Governance

Flooding in Pakistan

The training manual by ICRISAT on integrated management of watersheds is meant for watershed development practitioners and provides an account of the socio-technical aspects of watershed. To begin with, the definitional aspects of watershed are spelt out -

• The term “watershed” strictly refers to the divide separating one drainage basin from another. However, over the years, the use of the term watershed to signify a drainage basin or catchment area has come to stay.
• Hydrologically, watershed could be defined as an area from which the runoff drains through a particular point in the drainage system.

Water Digest Water Awards 2010-11 is calling for the nominations

Wastewater/Sanitation

• India: Land of many cell phones, but fewer toilets
• Rural women help Himachal fight open defecation
• Eco toilets at the Pollutetech 2010 exhibition in IISc draw attention
• 6 districts in Karnataka achieve near total hygiene standards
• Poor sanitation lets super bug thrive in India

This  document on the Finance Commission, India website is divided into the following chapters:

This document provides the details of the revisions suggested in the water tariff for domestic, industrial, commercial and institutional consumers and of sewerage maintainance charges in urban areas.

The document describes the details of the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority Act and includes:

• Short title, extent and commencement
• Definitions of the terms used in the Act
• Establishment and incorporation of the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority
• Powers functions and duties of the authority
• Permission of River Basin Agency, State Water Planning
• Accounts, audits and reports
• Special powers of authority for removal of backlog as per Governer's directives

The document describes the Maharashtra Groundwater Act, which is an Act to regulate the exploitation of groundwater for the protection of public drinking water sources and includes the details of :

• Short title and commencement of the Act
• Definitions of the terms used in the Act
• Protection measures for public drinking water sources
  • Prohibition of construction of wells within certain limits
  • Declaration of water scarcity area
  • Regulation of extraction of water from wells in water scarcity areas
  • Declaration of over exploited watershed
  • Prohibition of sinking of well in over exploited watershed
  • Prohibition of extraction of water from an existing well for certain period
  • Closing down existing well
  • Power of entry upon any land for obtaining information
  • Power to stop contravention of the provisions of section 3, 5, 7, 8 or 9
  • Payment of compensation
  • Bar to claim compensation

Climate Change

• Gujarat farmers fight against climate change: Adopt technology to conserve resources and maximize benefits
• Higher-than-normal temperatures in Ladakh pose a threat to its glaciers and thereby life in the region
• South Asia is the world's most climate-vulnerable: India ranks second