Brazil, India, Indonesia, and Senegal that was conducted by the WSP and the World Bank. Posted on 26 Jul, 2011 02:53 PM

CoverThis global study attempts systematically to understand and thus help practitioners manage the political economy of pro-poor sani­tation investments and service provision.

It aims to provide practical advice to multi-lateral agencies and sanitation practitioners to help them better manage stakehol­der relations and effectively maneuver within the complex institutional relationships of the sanitation sector in order to enhance the design, implementation, and effectiveness of operations that provide pro-poor sanitation investments and services. The ultimate goal is to improve health and hygiene outcomes.

This study follows current approaches to political economy - interdisciplinary inquiry drawing upon social and political theory and economic principles - to understand how poli­tical actors, institutions, and economic processes influence each other. This study’s conceptual framework combines a diagnostic component with a typology of actions to help translate analytical findings into more effective support to operations and investments.

Conservation of Ousteri lake in Puducherry - Draft Comprehensive Management Action Plan by SACON
The report assesses the state of environment in and around the Ousteri Lake. Posted on 26 Jul, 2011 11:54 AM

OusteriThis Comprehensive Management Action Plan by the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON) deals with the various conservation and management interventions that can be taken up for long-term sustainability of Ousteri lake, the largest lake in Puducherry.

Wetlands in urban areas have always been exploited for several purposes due to anthropogenic activities. However, such activities may lead to alteration of wetland characteristics and thus cause changes in species composition and density. The Ousteri Lake (Oussudu Eri in Tamil) is rich in flora and fauna and is known to provide several ecological services including recharging underground aquifers and providing several livelihood options for the local community.

Guidelines of the Central Rural Sanitation Programme and Total Sanitation Campaign by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (2011)
The Central Rural Sanitation Programme (CRSP) moves towards a “demand driven” approach as per new guidelines. Posted on 25 Jul, 2011 07:30 PM

This document by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation deals with the guidelines of the Central Rural Sanitation Programme (CRSP) and Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC). India’s first nationwide programme of rural sanitation, the CRSP was launched in 1986, while TSC was launched in 1999 with the aim of ending open defecation.

Kailash sacred landscape conservation initiative - Feasibility assessment report by ICIMOD
The project attempts to recognise and strengthen local capacity for community-based participation in conservation and sustainable development. Posted on 25 Jul, 2011 03:19 PM

CoverThis publication by International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) deals with Kailash Sacred Landscape Conservation Initiative (KSLCI), a project that seeks to conserve and sustainably manage a highly unique and special landscape through the application of trans-boundary ecosystem management approaches.

This region, like much of the rest of the Hindu Kush-Himalayas, faces many challenges, not the least of which are global warming, globalisation and environmental degradation. The Kailash region is considered sacred to five major religions and to a large number of people in Asia and throughout the world. This area is historically, ecologically, and culturally interconnected and is the source of four of Asia’s most important rivers.

The KSLCI is an attempt on the part of the three neighbouring countries of India, China and Nepal to join hands to help preserve the unique biological diversity, the many ecosystem goods and services, and the value-based cultural heritage of one of the most revered and sacred landscapes in the world.

Public support to food security in India, Brazil and South Africa – Elements for a policy dialogue – A working paper by International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth
This working paper by International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth deals with public support to food security in India, Brazil and South Africa. Posted on 21 Jul, 2011 08:52 AM

CoverTogether, India, Brazil and South Africa have about 20 per cent of the world’s population. Although the three countries have demonstrated the potential for transformative development in the South, their experience has been marked by key challenges such as relatively high levels of poverty, inequality and food insecurity, problems that persist for significant numbers of people.

There is a potential to build a network of academics and experts from Brazil, India and South Africa, and food security is among the themes of great interest. This paper seeks to contribute to this process by examining pertinent elements of policy dialogue. As regards food security, each of these countries has developed conceptions and orientations that guide their policy agendas. They include distinctive treatments of several multi-dimensional strategies, multi-stakeholder arrangements and rights-based approaches.

×