Jammu and Kashmir

The study presents detailed investigations of the chemical quality of groundwater in Jammu and Kathua districts (J & K), carried out to evaluate the suitability of water for various uses. The quality of groundwater of the area has been studied based on the physico-chemical analysis of thirty seven water samples collected from open wells between June and December, 1996.

Various parameters like pH, conductance, alkalinity, hardness, chloride, sulphate, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium have been determined for all the samples and compared with the standards to evaluate its suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes.

Irrigation water quality has been computed on the basis of Doneen’s Permeability Index and residual Sodium Carbonate. The higher values of some parameters at certain locations indicate the contamination in groundwater and make the water unsuitable for specific applications.

The study develops a relationship between suspended sediment load and discharge for three basins - Kasol, Suni and Lower Satluj. The sediment load (tonnes/ year) and sediment yield (tonnes/ sqkm/ year) in suspension and as bed load of sand & gravel through the river channel, reflects upland erosion in the drainage basin and deposition of sediments in the alluvial bottomlands. A good deal of the sediment eroded from upland areas is deposited on lower hills slopes, in bottomlands, lakes and reservoirs.

The study applies geostatistical techniques to the groundwater quality data of December 1994 in parts of Jammu district. Groundwater quality deterioration has led to considerable interest in the design of investigative studies and monitoring programs on the issue.

Various management measures need to take into account the spatial and temporal behavior of groundwater. The spatial dependence between observations can be expressed by semi variance, which is a measure of the average similarity between observations at a given distance apart. One of the prime reasons for obtaining a semivariogram is to use it for estimation of the variable at unsampled locations.

The study undertakes an exhaustive survey of the morphometric features of the Mansar lake, Udhampur district to prepare a bathymetric map of the lake. The map is useful in understanding the lake hydrological behavior through a study of volume, sedimentation rate and identification of the high siltation zone. The study is significant as the lake water can be utilized for drinking and irrigation purposes for the water scarce Kandi belt of Jammu.

The study prepares a landuse and landcover map of Devak catchment of Ujh river basin in Jammu for the years 1958, 1979, 1990 and 1998 using image processing and visual interpretation techniques. It involves analysis of IRS-1A L2B2 (FCC) data for the year 1990, IRS -1C LISS III (digital data) for the year 1998 and SoI topographic maps for the year 1958 and 1979.

The study estimates geomorphological parameters and soil loss using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) techniques for the Juni nadi watershed in Jammu Siwaliks with the idea of helping planners develop soil conservation strategies. Geomorphological characteristics of a river basin shape runoff processes and the occurrence of floods especially in the mountainous areas. In ungauged catchments with limited data, such as Juni nadi watershed, these parameters can be useful in understanding the hydrological characteristics. Reliable estimates of soil loss too can be useful in formulating watershed strategies to reduce soil loss to acceptable levels.  

The study discusses the hydrological aspects of rainwater harvesting in the Kandi belt in the foothill zone of Siwalik in Jammu region with the help of a case study on water availability in a pond in village Badhori (Samba district, Jammu). It describes the climate, soils, geology, geomorphology and drainage of the Kandi belt. It is marked with small watersheds having low denuded hills and undulating cultivated lands that need to be developed on a watershed basis through engineering and non-engineering measures of rainwater harvesting and soil conservation.

Organizers: IYCN (Indian  Youth Climate Network), Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir, J&K Bank, Department of Environment and Remote Sensing, and Jammu and Kashmir State Pollution Control Board

Topic: The conference will invite experts and speakers to talk about existing environmental problems in the Jammu and Kashmir region and possible eco-solutions that meet local needs will be provided by the Green Solution Fair.

Venue: Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Center in Srinagar

The book "Aaviral Ganga" explores the question of what is a dam, and of what the river Ganga means to us, and the impact of dams in the Ganga river valley”

The book "Dole mein Pole" is a case study of Srinagar Hydro Electric Project, on River Alaknanda(the main tributary of Ganga) how the 200 MW dam clearance was converted into 330 MW. There was no public hearing, no extra study, no monitoring, no compliance etc.

The TERI Corporate Awards for Environmental Excellence is an Award given in recognition of corporate leadership efforts towards environmental management and sustainable initiatives. The objective is to encourage and provide momentum to innovative environmental initiatives. This year the award was given to National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Ltd (NHPC)in recognition for its contribution towards the environment. But a number of persons and organisations, including Senior Supreme Court lawyer Shri Prashant Bhushan (Ph: 09811164068) and a detailed study by South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers & People (SANDRP) a letter objecting the award to NHPC was sent to the jury of TERI.