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Free the river! Let it flow!
Flooding in Assam caused by embankments on the mighty Brahmaputra is routine news. It makes the headlines every year but not for long. Political apathy however, continues. Posted on 25 Jul, 2013 12:46 AM

Floods are an annual event in the north-eastern state of Assam. The newspapers expect it at this time of year, every year. For the world, this is routine, something not even worth a front-page story like the Uttarakhand floods maybe because it does not involve pilgrims or religion.

The Brahamputra in spate (Photos: Amita Bhaduri)
The Dongria Kondhs' tribals bring the judiciary down on its knees
Niyamgiri tribals' decision to veto mining, environment degradation's effect on the country's GDP and Maharashtra's carbon trading scheme are the highlights of this week's news. Posted on 22 Jul, 2013 01:40 AM

Dongria Kondh tribals stand firm against mining of Niyamgiri

Celebration Dance (Source: Wikimedia)
Fighting the good fight using the Right to Information Act (RTI)
Sanjay Jaiswal of the Lok Vikas Samiti educates Mehdiganj (near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh) to use the RTI in their fight against Coca Cola. Posted on 20 Jul, 2013 11:21 AM

What exactly does a 'campaign' look like? What do people actually do when they 'protest' against something? And how do the protesters get hold of all the facts that they quote? These questions surfaced every time I read about a campaign or a protest on environmental or human rights issues but I never got any answers that made me wiser. Until this summer.

Sanjay Jaiswal in Mehdiganj
Rainwater harvesting saves college lakhs of rupees
Yenepoya Medical College in Mangalore, which has implemented rainwater harvesting (RWH) within its campus has reduced its dependence on water tankers. Posted on 20 Jul, 2013 11:04 AM

Yenepoya Medical and Dental College, some 15 kilometres away from Mangalore city near Delarekatte, is located in a developing neighbourhood; three other medical colleges, many schools and the Mangalore University are all situated in the same area. A software park is also expected to come up shortly.

Rainwater harvesting pond in Yenepoya College
What's in your drinking water?
Water contains naturally occurring compounds such as lead and arsenic among others. How harmful are these and what is the level of contamination we are exposed to? Posted on 19 Jul, 2013 03:11 PM

Both rural and urban India are faced with water problems. People do not have access to good quality, safe drinking water. The source for most drinking water is either rivers or underground aquifers (wells). Since water can dissolve just about anything that it comes into contact with long enough, often the groundwater we get isn’t pure.

Water quality in India Source UNICEF Repository
Shanty City: Mumbai
Resettlement of slum dwellers isn't always the answer to their problems. Dr. Sapna Doshi, a researcher from the USA, presents her findings on the development of slums across Mumbai. Posted on 17 Jul, 2013 10:16 AM

Cities and slums coexist in India. Some view these slums as shanties that destroy the image of a world class city while others view them as informal groups that support the city for its needs.

Mumbai slums Source: Mark Adkins
Sacchidanand Bharti - in his own words
The environmental conservation efforts in Ufrenkhal have been written about for nearly three decades but always by others. Here is the story in the protagonist's own words. Posted on 15 Jul, 2013 07:12 PM

Reams have been written about Sacchidanand Bharti, of Ufrenkhal fame and his work on afforestation and water conservation. However, very rarely does he speak about his own efforts and experiences.

Sacchidanand Bharti in the Ufrenkhal forest
Nalanda farmers get organic certificate; export veggies to Europe
Nalanda farmers' organic certification, Orissa government action against mining and SMS advisory for farmers are highlights of this week's news. Posted on 14 Jul, 2013 09:20 PM

Nalanda farmers set to go global with their veggies

Organic Awards (source: Wikimedia)
Umananda island uncovered
The Umananda island in Assam, which is the smallest inhabited river island in the world, holds people and primates at par. Posted on 14 Jul, 2013 07:42 PM

Not very far from Guwahati city but not too close either, perched on the gigantic Brahmaputra river, is the island of Umananda. It is the smallest inhabited river island in the world and is one with unusual stories beginning with even how it got its name. 

Umananda, an island of wonders
Simple but unique idea revives a pond in Kerala
Pallichal panchayat in Thiruvananthapuram district has turned a neglected pond into a clean and beautiful space that is also helping alleviate drought. Posted on 12 Jul, 2013 03:12 PM

Pallichal panchayat in Thiruvananthapuram is one of its best performing panchayats. It has received a number of awards for achieving high literacy levels, keeping up good sanitation practices and for implementing a number of agricultural and irrigation initiatives.

The revived Vetubali pond in Pallichal panchayat
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