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The Jalsatyagraha of the evicted of Indrasagar and Omkareshwar dam
Villagers in six villages protest standing in water in their fight for Land-for-Land compensation from the government. Posted on 16 Sep, 2013 12:12 PM

Oustees of the Indrasagar and Omkareshwar dam protest in six villages in Madhya Pradesh protest in the form of Jalsatyagraha (mode of Satyagragha is by standing in water). This protest that began on 1st of September is spread across the three districts of Harda, Khanda and Dewas when the backwater that submerged the land of 254 villages caused displacement of 50,000 families.

Jalsatyagrahis
Gulf of Kutch is India's first marine eco-sensitive zone
Policy Matters this week - Gulf of Kutch is India's first marine eco zone, Environment Ministry wants cess for shale gas exploration and NGT directs waste-to-energy plant to control emissions. Posted on 16 Sep, 2013 01:36 AM

Gulf of Kutch will be India's first marine eco-sensitive zone

No more effluent in the Gulf of Kutch (Wikipedia)
Chennai's disappearing 'Kazhiveli'
The swampy area of Pallikaranai, 20 km away from Chennai, has reduced from 5000 to 500 hectares in about 40 years. Despite it being made a partial Reserve Forest, it is under threat of dying out. Posted on 16 Sep, 2013 12:37 AM

The term wetland is a bit difficult to understand. Is it land or water or land that is wet? It is likely this difficulty in comprehending the term that has led to the sad state of affairs for most wetlands in the country today.

Kazhiveli' of Pallikaranai near Chennai
Chromium contaminates Bangalore's drinking water
News this week - Chromium contaminates drinking water in Peenya industrial area, NEERI develops new technology to treat effluents and water crisis hits 22 big cities in India. Posted on 15 Sep, 2013 05:24 PM

Chromium afflicts borewells in India's largest industrial area

Groundwater contamination (Source:Google Images)
Resurrecting the dying 'gharats' of Uttarkashi
Once thought to be common property of the village, these traditional water-powered grinding mills are disappearing. Can reviving them restore a sense of community as well? Posted on 14 Sep, 2013 05:30 PM

Gharats are water-powered grinding mills found in Himalayan villages. Though these are owned and managed by individuals, they are considered to be the common property of the entire village.

The improved gharat (watermill) at Ganeshpur
Need for resource-conscious landscaping
Landscape architecture, an age-old concept that blends science and art to create outdoor designs that incorporate existing natural landscapes, is regaining popularity in India. Posted on 13 Sep, 2013 10:09 PM

Bright-eyed in the morning, I walk down the pavement for some fresh air. As I squish over greasy paper bags and forsaken Coke bottles, the stale smell of plastic bags strewn all over hits me. Stamping on them, I charge onto the already cramped road, jostle for space with other people, dodge honking cars, and reach the park breathless, dishevelled and foul. All this, for some fresh air!

Landscape Architecture in India
Ingenious system to manage sewage in Kolkata
Fisher folk of the East Kolkata Wetlands use sewage from the city’s lakes to rear fish. Watch an interview of the person who popularized this system that the locals invented years ago. Posted on 11 Sep, 2013 08:48 PM

They take your pain and give you what you need. They will absorb the excess showers that our cities can’t handle and replenish water underground when our taps run dry. Often underestimated, these shallow water bodies are also home to countless life forms and serve as winter destinations for distant migratory birds. Blame me for being philosophical but I equate wetlands to mothers.

Fishermen use wastewater of Kolkata to rear fish
More children stunted in India than in sub-Saharan Africa
Studies show a link between open defecation and stunted development, but merely building toilets may not be the answer. Posted on 11 Sep, 2013 12:02 PM

Children in India are shorter when compared to those in sub-Saharan Africa even though Indians have higher income levels.

Children in India; Source: MOSPI
Coping with floods and erosion in the Brahmaputra plains
Floods are a way of life in this region. Over the years, people and ecosystems have developed methods to deal with this including raised hand pumps and houses on stilts among others. Posted on 11 Sep, 2013 11:15 AM

I began my latest journey in the land of the red river and the blue hills, Assam from Dibrugarh. The first time I saw the Brahmaputra at Guwahati many years ago, I was fascinated on looking at the mighty stream of water in its full glory after the monsoons.

Floods in Assam
200-crore penalty for Adani's Mundra port
News this week: 200-crore penalty on Mundra port, Parliament passes Land Acquisition Bill and dengue spreads in Mumbai. Posted on 08 Sep, 2013 07:32 PM

POLICY MATTERS

200-crore penalty for Adani's Mundra port

Land reclaimation from the sea at the Mundra Port
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