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Mantra for the Char Dham: Don't Panic!
The monsoons regularly lead to road blocks and panicking pilgrims being airlifted out of Garhwal. Can this repeated narrative change especially since the Char Dham isn't an ancient practice at all? Posted on 13 Jul, 2015 07:36 AM

'To be or not to be' may well be the new mantra for people undertaking the Himalayan Char Dham pilgrimage this year.

Pilgrims enroute to Kedarnath (Image: Sundaram + Annam)
Poisoned waters: Which Indian rivers contain trace and toxic metals?
The Central Water Commission studied 355 water quality stations and 32 gauge stations covering all river basins in the country. Only mercury and zinc levels were within BIS acceptable standards. Posted on 12 Jul, 2015 04:36 PM

Contamination of surface water sources such as rivers due to metals, can often make the water dangerous to drink because of the health hazards associated with consuming toxic metals. The report titled 'Status of trace and toxic metals in Indian rivers' published by the

Poisoned waters cause many health risks
What are the odds of a dam burst?
The recent earthquake in Nepal has pointed fingers yet again at the much neglected area of dam safety. Will that push India to put in place a comprehensive law that addresses this? Posted on 11 Jul, 2015 10:48 AM

One of history’s worst dam bursts took place in Gujarat in 1979 when the four-kilometer long Machhu Dam II on the Machhu River collapsed. This led to a deluge in the industrial city of Morbi located five kilometers downstream as well as surrounding rural areas destroying thousands of homes and lives. While this was a tragedy, it was by no means an isolated one.

Sardar Sarovar Dam (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Living rivers, dying rivers: Ganga and the river systems of Bihar
The first lecture was on the Ganges by Rama Rauta and K C Sivaramakrishnan, and the third on the river systems of Bihar--Kosi and Bagmati--by Dr. Dinesh Mishra. Posted on 10 Jul, 2015 11:11 AM

Introduction: The Ganges

The first discussion was on June 4 2011, in which Rama Rauta and K C Sivaramakrishnan shared their experiences of working with the government and people’s organisations to save the Ganga.

Kosi river, Bihar (Source:Wikipedia)
CIIE at IIM Ahmedabad call for proposals for the Water Accelerator program
India's first Water Accelerator program is targeted at identifying and showcasing the best water focused ideas, individuals and organizations (both startups and not-for-profits).
Posted on 09 Jul, 2015 03:38 PM

The Water Accelerator program is India's first accelerator for water start-ups.  

Sikkim conserves its Tsomgo lake
Residents who live near the lake, representatives from the Taxi Drivers’ & Shopkeepers' Association, Tourism Department, and the Police Department have worked together towards a common goal. Posted on 09 Jul, 2015 11:10 AM

There are about 227 lakes and wetlands in Sikkim, many of which are revered by the people as holy.

Tourists at Tsomgo Lake, Sikkim
Integrated watershed management and public health
According to this study, implementing a watershed management programme in water scarce areas can lead to both improved water availability and health outcomes. Posted on 09 Jul, 2015 07:37 AM

Declining groundwater levels and increasing stress on water resources in rural areas in India is a major concern for development since the livelihoods of a majority of the rural population depends on agriculture and the availability of sustainable water resources. More productive use of rainwater is necessary to help mitigate the impact of water scarcity.

Velvety green mountains, catchment areas for the Khadakwasla dam near Pune
How Bandu Singh recovered hope
Endemic fluorosis exists in 31 villages of Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh. This is the story of how one village is reclaiming its health and dignity. Posted on 08 Jul, 2015 09:27 PM

Bandu Singh, a lean old man aged around 60, has spent his entire life living in a small mud house in Kaalapani, a small village located in Manawar block of Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh. Kaalapani has a population of 849 people of which 99.41% (as per Census 2011) are listed as belonging to Schedule Tribes (ST).  

The area

Bandu Singh and his family at their home in Kaalapani, Madhya Pradesh
Groundwater as commons demonstrated in Mahbubnagar, Telangana
Farmers agreed to pool their groundwater to create a water sharing network. Result? Crops were saved, irrigated area was doubled, and grain production increased by 240%! Posted on 08 Jul, 2015 05:37 PM

By the year 2000, farmers in Mahbubnagar, Telangana could see how risky their investments on groundwater had become. The area barely received 600 mm of annual rainfall, and just 15 percent of its area was under irrigation.

Collectivising groundwater for protecting rainfed crop; Source: WASSAN
WHO & UNICEF Report ranks India worst in eradicating open defecation
News this week Posted on 07 Jul, 2015 11:15 PM

India's poor sanitation facilities have a direct correlation with stunting in children

A defunt toilet in a tribal village in Odisha (Source: Vishwanath Srikantaiah)
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