Biodiversity

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October 17, 2023 How does barge trafficking/movement affect the ecology and biodiversity of riverine ecosystems? A study explains.
River Hooghly at Kolkata (Image Source: Yercaud-elango via Wikimedia Commons)
May 20, 2023 Freshwater biologists Sameer Padhye and Avinash Vanjare talk about smaller and lesser known animals that live in freshwater ecosystems and the importance of studying them. 
Freshwater ecosystems, under threat (Image Source: Biologia Life Science LLP)
January 25, 2023 This study found large deposits of heavy metals in the tissues and organs of water birds, crabs and fish inhabiting the lake indicating heavy metal contamination of the lake waters.
A view of the Veeranam lake in Tamil Nadu (Image Source: Giri9703 via Wikimedia Commons)
December 4, 2022 What is the status of inland fisheries in India? Read these situational analysis reports to know about inland fisheries, the life of the fisherfolk, governance and tenure in inland fisheries and threats to the sustainability of inland fisheries.
Fishing in an irrigation canal in Kerala (Image Source: Martin Pilkinton via Wikimedia Commons)
August 2, 2022 The frequency and intensity of floods is on the rise in Assam spelling doom for fish biodiversity.
Life during floods in Assam (Image Source: Kausika Bordoloi via Wikimedia Commons)
Heavy metals being discharged into coastal waters
Assessing heavy metals in the coastal environment is a critical challenge Posted on 22 Aug, 2022 12:26 AM

In recent years, the impact of the wastes discharged in the Bay of Bengal has been significant due to high effluent inflow from secured sources. It was observed that the heavy metal concentrations in the Bay coast sediments were considerately high and varied among sampling points.

Heavy metal contamination causes significant harm to marine ecology and aquatic life, including humans (Image: Priyadarshi Chaudhuri)
Andaman mega projects: CERD seeks government response on tribal concerns
News this fortnight Posted on 03 Aug, 2022 03:54 PM

CERD seeks government response on impacts of development projects in Andaman

Havelock, Andaman Island. Photo for representation only (Source: Vikramjit Kakati from Pixabay)
Floods in Assam - a boon or a bane for fish diversity?
The frequency and intensity of floods is on the rise in Assam spelling doom for fish biodiversity. Posted on 02 Aug, 2022 11:42 PM

Floods are becoming a frequent occurrence in India and according to the National Flood Commission (1980), 12 percent of the land in the Indian subcontinent is prone to floods. The North East experiences devastating floods every year with Assam being the most flood affected and one of the top five affected states of the country.

Life during floods in Assam (Image Source: Kausika Bordoloi via Wikimedia Commons)
Need to consider multiple values of nature in policy decisions
Decisions based on a narrow set of market values of nature underpin the global biodiversity crisis Posted on 18 Jul, 2022 09:24 PM

The way nature is valued in political and economic decisions is both a key driver of the global biodiversity crisis and a vital opportunity to address it, according to a four-year methodological assessment by 82 top scientists and experts from every region of the world.

More than 50 methods and approaches exist to make visible the diverse values of nature (Image: Pixnio)
Harmful chemicals found in tap water samples: Study
News this fortnight Posted on 18 Jul, 2022 03:47 PM

Study finds harmful chemicals in tap water samples

Harmful chemical is tap water samples (Source: IWP Flickr album)
Poisoned wetlands, toxic fish
Heavy metal pollution is poisoning the East Kolkata wetlands, affecting fish and posing a threat to the health of humans who depend on this fish for their food. Urgent action is needed! Posted on 27 Jun, 2022 12:23 PM

The East Kolkata Wetlands, often referred to as the ‘Kidneys of East Kolkata’, are located on the eastern periphery of Kolkata Metropolitan area and cover 12,500 hectares of area.

Fishermen use wastewater in Kolkata to rear fish (Image Source: India Water Portal)
Damned by pollution, doomed by beautification
The River Front Development project planned by the PMC is nothing but a cosmetic makeover for the already choked Mula Mutha river in Pune, argues Dr Gurudas Nulkar while speaking to the India Water Portal. Posted on 15 Jun, 2022 12:58 PM

Pune has been a water rich city and the Mula and the Mutha rivers that flow through the city are tributaries that join to form the Mula Mutha river in the city that joins the Bhima and then later, the Krishna river.

The highly polluted and encroached Mula Mutha river in Pune (Image: Alexey Komarov via Wikimedia Commons)
Conserving India’s freshwater ecosystems: A shared vision
Freshwater ecosystems in India are in peril. We invite comments on this vision document by TNC-India, FES and Ooloi labs that highlights future actions needed to save them. Posted on 04 Jun, 2022 12:43 PM

We invite you to share your comments in the feedback form at the end of this article

Freshwater ecosystems are a basis of life and a precious resource, not only because freshwater is limited, but also because of the rich biodiversity they support and the valuable ecosystem services they provide.

Freshwater ecosystems, in peril! (Image Source: The Nature Conservancy, India)
India’s fantastic freshwater fauna and where to find them
Freshwater ecosystems are not mere sources of water, they are treasure troves of biodiversity. Know more about the fascinating and diverse animal species that inhabit freshwater habitats in India. Posted on 10 May, 2022 05:28 PM

This story originally ran on Cool Green Science, the conservation blog of The Nature Conservancy. It is used here with permission.

Freshwater ecosystems, treasure troves of biodiversity (Image Source: India Water Portal)
Taking people along, to conserve freshwater ecosystems
Citizen science can be greatly useful in breaking down the barriers between local and expert knowledge and help in better management and protection of freshwater ecosystems. Posted on 17 Apr, 2022 02:23 PM

Freshwater, a rare resource

Pashan lake in Pune (Image Source: India Water Portal)
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