Society, Culture, Religion and History

Featured Articles
January 13, 2022
Water management in the times of Gonds of Central India
The water structures constructed during the Gond period continue to survive the test of time and provide evidence of the water wisdom of our ancestors.
Kundeshwar lake, Kundam in Jabalpur (Image Source: K G Vyas)
January 2, 2021
The fast disappearing traditional water harvesting structures of Rajasthan
Lack of community ownership and local governance are spelling doom for the once royal and resilient traditional water harvesting structures of Rajasthan.
Toorji Ka Jhalara, Jodhpur (Image Source: Rituja Mitra)
December 7, 2020
Not in the interest of women farmers!
The new farm related bills will spell doom for women workers who form the bulk of small and marginal sections of Indian agriculture, warns Mahila Kisan Adhikaar Manch (MAKAAM).
Farm women, overworked and underpaid (Image Source: India Water Portal)
December 11, 2019
Scientists intervene to save dry toilets
Dry toilets have long been hailed as a sustainable solution to the sanitation and waste management crisis facing India today, but have been overshadowed by more modern toilet designs.
A traditional dry toilet. Image: India Science Wire
December 4, 2019
In wake of climate change, prioritise and invest in water security and clean drinking water
To adapt well & build resilience, climate change strategies need to factor in efforts towards water security, writes Vanita Suneja, Regional Advocacy Manager (South Asia), WaterAid.
Image credit: WaterAid/Prashanth Vishwanathan
December 2, 2019
Water stewardship approach to minimizing risks for businesses
Water stewardship is an approach predicated on the concept that water is a shared resource and so water risks are also shared risks that everyone in a catchment will face
Picture credit: Romit Sen
Release 12,000 cusecs of water to TN: SC to Karnataka
Policy matter this week
Swati Bansal
Posted on 19 Sep, 2016 09:20 AM

Cauvery river dispute: Karnataka to share less water, SC raps the two states over protests
Cauvery river in Karnataka (Source: AmyNorth via Wikipedia)
A river on fire
Communication, based on sound scientific information, involving farmers as well as other stakeholders, is the only way to solve the Cauvery dispute. Political mandate, too, is important.
K J Joy
S Janakarajan
Posted on 17 Sep, 2016 05:52 PM

River Cauvery has been in the epicentre of agitation and violence in the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu--both fighting over their share of the Cauvery water. Thanks to the deficit monsoon this year, the Cauvery basin reservoirs in both these neighbouring states are only filled half as much as they should be![1].
Cauvery river at Hogenakal, Karnataka. (Source: IWP Flickr Photos via Claire Arni and Oriole Henri)
Mapping the Swachh Bharat Mission process: A study of three states
Posted on 15 Sep, 2016 12:00 PM

To accelerate the efforts to achieve universal sanitation coverage and to put focus on sanitation, the Prime Minister of India launched the Swachh Bharat Mission on 2 October, 2014. Following this, guidelines for the implementation of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) were issued by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Government of India (GoI).
When Osaka comes to Lucknow
The UP government is on a mission to replicate Osaka's riverfront in Lucknow. This spells doom for the families dependent on the Gomti for sustenance.
Chicu Lokgariwar
Posted on 14 Sep, 2016 10:14 AM

Raghunath Lakhpat is a terrified man. He can only watch warily as the land on either side of his modest home is being dug up by huge earthmovers. “We are stuck in the middle. Sooner or later, we will have to leave. But where will we go? What will we eat?” he asks helplessly.
Earth movers cluster on the riverbed of the Gomti, engaged in channelizing the river
More than just toilets needed to clean India
Posted on 12 Sep, 2016 01:42 PM
Behaviour change and not just toilets needed for Swachh Bharat
A study conducted by the Global Sanitation Fund in the states of Jharkhand, Odisha and Maharashtra has revealed that a number of
Majuli, world’s largest river island
News this week
Swati Bansal
Posted on 11 Sep, 2016 08:34 PM

Guinness World Records names Assam’s Majuli world’s largest river island
The Majuli river island in Assam. (Source: IWP Flickr Photo)
Water, water, everywhere
Despite the many beautiful lakes, Udaipur’s water crisis is baffling. Increasing tourism and pollution make the city dependent on external sources for water supply.
Manu Moudgil
Posted on 09 Sep, 2016 05:42 PM

The city of Udaipur is all about its lakes. If Pichola gets the maximum tourist footfall, the scenic beauty of Fateh Sagar invites solitude lovers. The Udai Sagar lake in the east, which remained the first line of defence for the city, now meets the industrial need for water. 
Pichola lake attracts maximum tourists.
The nature of trade
What can be done to nature’s commodification to save it from the onslaught of development? A new book delves into some pertinent questions related to current environmental crises
Aarti Kelkar-Khambete
Posted on 07 Sep, 2016 11:30 PM

Kanchi Kohli is a researcher, writer and campaigner working on environment, forest and biodiversity governance in India and their interface with trade and industrialisation.
The environment, sustainability and business interests. (Source: India Water Portal)
People of two states join hands to save the Mahanadi
The issue at stake in the Mahanadi basin is not one of Chhattisgarh vs Odisha, but one of agriculture vs industry.
Water Conflicts Forum
Posted on 07 Sep, 2016 04:29 PM

The Mahanadi is the lifeline of the people of both Chhattisgarh and Odisha, as it the most important water source for the farmers and other citizens of both these states to meet their domestic and livelihood needs.
Panel Discussion on the inter-state water dispute between Chhattisgarh and Odisha
SC urges Karnataka to share water with TN
Policy matters this week
Aarti Kelkar-Khambete
Posted on 06 Sep, 2016 09:18 AM

Release water to Tamil Nadu: SC to Karnataka
Cauvery river at Hogenakal, Karnataka. (Source: IWP Flickr Photos via Claire Arni and Oriole Henri)
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