Sustainability

Featured Articles
December 6, 2022
The water that you eat
Need to shift to a more sustainable diet without compromising on major nutrients and calories
Historically, India has been a net exporter of virtual water (Image: PxHere)
November 6, 2022
Protecting children from climate change impact not child's play
In 2020, 559 million children were affected by four to five heatwaves a year; numbers could increase four-fold by 2050, as per a report by UNICEF
Heat-related mortality is four times higher among children under 1 year of age than in persons aged 1–44 years (Image: Taqver, Wikimedia Commons)
April 26, 2022
Making the invisible, visible
The water stewardship initiative by WOTR that developed a tool to visualise aquifers has not only helped farmers understand groundwater as a shared resource, but also led to a behavioural change among water users and helped implement groundwater laws and policies.
Groundwater, a fast disappearing resource (Image Source: India Water Portal)
December 6, 2021
Leaving no one behind!
Will it be possible to ensure equity and justice while balancing climate action goals with economic progress?
Taking everyone along while achieving a balance between economic growth and climate goals is crucial (Image Source: Good Energies)
March 22, 2021
Water governance standard and certification system – An answer to the water problems of agrarian India
The recent 'Water governance standard and certification system' developed by WOTR can greatly help villages to develop good governance practices and manage their water needs equitably and sustainably.
Long queues waiting for tankers are common in different parts of Maharashtra during water scarcity (Image Source: WOTR)
December 29, 2020
Challenges to India’s urban water security and future growth patterns
Water resources in most Indian cities are overworked and overused, and not adequately replenished.
Cities in India are marked by unequal distribution of water, lack of access, outdated infrastructure and minimal enforcement of rainwater harvesting and other means of supply. (Image: Anish Roy, Pixabay)
Catch them young
An initiative in Uttarakhand aims to inculcate knowledge of water management in school children.
Chicu Lokgariwar
Posted on 04 Sep, 2017 10:29 PM

The children of Shri Ram Vidya Mandir in Dotiyal in Almora district of Uttarakhand were hushed as they entered the hall. Within 15 minutes, they were all giggling in anticipation of the fun of learning something new. This is one of the schools where students are taught the basics of hydrogeology and water quality.
Children gather around Ashvath Singh as he demonstrates hydrogeology.
Let the river flow
A video tells us why it is important to study the Ken river and its flow properly before implementing any project on it so the ecosystem and biodiversity are not harmed.
Shubhangi Singh
Posted on 04 Sep, 2017 05:08 AM

One of the tributaries of the Yamuna, the Ken, is a major river of the Bundelkhand region of central India and flows through two states, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. River Ken regulates groundwater recharge and provides vegetation found on its banks.
Ken river gorge (Source: By Syed Zohaibullah, www.commons.wikimedia.org)
Mangroves: The green coast guard
Mangroves in the country are under threat from rapid development. A video tells us how investing in nature can reverse this ecological crisis.
Shubhangi Singh
Posted on 23 Aug, 2017 07:09 PM

In our effort to make space for infrastructural developments, India's green cover is declining at an alarming rate. The overall mangrove cover in the country stands at 4,740 sq. km., which is 0.14 sq. km of India’s overall geographical area. 
Mangrove nursery (Source: India Water Portal)
WOTR wins international award
Transforming barren lands to lush green landscape is one of the many works of WOTR that won them the Land for Life Award 2017 from the United Nations Convention on Combating Desertification.
Vikas Prakash Joshi
Posted on 21 Aug, 2017 09:38 AM

Marathwada in Maharashtra is an arid region with rainfall of less than 750 mm per year. Most villages in the region face acute water scarcity. Kachner in Aurangabad was no exception. 
Kachner Tanda. (Source: WOTR)
Budgeting every water cup
Marathwada village comes up with a novel idea to tackle water scarcity—water budget for each household. The result is for everyone to see.
Aarteeshymal Joshi
Posted on 17 Aug, 2017 04:10 PM

Till about a year ago, 52-year-old Kisan Jite would often wake up to his wife Sarla and other village women squabbling over who would fill their buckets first from the only well in Golegaon village.
The gram panchayat office of the Golegaon village where all the action takes place. (Source: 101Reporters)
To some, floods can be good news
A large part of the Kanwar Lake has been converted to permanent agriculture compromising its ecological diversity. A video tells us why it is important to restore it.
Shubhangi Singh
Posted on 02 Aug, 2017 05:52 AM

Floods are generally considered destructive but in some cases, overflowing rivers have the potential to create wetlands. These wetlands can serve as agreeable landscapes that turn resourceful due to the multiple functions it can host. The Kanwar Lake in Bihar is a striking example of this shared, altering landscapes. 
Red-naped Ibis at the Kanwar Lake (Source: Wikipedia)
How a poor labourer became a rich farmer
A video tells the story of a poor farmer who, through effective water conservation methods, became rich and a role model to other villagers.
Makarand Purohit
Posted on 27 Jul, 2017 07:59 PM

Vasant Baburao Parkale, a 52-year-old farmer, has become a role model for many farmers in the drought-prone Marathwada region. His determination and the will to excel in life have helped him to transform his dreams into reality.
Vasantrao Parkale (Source: India Water Portal)
The Little Rann of Kutch
The Little Rann of Kutch is under threat. The video tells us how investing in nature can reverse this impending crisis.
Shubhangi Singh
Posted on 19 Jul, 2017 03:13 PM

How often does one get to experience a terrain that is as dramatically transformative as The Little Rann of Kutch? With changing seasons, it adorns itself with different landscapes, thus, completely shifting shape, its functions and appeal. 
The Little Rann of Kutch (Image source: India Water Portal)
Managing willows in Wular lake
The flood in the Kashmir valley in 2015 was the result of the destruction of wetlands. A video tells us what we can do to save the valley.
Shubhangi Singh
Posted on 10 Jul, 2017 05:07 AM

The devastating flood in 2015 in the Kashmir valley affected more than 2.5 lakh houses and displaced about 5.5 lakh people. The economic loss was massive.  

Many researchers and experts believe that careful conservation and protection of the lakes, ponds and wetlands in the Kashmir valley could have reduced the scale of the devastation to a large extent. 
Wular lake seen from Saderkote Park. (Source: Wikipedia)
Uttarakhand against living person status to rivers
Policy matters this week
Swati Bansal
Posted on 04 Jul, 2017 02:04 PM

Uttarakhand challenges living person status to Ganga and Yamuna rivers, moves SC
Ganga river at Kachla, Uttar Pradesh (Source: IWP Flickr Photos)
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