Conservation - Reducing Water Usage

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November 25, 2022 These maps at the watershed scales have been made to not only ensure inclusion of different freshwater ecosystems, their connectivity and hydrological processes, but can also provide a spatial context for conservation decisions.
A stream at Anini, Arunachal Pradesh (Image Source: Roshni Arora)
September 21, 2022 The unique design and functioning of the Chakla bavdi in Chanderi Madhya Pradesh is another example of the water wisdom of our ancestors, which needs to be conserved and passed on to the future generations.
Chakla Bavdi at Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh (Image Source: Shirole, S. 2022. Architectural eloquence: Water harvesting structure in Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh (India). Ancient Asia, 13: 9, pp. 1–13)
June 21, 2022 While springs in Kashmir have still retained their good quality and have a great potential to be used for drinking water, threats to them are growing. Their protection and sustainable management is crucial.
Verinag spring in Anantanag district of Kashmir (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)
January 13, 2022 State of the world’s land and water resources for food and agriculture: The synthesis report 2021
Sustainable agricultural practices lead to water saving, soil conservation, sustainable land management, conservation of natural resources, ecosystem and climate change benefits. (Image: Maheshwara, Pixahive)
November 9, 2021 Building resilient agricultural system through groundwater management interventions in degraded landscapes of Bundelkhand region
Charkhari talab in Bundelkhand (Image: IWP Flickr)
September 1, 2021 Best practices for holistic urban water management in Chennai Metropolitan Area
These bright plastic jugs are ubiquitous in Chennai and Tamil Nadu. (Image: McKay Savage, Flickr Commons; CC BY 2.0)
Farmers stand up for their rights
News this week Posted on 04 Dec, 2018 02:51 PM

Thousands of farmers march to Delhi against the looming agrarian crisis

A file photo shows Tamil Nadu farmers' protest in Delhi last year.(Source: IWP Flickr photos)
The tragic tale of Erai
The polluted Erai river needs to be restored before it completely dies and leaves the people dependent on it searching for drinking water. Posted on 30 Nov, 2018 10:56 AM

The Erai river, the main tributary of the Wardha river, is the lifeline for the people of Chandrapur in Maharashtra. It primarily supplies water to the Chandrapur city and Chandrapur super thermal power station (CSTPS). Since 1984, after the initiation of operations of M/s CSTPS and Western Coalfields Limited (WCL), the river has begun to get polluted and is now gasping for breath.

The Erai river (Source: India Water Portal)
Wind turbines impact Western Ghats ecology
Wind farms reduce the number of predatory birds which in turn results in an increase in the density of vertebrates like lizards in Western Ghats. Posted on 07 Nov, 2018 07:33 PM

Wind energy, considered a clean source of energy, does have a carbon footprint and is also known to disturb bird life. Now a new study done in the Western Ghats has found that wind farms in biodiversity-rich areas can have deeper ecological consequences beyond already known impacts. 

Sarada superba lizard (Pic courtesy: Abi Vanak)
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) - Mangroves
What are mangroves and why are they important? Here is a simple Q&A to understand the mangrove ecosystems in India better. Posted on 29 Oct, 2018 12:03 PM

This is a simple guide that lists out the most popular questions related to mangroves, to understand what they are and their ecological significance. Please click on a topic for detailed information.

Mangroves of the Sundarbans. (Source: Nature Environment & Wildlife Society - NEWS)
Green Climate Fund aid for coastal communities
Policy matters this week Posted on 23 Oct, 2018 10:47 AM

Fund approved to boost climate resilience among coastal communities

Coastal communities in India (Source: IWP Flickr photos)
To Sir, with love and belief
Dr G.D. Agarwal fought to protect the river Ganga till his last breath. Posted on 15 Oct, 2018 02:26 PM

Dr G.D. Agrawal passed away on October 11, 2018. He was 86 years old. But he didn’t die of old age. After 111 days of fasting, he died of a heart attack. Why was he fasting? We will come to that in a while. 

Dr G.D. Agarwal (Pic by Sidwanshu Kumar)
Centre approves projects near turtle nesting sites
Policy matters this week Posted on 10 Oct, 2018 12:09 PM

New coastal projects to ignore Olive Ridley turtles

Olive Ridley turtle (Source: Pawar Pooja via Wikipedia commons)
Ganga clean up: It’s all talk and no action
While crores of rupees have been allocated for cleaning up Ganga, the river continues to flow filthy. Posted on 19 Sep, 2018 12:06 PM

As the Ganga emerges from the glaciers and glides along the foothills of the mighty Himalayas through the towns and cities with their sprawling ghats, engineered embankments, hydroelectric dams, and interrupted flows at barrages, the icy chilliness of its waters is lost.

The Ganga at Garhmukteshwar (Image: Chicu Lokgariwar, India Water Portal)
More water for crops
Subsidies given for irrigation efficiency may have a negative impact on water use. Posted on 06 Sep, 2018 02:44 PM

A new study has pointed out that increased irrigation efficiency does not translate to more water availability for other uses at the watershed level. The subsidies for increasing irrigation efficiency are intended to increase crop production as well as more return flow from irrigated areas that can be allocated to urban, domestic and industrial uses.

Subsidies for irrigation efficiency lead to a decrease in water availability at the watershed level because of increased irrigated areas and water withdrawals. (Pic: IWP Flickr photos)
Maharashtra comes out with draft groundwater rules
Policy matters this week Posted on 05 Sep, 2018 06:26 AM

Maharashtra farmers to need approval to sow water-intensive crops 

A sugarcane farm (Source: IWP Flickr photos)
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