Aarti Kelkar Khambete

White, Green and now a ‘Blue Revolution’!

Policy matters this week Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 9 years 11 months ago

Kerala's Ashtamudi lake certified by Marine Stewardship Council

News this week Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 9 years 11 months ago

Mussel farm in Ashtamudi lake (Source: Fotokannan)

Toilets and social networks: Is there a connection?

Studies have shown links between social dynamics and behaviour change, especially with regard to toilet use. Intervention efforts should focus on communities, and not individuals. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 9 years 11 months ago

It's not just about rape!

Women need toilets, not only to protect themselves from rape but to also preserve their dignity and health. Sanitation is a fundamental human right and not just temporary media hype. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 9 years 11 months ago

Women in rural areas (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Gender inclusive development in mountains

Perspectives that aren't the norm must be examined while talking about gender-related development in the mountain regions. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 9 years 11 months ago

Factors affecting toilet adoption in rural India

Men prefer to defecate in the open more than women, latrines are considered a luxury item and open defecation isn't considered a threat to health, finds a study done in rural North India. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years ago

Barefoot scientists a.k.a local farmers

Solutions to deal with the ill-effects of climate change extend beyond formal scientific knowledge. Local communities combat these using their Indigenous knowledge. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years ago

Depeasantisation: The gender aspect

Punjab, the land of the Green Revolution, is going through an agrarian crisis. This impacts not only men, but also women from small-scale and marginal farming communities. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years ago

Farmer in Punjab (Source: India Water Portal)

Mysore golf course goes green by reusing treated wastewater

Use of treated wastewater for landscape irrigation of areas such as golf clubs is a promising enterprise, which can lead to huge economic and environmental benefits. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 1 month ago

The Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar Golf Club, Mysore

The unique 'Khachar' system explained

In spite of the high rainfall it receives, Mulshi taluka is one of Pune's more agriculturally backward talukas. Can the 'Khachar' system and other local methods change the scenario? Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 11 months ago

Symbolic yet neglected

The 64 sacred teerthas at Rameshwaram are historically important and also contain a wealth of knowledge in water conservation methods. Can local communities continue to maintain them well? Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 11 months ago

Dhanushkodi: stuck between science and religion

The Sethusamudram canal might aid shipping traffic in the area but how will it impact the fisherfolk who totally depend on the sea and the island for their livelihoods? Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 11 months ago

Harbour'ing the fisherfolk

This photo essay shows the poor living conditions of the fishing communities of Vizhinjham, Kerala. Will making it an international port help or cause more harm? Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 11 months ago

Can we keep blaming dengue on climate change?

Poor sanitation, poor waste management systems and poor urban planning are the real causes of dengue. Find out what we can do to prevent this disease. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 11 years 2 months ago

Mosquito bites - the cause for dengue fever

Post-monsoon celebrations

This photo essay captures the range of activities post-monsoon in rural areas of Maharashtra including the celebration of the Vatapoornima festival. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 11 years 3 months ago

Rainwater harvesting saves college lakhs of rupees

Yenepoya Medical College in Mangalore, which has implemented rainwater harvesting (RWH) within its campus has reduced its dependence on water tankers. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 11 years 3 months ago

Rainwater harvesting pond in Yenepoya College

Simple but unique idea revives a pond in Kerala

Pallichal panchayat in Thiruvananthapuram district has turned a neglected pond into a clean and beautiful space that is also helping alleviate drought. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 11 years 3 months ago

The revived Vetubali pond in Pallichal panchayat

From worshipped to diseased - the slide of the Karamana river in Kerala

The Karamana, which flows through Kerala's capital city Thiruvananthapuram is now so polluted that it is closed to residents. Will the city figure out a way to clean it up? Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 11 years 3 months ago

A commerce ex-lecturer from Karnataka's Udupi district converts 25 acres of barren land into a lush green farm through rainwater harvesting

This article by Aarti Kelkar - Khambete narrates the story of a commerce ex-lecturer, who successfully transformed a barren piece of land into a self sustainable farm Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 11 years 7 months ago

The story of Dhanushkodi, a cyclone hit town, where reality coexists with myths, mysteries and miracles

This article describes a visit to Dhanushkodi and the method by which the island-dwellers source sweet drinking water Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 11 years 7 months ago