Research Papers

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When the Ganges spews plastic!
Abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear not only forms a large portion of plastic waste that the Ganges pours into the sea, it also poses a major threat to the environment and biodiversity! Posted on 04 Jun, 2021 07:59 PM

Rivers, carriers of plastic

Ganga river at Gadmukteshwar (Source: IWP Flickr photos)
Harnessing runoff to cope with droughts in South India
With north east monsoon playing truant, understanding the reasons for droughts in South India is crucial. Can harnessing runoff help to cope with the increasing dry spells that south indian cities are facing? Posted on 01 Jun, 2021 11:54 AM

The years 2016 to 2018 saw a major drought in the South of India due to low winter rainfall from the northeast monsoon – rainfall crucial for water availability, agriculture and livelihoods for the southern states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

The scramble to collect water: Can it be prevented? (Image Source: India Water Portal)
Challenges in planning faecal sludge management systems
Containment design and construction deviations from norms impact sanitation chain Posted on 30 May, 2021 12:02 PM

Sanitation targets for SDG 6 can only be met if the focus expands from just access to the full cycle of sanitation – access, conveyance, treatment and re-use.

Empty faecal sludge drying bed (Image: Lars Schoebitz; Flickr Commons)
Crop diversification to address the water crisis in Punjab
While borewells and aggressive irrigation practices continue to suck Punjab dry, can crop diversification rescue the state from turning into a desert? Posted on 25 May, 2021 04:48 PM

Punjab, sucked dry

Unsustainable agricultural practices in Punjab (Image Source: IWP flickr photos)
Water, at a price!
The water woes of Darjeeling continue to grow with unreliable public water supply and highly elastic private water markets. Is there a way out? Posted on 21 May, 2021 11:15 PM

Darjeeling, a water starved town

Hill stations in India are increasingly getting water scarce. Darjeeling, a well-known Himalayan town, continues to face water scarcity every year during the dry season, despite the abundant monsoon rainfall and several perennial rivers and streams.

Darjeeling, in the grip of a water crisis (Image Source: Bernard Gagnon via Wikimedia Commons)
About time inland waterways feasibility is reassessed
Serious questions about the dependability of waterways Posted on 13 May, 2021 04:45 PM

In 2016, 106 rivers or river stretches were declared as national inland waterways, and the development of many of these new waterways along with the already existing ones was prioritized for large scale commercial navigation and shipping.

Dredging in progress on National Waterway-1 (Image: IWAI)
Bathing spaces for women - crucial for WASH!
Bathing spaces and not toilets alone, aid women in maintaining health and hygiene. It is time the Swachh Bharat Mission pays attention to bathing spaces as well! Posted on 11 May, 2021 08:02 PM

While it is known that women and girls experience considerable challenges than men and boys in accessing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) resources, there is minimal discussion on bathing spaces for women while the focus continues to be on toilet construction.

A temperory bathing space with no water and privacy in a fishing village in Tamil Nadu (Image Source: India Water Portal)
Mining affected areas and its impact on livelihoods: Meghalaya
Urgent need for a holistic policy on mining of minerals in Meghalaya Posted on 27 Apr, 2021 12:28 AM

Meghalaya has a predominantly agrarian economy.

There is a need for management of acid mine drainage and contaminated water in mining areas (Image: Environmental Change and Security Program/Flickr, CC BY-NC-SA)
Why our food systems need to be changed?
Transforming food systems after COVID-19 Posted on 25 Apr, 2021 11:29 AM

COVID-19 pandemic and the associated policy responses highlighted and often exacerbated weaknesses and inequalities in our food systems. Many vulnerable people faced threats to their immediate food security, health, and nutrition restrictions.

Vegetable stand at a market in India (Image: ILRI/Mann; CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
COVID-19 and social protection: Impact in the agriculture sector
Lower transaction costs, minimal leakages, and immediate delivery make a strong case for direct cash transfers, says study. Posted on 01 Apr, 2021 01:10 PM

COVID-19 induced significant economic and social disruptions in India. Rural households, including smallholders, were affected by loss in migrant income, livelihood and farm and non-farm income.

Access to credit increased farmers' expenditures on farm-related activities. (Image: Pixy.org)
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