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)
Forecasting systems can reduce Delhi's cocktail of pollutants
A CEEW study indicates that forecasting systems helped avert extremely severe air pollution episodes last winter. Posted on 13 Jun, 2022 09:15 AM

 

(Image: Ville Miettinen, Wikimedia Commons)
Conserving India’s freshwater ecosystems: A shared vision
Freshwater ecosystems in India are in peril. We invite comments on this vision document by TNC-India, FES and Ooloi labs that highlights future actions needed to save them. Posted on 04 Jun, 2022 12:43 PM

We invite you to share your comments in the feedback form at the end of this article

Freshwater ecosystems are a basis of life and a precious resource, not only because freshwater is limited, but also because of the rich biodiversity they support and the valuable ecosystem services they provide.

Freshwater ecosystems, in peril! (Image Source: The Nature Conservancy, India)
Transparent urban river pollution monitoring
A study develops a decision support tool to identify polluted river stretches Posted on 25 May, 2022 09:33 AM

Unprecedented expansion and anthropic activities amongst other reasons lead to choking of urban rivers with municipal and industrial sewage. Around 63% of the total 62 million litres/ day generated sewage is dumped in Indian urban rivers without treatment, as per a Central Pollution Control Board report submitted to National Green Tribunal, India.

Ulhas river near Khandpe village (Image: Ganesh Dhamodkar, Wikimedia Commons)
Pond water reuse from a circular economy perspective
Ponds became a storehouse of metal toxicity in the accumulated sludge: Study Posted on 24 May, 2022 08:06 PM

Ponds are increasingly getting polluted mainly due to the discharge of wastewater from residential areas, sewage outlets, solid waste dump sites, livestock rearing sites (e.g., dairy, poultry), and fertilizers and pesticides from farmers’ fields.

Wastewater generated from households in the catchment area of a pond contaminates its waters (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
Ministry weakens protections against coal mine expansion
Policy matters this fortnight Posted on 24 May, 2022 08:02 PM

Ministry weakens protections against mine expansion using coal shortage excuse

Work in progress in coal mines in Jharsuguda (Image Source: Makarand Purohit)
Stained and smiling
Working with fluoride affected communities in Mewat, Haryana Posted on 12 May, 2022 12:03 PM

In the scorching heat, villagers stood with glasses of water in their hands and smiles on their faces in an eagerness to offer all that they had with utmost kindness to bring comfort to people on a hot summer day, oblivious to the quality of water they were offering.

Stains, irregularities, and pits are common manifestations of dental fluorosis. (Image: Sehgal Foundation)
Toxic waters, struggling fish
The mighty Ganga is gradually becoming a death trap, not only for people, but also for the wonderous animals that live in its waters and depend on her for their survival. How has this happened? Posted on 08 May, 2022 09:04 PM

The Ganga, India's poisoned lifeline

The poisoned Ganges (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Microplastics contaminating our soil
The plastic used for mulching is leading to soil contamination Posted on 07 May, 2022 10:33 AM

The excessive use of plastic across multiple sectors is emerging as a major cause of environmental concern due to its non-degradable property and remains being found in various ecosystems.

Under a study by Toxics Link soil samples in agricultural belts in Karnataka and Maharashtra were tested and tiny plastic particles were found at various depths (Image: Toxics Link)
Taking people along, to conserve freshwater ecosystems
Citizen science can be greatly useful in breaking down the barriers between local and expert knowledge and help in better management and protection of freshwater ecosystems. Posted on 17 Apr, 2022 02:23 PM

Freshwater, a rare resource

Pashan lake in Pune (Image Source: India Water Portal)
Village fair inspires positive change
Behaviour change towards safe drinking water, handwashing and sanitation practices Posted on 15 Apr, 2022 09:43 AM

S M Sehgal Foundation is implementing a project “WASH for Healthy Home” engaging ten women’s groups in partnership with CAWST and supported by Fig Tree Foundation in Jafrabad Panchayat, district Vaishali, Bihar.

The village fair (Image Source: Sehgal Foundation)
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