Delhi

The document informs that traditionally Indians worshipped both water and rain as “Jala” and “Varuna”. Even rivers were worshipped. Till 3000 B.C., RWH happened without human effort as rain got collected in rivers and natural depressions. Civilizations flourished on river banks all over the world Indus valley civilization in India.

Image and Content Courtesy: MSSRF & GGA

M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) along with The Grameen Gyaan Abhiyan (GGA) is organising a workshop on climate literacy and in building sustainable food and water security systems on 2^ndand 3^rd of September 2009 in National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi.

The two day workshop aims at taking a comprehensive view of the impact of Climate Change on agriculture, natural resources, biodiversity and livelihoods and developing science and action-research based strategies and mechanisms for adaptation and mitigation. Enhancing resilience (coping capacity) is a major goal. The guidelines resulting from this workshop would be integrated in the training and capacity building of the community organizations and individuals through Gyan Choupals / telecentres and Jamsetji Tata National Virtual Academy (NVA) Fellows. The traditional knowledge and ecological prudence of the rural and tribal communities will be blended with modern science and technology based strategies.

MSSRF & GGA invites one and all to kindly share inputs of materials available in the public domain / or any initiative taken by your organization, also it would grateful if you could kindly share your views in 1 or 2 pages on or before August 20, 2009 for preparing a workshop publication.

This report by Sulabh International Institute of Health and Hygiene presents a baseline survey on health, hygiene and sanitation in urban slums and villages in Delhi. According to the report availability of basic civic facilities, like potable water, water disposal and sanitation, are vital human needs for health and efficiency of human beings. Inability of the city management and city institutions to provide these facilities to the citizens had led to high incidence of diseases and mortality rates. The problems which the women and children face in these conditions are much worse.

Image and Content Courtesy: Forum for Policy Dialogue on Water Conflicts in India Guest Post by: K J Joy, Forum for Policy Dialogue on Water Conflicts in India The Forum for Policy Dialogue on Water Conflicts in India (Forum to be brief) is happy to invite you to the “The Mullaperiyar conflict: Meeting to understand issues and explore a common ground” to be held on 4th August 2009 between 4 to 8 pm at Constitutional Club, New Delhi. The Forum for Policy Dialogue on Water Conflicts in India is a collaborative effort of many organisations and individuals in the country working on water and especially on water conflicts. The Forum’s work is guided by a Steering Committee and Advisory Committee consisting of some of the important names in the water sector in the country. The Forum began its work in 2004-05 and in the initial couple of years the main focus was to understand different types of conflicts in the country and took up extensive documentation of conflicts across the country. The cases have now been published as a book by Routledge, “Water Conflicts in India: A Million Revolts in the Making”. Presently the Forum is engaged more in activities that can help in resolving conflicts or making them more tractable through scientific studies and dialogue amongst the conflicting parties. The Forum has also taken the initiative to set up two groups of experts to work on two important issues related to water conflicts in the country, namely, 1) water allocations for livelihood needs and ecosystem needs; and 2) the legal-institutional framework for conflict resolution. The Forum aims to take up these issues for wider discussion and debate so that certain degree of social consensus can be built around these two critical issues. Some of the Forum partners are also engaged in active conflict resolution in their respective states. The Forum does believe that with scientific inputs and a spirit of cooperation and dialogue amongst the conflicting parties most of the conflicts around water can be resolved. It is in this spirit that the Forum has taken the initiative to organize this meeting on the Mullaperiyar conflict.

Forwarded to the Portal by: WES-Net India Desk Image & Content Courtesy: CSE

CSE needs programme coordinators/senior researchers. To research, write, advocate and coordinate activities for environmental change

The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), an established policy research institution based in New Delhi, is expanding its work on aspects of industrial pollution, domestic sewage, water management, green urbanization. We need colleagues with knowledge of environmental issues or pollution science or engineering or journalism combined with passion and commitment. Our teams are small but focused on the need to bring policy and practice change. So you will have to work in a collegiate environment and under pressure of deadlines.

This presentation by Dipanjan Das and Shashank Jain, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi deals with their urban design encompassing the Central Ridge in New Delhi and its integration with the surrounding densely populated urban areas.

In this presentation Sakshi Jain,  Vastukala Academy and Suruchi Shah, TVB School of Habitat Studies, New Delhi highlighted the grim water situation in Delhi and have designed a groundwater recharge system which collects rooftop rainwater from settlements around an identified site and recharges it into the ground through adequate filter media.

Development Alternatives did a survey of water quality in various areas of Delhi through its Clean India Campaign. The results are presented as a software application. The application can be downloaded and installed on your computer.

Guest Post by: D. S. Rawat,ASSOCHAM

Image and Content Courtesy: ASSOCHAM It is our great privilege to inform you that ASSOCHAM under its Cool The Earth , Initiative is organizing International Summit on "Water Governance , Critical Issues For All"at 9.00 a.m. on June 24, 2009 at ASSOCHAM House, New Delhi. Our initiative is supported by the Ministry of Water Resources, UNESCO, International Water Management Institute, and Water Technology Centre, (IARI), KPMG (as knowledge partner) and other prominent organizations in water sector. As is evident, Water is going to be of increasing critical importance to countries like India in the coming years. ASSOCHAM has been carrying out special studies and surveys on water conservation and related issues. Our view is that water is going to be as integral part of whole infrastructure system as roads, power, etc in the development process in future. During informal consultations with government officials, experts and NGO's, we have been advised to raise awareness about water management among the consumers, industrial houses, agriculturists, environmentalists, NGO's, media, etc. so as to generate priority concern for all and to help find right solutions.

Image and Content Courtesy: Development Alternatives As part of the Capacity Building Series (2009- 10) Development Alternatives is organizingA Result Oriented Approach to Livelihood Projects from 12-14 June 2009. The training is organized by the TARA Livelihood Academyand will be held at the Institute of Social Science, 8 Nelson Mandela Road, New Delhi. Complete information regarding the subjects covered, detailed plans & nomination formats can be accessed here: