Society, Culture, Religion and History
A turning point in water saving technologies in north Gujarat’s groundwater socio-ecology – a report by Carewater INREM foundation
Posted on 08 Aug, 2010 10:13 PMThe study analyses the changes in farming system and socio-economic impacts at the household level through “before-and-after” (longitudinal) comparison of adopters an
Floods, drinking water contamination, mining and waterbodies, water bills, water conflicts - News roundup (1-7 August 2010)
Posted on 07 Aug, 2010 04:51 PMFloods: lessons to be learnt from the massive flooding in Surat city
A report by IIM criticises the way in which dams are managed in the country and calls for the need to apply Management Science / Operations Research techniques and information technology to improve dam management and prevention of floods
Fluorosis in Gujarat: A disaster ahead – A report by CAREWATER
Posted on 07 Aug, 2010 08:53 AMState of MGNREGS in Bundelkhand - A report by Centre for Environment and Food Security (2010)
Posted on 06 Aug, 2010 11:05 PMThis report describes the findings of a rapid survey conducted by Centre for Environment and Food Security (CEFS) to evaluate the performance of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in the 50 poorest dalit villages of Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh. The rapid survey was conducted in the districts of Chitrakoot, Banda, Mahoba, Jhansi and Lalitpur.
Duel among duals - Popular science of basaltic hydrogeology in a village of Saurashtra - A paper by CAREWATER
Posted on 03 Aug, 2010 07:57 PMThe report by Carewater INREM Foundation deals with the duel between popular science used in decision making by farmers and the formal science of hydrogeology that is based on scientific data collection. These two parallel streams of knowledge exist together, sometimes complement, and at other times are at conflict. People’s knowledge on hydrology is not ‘dying’, but thriving and growing well, refreshed continually by interfaces with science. In hard rock areas, the high hydrogeologic variability makes observation as important as theory since it is localized, pervasive and relevant to the needs of people.
UN affirms the right to safe and clean drinking water
Posted on 02 Aug, 2010 02:56 PMA remarkable piece of water history should have been headline news everywhere this week.
India WASH forum e-newsletter - Update 13 July 2010
Posted on 02 Aug, 2010 11:56 AMWe see this newsletter as a platform for independent credible voice in the water and sanitation sector. Our emphasis is on bringing together critical news and information with analysis. In this issue we share news and analysis on topical issues and developments.
The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation(DDWS) has simultaneously invited inputs to Discussion Papers on Drinking Water and Sanitation, circulated on Solution Exchange. Inputs given by India WASH Forum, on this, is enclosed in this Update. We have pointed out the missing elements of sanitation improvement strategy that include, criticality of providing water as an inseparable component to household sanitation, the tendency to see behavior change as a lifestyle issue and not linked to the hardware components, peoples livelihoods and living conditions. Suggestions for what needs to be done to strengthen the implementation mechanism of the flagship sanitation programme(TSC) and partnerships.
A preliminary ecosystem services assessment of likely outcomes of the proposed Pancheshwar dam in India/Nepal - An IES report (2010)
Posted on 02 Aug, 2010 02:24 AMThis report by the IES presents the findings of a study that explores the likely impacts of the recent proposals in India to build a dam at Pancheshwar in the Himalayas on the river ecosystems and the surrounding areas and people involved. This dam will be the world's second tallest structure intended to harness hydroelectric power and water by controlling the flow of the Kali river and its tributaries.
The document argues that although there are many benefits of the dam in terms of energy and water, the wider ramifications of the dam and its consequences for the people staying around the area have not been thought about in the planning process. The planning process has not engaged local people in the decision-making process, there is paucity of published information and the environmental and social consequences have been considered belatedly in the planning process.
Rapid assessment survey of Kodaikanal lake - ENVIS Centre (TN) (2009)
Posted on 02 Aug, 2010 02:02 AMThis document by the Department of Environment, Government of Tamil Nadu highlights the importance of the Kodaikanal lake as an important tourist destination and warns that this freshwater lake is under the threat of getting polluted and its biodiversity endangered.
The document presents the findings of the study that aimed at assessing the physico-chemical and biological quality of the Kodaikanal lake.
Evidence indicates that unrestricted tourism activities have led to high use of plastic bottles, glass bottles, plastic bags, causing high levels of pollution and silting of the lake. Damaged fibreglass boats left inside the lakes also pose a serious threat to the lake ecosystem.
National Rural Drinking Water Programme - Framework for implementation - MoRD (2010)
Posted on 02 Aug, 2010 01:46 AMThe Government of India launched the Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP) in 1972-73 to ensure provision of adequate drinking water supply to the rural community through the Public Health Engineering System.
The second generation programme started with the launching of Technology Mission in 1986-87, renamed in 1991-92 as Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission. Stress on water quality, appropriate technology intervention, human resource development support and other related activities were introduced in the rural water supply sector.
The third generation programme started in 1999-2000 when sector reform projects evolved to involve community in planning, implementation and management of drinking water related schemes, later scaled up as Swajaldhara in 2002.
The Rural Water Supply (RWS) sector has now entered the fourth phase with major emphasis on ensuring sustainability of water availability in terms of potability, adequacy, convenience, affordability and equity while also adopting decentralized approach involving PRIs and community organizations.