Architecture and Building Construction

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December 11, 2019
Scientists intervene to save dry toilets
Dry toilets have long been hailed as a sustainable solution to the sanitation and waste management crisis facing India today, but have been overshadowed by more modern toilet designs.
A traditional dry toilet. Image: India Science Wire
October 11, 2019
Saving Aarey, the last lungs of Bombay
Mumbai’s citizens came out in droves to save trees from being felled in Aarey to make way for the metro. Collective action is crucial to save the green lungs of India's rapidly urbanising cities.
Aarey, the green lungs of Mumbai (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)
September 30, 2019
The Water Future Conference in Bangalore: Towards a Sustainable Water Future
The recently concluded 4 day conference in Bangalore looked at the current state of global water resource challenges & future pathways to achieve the SDGs, while ensuring equity in access to all.
Charles Vorosmarty, Chair, COMPASS Initiative, Water Future at the opening plenary on advanced water system assessments to address water security challenges of the 21st century.
August 21, 2019
In photos: How temple tanks are helping Chennai conserve rain water
During the monsoon, temple tanks in Chennai fill to the brim with water, helping in groundwater recharge.
Parthasarathy temple in Triplicane has the biggest tank. Recently, volunteers belonging to the Central Industrial Security Force cleaned the tank. Pic: Laasya Shekhar
August 7, 2019
"Digging recharge wells is the only way Bengaluru won’t run out of water"
A million recharge wells for Bangalore
Ramakrishna Bovi is a traditional well-digger in Bengaluru. Image credit: Citizen Matters
July 24, 2019
Dibang hydel project gets approval
Policy matters this week
People protesting Dibang Hydropower Project (Source: SANDRP)
When streets get smart
While the states prepare to build their smart cities, we look at the feasibility of the government’s smart city mission.
Amita Bhaduri
Posted on 17 Apr, 2017 05:13 AM

India's urbanisation continues unabated but most of its 53-million plus cities offer an appallingly low quality of life.
Smart city model at Trade Fair, New Delhi (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Election update: Its hills vs plains in Manipur
The land of gems will have a new government soon. We look at what leading political parties have to say about issues related to natural resources.
Amita Bhaduri
Posted on 04 Mar, 2017 05:33 PM

The key issue in the Manipur Assembly election is the ongoing economic blockade in the state, which, in turn, is attributed to the present government’s decision to

A Manipuri family. (Source: Coffee Table Book, Government of Manipur)
Maharashtra gears up for irrigation projects
Policy matters this week
Swati Bansal
Posted on 09 Jan, 2017 10:14 AM

Maharashtra approves cost overrun in irrigation projects, set to complete Gosikhurd project
Irrigation canal from the Bhima dam, Maharashtra (Source: Nvvchar on Wikipedia)
A book every city needs
Jal Aur Samaj' takes the readers through the pond culture of Bikaner that nurtured its past and holds promise for its future.
Manu Moudgil
Posted on 01 Jan, 2017 07:46 PM

A scarcity of something makes it special. That’s the reason why Rajasthan has always sanctified water much more than any other place in India. Low rainfall and saline groundwater turned people into great conservers who not only built beautiful and durable structures but also developed sustainable practices around them.
One of the ponds in Bikaner.
Twin lakes of Bhoj
The lakes of Bhoj wetland that are home to many bird species and provide water to the local residents are now polluted and need urgent attention from the government.
Makarand Purohit
Posted on 21 Nov, 2016 10:10 PM

The Bhoj wetland is situated in the heart of Bhopal district in Madhya Pradesh. The wetland consists of two man-made lakes--the upper lake and the lower lake.
Raja Bhoj statue at the upper lake.
Can we build castles without sand?
Sand mining is posing a huge threat to the life of the rivers in the country. Increasing water scarcity demands a permanent solution to this and alternatives to sand have come up as an option.
Manu Moudgil
Posted on 14 Oct, 2016 05:45 AM

Sand is today the most consumed raw material in the world after water. From building infrastructure to making glass, silicon chips, solar panels and even detergents and toothpastes, sand is an omnipresent element of our living.
Illegal mining affects the natural course of the river, its flood-regulation capacity and the groundwater levels.
Art of Living guilty of damaging Yamuna floodplains
Policy matter this week
Swati Bansal
Posted on 16 Aug, 2016 09:57 AM

World Culture Festival damaged Yamuna floodplains, concludes NGT
The front view of the giant stage under construction for the World Culture Festival. (Source: Yamuna Jiye Abhiyan)
State does a Nero while Kharun weeps
Despite the pitiable state of a polluted Kharun, the government is keen on developing the riverfront to attract tourists.
Makarand Purohit
Posted on 18 Jul, 2016 09:30 AM

At sunrise, everything is luminous but not clear. 

― Norman Maclean, A River Runs Through It and Other Stories
Kharun river at Mahadev Ghat, Raipur.
Blessed waters of Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah baoli
A 700-year-old stepwell, built by a 14th century mystic, is reputed to have miraculous powers. It is no surprise then that it attracts thousands of devotees even today.
Sabita Kaushal
Posted on 31 May, 2016 10:52 AM

The legend has it that in the year 1321-22, mystic and 14th century Sufi saint 
Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah 'baoli': An inherent part of a greater spiritual experience
Palace named after monsoon in Rajasthan
The Deeg palace, also known as 'Jal Mahal' for its extensive water designs which mimic the clouds and rains, is a must visit.
Manu Moudgil
Posted on 17 Apr, 2016 10:11 PM

Forts and palaces of Rajasthan are well known for their water-based architecture, which sustained life and also kept out the extreme summer heat. Though mostly absent from travel itineraries, Deeg Palace in Bharatpur district scores over the big names when it comes to aquatic ingenunity.
Deeg Palace is known for its fountains which are run twice a year.
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