News and Articles

Food Distribution in K-Plot on Feb 17th

In face of the dire situation in Aila Affected areas, AID EB approved Rs. 1,50,000 for distribution of food in the remote island of K-plot and Nagenabad area of Moipith island. AID has been working with Baikanthapur Tarun Sangh (BTS) since Aila, on relief/rehabilitation and the revival of agriculture in the area.

Guest post by Somnath Mukherji

Charter of All India Ganga Yamuna Panchayat submitted to Minister of Environment8-10 February 2010

 
In its concluding session on 10th February, the all India Ganga Yamuna Panchayat organized by Tarun Bharat Sangh and Manushi Sangathan presented a Charter of Demands to Minister of Environment, Mr Jairam Ramesh for the effective implementation of the New Ganga and Yamuna Action Plans.  The Panchayat was inaugurated on February 8th by Shri Digvijay Singh, General Secretary, All India Congress Committee at Nehru Memorial Museum and Library which hosted the Panchayat.

This policy brief, prepared by Manthan Adhyayan Kendra, provides a bird’s eye view of the privatisation and reforms processes in the country.

Photo from International Rivers 

Nature Conservancy a decade ago estimated the value of earth’s ecosystem services to be at least $33trillion a year. At the time of estimation it was close to gross world product. Something about that figure wasn’t quite clear and I always wondered how they managed to come up with the number.

(Last to last year in frustration, this letter came out. Now when Commonwealth Games are at the door Mother Yamuna is asking for justice on her death bed)

Revered Citizens of India,

I am mother of one sixth of humanity, But now a stigma on my own sons. My own sons are raping me for their own prosperity and development. I want to tell you what is my story and what are my ideas while sitting on the death bed.

My story starts from a myth and a reality. My sons believe that I came from heaven while scientists say that I have originated from the glaciers of Himalayas. I believe in both. My father is Himalaya and I originate from Yamunotari glacier, now in state of Uttarakhand. My birth was considered as the end of vows of Aryan civilization. The oldest civilization started flourishing on my banks and sister Ganges also supported this cause. World’s greatest religion was founded in my territory.

Guest Post by Dr.A.Latha, River Research Centre

The Athirappilly Dam Issue in Kerala, India has reached a very critical stage. You must be aware that the MoEF had issued a show cause notice to Kerala State Electricity Board asking reasons for not revoking the environmental clearance granted in 2007 (Ltr No. J - 12011 / 6/ 97 - IA 1 dated 4th January 2010 attached) giving 15 days for responding. The KSEB has submitted its reply few days back. The KSEB has again tried to dilute and distort the real facts regarding this project as a desperate last minute attempt. The Honorable Minister for Environment and Forests has already made his stance clear that the MoEF will revoke the environmental clearance granted in 2007. However there is a need to expose the falsity and distortion of facts by the concerned officials and the continuous efforts to thwart the consistent public opposition to this project. The just decision taken by Sri.Jairam Ramesh also needs to be appreciated.