Groundwater

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October 17, 2022 While informal groundwater markets cater significantly to the needs of smallholder farmers in India, they continue to be unacknowledged and understudied.
Groundwater, a finite resource (Image Source: TV Manoj via Wikimedia Commons)
July 5, 2022 Studies reveal that children are the most vulnerable to the health risks associated with groundwater contamination due to nitrate and fluoride, highlighting the need for urgent remedial measures.
POisoned waters, dangerous outcomes (Image Source: India Water Portal)
April 26, 2022 The water stewardship initiative by WOTR that developed a tool to visualise aquifers has not only helped farmers understand groundwater as a shared resource, but also led to a behavioural change among water users and helped implement groundwater laws and policies.
Groundwater, a fast disappearing resource (Image Source: India Water Portal)
February 13, 2022 A study provides new evidence that drinking water contaminated with arsenic can lead to still births, recurrent pregnancy loss and infertility among women.
A well in Rajasthan (Image Source: IWP Flickr photos)
August 29, 2021 A study shows that high arsenic contamination of groundwater in Bihar is linked with increase in cancer cases. Districts located near the Himalayan river basins have more people with cancer.
Drinking water in Bihar, linked to cancer (Image Source: IWP Flickr photos)
August 26, 2021 This study from Rajasthan found that anthropogenic factors led to nitrate contamination of groundwater. High nitrate levels in drinking water posed major health risks to children.
A well in Rajasthan (Image Source: IWP Flickr photos)
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 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

People’s institutions for improving water and sanitation services - A video showing the experiences of Jankapet village in Andhra Pradesh in improving the water supply in the village
This video narrates the fascinating story of the active role played by a village water committee in Jankampet, Andhra Pradesh, in improving the water supply system and living upto the expectations of communities. Established way back in 1996, the village has had 16 committees till now and its functioning shows that the sustainability of the institution is ensured as it is considered as people's institutions. Posted on 31 Dec, 2012 11:51 AM

District-wise data on groundwater resources and its utilization in Andhra Pradesh for the year 2004-05 - A compilation by the Andhra Pradesh State Groundwater Department and the Central Groundwater Board
A compilation of volumetric data on the groundwater resources & its uses for Andhra Pradesh with specific details of the resource in villages that come under 22 districts of the state. Posted on 31 Dec, 2012 12:00 AM

The data is categorised into watershed wise (basin-wise) annual availability of groundwater, current draft (utilisation), allocation for domestic and industrial needs, availability for future use (or the balance) and categorisation based on stage of development and rigorous statistical treatment of water levels.

Don't cut my oak trees: A film on afforestation in Uttarakhand by the Himalaya Seva Sangh
"Don't cut my oak trees, they give me water"."We get cool air from them, we get cool water".
"Don't cut my oak trees, they give me water".

So goes the plaintive title song of this short movie. Produced by the Himalaya Seva Sangh, the film on afforestation relies heavily on interviews with Dr.Shekhar Pathak of PAHAR and self-help group members from Mukteshwar, Sunadi, and Indwal.
Posted on 30 Dec, 2012 07:40 PM

A growing concern - How soon will India run out of water - Paper published in the Journal of Global Health
This paper published in the Journal of Global Health sheds light on the grave water scarcity that the country could face in the coming years and warns that this could happen in as few as twenty years as the demand for water continue to exceed the sources of supply. The paper argues that this will have a negative effect on the public health and sanitation situation in the country and urgent steps thus need to be taken to deal with this situation. Posted on 29 Dec, 2012 05:33 PM

The paper informs that groundwater accounts for about 50%-80% of domestic water use and 45%-50% of the irrigation in the country.

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:

Event report: Course on Managed Aquifer Recharge - Methods, hydrogeological requirements and impact assessment - December 11-12, 2012, Anna University, Chennai
A two day course on Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) was conducted as part of the Saph Pani project, funded by the European Commission, at the Anna University in Chennai between the 11th and 12th of December. The event saw the coming together of experts in the field from across the world – Saph Pani partners from Europe, Australia as well as those from within India. The two day event witnessed a series of interesting presentations and deliberations that ranged from sustainability of MAR structures to impact assessment and not to forget, the Indian experience. Posted on 29 Dec, 2012 11:19 AM

SaphPani Logo

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

Solid and liquid waste management - Proceedings of the Kerala Environment Congress organised at Thiruvananthapuram, 24th to 26th June 2010
This document includes the proceedings of the Kerala Environment Congress organised at Thiruvanathapuram that included twenty three presentations that focused on the issue of solid and liquid waste management Posted on 24 Dec, 2012 04:06 PM

This document published by the Centre for Environment and Development (CED) includes the proceedings of the Kerala Environment Congress 2010  jointly organised by the Centre for Environment and Development (CED), Thiruvanathapuram, Kerala, sponsored by the Ministry of Environment and Fo

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