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Droughts and Floods
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Ahar pynes, traditional flood water harvesting systems can help revive agriculture in south Bihar
Posted on 26 Jan, 2013 07:48 PMAhar pynes are traditional floodwater harvesting systems indigenous to South Bihar [1], and have been the most important source of irrigation in this region. Ahars are reservoirs with embankments on three sides and are built at the end of drainage lines such as rivulets or artificial works like pynes. Pynes are diversion channels led off from the river for irrigation purposes and for impounding water in the ahars. It is mostly to the credit of these that paddy cultivation has been possible in this otherwise relatively low rainfall area, when compared to North Bihar. The system attained its highest development in the district of Gaya [2].
This article provides an account of the ahar-pyne systems of South Bihar and the need to build organizational and institutional capacities of civil society and government agencies to undertake ahar pyne renovation and management.
Battle for water: A video on the daily struggle of rural India for water
Posted on 22 Jan, 2013 08:47 PM
Water: Towards a paradigm shift in the Twelfth Plan - A paper by Mihir Shah in the EPW
Posted on 22 Jan, 2013 10:37 AMA fundamental change in the principles, approach and strategies of water management in India has been proposed in the Twelfth Plan
Why is this paradigm shift needed ?
Udupi in Karnataka, sets standard for water management - Roundup of the week’s news (January 14 -20, 2013)
Posted on 21 Jan, 2013 03:20 PMUdupi in Karnataka, sets standard for water management
Drought mitigation measures through climate adaptation for securing agricultural livelihoods in Uttar Pradesh
Posted on 13 Jan, 2013 02:43 PMProlonged and recurrent drought, being experienced in India and various parts of south Asia, is the manifestation of climate change, partly caused by human interventions. Drought has been one of the primary reasons for widespread poverty and environmental degradation including deteriorating water quality and water security. The world has been more drought-prone during the past 25 years and the vulnerability of tropical countries to drought is likely to increase (Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change, 2007).
Traditional diversion-based phad irrigation systems help mitigate risk of crop failure in the drought-prone farmer suicide belt of Vidarbha, Maharashtra
Posted on 11 Jan, 2013 11:56 AMMany of these systems (1) continue to function and are often more sustainable, cost-effective and successfully managed by local institutions. Phads are one such community-based and managed diversion irrigation management system (2) prevailing in the north-western part of Maharashtra and date back to the early 16th century as per historical accounts. The system is prevalent in the Tapi basin on rivers the Panjhra, Mosam and Aram in Dhule and Nashik districts (3).
Phads or diversion-based irrigation systems, are being revived and promoted in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra by Dilasa, a Yavatmal-based voluntary development organisation (Video courtesy: Dilasa)
Increasing rice yields and saving water: Lessons for policy and practice: Bi monthly update from SRI-India Network for November - December 2012
Posted on 11 Jan, 2013 07:50 AMIncreasing rice yields and saving water: Lessons for policy and practice - The System of Rice Intensification (SRI)
On the Sabarmati riverfront: Urban planning as totalitarian governance in Ahmedabad, Gujarat – An article in EPW
Posted on 10 Jan, 2013 07:05 PMLEISA magazine special issues in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu - A compilation of selected articles on combating desertification
Posted on 10 Jan, 2013 12:08 PMLow external input and sustainable agriculture (LEISA) India has come up with a collection of alternative ways of combating desertification in the fragile region of the country in its recent issue. The articles are success stories of such intiatives by farmers and NGOs.
