Manu Moudgil

Number crunching helps farmers manage water

Calculating water availability and crop budgeting can prevent over-extraction of groundwater and mounting farm debt. Manu Moudgil posted 5 years 7 months ago

The weather station at Randullabad that helps farmers plan their crops. (Photo by Manu Moudgil)

How sand mining impacts ecosystem

A lucrative business, sand mining from rivers done illegally and unscientifically is found to affect riverine ecology. Manu Moudgil posted 6 years 2 months ago

River sand is preferred for construction because it requires less processing. (Source: P Jeganathan/Wikimedia Commons)

Green toilet in my backyard

Ecological sanitation toilets are the best option to deal with mounting sewage burden in India. Manu Moudgil posted 6 years 4 months ago

Chicu with a pan used in ecosan toilet. (Photo courtesy: Chicu Lokgariwar)

Storms in India: Science of Severity

The world may see more freak storms due to rising temperatures. Reducing pollution and protecting forests are perfect preventive measures. Manu Moudgil posted 6 years 5 months ago

Image for representation purpose only. Source: Pixabay

Villagers are making informed decisions when it comes to government projects that affect ecology. Equipped with legal knowledge, they are challenging damaging hydropower projects. Manu Moudgil posted 7 years 4 months ago

People believe that tunnels such as these cause irreversible damages to the environment.

How Punjab can deal with its hot potato

Despite favourable climatic conditions, the spud is a difficult crop to grow. Add to it the government’s indifference and market fluctuations, the potato kings of Punjab are having a tough time. Manu Moudgil posted 7 years 5 months ago

Project power plants fear

A 1,320 MW power plant near mangrove forests of Sundarbans may have irreversible consequences. Manu Moudgil posted 7 years 6 months ago

The mangrove forests of the Sundarbans are the biggest barriers against cyclones from the Bay of Bengal. Source: Laskar Sarowar/Wikimedia Commons

Profit of loss: When growth harms the earth

Development projects from across India are flouting environmental norms, says a recent CAG audit report Manu Moudgil posted 7 years 6 months ago

CAG found development projects not meeting conditions of environment clearances.

With nature for company

Merging traditional way of understanding weather with science and technology can not just improve the accuracy of weather forecast but augment adaptation to climate change also. Manu Moudgil posted 7 years 7 months ago

Shape of clouds can be an important indicator of weather. Source: Robert Hensley/Wikimedia Commons

Going wild in a bustling city

Once ravaged by the mining industry, Asola Bhatti, the only wildlife sanctuary in Delhi is a refreshing sight now with dense flora and a thriving wildlife. Manu Moudgil posted 7 years 7 months ago

Nilgai (blue bull) is in abundance at the sanctuary.

‘Our target is to reach 90 million farmers by 2020’

Indian Meteorological Department is focusing on agriculture-related advisories through network expansion. Manu Moudgil posted 7 years 7 months ago

A farm in Madhya Pradesh during monsoon. Source: Rajarshi Mitra/Wikimedia Commons

When money grows on trees

Gauging the economic value of an ecosystem can save it from degradation. But proper yardsticks need to be used without getting carried away by numbers. Manu Moudgil posted 7 years 7 months ago

At the watershed level, the valuation of forests may help design user pay schemes.

‘We have more hardy, nutritious grains than GM can offer’

Debal Deb has conserved 1,200 climate resilient rice varieties. He speaks on the need to conserve traditional seeds and why we don’t need genetically modified ones. Manu Moudgil posted 7 years 8 months ago

At his farm in Odisha, Deb conserves 1,200 traditional varieties of rice.

Election update: Free power is Punjab’s albatross

The manifestos of the major parties swear to extend the ill-conceived scheme of free power despite its impact on the water and the people. Manu Moudgil posted 7 years 8 months ago

Punjab elections are keenly watched for the contest between SAD (B)-BJP alliance, Congress and AAP.

Saving Ramgarh Lake

All efforts to rejuvenate the lake near Jaipur have failed as authorities continue to ignore obstructions to its natural flow. Manu Moudgil posted 7 years 9 months ago

The reservoir that has been dry for the last 10 years.

The doer from the Thar

There are many unsung heroes amidst us who go about their good work silently. Chattar Singh is one such hero who has revived traditional water management system of the parched Jaisalmer villages. Manu Moudgil posted 7 years 9 months ago

Despite all the great work, Chattar Singh's demeanour remains unassuming. Source: Farhad Contractor

A book every city needs

Jal Aur Samaj' takes the readers through the pond culture of Bikaner that nurtured its past and holds promise for its future. Manu Moudgil posted 7 years 9 months ago

‘Have a selfish interest in environment’

Lawyer Ritwick Dutta says we need to understand how minor changes in environment governance impact our lives in big ways. Manu Moudgil posted 7 years 10 months ago

Ritwick Dutta (left) receives the Bhagirath Prayas Samman at India Rivers' Week.

Anupam Mishra: The Gandhian I know

Anupam ji’s work can’t be measured in words, least of all by me. Here are some of my memories of him over a few years. Manu Moudgil posted 7 years 10 months ago

A notification to ensure ecological flow of rivers

Environment lawyer Ritwick Dutta talks about the highs and lows of the new river Ganga notification and how environmentalists can use it to make an impact. Manu Moudgil posted 7 years 10 months ago

Boys wait to collect coins thrown into the Ganga at Kanchla, Uttar Pradesh.