Rural Water

Featured Articles
October 15, 2022
Evaluating WaSH conditions spatially at the panchayat level
Synthesis of water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) spatial pattern in rural India: an integrated interpretation of WaSH practices
People in rural areas lack potable water, and use unsafe sanitation and hygiene facilities (Image: Sebastian Dahl)
May 26, 2021
Investing in “local water professionals” for the country’s water security
India needs water professionals to manage its water resources locally to be water secure. This needs focus and investment. Now.
Frontline workers get trained and acquire invaluable skills in the process of fulfilling their roles within one or multiple programs
May 18, 2021
Fostering rural livelihoods post COVID
Income loss top concern for rural communities, says study
Must have protocols for timely action and outreach in times of need (Image: DMD, Government of Bihar)
May 17, 2021
Rural realities amid second COVID surge
Practitioner's experiences in tackling the second wave in Indian villages
There is a need to strengthen the capacities of ASHA workers, and other healthcare and grassroots workers. (Image: DMD, Government of Bihar)
April 17, 2021
Skilling and engaging first mile actors to enable local water management: Context, opportunities, and engagement possibilities
Based on conversations with Dr Tushaar Shah and Mr Ved Arya
There is an urgency to create a database of such skilled persons and engage them in future programs or on a long-term basis through different engagement models. (Image: ForWater Partners)
October 25, 2019
Mapping Pune’s aquifers
Groundwater use has doubled in Pune. Comprehensive mapping of groundwater resources and better management and governance is the need of the hour.
Groundwater, an exploited resource (Image Source: India Water Portal)
Opposition to Teesta Stage IV hydel project
News this week
Swati Bansal
Posted on 30 Jan, 2017 04:20 PM

People of Sikkim stand against Teesta hydel project
The people of the northeast India protest against dams. (Source: SANDRP)
What WatSan needs from budget
The water and sanitation sector in India is in urgent need for funds to show results. The budget 2017-2018 should look into it.
Amita Bhaduri
Posted on 26 Jan, 2017 08:20 AM

According to a report by WaterAid, a water and sanitation nonprofit, released in 2016, India has the highest number (75.8 million) of people in the world without access to safe water.
Drinking water source in a village at Kawardha, Chhattisgarh
Saving Ramgarh Lake
All efforts to rejuvenate the lake near Jaipur have failed as authorities continue to ignore obstructions to its natural flow.
Manu Moudgil
Posted on 19 Jan, 2017 10:32 AM

Last year, a crocodile walked seven kilometres to reach Jamwa Ramgarh village near Jaipur looking for food. It had ventured out from Jamwa Ramgarh dam, which used to have around 100 of its species at one time. Since 2006, however, the dam is dry, leaving little fish or other prey for the aquatic reptiles. 
The reservoir that has been dry for the last 10 years.
TN suffers the worst north-east monsoon in 140 years
News this week
Swati Bansal
Posted on 16 Jan, 2017 11:50 AM

Tamil Nadu declares drought
TN farmers in the midst of a crisis. (Source: IWP Flickr photos)
The doer from the Thar
There are many unsung heroes amidst us who go about their good work silently. Chattar Singh is one such hero who has revived traditional water management system of the parched Jaisalmer villages.
Manu Moudgil
Posted on 10 Jan, 2017 10:53 PM

“Can you see the alternating bands of light and shadow in the sky?” Chattar Singh asks me. When I nod in affirmation, he continues, “This is Mogh. There are clouds where the sun is setting right now. If we get a favourable wind, these clouds will reach here and we may get rain by night. In desert, people live by such clues from nature.”  
Despite all the great work, Chattar Singh's demeanour remains unassuming. Source: Farhad Contractor
Closing the loop
A village near Bengaluru sets an example of reusing wastewater by innovatively using the reject water from a community RO plant to eliminate fluoride contamination.
Priya Desai
Posted on 09 Jan, 2017 03:58 PM

With a total population of 1200, Sonnahallipura village in Hoskote taluk of Bangalore Rural district has 250 homes. This village was chosen by the Rotary Club of Bangalore, Indiranagar to start a micro-credit programme for 10 women’s self-help groups (SHG) and a low-cost sanitary napkin manufacturing unit.  
The RO plant in Sonnahallipura village.
Maharashtra gears up for irrigation projects
Policy matters this week
Swati Bansal
Posted on 09 Jan, 2017 10:14 AM

Maharashtra approves cost overrun in irrigation projects, set to complete Gosikhurd project
Irrigation canal from the Bhima dam, Maharashtra (Source: Nvvchar on Wikipedia)
States fail to tackle groundwater crisis
News this week
Swati Bansal
Posted on 09 Jan, 2017 09:52 AM

A majority of states fail to stop overexploitation of groundwater
A well in Rajasthan (Source: IWP Flickr photos)
The sea mouths crisis
The opening of sea mouths in the Chilika is increasing the salinity of the lake, affecting the fish population and the livelihood of the fishing communities.
Makarand Purohit
Posted on 06 Jan, 2017 11:21 PM

Lingaraj Jena is a worried man. At 86, he is one of the older fishermen in Berhampura village, an island on the Chilika lake in Odisha. Though he no longer goes for fishing due to old age, he is worried about the opening of new sea mouths; he knows it is not good news for the fishing communities he is a part of that depend on the Chilika for their livelihood.
A view of the Chilika in the evening.
Stunting in India: The sanitation connect
India has the highest number of stunted children worldwide. Not just toilet numbers, but poor toilet use and hygiene behaviour too need urgent redressal at the policy level to reduce stunting.
Aarti Kelkar-Khambete
Makarand Purohit
Posted on 22 Dec, 2016 11:57 AM

On Children’s Day on November 14 this year, two organisations in Odisha--Shramajeebee Sangathan (SJS), Malkangiri and Jeebika Suraksha Mancha, Kandhamal--organised a massive padayatra (street walk) in villages as an awareness drive and to mobilise communities to curb m
Rally on nutrition awareness by Jeebika Suraksha Manch, Odisha (Source: Amir Khan)
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