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January 13, 2022 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 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 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 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 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 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
Their world is hot, flat and crowded
Mountain farmers are reaping greater economic benefits but that is coming at the cost of traditional crops and natural resources. How long can this type of growth be sustained? Posted on 24 Nov, 2013 11:16 AM

Mountain farmers are facing a very volatile situation right now. Food crops are being replaced by cash crops, which return better dividends. Due to this, their overall economy has gotten much better. As a whole, more of them are migrating from rural to urban areas.

Terraced farming is the norm in mountain states
Money alone won't do for the mountain states
Exclusive policies, preservation of traditional practices and efficient trade linkages can help mountain farmers reap a good harvest. Posted on 24 Nov, 2013 11:14 AM

Can we really address the special needs of mountain states by allocating them more money? Isn't it essential that we leave the 'one size fits all' approach and recognise the exclusive challenges and opportunities which mountain farmers face as compared to farmers in the plains? 

Traditional crops need institutional support.
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? 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
Call for proposals 'Securing Water for Food: A Grand Challenge for Development', United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
A programme that will identify and accelerate innovative technologies and market-driven approaches that improve water sustainability for boosting food security.
Posted on 21 Nov, 2013 09:39 AM

For more information on the competition, Securing Water for Food, please click here.

For further details download the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) and the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) from below.

Applications invited for the post of ' Research Associates and Project Associates', Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)
The positions offer an opportunity to gain first-hand field management experience in an organization undertaking cutting-edge development research.
Posted on 20 Nov, 2013 07:40 AM

For more information on Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab, please click here.

For more on the vacancy , click here.

Opening for position of 'Junior Research Fellow (JRF)', Indian Centre for Climate and Societal Impacts Research (ICCSIR), Navrangpura, Ahmedabad
Opportunity to research in the science of climate evolution and in societal adaptation to climate evolution.
Posted on 20 Nov, 2013 07:07 AM

For more information on the Indian Centre for Climate and Societal Impacts Research (ICCSIR), please click here.

To view details on the vacancy, click here.

Applications invited for the post of 'Research Assistant', Centre for Wildlife Studies, Multiple states
People extremely adaptable to field conditions, with a strong passion for wildlife and good people skills are welcome to apply.
Posted on 20 Nov, 2013 06:52 AM

To know more on the Centre for Wildlife Studies, click here and here.

For information on the vacancy, please click here.

 

Environment Ministry withdraws controversial amendment
Policy matters this week: Environment ministry withdraws amendments to waste rules, Odisha sanctions 12 crores for water in slums and the NGT halts dam construction in Manipur. Posted on 19 Nov, 2013 11:48 AM

Environment Ministry withdraws amendment to waste rules

New amendment to waste rules withdrawn (Wikimedia)
Nominations invited for the 'Jamnalal Bajaj Awards, 2014', Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation
Objective of the awards is to recognize & suitably reward the efforts of people who have dedicated their life to Gandhian Constructive Work.
Posted on 19 Nov, 2013 08:23 AM

For more information on the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation, please click here.

To view details on the awards, click here.

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