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The Yamuna chokes as Delhi drains spew plastic
The flow of high loads of microplastics through the Najafgarh drain into the Yamuna are poisoning the river and threatening its ecosystem. Urgent action is needed! Posted on 11 Sep, 2024 11:54 PM

Microplastics (MPs) are a major threat to aquatic ecosystems because of their very small size, higher surface area, capacity to adsorb harmful pollutants, inert nature, and ubiquitous presence in the environment.

The polluted Yamuna at Agra (Image Source: India Water Portal)
Open drains and garbage attract dengue spreading mosquitoes in Delhi slums
A recent study from a low income setting in Delhi found that open drains, stored water and poor garbage management practices attracted dengue spreading mosquitoes in Delhi slums. However, community awareness and preventive steps helped to reduce dengue cases significantly. Posted on 19 Aug, 2024 01:47 AM

Dengue cases have been rising in India over the last few years and battling the rise in cases due to the dual effects of climate change and uncontrolled urbanisation has been challenging.

Aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary vector for Dengue (Source: James Gathany via Wikimedia Commons)
Open drains drain health
A recent study finds that majority of the poor in India are likely to have open drains or no drainage systems to convey and treat their waste flows, threatening their health. Posted on 16 Aug, 2024 08:56 AM

The complete removal of faecal contamination from the household environment is crucial for improving WASH outcomes.

Open drains, harbingers of illhealth. Image for representation only (Image Source: SuSanA Secretariat via Wikimedia Commons)
Dry summer monsoons drain groundwater and strain India's food basket
How does climate change induced summer monsoon drying and winter warming affect groundwater abstraction and food production in India's food basket? A study explores. Posted on 13 Aug, 2024 01:42 AM

India's groundwater is depleting very fast posing a threat to the freshwater resources and food security in the region. North India, a food basket for more than a billion people, has been experiencing rapid groundwater depletion leading to reduction in cropped area and the production of wheat and rice.

A dried borewell in Punjab (Image Source: IWP Flickr photos)
Heatwaves and downpours: India’s double climate threat
More than 70% of Indian districts are exposed to extreme rainfall events while over 84% are exposed to extreme heat wave and rising temperatures, as per an IPE Global and ESRI India Study

Posted on 09 Aug, 2024 04:47 PM

According to an unprecedented independent analysis released today by IPE-Global and ESRI India, more than 84% of Indian districts are vulnerable to high heat waves, and 70% of those districts are also experiencing a rise in the frequency and intensity of heavy ra

Rainfall patterns shifting dramatically (Image: Dibakar Roy, Pexels)
Building community resilience to deal with landslides
Landslides occur in different parts of India every year. How can community involvement help in resilience building to landslides? What do real life experiences show? Posted on 05 Aug, 2024 02:55 PM

Landslides involve a massive movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth down a slope triggered by rain, earthquakes, volcanoes, or other events that make the slope unstable.

Landslides can destroy property and lives. Image for representation purposes only (Image Source: Sridhar Rao via Wikimedia Commons)
Improved gully erosion map needed in India!
Gully erosion is a serious problem that can affect agriculture, livelihoods and lives in India. Having accurate maps to know its present extent is crucial. Posted on 31 Jul, 2024 11:05 AM

Gully erosion, the most destructive form of soil erosion

Gully erosion maps, the need of the hour (Image Source: Dehaan via Wikimedia Commons)
Can India survive the heat?
Heat Action Plans of most cities are not designed for implementation, says iFOREST. Posted on 29 Jul, 2024 12:00 PM

The International Forum for Environment, Sustainability, and Technology (iFOREST), a leading environmental think tank, has released a comprehensive assessment evaluating the effectiveness of Heat Action Plans (HAPs) in addressing this year's unprecedented heatwave crisis.

None of the HAPs have developed specific action plans for hotspots and vulnerable populations. (Image: peakpx, CC0)
Tap into the numbers: Budget insights on WASH
The budget allocation for the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation reflects a steady upward trajectory, underscoring the importance of scaling financial commitments to meet the growing demands of the WASH sector. Posted on 28 Jul, 2024 06:54 PM

The Union Budget 2024–25 of India outlines key priorities and financial allocations aimed at improving the nation's social and economic conditions.

Child drinking water from handpump in Guna, Madhya Pradesh (Image: Anil Gulati, India Water Portal Flickr)
Fortifying the grid: Odisha's climate resilience
Developing power sector resilience to extreme weather events in coastal areas: Lessons from Odisha Posted on 27 Jul, 2024 07:07 PM

India's eastern coastline, including the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal, is highly susceptible to extreme weather events such as cyclones and floods.

Coastal cyclones, fragile grids (Image: Wikimedia Commons; Tony Webster; CC BY 2.0)
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