Rivers

Featured Articles
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)
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 11, 2022 In an effort to inform the general public, especially citizen activists, policymakers, researchers, and students, about the current status of the Vrishabhavathi river, Paani.Earth has created the necessary maps, data, analysis, and information to drive conservation awareness and action around the river.
Vrishabhavathi river (Image Source: Paani.Earth)
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)
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 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)
CAG India invites feedback on pollution of ground water, lakes and rivers in India
An initiative to invite feedback on pollution of groundwater, lakes and rivers in the country, by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) Posted on 16 Feb, 2010 03:14 PM

CAG

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (www.cag.gov.in) is starting a performance Audit on "Pollution of ground water, lakes and rivers in India". CAG has invited citizens to point out specific problems / issue regarding water pollution affecting them or the environment.

Ganga Yamuna Panchayat held on February 2010 at the Nehru Memorial Museum
A charter of demands presented to minister of Environment for the effective implementation of the New Ganga & Yamuna Action Plans Posted on 15 Feb, 2010 03:24 PM

Charter of All India Ganga Yamuna Panchayat submitted to Minister of Environment8-10 February 2010

 
In its concluding session on 10th February, the all India Ganga Yamuna Panchayat organized by Tarun Bharat Sangh and Manushi Sangathan presented a Charter of Demands to Minister of Environment, Mr Jairam Ramesh for the effective implementation of the New Ganga and Yamuna Action Plans.  The Panchayat was inaugurated on February 8th by Shri Digvijay Singh, General Secretary, All India Congress Committee at Nehru Memorial Museum and Library which hosted the Panchayat.

Analysis of the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Dam in the Amazon rainforest
An in depth analysis on the controversial Belo Monte Hydroelectric Dam in the Amazon rainforest for which the Brazilian government has given a green signal Posted on 07 Feb, 2010 10:34 PM

 Tribal inhabitants of Xingu River

Photo from International Rivers 

Nature Conservancy a decade ago estimated the value of earth’s ecosystem services to be at least $33trillion a year. At the time of estimation it was close to gross world product. Something about that figure wasn’t quite clear and I always wondered how they managed to come up with the number.

Consultation on the Ganga and Yamuna Action Plans, Manushi Sangathan, New Delhi
Posted on 29 Jan, 2010 02:58 PM

Manushi and Jal Biradari are organizing a three-day meeting to discuss the New Yamuna Action Plan. It will cover YAP 1 [Yamuna Action Plan] and the agenda for YAP2. Minister for Environment and Forests Mr Jairam Ramesh will participate in a dialogue on 10 February.

The plight of the Yamuna river
The article reflects the sad plight of the River Yamuna, who is being polluted by the rapid urbanisation and whose flow is being restricted by dams. Posted on 24 Jan, 2010 03:12 PM

(Last to last year in frustration, this letter came out. Now when Commonwealth Games are at the door Mother Yamuna is asking for justice on her death bed)


Revered Citizens of India,

I am mother of one sixth of humanity, But now a stigma on my own sons. My own sons are raping me for their own prosperity and development. I want to tell you what is my story and what are my ideas while sitting on the death bed.

My story starts from a myth and a reality. My sons believe that I came from heaven while scientists say that I have originated from the glaciers of Himalayas. I believe in both. My father is Himalaya and I originate from Yamunotari glacier, now in state of Uttarakhand. My birth was considered as the end of vows of Aryan civilization. The oldest civilization started flourishing on my banks and sister Ganges also supported this cause. World’s greatest religion was founded in my territory.

Help revoke the faulty environmental clearance for the proposed Athirappilly HEP
Petition regarding the show cause notice issued to KSEB to revoke the environmental clearance to 163 MW Athirappilly HEP in Kerala region. Posted on 24 Jan, 2010 12:19 PM

Guest Post by Dr.A.Latha, River Research Centre


The Athirappilly Dam Issue in Kerala, India has reached a very critical stage. You must be aware that the MoEF had issued a show cause notice to Kerala State Electricity Board asking reasons for not revoking the environmental clearance granted in 2007 (Ltr No. J - 12011 / 6/ 97 - IA 1 dated 4th January 2010 attached) giving 15 days for responding. The KSEB has submitted its reply few days back. The KSEB has again tried to dilute and distort the real facts regarding this project as a desperate last minute attempt. The Honorable Minister for Environment and Forests has already made his stance clear that the MoEF will revoke the environmental clearance granted in 2007. However there is a need to expose the falsity and distortion of facts by the concerned officials and the continuous efforts to thwart the consistent public opposition to this project. The just decision taken by Sri.Jairam Ramesh also needs to be appreciated. 

Kosi Tragedy should be inquired by CBI
This is a petition to National Human Rights Commission in September 2008 demanding an inquiry into the Kosi tragedy. Posted on 22 Jan, 2010 02:05 PM

PMO FORWARDS PETITION ON KOSI TRAGEDY TO HOME MINISTRY FOR APPROPRIATE ACTION

Prof.Suraj Yadav, Assistant Professor in Delhi University reports


 

Kosi breach due to Bihar government's apathy: PAG
Bihar state government indicted for the breach in river Kosi embankment in 2008 by the Principal Accountant General (PAG). Posted on 18 Jan, 2010 05:22 PM

Patna, Jan 15 (PTI) The Principal Accountant General (PAG) of Bihar has indicted the state government for the breach in river Kosi embankment in 2008 that rendered lakhs of people homeless and claimed several lives.

Case Studies on Groundwater Management from Indiatogether.org
Groundwater management case studies that include the water tunnel of Sheni, surangas and river mining in Kerala Posted on 18 Jan, 2010 01:30 PM

Case Studies on Groundwater Management from Indiatogether.org

Barrages would prevent Polavaram dam from being an economic and environmental disaster : Analysis reveal
An analysis/study on the Polavaram dam project and the need for barrages to prevent submersion of villages and help in inland water navigation of sea going vessels Posted on 12 Jan, 2010 02:20 PM

 Prof.T.Shivaji Rao,

Director, Centre for Environmental Studies,

Gitam University, Visakhapatnam.

Historical Developments: Initially the Polavaram project was proposed as a storage reservoir with FRL at +150ft  with a water storage of about 150TMC in 1941.  Subsequently many changes were made and in 1948 it emerged as Rampada Sagar dam with FRL at +208ft. with water storage of 836  TMC including 150 MW of hydro-power generation at an estimated cost of 129 crores (at 1948 rates) This scheme was abandoned because it was too costly and was bristled with foundation and construction problems.  Subsequently several expert committees were appointed by the Government of India to study the problems of Godavari water utilisation.  These committees under the Chairmanship of  Dr.A.N. Khosla (1953), Mr.Gulhati (1963) and Mr.A.C.Mitra  (1965) suggested to the state Government to build a barrage at Polavaram for improving the irrigation facilities and also to divert Godavari flood water into Krishna river.  https://www.thehindu.com/2009/05/02/stories/2009050260540600.htm