Research Papers

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Groundwater prospective zones in Bundelkhand
Integrating geographical information systems and remote sensing for delineation of groundwater potential zones in Bundelkhand region Posted on 22 Oct, 2022 08:07 PM

In the Bundelkhand craton region, groundwater is the primary source of drinking water. Due to low rainfall, agriculture mainly depends on the goundwater supply, which comes through bore wells. Most of the time, the region faces a water crisis during the summer season as the wells and tube wells go dry.

Numerous studies have been performed worldwide in which remote sensing data is used to delineate the groundwater potential zones (Image: India Water Portal Flickr)
What causes tropical cyclone driven floods in India?
In the Indian region, landfalling tropical cyclones have the potential to cause floods in the river basins. Both tropical cyclone rainfall and antecedent soil moisture of the basin controls the severity of floods. Posted on 22 Oct, 2022 07:10 PM

Tropical cyclones are intense circular storms that originate over tropical oceans and are among the most significant threats to human life and property in the world. Tropical cyclones are associated with heavy rainfall and strong winds, which cause hazards such as storm surges and inland flooding.

Tropical Cyclone Phailin made its way over the Bay of Bengal towards the eastern Indian coast in 2013, with winds recorded at over 200kmph (Image: EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid, CC BY-ND 2.0)
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)
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)
Dirty drains drain health
This study found that the sanitary quality of neighbourhood drains, in addition to toilets, affected sanitation and hygiene and incidences of ill-health in rural households. Posted on 27 Sep, 2022 08:28 PM

Poor access to adequate and good quality sanitation and hygiene facilities can give rise to a number of water borne diseases in populations.

Dirty drainages, harbingers of illhealth. Image for representation only (Image Source: SuSanA Secretariat via Wikimedia Commons)
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