Rivers

Featured Articles
November 25, 2022
Categorising watersheds for freshwater ecosystem conservation in India
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
Slow disaster: Political ecology of hazards and everyday life in the Brahmaputra valley, Assam
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
Visualizing the Vrishabhavathi river to keep it alive
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
Deteriorating landscapes and threatened ecosystems of Jammu and Kashmir
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
Rivers of Bengaluru: A map-infographic reflects the rivers’ state
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
India’s rivers in trouble due to high fertilizer load and heavy monsoons
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)
Indian troops polluting Siachen glacier: Pakistan
Policy matters this week: Pakistan says its main source of water supply is affected by Indian troops polluting the Siachen glacier, and Karnataka to increase the height of Almatti dam.
Ravleen Kaur
Posted on 09 Dec, 2013 08:24 AM

Remove troops from Siachen: Pakistan
Indian Army, Siachen Source: defenceforumindia.com
Drilling the hills to devastation
Thirty hydroelectric projects have been planned in Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh. There is an immense cost to the environment and to the residents but the government isn't letting up.
Manu Moudgil
Posted on 08 Dec, 2013 10:50 PM

Clear blue skies, natural springs and glacial peaks-tranquility. Falling stones, landslides and debris-chaos! Kinnaur, located on  the northeastern side of Himachal Pradesh, lets you experience both. It falls in seismic zones IV and V, which means it runs the the risk of damaging and destructive earthquakes.
100 MW Tidong-I project, Kinnaur HP
Development or displacement?
The MP government is proposing a nuclear project in Mandala district. Villagers are wary about promises to rehabilitate since similar promises are yet unfulfilled to the Bargi dam oustees since 1990.
Makarand Purohit
Posted on 01 Dec, 2013 08:30 PM

Sukal Singh is 50 years old and is the only earning person of his five-member family. Suresh Barman works as a labourer supporting a 13-member family. Bhagirat and Gorelal Bhavedi are rickshaw-pullers supporting a 7-member family each.
Bargi dam affected Patha village, MP
40% of Delhi houses not connected with sewerage network: Census
News this week: 40% people in Delhi live in houses without sewerage, cyclone Leher passes off peacefully and farmers affected by erosion in Tripura sell land.
Ravleen Kaur
Posted on 01 Dec, 2013 08:10 PM

40% people in the National capital live in houses not connected to sewerage network
No sewerage but a dirty river Source: The Hindu
Climate talks end in dispute
Policy matters this week: Climate change talks at Warsaw end up in dispute, a new division for the Himalayas and NHRC issues notice to the government on pollution in the Ganga.
Ravleen Kaur
Posted on 01 Dec, 2013 03:30 PM

Money deals mar climate talks in Warsaw
Unfriendly climate at Warsaw Source: Wikipedia
Don't have toilet, can't contest polls
Policy Matters this week: Bihar government makes toilet compulsory for contesting polls, Ganga Jal pitchers to collect religious waste and Rs 1,444 crore for rural water supply in Maharashtra.
Ravleen Kaur
Posted on 24 Nov, 2013 10:43 PM

Don't have toilet, can't contest polls
Toilet mandatory to contest
After Phailin, Cyclone Helen hits Andhra Pradesh coast
News this week: Cyclone Helen devastates Andhra coast, built up area in the capital replaces green spaces and packaged water unit to come up near Sambhar lake.
Ravleen Kaur
Posted on 24 Nov, 2013 02:42 PM

 After Phailin, Helen devastates Andhra coast 
Cyclone Helen hit Andhra coast Source: Wikimedia
Floods need not equate disasters
A mix of high-tech and low-tech systems, government initiatives as well as a community level approach is needed to manage floods in the Himalayas.
David Molden
Posted on 24 Nov, 2013 11:19 AM

 Every year, we have about 76 disasters in the Himalayas, some 36,000 people are killed and over a million affected by disasters. The loss of life and damage does not need to occur. How people manage the situation can relieve the situation much better.

About a third of these disasters are from floods. In the Himalaya, there are two broad kinds of flooding:
Do floods have to cause loss?
Applications invited for a special grants programme on sustainable river basin management 'Life for Rivers', World Wide Fund for Nature
The programme envisions creating a critical mass of knowledge and a vibrant network of ‘River Saviours’ who will contribute towards sustainable management of key rivers in India.
Posted on 24 Nov, 2013 10:10 AM

For more information on the World Wide Fund for Nature, India, please click here.

To view details on the special grants programme, click here or download the brochure from below.
Athirapilly falls under threat
Another proposed power project blurs the lines between cost to environment and need for development. Will it ever cease to be a dichotomy and become a win-win situation for both?
Amita Bhaduri
Posted on 23 Nov, 2013 07:54 AM

Athirappilly falls is situated 70 km from Kochi city in Kerala's Thrissur district. The 80 ft high falls is a part of the Chalakudy River and originates in the upper reaches of the Sholayar ranges in the Western Ghats. Lush greenery and little streams that cover the winding route up and down to the falls exhilarate and intimidate all at once.
Athirapilly waterfalls Source:Sangfroid, Wikimedia
Subscribe to Rivers
×