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Decommissioning of open wells: Is all well in the villages?
The rising trend of abandoning open wells for borewells in Chikkaballapur and Annamayya districts, and the potential negative consequences of this shift. Posted on 13 Jun, 2024 09:07 PM

In recent years, there has been a notable trend towards overdependence on groundwater for irrigation in the Chikkaballapur district of Karnataka and the Annamayya district of Andhra Pradesh. The transformation in the region has been marked by a growing number of cases where farmers are drilling borewells as a response to the declining water table over the years.

Borewell proliferation may dry up open wells (Image: FES)
Valuing ecosystem services provided by land commons
Common lands are not wastelands. They provide valuable ecosystem services that have a high economic value, and play a crucial role in sustaining lives and supporting livelihoods. Posted on 13 Jun, 2024 08:20 AM

Common lands make up one-fifth of India’s landmass and play an important role in meeting the subsistence and livelihood needs of more than 350 million rural population, and are of great social and cultural significance to rural communities. However, they are still officially designated as ‘wastelands’ since colonial times informs this paper titled '

Land commons, valuable assets that need urgent attention (Image Source: India Water Portal)
The ripple effect of safe drinking water on health under Jal Jeevan Mission
Leveraging research to optimise water programs for improved health outcomes in India Posted on 12 Jun, 2024 04:24 PM

Research shows that social factors, in addition to medical care, significantly influence health outcomes. These social determinants include clean air, healthcare, food, education, decent working conditions, adequate housing, clean water, and standard of living. Access to safe drinking water is a key factor in improving health outcomes and reducing health disparities.

Closing the tap on disease (Image: Marlon Felippe; CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons)
Beyond infrastructure: How Jal Jeevan Mission empowers rural households in Maharashtra
Empowering women, empowering communities Posted on 11 Jun, 2024 12:58 PM

Launched in 2019, the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) aims to provide every rural household with adequate and safe drinking water by 2024.

JJM's ripple effect on rural Maharashtra (Image: AI generated, Freepik)
Common lands are not wastelands
What are common lands? What is the state of common lands in India? This IFPRI discussion paper explains. Posted on 10 Jun, 2024 02:14 AM

India has a large expanse of common lands that meet the livelihood needs of over 350 million people.

Cows grazing in a pastureland in Karnataka (Image Source: Pradeep Kumbhashi via Wikimedia Commons)
Environmental tech startups: Powering a sustainable future
India’s funding jumped from $225 million in 2018 to $1.5 billion in 2023, marking a compounded annual growth rate of 140% Posted on 09 Jun, 2024 05:46 PM

The 21st century has witnessed an unprecedented rise in climate anomalies, with each year breaking new temperature records and experiencing more frequent extreme weather events. On this backdrop, environmental technology (environment tech) startups have emerged as crucial players in the global effort to combat climate change.

Green startups: Powering a sustainable future (Image: Needpix)
MatiKalp ceramic pot filter advances access to safe drinking water
Affordable innovation brings clean water to villages Posted on 08 Jun, 2024 06:12 PM

According to the latest report from UNICEF and the World Health Organization (2022), 2.2 billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water. Previous findings indicate that improving access to safe drinking water prevents 4 percent of the global disease burden.

Clean water solution (Image: S M Sehgal Foundation)
India's unique sustainability challenges
Rethinking sustainability in India: A 3F framework for impactful change Posted on 08 Jun, 2024 02:07 PM

How can we rethink sustainability in ways that are not only innovative but also deeply impactful? This article aims to answer this question in the context of India and its unique socio-economic and ecological position. It stems from my experiences documenting the course "Sustainability in the Indian context" at Azim Premji University in Bengaluru.

Sustainability through a new framework (Image: Needpix)
Arya.ag's innovative solutions for reducing food loss and conserving water
Arya.ag conserves 1 trillion liters of water and reduces 7% food loss through innovative storage solutions Posted on 07 Jun, 2024 02:01 PM

World Food Safety Day serves as a reminder of the critical importance of collective efforts in reducing food loss and conserving precious water resources. Arya.ag, India's only profitable integrated agri-tech firm, recognises its responsibility in addressing these challenges faced by the agricultural sector in India.

From farm gate to safer food (Image: AI generated, Canva)
From battery power to clean water: How Indian innovation is building a sustainable future
Meet the Indian startups revolutionising sustainability Posted on 07 Jun, 2024 11:29 AM

Sustainability is the driving force behind a new wave of innovation in India. These five startups are tackling some of the country's most pressing environmental challenges with groundbreaking solutions. Their efforts not only address climate change but also inspire others to contribute to a greener future.

Startups lead innovation in cleantech (Image: Needpix)
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