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Ecology and Environment
Groundwater: From mystery to management - An article by TN Narasimhan
Posted on 22 Apr, 2011 12:07 PMGroundwater has been used for domestic and irrigation needs from time immemorial. It is a component of the hydrological cycle, vital for human sustenance. Unlike surface water, groundwater cannot be readily observed. Consequently, it was long considered to be mysterious or even occult in nature, influencing legal decisions relating to groundwater ownership and use.
Adapting to the global groundwater crisis - Its usage needs to be regulated and monitored
Posted on 22 Apr, 2011 12:03 PMThe global groundwater crisis centers on withdrawals notably exceeding short term renewable storage. The current global groundwater crisis reflects the fact that over the past century, groundwater withdrawal has grown to exceed natural renewable groundwater storage. The single most important cause is the deep well turbine pump. Groundwater depletion is very high in both the United States and India.
Chemonics is looking for specialists in forestry, climate adaptation and carbon finance in India - Apply by 31st May 2011
Posted on 22 Apr, 2011 11:17 AMChemonics is an international development consulting company that helps governments, businesses, civil society groups, and communities promote meaningful change so people can live healthier, more productive, and more independent lives.
Chemonics seeks speclialists for an anticipated USAID-funded project focused on sustainable forests and climate change mitigation in India. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.
A. Forestry specialist:
The forestry specialist will support reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation as well as enhanced sequestration, through afforestation, conservation, and sustainable management.
Energy from Water
Posted on 21 Apr, 2011 10:49 AM
An example technology is pico-hydro that uses local streams as a resource.
- The technology is transferred as an asset to households of farmers with access to streams, in the Western Ghats region.
- Most critically, the households decide the allocation of water between electricity generation and irrigation - they manage their demand for electricity based on water availability. The entire system retrofits into their current irrigation infrastructure.
- At the same time, there is an entire value chain of enterprises that develop the technology and deliver it to the farmer's doorstep, integrating access to MNRE subsidies and loans as necessary.
Traditional fishing techniques of tribes in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh – A paper in the Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge
Posted on 20 Apr, 2011 07:52 AMTribal habitat and rich primitive culture covers many traditions and fish is an integral part of the tribal food habit since times immemorial in this region. The life of tribes mainly depends on naturally available foods which can rarely be reaped in other places. The fishing techniques are specialized according to structure, size of stream, season and species of fishes intended to be harvested.
Development of training module for water safety plan in urban areas - A document by ESCI
Posted on 20 Apr, 2011 03:48 AMA Water Safety Plan (WSP) is an improved risk management tool designed to ensure the delivery of safe drinking water. It identifies hazards, means to control them, means and actions to identify loss of control and its restoration. It comprises system assessment and design, operational monitoring and management plans (including documentation and communication). Water quality guidelines have been issued by the WHO.
Drinking water quality monitoring and development of surveillance mechanisms - A pilot study done by NEERI in New Delhi
Posted on 20 Apr, 2011 02:30 AMThe WHO guidelines for drinking water quality aim to protect public health and the key way to ensure this is through the adoption of Water Safety Plans (WSP). WSP includes setting of health targets, risk analysis and its assessment to identify priority hazardous scenarios and management of the risk.
Assessing acute Gastroenteritis risks associated with water quality and sanitation in Hyderabad city - A paper by the Institute of Health Systems (IHS)
Posted on 19 Apr, 2011 11:35 PMThe quality of drinking water is a vital element of public health and well-being. The most effective means of consistently ensuring the safety of a drinking-water supply is through the use of a comprehensive risk assessment and risk management approach that encompasses all steps in water supply from catchment to consumer.
WHO guidelines on water quality term these approaches as water safety plans (WSPs), developed to organize, systematize and apply management practices in drinking-water quality.
The effects of agricultural water and landholdings to rural livelihoods in Indo-Gangetic basin – Research analysis by IWMI and ICAR with an emphasis on Bihar
Posted on 18 Apr, 2011 11:56 PMThe current research analysis by International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in cooperation with ICAR Resear
TN Khoshoo Ecology and Environment award for schools (2011)
Posted on 18 Apr, 2011 09:00 AMT N Khoshoo Ecology and Environment award for schools has been instituted to recognize schools that enable innovative, creative activity that promotes environmental consciousness and thoughtful action. This award is a joint initiative by The Khoshoo Endowment Fund and ATREE, along with the Teacher Foundation, Wipro, IAIM-FRLHT and Pravah. The award was launched in Bengaluru and Delhi earlier in the year 2010.