Contamination, Pollution and Quality

Featured Articles
December 16, 2022 In this article, we will understand how the WQM course is continuing to influence the needs of learners that come from diverse backgrounds. The course model also offers core insights to many others who would like to engage in a virtual training program.
During a WQM course, a field team member from INREM facilitating a demonstration
September 9, 2022 Highlights from a new report released by iFOREST
An old coal-fired power plant has been dumping vast quantities of ash out in the open for many years. (Image: Lundrim Aliu/ World Bank; CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
September 5, 2022 In an attempt to present a perspective on how rivers are used and abused, a map of the Bengaluru rivers illustrate how waste flows through natural river corridors, polluting the rivers and altering their status.
Vrishabhavathi river flow at Thagachguppe Bridge, Kumbalgodu (Image Source: Paani.Earth)
August 27, 2022 Study looks at microplastic types in lakes of Ladakh
(Vinay Goel, Wikimedia Commons)
August 19, 2022 Better access to clean water coupled with health education to bring about changes in behaviour are critical to prevent exposure to dangerous cholera bacteria that lurk in untreated waters.
The hidden threat of cholera in India (Image Source: IWP Flickr photos)
August 11, 2022 This could lead to water quality crisis reinforcing the need for basin-specific management strategies
Around the world, more than a fifth of nitrogen released by human activity ends up in aquatic ecosystems (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
Statistical year book India 2013- A compilation of data sets by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
This book by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation provides data sets on different aspects of the country. Posted on 05 Jan, 2013 07:19 PM

 

Impact of pit-toilet leachate on groundwater chemistry and role of vadose zone in removal of nitrate and E. coli pollutants in Kolar District, Karnataka, India
Impact of pit-toilet leachate on groundwater chemistry and role of vadose zone in removal of nitrate and E. coli pollutants in Kolar District, Karnataka, India Posted on 04 Jan, 2013 02:00 PM

Given the many problems associated with flush toilets and the sewerage system, pit toilets offer a viable solution in India. However, the use of soakpits raises the question of groundwater contamination. This paper assesses the impact of pit toilet leachate on groundwater quality in Mulbagal town (pop ~ 60,000) in Karnataka relies on pit toilets, and uses groundwater for drinking.View of the town of Mulbagal, Karnataka

Water monitoring challenge in Yamuna basin- Educating communites along the river about the importance of water testing & quality
Water, water everywhere, not a drop to drink! How truly these lines depict the picture of present scenario. There are lots of organizations, people and experts involved in the discussions and making efforts at international level to have safe, sustainable drinking water for all. Yet the efforts are not enough… Posted on 03 Jan, 2013 11:01 PM

Water, water everywhere, not a drop to drink!  How truly these lines depict the picture of present scenario. There are lots of organizations, people and experts involved in the discussions and making efforts at international level to have safe, sustainable drinking water for all. Yet the efforts are not enough…

"Ministry of Environment & Forests held responsible for high levels of pollution in major Indian rivers" - The Resource and Information Network for the Coasts' January 2013 newsletter
"Ministry of Environment & Forests held responsible for high levels of pollution in major Indian rivers" - The Resource and Information Network for the Coasts' January 2013 newsletter Posted on 01 Jan, 2013 10:45 PM

 

The January edition of the TRINet has the following highlights:

‘Water conflicts: Quest for creative solutions’ : Video of the conversation between Anupam Mishra, Ramaswamy Iyer, Vivek Bharti and Rohini Nilekani
This event was an interactive conversation on water based conflicts, a platform for the participants to share their varied experiences and explore solutions that were sustainable .The members in this talk were Ramaswamy Iyer of Centre for Policy Research, Vivek Bharti of Pepsi Co and Anupam Mishra of Gandhi Peace Foundation, with Rohini Nilekani, Arghyam acting as the moderator Posted on 31 Dec, 2012 12:51 PM

Survey of the environment 2012 - A publication by The Hindu
This report published by The Hindu focuses on the issues related to the environment, nature, conservation and biodiversity and includes contributions from leading experts who talk about a variety of issues ranging from medicinal plants to shrinking wetlands, the threats to coastal ecosystems, the mining crisis, the dying rivers of India and threats due to urbanisation Posted on 31 Dec, 2012 09:59 AM

The report includes the following articles under separate sections:

Biodiversity
The section on biodiversity includes four articles:

Briefing papers on ‘Jal kothis’, ‘Matka filter’, 'Dug wells' and ‘Phayedemand shauchalaya’: Local innovative solutions in flood prone Bihar by Megh Pyne Abhiyan (2011)
Megh Pyne Abhiyan, supported by Arghyam, has been working towards self-reliance and access to safe drinking water and secure sanitation, in 22 panchayats of five flood-prone districts of north Bihar. Included below are four briefing papers that describe innovative localised solutions implemented by Megh Pyne Abhiyan to deal with the problems arising out of the recurrent flood situation in the state of Bihar Posted on 29 Dec, 2012 03:14 PM

The briefing papers include the following:

"Arghyam prepares Water Quality Management (WQM) framework for rural areas" - Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation releases its first e-newsletter on water and sanitation in India (December 2012)
This first e-newsletter, launched by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, titled - 'Swajal Nirmal Bharat' begins with a renewed focus on the achievement of sanitation outcomes. It discusses the Working Group’s review of the Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC), now called the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (NBA) or the Clean India Campaign and its suggested strategies, priorities, and allocation for implementation in the 12th Five Year Plan. It talks on how the new strategy is aimed at transforming rural India into ‘Nirmal Bharat’ by adopting the community saturation approach. Posted on 24 Dec, 2012 08:51 PM

The newsletter refers to the nationwide campaign carried out by Arghyam, with the aim of creating awareness on water quality issues with a specific focus on fluoride contamination in groundwater sources, by engaging students from across the country in a water quality testing, analysis, and reporting.

In the newsletter, the spotlight is turned on:

Exploring linkages between the agricultural sector and the environment - Report on the Kerala Environment Congress organised by the Centre for Environment and Development at Thiruvananthapuram, between 16 -18 August 2012
The focal theme of the 8th Kerala Environment Congress was Agriculture and Environment. The congress aimed at providing a platform for scientists, researchers, students and members of the community to deliberate on the issues pertaining to the agricultural sector and their impacts on the environment. Posted on 24 Dec, 2012 05:27 PM

The Congress was jointly organised by Centre for Environment and Development (CED), Thiruvananthapuram and the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram 

Inauguration of the conference

Around 350 participants including eminent scientists, agricultural experts and students participated in the event. The conference was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Kerala, Sri. Oommen Chandy. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister, highlighted that development and environment were linked and that the approach to the cause of agriculture and environment needed to be realistic since the state could not neglect both development and environment. He also pointed out that Kerala was one state having a very high reputation in preserving and protecting the forest cover, which was much  higher than the national average in the state. This was possible due to the will and awareness of the people of Kerala. He emphasised the need for a more realistic approach to deal with issues related to the agriculture and environment.

KEC inauguration

Inaugural speech by the Chief Minister of Kerala

Ajit Pawar reinstated as Maharashtra deputy CM, despite being involved in a multi-crore irrigation scam - Roundup of the week's news (December 10 – 16, 2012)
The newsroundup this week informs of reducing water level in the Cauvery basin, pollution of rivers in Odisha, Punjab and Kerala, green signal given by the cabinet to the land aquisition bill and the decision made by the Karnataka government for the need to seek permission from the water board for drilling borewells or dugwells in Bangalore city Posted on 17 Dec, 2012 09:42 PM

Ajit Pawar reinstated as deputy CM of Maharashtra  

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