Governance
Lady Tata Memorial Trust invites applications for “Young Research Awards – 2012” – Apply by January 16, 2012
Posted on 03 Jan, 2012 07:52 AMThe Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, one of the oldest, non-sectarian philanthropic organisations in India, was set up by Sir Dorabji Tata with the prime purpose of encouraging learning and research in the country, of meeting costs of relief during crises and calamities and of carrying out worthwhile charitable activities. The Trust’s vision of constructive philanthropy has been sensitive to the fast-growing needs of a developing nation, while the work initiated by it holds contemporary relevance as it continues to support innovative enterprises in development.
Cyclone Thane hits landfall between Puducherry and Cuddalore districts in Tamil Nadu, Heavy rainfall expected over Kerala in the next 24 hours - An update on floods, disasters, extreme weather events (1 to 31 December 2011)
Posted on 01 Jan, 2012 04:50 PMIt has been dominated by reports of a major cyclone Thane that lay centered on the the 29th December 2011 near latitude 12.30N and longitude 83.00E, about 300 km east-southeast of Chennai (Tamilnadu) and 480 km north-northeast of Trincomalee (Sri Lanka). Earlier reports related to the cyclone Thane indicate predictions and cyclone warnings made by the IMD for the north of Tamil Nadu and the south Andhra Pradesh coast along with possibility of heavy rains and severe winds and warnings for fishermen to refrain from going into the sea.
Later reports indicate that Cyclone Thane has hit the landfall between the Union territory of Puducherry and neighbouring Cuddalore district in Tamil Nadu at about 9 am leaving behind a trail of devastation followed by later reports of weakening of the cyclone activity and predictions of heavy rainfall over Kerala, south interior Karnataka and north interior Tamil Nadu
A plan for resolving Mullaperiyar conflict in Kerala - Forum for Policy Dialogue on Water Conflicts in India
Posted on 31 Dec, 2011 12:56 PMGuest Post: Forum for Policy Dialogue on Water Conflicts in India
The Forum for Policy Dialogue on Water Conflicts in India has been closely following the Mullaperiyar issue for the last several years. The polarisation of views around the Mullaperiyar has hardened over the years. The Tamil Nadu government insists that the Mullaperiyar dam is safe and that the water level must be maintained at the maximum level as per the agreement. The Kerala government insists that a new dam, downstream of the present dam, must be built because the present dam is unsafe. The recent tremors with their epicentres near the dam and the already diminishing trust and rising fears and apprehensions on both sides have created a grave situation needing immediate intervention and your initiative in getting the two parties together is a welcome move.
15 tanks and 151 toilets built in 2011 to provide schools with water and sanitation': bRAINstorming
Posted on 30 Dec, 2011 02:34 PMArticle and Image Courtesy: International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance (IRHA)
The newsletter focuses on all activities concerning rainwater harvesting, the International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance (IRHA) and its partners. This issue summarizes work done during 2011.
First international advocacy planning meeting for water and sanitation activists'- 'WASH News and policy update
Posted on 30 Dec, 2011 12:31 PMContent courtesy: India WASH Forum
Interdisciplinary approach to water management: From the uplands to the coast - The Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna Basin
Posted on 30 Dec, 2011 11:04 AMIn this paper, Jayanta Bandopadhyay explains the need for an interdiscipliinary framework for water resource management. He states that this framework needs to include ecological, social, economic and institutional perspectives. These perspectives are essential to facilitate cooperation over the management of transboundary rivers.
Managing natural resources through simple and appropriate technological interventions for sustainable mountain development - Current Science (2011)
Posted on 30 Dec, 2011 10:07 AMThe initiative on management of natural resources through appropriate interventions aimed at:
Design, operation and maintenance of sewage treatment plants - A guide by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board
Posted on 29 Dec, 2011 03:01 PMThis guidebook published by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board takes the reader through various units, operations and processes in a typical Extended Aeration Biological treatment plant, the Workhorse of the industry.
Alternative National Water Policy by Ramaswamy R Iyer - Comments by Rahul Banerjee
Posted on 28 Dec, 2011 02:24 PMGuest Post: Rahul Banerjee
Ramaswamy Iyer has made a commendable effort to draft a National Water Policy that tries to reform the current unsustainable approach to water resource management in this country (EPW Vol XLVI Nos 26&27 Supplement pp 201). Assuming that this draft is an invitation to a larger public debate on the issues involved I would like to make a few comments on it.
National Alliance for People s Movements condemns arrest and harassment of anti-dam protesters in Assam
Posted on 28 Dec, 2011 12:10 PMContent courtesy: National Alliance for People's Movements
On the 26 December, 2011, at 2:15 am, Assam Police in collusion with other security forces swooped down on the protesters at Ranganadi who have been blockading the Highway since December 16 and thwarting state’s attempt to carry turbines and dam materials to project site of Lower Subansiri Dam. Nearly 200 people have been arrested and earlier also security forces have been harassing the protestors. In past too, Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti fighting against the big dams on Brahmaputra have faced government’s ire and often been attacked and jailed. NAPM stands in solidarity with KMSS and other students groups of the region who have been consistently opposed to the big dams in highly sensitive seismic zone. We condemn the sustained action and harassment of KMSS and their activists and targeting of Akhil Gogoi for constantly opposing the destructive development policies and corruption of the government machinery.