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Minimising the impact of floods: The role of income and governmental response
This study finds that higher income states are better placed to invest in flood precautionary measures as compared to low income states. Government expenditure on flood risk mitigation continues to be inadequate in India and needs to increase. Posted on 20 Oct, 2022 02:28 PM

India is one of the most flood-affected country following China and floods account for 53 percent of the disasters followed by cyclones (21 percent), landslides (10 percent), cold waves (6.4 percent), earthquakes (4.2 percent), and droughts (2 percent).

Floods, a frequent occurance in India (Image Source: India Water Portal)
Invisible informal groundwater markets
While informal groundwater markets cater significantly to the needs of smallholder farmers in India, they continue to be unacknowledged and understudied. Posted on 17 Oct, 2022 12:55 PM

India is the largest user of groundwater globally and as high as 85 percent of water is used for irrigation. Groundwater extraction started with the green revolution that increased  food security and reduced poverty. However, it gradually led to drastic depletion in groundwater levels.

Groundwater, a finite resource (Image Source: TV Manoj via Wikimedia Commons)
Evaluating WaSH conditions spatially at the panchayat level
Synthesis of water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) spatial pattern in rural India: an integrated interpretation of WaSH practices Posted on 15 Oct, 2022 03:38 PM

Rural areas largely lack access to improved drinking water-sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) facilities in India. Improved WaSH facilities are vital to prevent the transmission of waterborne diseases and create resilient communities.

People in rural areas lack potable water, and use unsafe sanitation and hygiene facilities (Image: Sebastian Dahl)
Employment guarantee during Covid-19
Role of MGNREGA in the year after the 2020 lockdown: Survey findings from Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh Posted on 15 Oct, 2022 10:59 AM

As the Covid-19 pandemic fades from media headlines and public consciousness, it is important to ensure that lessons learned are not forgotten.

MGNREGA provided income support or security to vulnerable households during the pandemic (Image: UN Women)
Lack of data professionals in the impact sector
Arthan organizes a fireside chat to highlight the need for more data talent for social impact Posted on 15 Oct, 2022 09:08 AM

Arthan, a social enterprise, recently organized a Fireside Chat Session - Data Talent for Social Good to bridge the awareness gap of the lack of data professionals in the impact sector.

There is a need to integrate data science into the existing education system (Image: Mohamed Mahmoud Hassan, Public Domain Pictures)
Pyrolysis-based decentralized biorefinery can reduce residue open burning
Biochar use as carbon sink or coal substitute determines the environmental impacts, as per the study Posted on 13 Oct, 2022 12:19 PM

Crop residues are an abundantly available lignocellulosic feedstock that can provide multiple value-added products in a biorefinery (Kamm, 2007). However, approximately 24% of the generated residue is burned in the fields in India (Ravindra et al., 2019). 

It was environmentally beneficial to treat biomass locally rather than in a centralized unit. (Image: Zack Dowell)
Shrinkage of aus rice in eastern India
A paper looks at the darker side of agricultural intensification - disappearance of autumn or aus rice, entry of high yield varieties, and implications in terms of environmental sustainability in West Bengal Posted on 12 Oct, 2022 02:43 PM

Agricultural intensification riding on the Green Revolution ushered bountiful production of selected staples (rice, wheat, maize) in the developing nations and caused a significant economic growth.

Rice has undergone an unprecedented rise in production and yield during the green revolution (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
Valuing mountain ecosystems
Mountain ecosystems in Ladakh provide a range of vital ecosystem services such as freshwater, food, fodder and fuel to people living in the region. Valuing these ecosystem services is crucial for their conservation. Posted on 11 Oct, 2022 08:43 AM

Ecosystems, crucial for human survival

Landscapes of Ladakh (Image Source: Reflectionsbyprajakta via Wikimedia Commons)
Water conservation and NREGA in tribal areas of Madhya Pradesh
NREGA has emerged as a go-to scheme for water conservation in tribal areas leading to higher irrigation coverage and thus augmenting agricultural production Posted on 10 Oct, 2022 09:58 PM

Out of India’s total population of 1210.19 million, 104 million, i.e., 8.6% are tribal (Census, 2011), India has one of the highest diversity among the tribes in the world. Broadly tribal inhabit two distinct geographical areas – the Central Indian Tribal Belt and the North-East.

The treatment must be on an area basis; both community and individual lands must be treated. (Image: AKRSP)
India's plastic ban fails to curb plastic pollution
News this fortnight Posted on 09 Oct, 2022 07:49 PM

Experts call India’s single use plastic ban weak, argue that it targets the most vulnerable

Plastic menace in Kufri, Himachal Pradesh (Image source: IWP Flickr photos)
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