Newsletters

The SANDRP newsletter for June-July 2010 continues its critical analysis of dams, irrigation and related issues:

• Unprecedented floods in Ghaggar Basin in Punjab and Haryana
• Free-flowing rivers around the World
• Artificial Glaciers to Survive Global Warming
• Babli row between AP & Maharashtra
• Successful campaign against Rupsiyabagar Khasiyabada HEP

We see this newsletter as a platform for independent credible voice in the water and sanitation sector. Our emphasis is on bringing together critical news and information with analysis. In this issue we share news and analysis on topical issues and developments.

The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation(DDWS) has simultaneously invited inputs to Discussion Papers on Drinking Water and Sanitation, circulated on Solution Exchange. Inputs given by India WASH Forum, on this, is enclosed in this Update. We have pointed out the missing elements of sanitation improvement strategy that include, criticality of providing water as an inseparable component to household sanitation, the tendency to see behavior change as a lifestyle issue and not linked to the hardware components, peoples livelihoods and living conditions. Suggestions for what needs to be done to strengthen the implementation mechanism of the flagship sanitation programme(TSC) and partnerships.

We had mentioned while dispatching our 1st Issue of River Basin Transact  that the present pace and direction of development bandwagon in Odisha, made it imperative for its civil society and citizens alike to give more attention to its rivers, before it became too late.

During this quarter (Apr-Jun), there are quite a few such civil society responses towards redefining the way our rivers are being managed. While Dakshin Odisha Vikash Parishad (DOVP) came up with a suggestion to have Integrated River Valley Project in line of TVA in USA to manage South Orissan Rivers, State Govt resolved not to allow any new industry to draw water from the Brahmani and the Baitarani. Towards the end of the quarter alignment of civil society and political parties around MBA (Mahanadi Banchao Andolan) to protest diversion of Mahanadi water to POSCO and IOC made the headlines local dailies.

Highlights

• India: World Bank Aid of USD 372 million for Coastal Zone & Water Supply
• India: Centre Approves National Mission on Micro Irrigation
• Chennai: 45 New Machines to Clear Clogged Sewers
• Stockholm Water Award 2010: Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority is the Winner
• Grundfos: World’s Largest Pump Manufacturer by VDMA List

A special issue of the Livelihoods magazine (March 2010) brought out by the Akshara Network for Development Support Services, on Watersheds+.

Increasing productivity of dry lands is possible through soil and moisture conservation (SMC) efforts results in growth led by increases in the farm output. Separate efforts are required to include the land-less and the vulnerable in this growth, so that they also realize the benefits of improved food security, increased employment and diversification of livelihoods. Such activities are known as ‘Watershed Plus’ interventions, and ‘livelihoods’ explores these activities.

Highlights

• Kochi: To Get Rs 100 Crore Modern Sewerage System
• Punjab: Rs 53.58 Crore New Water Supply & Sewerage Project
• Pune: To Construct 120 MLD Water Filtration Plant
• Water.Org: Launches India WaterCredit Forum

Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) is an innovative methodology for mobilising communities to completely eliminate open defecation (OD).

Highlights of the February 2010 issue of "Water MOVES", a quarterly newsletter on Water Governance from the Water Governance Project at Society For Promotion of Wastelands Development (SPWD):