Ecology and Environment

Featured Articles
December 16, 2022 Soil research must focus both on technology development and implementation
The ability of soils to support soil functions or services is decreasing (Image: Katrin Park/International Food Policy Research Institute)
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)
November 16, 2022 Adoption of hybrid solutions - grey and green structures appropriate for resilience building
Healthy wetland ecosystems help in reducing disaster risks and managing climate risks (Image: Pxhere)
October 30, 2022 This book by Dr. Mitul Baruah presents a fascinating, ethnographic account of the challenges faced by communities living in Majuli, India, one of the largest river islands in the world, which has experienced immense socio-environmental transformations over the years, processes that are emblematic of the Brahmaputra Valley as a whole. This is an excerpt from the book.
Floods are recurrent phenomena in Assam (Image: Mitul Baruah)
October 6, 2022 Rapid urbanisation and faulty land use policies are rapidly destroying forests, grasslands and wetlands in Jammu and Kashmir, India and the ecosystem value services they provide. Can these valuable ecosystems be saved?
Deteriorating ecosystems of Jammu and Kashmir, India (Image Source: tkohli at Flickr via Wikimedia Commons)
July 14, 2022 The river is faced with the dual problem of flood plain encroachment and growing levels of water pollution
Illegal transverse check dams (Badhals) built on Ichamati near a village in Basirhat (Image: Prithviraj Nath @ TheWaterChronicles)
How industries ruined Ratlam’s groundwater
Toxic industrial waste has polluted groundwater in Ratlam. Residents wait for action from authorities. Posted on 25 Jul, 2018 04:53 PM

A resident of Bajankheda village in Ratlam district of Madhya Pradesh, Sitabai Tindor shows her pot full of water to us. A strange red, the water looks unusual. “We have been using this red water for domestic use for the last two decades. Industries in Ratlam has spoilt our land and water. The government has not provided us with any alternatives.

Women pump contaminated water from the hand pump at Bajankheda. (Source: India Water Portal)
Delay in 16 major irrigation projects, reports CAG
Policy matters this week Posted on 24 Jul, 2018 11:04 AM

CAG pulls up water ministry for delay in 16 major irrigation projects

Ganga river at Kachla, Uttar Pradesh. (Source: IWP Flickr Photos)
Mudflats erosion changes Gulf of Khambhat shoreline
Researchers find out that a total of about 28.66 sq km area of high tidal mudflats has got eroded within a span of just three-and-a-half years. Posted on 19 Jul, 2018 12:38 PM

Tidal mudflats of Gulf of Khambhat on west coast constitute an important ecosystem on India’s coastline. Scientists have now found that these mudflats are experiencing severe erosion which is threatening the vital habitat. 

Erosion in high tidal mudflats. (Pic courtesy: ISW)
National Waterway-1: Dolphin population declines
News this week Posted on 17 Jul, 2018 10:31 AM

Decline in Dolphin population observed in India's only dolphin sanctuary

Gangetic Dolphin (Source: Arati Kumar Rao)
“Agriculture alone cannot provide for our teeming millions.”
Watershed management is not just to harvest and store water but also to create democratic processes at the village level and enable inclusive, sustainable development that meets the people's needs. Posted on 06 Jul, 2018 03:15 PM

In India, although we have approximately four months of monsoon (which is basically 45 days of effective rainfall), in drought prone areas, there are only 10-15 days of harvestable rain in the entire season. If you don't get enough rain during those days, it's a cause for worry.

Watershed management. Image source: India Water Portal
Polar effect on global climate
Researchers working in polar regions are coming together to study climate change and its effect on the regions. Posted on 04 Jul, 2018 03:35 PM

Polar regions have a major influence on global climate and this is making researchers working in both the Arctic and the Antarctic to come together to share knowledge and experience.

Polar regions affect the climate of the entire planet. (Pic source: Pixabay)
Village steps up water revival effort
A temple trust revives an ancient stepwell, comes to the rescue of a water-starved village. Posted on 04 Jul, 2018 02:33 PM

Long before piped water supply became the norm, groundwater got extracted for use and rivers neglected, stepwells served as a major source of water for people.

Stepwell in front of Khedamata temple at Modi village. (Source: India Water Portal)
Climate hotspots to affect India's economy
Seven out of the top 10 climate hotspots in India in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, says a World Bank study. Posted on 04 Jul, 2018 10:35 AM

A study by the World Bank indicates that due to rising temperatures and changing monsoon rainfall patterns from climate change, India’s gross domestic product (GDP) may dip by 2.8 percent (amounting to $1177.8 billion) by 205

Tribal and poverty hotspots coincide with climate hotspots. (Pic courtesy: Yann, Wikimedia Commons)
Maharashtra may exempt certain plastic items from ban
Policy matters this week Posted on 03 Jul, 2018 11:14 AM

Maharashtra mulls exemption on 'certain' plastic items following crackdown on plastic

Maharashtra bans plastic. (Image Source: India Water Portal)
Five percent rainfall deficit recorded in June
News this week Posted on 03 Jul, 2018 10:30 AM

Monsoon shows a deficit of five percent in June

Agriculture needs to be made climate resilient. (Image Source: India Water Portal)
×