Contamination, Pollution and Quality

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Land of water, no more

Tripura has 35,000 litres of water annually per capita. That is double that of the national average. So why are its people still facing water shortage?

Biswendu Bhattacharjee

Posted on 02 Feb, 2014 10:11 PM

The name Tripura originated from 'Twi' meaning water and 'Para' meaning land. The indigenous population, which is about 32%, refer to Tripura as Twipra, meaning land of water. However, the state no longer seems to be living up to its name.

Soil erosion raises river beds in Tripura

Rurals move away from agriculture: Assocham

News this week: Rural employment in agriculture reduces significantly; Activists demand 'Sarus Safari' in UP; 285 people in Karnataka died drinking contaminated water between 2010-13.

Swati Bansal

Posted on 02 Feb, 2014 10:08 PM

'Rural job profile observes a significant change'

Decline in agriculture (Source: Neil Palmer, CIAT)

Authority bans sale of packaged drinking water without BIS mark

Policy matters this week: FSSAI declares no selling of packaged drinking water without BIS mark; President gives nod to Maharashtra groundwater bill; Govt opposes tribals way of cultivation.

Swati Bansal

Posted on 02 Feb, 2014 10:07 PM

No sale of packaged drinking water without BIS mark: FSSAI

Packaged drinking water (Source: Ricardo Bernando)

Bird sanctuary Chilika designated 'Destination Flyways'

News this week: UN to develop strategies to protect migratory birds in Chilika, Odisha; Cochin estuary has highest in toxicity in the world; Jaipur farmers in conflict with bottling plant.

Swati Bansal

Posted on 29 Jan, 2014 12:29 PM

Chilika lagoon named as 'Destination Flyways' by UN

Chilika bird sanctuary, Odisha (Source:Aditi Pany)

Can the effects of mining be undone?

Coal mining in Meghalaya has ruined the landscape and the water sources. Even if there is a will to restore these water bodies, there are several obstacles in the way.

OP Singh

Posted on 27 Jan, 2014 02:39 PM

Meghalaya is rich in minerals, especially coal. This has led to rampant mining in the state. Large scale denudation of forest cover, scarcity of water, destruction of water sources, pollution of air, water and soil, and degradation of agricultural lands are some of the conspicuous environmental implications of coal mining.

Coal mines in Meghalaya (Source: The Hindu)

Ministry eases green norms for coal mine expansion

Policy matters this week: MoEF eases green norms for expanding coal mines; government to undertake review of existing water-related laws; site visit becomes mandatory before forest land diversion.

Swati Bansal

Posted on 21 Jan, 2014 03:31 PM

Green norms eased for expanding coal mines

An open cast mine (Source: Garavi Gujarat)

Pesticide 'thali'

A 2010 study by Consumer Voice found that Delhi's fruits and vegetables contain high levels of pesticide residue. Despite the high court getting involved, not much has changed since.

Amita Bhaduri

Posted on 20 Jan, 2014 09:39 AM

One doesn't have to look far to find pesticide contamination in food and water in India.

Toxins are used as ripening agents in vegetables

Improved sanitation can reduce diarrhoea cases by 47%

Policy matters this week: Diarrhoea cases can come down with improved sanitation, SC tells Centre to appoint Regulator for environment matters and new water scheme for rural areas.

Ravleen Kaur

Posted on 14 Jan, 2014 06:41 PM

Improved sanitation can reduce diarrhoea cases by 47%: World Bank

Sanitation means good health (www.thinkaboutit.eu)

Big steel firms illegally mined Rs. 45,000 Cr worth

News this week: Commission finds that big corporates mined Rs. 45000 Cr worth iron ore, Delhi residents protest waste incinerator and POSCO's clearance to be revalidated.

Ravleen Kaur

Posted on 14 Jan, 2014 06:40 PM

Corporates like Tata Steel, Essel Mining violate green laws in Odisha

Illegal Ironore mining in Odisha (Indialatest.org)

Free water for the Capital

Policy Matters this week: AAP government in Delhi announces free water, nuclear plant in Haryana and hydel projects in Arunachal get green nod.

Ravleen Kaur

Posted on 08 Jan, 2014 12:04 PM

Two days into power, AAP announced free water

Free water but for how long? (Source: Wikipedia)

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July 4, 2024

बांदा, जखनी गांव : आज भी खरी है मेड़बंदी

मनुष्य को जब से भोजन की आवश्यकता पड़ी होगी उसने भोजन का आविष्कार किया होगा। किस स्थान पर भोजन उगाया जाए? फसलें पैदा की जाएं जमीन खोजी होगी खेत बनाया होगा। खाद्यान्न पैदा करने के लिए खेत का निर्माण तय हुआ होगा तभी से मेड़बंदी जैसी जल संरक्षण की विधि का आविष्कार हुआ होगा। यह हमारे पुरखों की विधि है जिन से खेत खलिहान का जन्म हुआ है एवं जिन्होंने जल संरक्षण परंपरागत प्रमाणित सर्वमान्य मेड़बंदी विधि का आविष्कार किया है जिसमें किसी प्रकार की कोई तकनीकी शिक्षा नवीन-ज्ञान, वैज्ञानिक ज्ञान की आवश्यकता नहीं होती है।

July 3, 2024

India experiments with parametric insurance to mitigate costs of disasters

News this fortnight

Life during floods in Assam (Image Source: Kausika Bordoloi via Wikimedia Commons)

July 3, 2024

उत्तर कोरिया सरकार ने मानव मल एकत्र करने के लिए आदेश क्यों दिया है

उत्तर कोरिया के तानाशाह किम जोंग उन के एक नए आदेश के बारे में जानना चाहिए कि उन्होंने कोरिया की जनता से 10 किलोग्राम मानव मल एकत्र करने का आदेश दिया है। ताकि उसे खाद के रूप में इस्तेमाल किया जा सके। हालांकि यह आदेश उत्तर कोरियाई लोगों के लिए पूरी तरह से नया नहीं है, क्योंकि वे पहले से ही सर्दियों में खाद के रूप में मानव मल का उपयोग करते आए हैं।

July 2, 2024

From scarcity to sharing: How farmers are managing groundwater in Rayalaseema

Community governance for groundwater management

Jasmine on the fields as part of the groundwater collectivisation agreement at Kummara Vandla Palli village, Sri Satya Sai District. (Images: WASSAN/Swaran)