India

The World Water Week concluded at Stockholm on August 23rd. with 2400 scientists, leaders and various representatives from more than 100 countries. Action is crucial, stakes are high and time is running out, were the key messages coming from the World Water Week (August 17th - 23rd). The focal points throughout were sanitation and hygiene, climate, water management, ecosystems and business issues. Studies, reports, initiatives and announcements made during the week included: Water, Agriculture and Bioenergy: http://www.worldwaterweek.org/Downloads/2008/Water_Agriculture_Bioenergy.pdf Water Resource Management: http://www.worldwaterweek.org/Downloads/2008/Water_Resource_Management.pdf Climate and Water: http://www.worldwaterweek.org/Downloads/2008/Climate_and_Water.pdf Water Economics, Finance and the Private Sector: http://www.worldwaterweek.org/Downloads/2008/Economics_Finance_and_the_Private_Sector.pdf Ecosystems and Biodiversity: http://www.worldwaterweek.org/Downloads/2008/Ecosystems_and_Biodiversity.pdf Transboundary Waters: http://www.worldwaterweek.org/Downloads/2008/Transboundary_Waters.pdf Water in Asia: http://www.worldwaterweek.org/Downloads/2008/Water_in_Asia.pdf

These PROTOONS were produced as part of various engagements of WASSAN with Watershed Development projects and Rainfed Agriculture. DFID I; Commissionerate of Rural Development (GoAP); Ford Foundation; HIVOS; District Water Management Agencies; Mandal Mahila Samakhyas; various NGOs, Resource persons, villagers and several others contributed in developing these PROTOONS.

Sunita Nadhamuni is CEO of Arghyam Trust in Bangalore/Bengaluru, (www.arghyam.org), which is the organisation that manages the India Water Portal.

These facts may surprise you: 1.1 billion people live without clean drinking water.* There are over 116,000 human-made chemicals that are finding their way into public water supply systems.* Water is a $400 billion dollar global industry; the third largest behind electricity and oil.* Flow, a new film about the implications of the world water crisis, can help you wrap your head around those dis

 A list of new books that are currently available and related information is presented.

The World Bank as a Knowledge Producer: How the Bank Uses Flawed Processes to Generate Unsound Knowledge for Promoting Disastrous Policies Book

The report ( current as on 13th September, 2008 ) provides a concise overview of the daily flood situation, action taken so far and provides detailed statistics on the issue. The report also includes meteorological forecasts and analysis of current and possible flood situations in the different areas of concern.

One in four girls does not complete primary school - compared to one in seven boys - and the lack of proper sanitation is partially to blame.