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Research Papers
Mapping ecologically sensitive, significant and salient areas of Western Ghats: Proposed protocols and methodology by Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel of the MoEF - An article from Current Science
Posted on 02 Feb, 2011 08:11 PMThe Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India (GOI) had been asked to identify ESAs along the Western Ghats, and to suggest how to manage them. The concept of ESAs has been extensively discussed in the literature. Several ESAs have been set up in India over the last 22 years under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, and a GOI committee under the chairmanship of Pranob Sen has proposed certain criteria for identification of ESAs.
Groundwater flow modelling and aquifer vulnerability assessment in Yamuna–Krishni sub-basin of Muzaffarnagar district – A study by Central Ground Water Board and Aligarh Muslim University
Posted on 02 Feb, 2011 08:24 AMThis report by Aligarh Muslim University and Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) deals with groundwater flow modelling and aquifer vulnerability assessment in Yamuna–Krishni sub-basin of Muzaffarnagar district. For evaluation of the groundwater resources and for minimizing the error of estimation, the system has been evaluated through aquifer modelling where water balance is established using partial differential equation of groundwater flow and is solved with boundary and initial boundary conditions.
Irrigation tanks and their traditional local management - A remarakable ancient history of India - Paper presented at the National Seminar on Water and Culture (2007)
Posted on 31 Jan, 2011 03:20 AMTanks are rainwater harvesting techniques which capture water during monsoons for later use. Mention of tanks in colonial texts is made and the authors infer from ancient texts like Tamil Purananuru on the importance of tanks and the locations for their construction, as well detailing their geographical spread.
Ancient water and soil conservation ecosystems of Sri Lanka – Some aspects - Paper presented at the National Seminar on Water and Culture (2007)
Posted on 31 Jan, 2011 02:57 AMThis paper presents the ancient water and soil conservation eco-systems of Sri Lanka, based on ancient texts and their modern interpretations, and highlights the use of these water systems in ancient Sri Lanka and their present condition.
Applicability of traditional wisdom in water management in Konkan region of Maharashtra - Paper presented at the National Seminar on Water and Culture (2007)
Posted on 31 Jan, 2011 02:51 AMThe state government's investments in supplying potable water under the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP) scheme which envisaged a no tanker supply' end to the scheme is critiqued. The authors note that the project mainly concentrated on asset creation, neglecting operation and maintenance resulting in limited improvement in villages, with respect to water supply.
Dying wisdom of medieval water management of Aurangabad city - Paper presented at the National Seminar on Water and Culture (2007)
Posted on 31 Jan, 2011 01:40 AMThe city of Aurangabad has benefited from the construction of aqueducts and canals by its earlier rulers. According to the authors between 1617 and 1803, a number of aqueducts and canals were constructed.
Glimpses of Bhagiratha Vidya - Irrigation engineering in ancient India - Paper presented at the National Seminar on Water and Culture (2007)
Posted on 31 Jan, 2011 01:33 AMThere is mention of the importance of water in daily life in various prayers in the Rigveda. The author states that the earliest evidence of water conservation goes back to 3000 B. C. when Gabarbands were built in Baluchisthan. The Harappans built tanks and wells and were pioneers of well-digging technology.
Assessment of fluoride in drinking water in Andhra Pradesh - A report by Arghyam
Posted on 31 Jan, 2011 12:11 AM
High amounts of fluoride (>1.5 ppm) in drinking water is a serious issue in many parts of India. Fluorosis has been a serious issue in Andhra Pradesh, as early as 1999 with maximum reported levels at 29 ppm. Evidence indicates that 70-100% of the state is affected.
Water and its quality in ancient encyclopedias of Karnataka - Paper presented at the National Seminar on Water and Culture (2007)
Posted on 30 Jan, 2011 06:40 PMThe author looks at three ancient Kannada and Sanskrit texts - Lokoparam, Manasollasa, Shivatattvaratnakara. All these texts were written between the 12th and 18th century. These texts record hydrological data ranging from cloud formation to traditional methods of preserving potable water.
Traditional water management practices and water sector reforms in South India - A comparative analysis of three systems and Participatory Irrigation Management policy - Paper presented at the National Seminar on Water and Culture (2007)
Posted on 30 Jan, 2011 06:13 PMThe authors study three tanks; one each in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala and find that almost all tanks in Southern India face similar problems that include farmers in command area being deprived of water, siltation, lack of proper maintenance of such structures, lack of political will to decentralise authority to tank institutions etc.