Uttarakhand

Heavy metals can harm aquatic life in freshwater bodies

The Himalayan region, also known as the ‘Water Tower of Asia’, is a lifeline for two billion people in the region. Most of the Himalayan cities in India are tourist destinations and host large populations during peak tourist season, creating challenges for water and sanitation. 

The imperils of climate change are many, with its impacts — both sudden and slow-onset — having extreme repercussions. The increasing temperature, erratic and incessant rainfalls, melting of glaciers, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), declining snowfall, soaring heatwaves, frequent drought spells and irregular monsoon patterns keep the people on the sidelines.

SC orders probe into illegal tree felling in Delhi Ridge, criticises DDA for environmental damage

Uttarakhand is grappling with devastating forest fires, with adverse effects rippling across various aspects of life in the region.

This case study explores the transformative journey of Janki Devi, a resident of Sangnyadi village, located 20 kilometers away from Almora city in India. Janki Devi's life was marked by struggles arising from water scarcity, affecting her family's livelihood and overall well-being.

Agriculture is the largest livelihood provider in India and in the years following the green revolution, the focus has shifted from food grains to horticultural crops, which include fruits and vegetables.

Northern India was battered by heavy rains over the past two weeks, with New Delhi marking its wettest day on July 9th, 2023 in more than 40 years according to officials and local media.

Forests are a primary source of food, water, medicine, fruits, shelter, bedding materials, fuel, fodder, and appliances for agriculture in rural areas, globally. The ‘sacred natural forest sites’ in the Himalayan mountains are a common center of different cultures, social groups, traditions, and beliefs.

The residents of Joshimath in Uttarakhand are coming out in protest. Land subsidence in the region has put their lives, houses, and town at risk and impacted the surrounding land. As part of the relief efforts, at-risk families are being shifted to temporary relief centres, and work is underway on building transition centres, where they can stay till a long-term solution can be worked out.