Priya Desai

Priya Desai
In conversation with K. J. Joy of SOPPECOM
In this interview, Joy talks about his work as an activist working in rural Maharashtra, and how he came to work on water conflicts in India.
Posted on 21 Oct, 2019 10:41 AM

To many in the water sector, K. J. Joy needs no introduction. An activist at heart, Joy is known for his untiring rights based work in mobilising communities in rural Maharashtra, and for his research work on water and water related conflicts including inter-state riparian water conflicts.

KJ Joy speaks at a felicitation for the late Professor Ramaswamy Iyer.
The Water Future Conference in Bangalore: Towards a Sustainable Water Future
The recently concluded 4 day conference in Bangalore looked at the current state of global water resource challenges & future pathways to achieve the SDGs, while ensuring equity in access to all.
Posted on 30 Sep, 2019 12:38 PM

The Water Future Conference in Bangalore last week, saw many from the scientific community, academia, research, civil society and the media come together to discuss the state of water resources across the world and in India, as well as future pathways and scenarios, and different technological a

Charles Vorosmarty, Chair, COMPASS Initiative, Water Future at the opening plenary on advanced water system assessments to address water security challenges of the 21st century.
Applying ethics to water management, to ensure equity in access to all
A workshop in Bangalore explored water ethics and how it can be applied to water management.
Posted on 26 Sep, 2019 03:57 PM

At a workshop on Water Ethics leading up to the Water Future Conference in Bangalore in September 2019, the idea of, and the need for an ethical framework for water management and legislation was discussed.

From left to right - Siddharth Krishnan (ATREE), David Groenfeldt (Water Culture Institute), Sara Ahmed (University of Cambridge), Veena Srinivasan (ATREE), KJ Joy (SOPPECOM)
The many facets to the fluoride problem in Chikkaballapur, Karnataka
INREM Foundation and The Fluoride Network have worked in Chikkaballapur extensively, to battle the problem of fluoride contamination in groundwater.
Posted on 11 Jul, 2019 03:26 PM

Chikkaballapur is a district in the state of Karnataka, just north of the capital Bengaluru. A peri-urban area that was once an agricultural centre for this region, today Chikkaballapur is facing a unique problem. 

A can of 20 litres of RO filtered water costs around Rs. 20 in Chikballapur. Image credit: Karthik Seshan
Millions wait for toilets and water
While millions of people in India still wait for their share of water and toilets, this year's budget fails to give them any hope. Posted on 24 Feb, 2018 10:31 AM

GoI allocations for the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation is Rs. 22,357 crores

The state of water supply and sanitation continues to be poor in India.
Citizens participate in mapping Bengaluru’s groundwater
A partnership between Biome, ACWADAM and WIPRO brought stakeholders together to map Sarjapur's aquifer.
Posted on 14 Sep, 2017 11:34 AM

The problem of Bengaluru’s water is well known.

Talapariges, the small traditional water bodies of Karnataka. (Source: IWP Flickr photo by Mallikarjuna Hosapalya)
Closing the loop
A village near Bengaluru sets an example of reusing wastewater by innovatively using the reject water from a community RO plant to eliminate fluoride contamination.
Posted on 09 Jan, 2017 03:58 PM

With a total population of 1200, Sonnahallipura village in Hoskote taluk of Bangalore Rural district has 250 homes. This village was chosen by the Rotary Club of Bangalore, Indiranagar to start a micro-credit programme for 10 women’s self-help groups (SHG) and a low-cost sanitary napkin manufacturing unit.  

The RO plant in Sonnahallipura village.
Young professionals lead the way in water and sanitation
A fellowship placed young people in villages for a year, implementing good water & sanitation practices.
Posted on 31 May, 2016 12:22 PM

Open drainHirehandigola village in Gadag district of North Karnataka is an unsurprising picture of rural India.

Hirehandigola village, North Karnataka
Jakkur Lake: a potential model for urban water sustainability
With all the disappointing stories of Bangalore’s disappearing lakes, Jakkur Lake is a shining example of how urban water can be managed sustainably.
Posted on 16 May, 2015 10:00 AM

Jakkur Lake sits nestled behind the bustling Hebbal Highway that leads to Devanahalli International Airport. A pristine, quiet spot of nature in the midst of Bangalore, this lake stands testimony to the potential that exists to manage urban water sustainably, and in an integrated manner.

Jakkur Lake brims in the monsoon. Photo courtesy S. Vishwanath
Another Bangalore lake becomes a garbage dump
The Sarakki lake, once a year-round water recharge area is now a garbage dump. Its Lake Trust calls on the Karnataka government and people to save the lake.
Posted on 27 Jun, 2013 03:48 PM

Sarakki Lake is one of the bigger stand-alone lakes in Bangalore, and was once a great year-round recharge area for Sarakki, Jaraganahalli, Puttenahalli, Chunchagatta and Kothanur. It is now a cesspool of sewage, and is polluting the air, water and land around it. India Water Portal volunteer Sucheta Ramprakash covered

Garbage fills Sarakki Lake
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