Voluntary Citizen or Civil Society Sector

Featured Articles
October 11, 2022
Visualizing the Vrishabhavathi river to keep it alive
In an effort to inform the general public, especially citizen activists, policymakers, researchers, and students, about the current status of the Vrishabhavathi river, Paani.Earth has created the necessary maps, data, analysis, and information to drive conservation awareness and action around the river.
Vrishabhavathi river (Image Source: Paani.Earth)
October 1, 2021
Community videos: By the community, for the community
Community videos as a tool to influence behaviour change and adoption in rural communities
Community videos are produced by farmers themselves and feature local participants and agents from the rural communities themselves (Image: Digital Green)
September 17, 2021
Villagers’ shramdaan revives canal, enhances area under cultivation
Benefits of well-managed commons on livelihoods
Collective efforts revived the canal structure of Bichhiya dam bringing water to the village (Image: Foundation for Ecological Security)
September 4, 2021
How Paani Foundation harnesses the power of communication for social transformation
Committed to use the power of all forms of communication to bring about behavioral change and transformation at scale
Villagers participating in shramdaan for making watershed structures (Image: Paani Foundation)
September 3, 2021
Learning about safe water practices and solutions
Safe water learning cards being used to train a wide spectrum of stakeholders
Different combinations of safe water learning cards can be customised for a session based on the target audience (Image: INREM)
June 4, 2021
Not all heroes wear capes, some fight amongst us
Meet these real-life heroes, who with their consistent and tireless efforts created an impact and turned their local areas into examples to follow.
Meet the water warriors who made a significant change in their own unique way (Image Source: Environment Club)
At Simhastha, govt fishes in Kshipra’s troubled waters
The state machinery’s face-saving measures during Simhastha saw Kshipra river carrying more muck in her than ever. While the river yearns for revival, the government seems keen on interlinking rivers.
Makarand Purohit
Posted on 05 Jun, 2016 07:05 AM

The Madhya Simhastha Maha Kumbh festival, the religious extravaganza that happens once in every 12 years, was held in Ujjain from April 22-May 21, 2016.
Kshipra before Shahi Snan
Business interests and environmental crisis: A book review
While the environmental crisis threatens to impact the ecology and livelihoods in India, business interests take over sustainable solutions.
Kanchi Kohli and Manju Menon
Posted on 05 Jun, 2016 07:03 AM

A number of Asian countries are going through environmental crisis. Nowhere is the impact felt so seriously than in India, where the crisis threatens to affect survival. It is also impacting biodiversity, ecology and livelihoods. In this context, it becomes important to understand how nature and the current environmental crisis are being addressed in policy discourses.
Business profits and the environmental crisis (Source: India Water Portal)
Kolkata's ponds on shaky ground
About 44 percent of Kolkata city's ponds have disappeared in the last two decades. The importance of preserving these water bodies that serve as a lifeline for people cannot be overemphasised.
Usha Dewani
Posted on 01 Jun, 2016 09:38 PM

Urban water bodies have an important role in the urban ecology. It is not just a source or water collected somewhere but is an integral part of life--a haven for different types of trees, insects, birds and small animals.
College Square tank or Gol Dighi, one of the very old ponds in Kolkata
Bringing potable water to villagers of Dhar
Fluorosis-affected villagers can now heave a sigh of relief. The dream of safe drinking water at their doorstep has become a reality.
Anita Sharma
Posted on 01 Jun, 2016 09:36 PM

Seema Kalu, suffering from skeletal fluorosis (Source:Dalpat & Heena)
Dilip in Bankpura village, Dhar, MP suffers from skeletal fluorosis (Source: Dalpat & Heena)
Blessed waters of Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah baoli
A 700-year-old stepwell, built by a 14th century mystic, is reputed to have miraculous powers. It is no surprise then that it attracts thousands of devotees even today.
Sabita Kaushal
Posted on 31 May, 2016 10:52 AM

The legend has it that in the year 1321-22, mystic and 14th century Sufi saint 
Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah 'baoli': An inherent part of a greater spiritual experience
Subarnarekha is dying. Who’s responsible?
The pitiful state of Subarnarekha stands testimony to the changing times. The river is being slowly killed by the greed of the rich and the apathy of the powerful.
Amita Bhaduri
Posted on 28 May, 2016 05:46 PM

It would not be an exaggeration to say Subarnarekha (Line of gold) is a film that left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. The film, by Ritwik Ghatak, is inspired by a river by the same name and narrates the reality around the river which flows through the present day Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha, before draining into the Bay of Bengal.
India’s steel city dumps its waste into Subarnarekha, the river of gold
Formulate National Plan on drought management: SC to Centre
Policy matters this week
Swati Bansal
Posted on 17 May, 2016 05:28 PM

SC directs Centre to prepare National Disaster Plan, implement MGNREGA, Food Security Act to tackle drought
Drought affected area in Karnataka (Source: Pushkarv via Wikipedia)
Two states, a canal and a river
A solution to the problem of sharing Yamuna waters continues to elude Delhi and Haryana even as the river dries up and caste issues flare up.
Amita Bhaduri
Posted on 17 May, 2016 11:21 AM

‘Jat’ reservation and the rampage on a canal
Munak canal to check seepage losses along the Western Yamuna Canal and to augment its supply
A lac cooperative’s success story
A lac cooperative in Jharkhand strengthens and streamlines the lac-production system
Amita Bhaduri
Posted on 17 May, 2016 11:04 AM

The farmers of Jharkhand have long been depending on lac farming for their livelihood. Lac, a resin extensively used in preparation of a range of products - from cosmetics to ammunition - is cultivated on a variety of trees, mostly fruit-bearing and shady trees like Ber, Kusum, Palash and Sal.
TRCSC promoting lac based products like bangles through training of over 200 women members of SHGs
NGT seeks complete list of wetlands from States
Policy matters this week
Swati Bansal
Posted on 26 Apr, 2016 05:16 PM

Submit complete list of wetlands: NGT to States
Deepor Beel in Assam (Source: IWP Flickr Photos)
Subscribe to Voluntary Citizen or Civil Society Sector
×