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Rurals move away from agriculture: Assocham
News this week: Rural employment in agriculture reduces significantly; Activists demand 'Sarus Safari' in UP; 285 people in Karnataka died drinking contaminated water between 2010-13. Posted on 02 Feb, 2014 10:08 PM

'Rural job profile observes a significant change'

Decline in agriculture (Source: Neil Palmer, CIAT)
Authority bans sale of packaged drinking water without BIS mark
Policy matters this week: FSSAI declares no selling of packaged drinking water without BIS mark; President gives nod to Maharashtra groundwater bill; Govt opposes tribals way of cultivation. Posted on 02 Feb, 2014 10:07 PM

No sale of packaged drinking water without BIS mark: FSSAI

Packaged drinking water (Source: Ricardo Bernando)
Invite to 'Aimbootham Vizha – a Celebration of Five Elements of Nature', Poovulagin Nanbargal, Chennai
The celebration will document all that must be known in the relationship between nature and the Tamil society, centering on the five Tamil land formations.
Posted on 30 Jan, 2014 01:25 PM

Aimbootham Vizha – a celebration of Five elements of Nature.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) on borewells: Part II - Maintenance of borewells and problems associated with existing borewell
Here is a primer that deals with maintenance of the structure and problems associated with existing borewells. Posted on 30 Jan, 2014 11:10 AM

The Borewell FAQ, Part I & II, are meant to provide a primer on the basics related to all aspects of borewells. A well compiled document in 2 parts, they also give links to relevant queries and provide a much needed starting point for all those contemplating a borewell!

FAQ on borewell: Part II
Invite to a workshop on 'Wetlands of Assam', Aaranyak and IUCN-India, Guwahati
The focus of the workshop will be hydrological connectivity, climate change, ecosystem services and livelihoods with reference to Deepar Beel, Kamrup (Metro) District, Assam.
Posted on 29 Jan, 2014 04:56 PM

Purpose: 

(i) Take stock of the conservation and management status of the wetlands of Assam in general

(ii) Discuss the significance of good landscape connectivity of flood plain wetlands

(iii) Share the framework and results of Aaranyak-IUCN study on the Deepar beel on wetland connectivity and modelling

Bird sanctuary Chilika designated 'Destination Flyways'
News this week: UN to develop strategies to protect migratory birds in Chilika, Odisha; Cochin estuary has highest in toxicity in the world; Jaipur farmers in conflict with bottling plant. Posted on 29 Jan, 2014 12:29 PM

Chilika lagoon named as 'Destination Flyways' by UN

Chilika bird sanctuary, Odisha (Source:Aditi Pany)
Power corridors for each river basin in Himachal
Policy matters this week: Expert team moots plan to develop power corridors for each basin; Maharashtra govt to make drip irrigation a must for cash crops; DJB to formulate policy to treat greywater. Posted on 29 Jan, 2014 12:28 PM

Plans to create power corridors for each river basin on its way

Hydropower transmission (Source: Wikipedia)
Can the effects of mining be undone?
Coal mining in Meghalaya has ruined the landscape and the water sources. Even if there is a will to restore these water bodies, there are several obstacles in the way. Posted on 27 Jan, 2014 02:39 PM

Meghalaya is rich in minerals, especially coal. This has led to rampant mining in the state. Large scale denudation of forest cover, scarcity of water, destruction of water sources, pollution of air, water and soil, and degradation of agricultural lands are some of the conspicuous environmental implications of coal mining.

Coal mines in Meghalaya (Source: The Hindu)
Mapping land and water resources in India
With rare maps of India including 'Annual Rainfall' map, 'Water Balance' map and 'Land Use' map, the land and the water resource development atlases are excellent sources of information. Posted on 27 Jan, 2014 01:18 PM

India’s mapping activity dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2500–1900 BCE) as per the famous geographer, Joseph E. Schwartzberg. His work is based on a couple of surveying instruments and measuring rods that were excavated from the Indus valley sites. Our mapping traditions were influenced by Vedic, Tibetan, Islamic and more recently, British cartography.

Water resources development in Gujarat (NATMO)
The profitable toilet
Eco-sanitation, or compost toilets have helped achieve nearly 100% sanitation in Rupauliya, a small village in Bihar. Posted on 27 Jan, 2014 12:29 PM

When Panchamlal Mahto was a toddler, he would frequently squat and poop as the urge took him irrespective of where he was. His mother would take a handful of ash and sprinkle it over the 'gift'. The ash would absorb the liquid, enabling the whole mess to be easily swept away. Back then, Vinita was still not born.

An Eco-san toilet with a kitchen garden next to it
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