Usha Dewani

Pest fest on paddy fields

Paddy in Assam saw severe pest attack this year causing large-scale crop damage. Coming soon after repeated floods, this has resulted in huge economic loss to the farmers and the exchequer. Usha Dewani posted 8 years 1 month ago

Rice occupies 95 percent of the total food grain production in Assam. The state has about 2.5 million hectares area under rice cultivation with the crop occupying about two-third of the total cropped area in the state.

Of broken pots and dreams

With much of Salmora lost to the insatiable Brahmaputra river, the potters of Majuli stand at a crossroad, uncertain how long they can continue their unique craft. Usha Dewani posted 8 years 2 months ago

Majuli: A hungry river and a succumbing island

Erosion in Majuli, a large island on the Brahmaputra, has left scores of people bereft of livelihoods and hope. While the government has spent crores on anti-erosion measures, it hasn't helped much. Usha Dewani posted 8 years 2 months ago

A boatman looks at the vast and furious Brahmaputra

Forgotten water bearers of Guwahati

Most of the ponds in Guwahati are in a sorry state now. They need to be preserved, not just as heritage sites, but also as drinking water providers and collectors of surface runoff. Usha Dewani posted 8 years 3 months ago

Children of a lesser God

Underprivileged children are the most affected by Assam’s annual floods. Their schools washed away and health affected, they also fall prey to nefarious activities. Usha Dewani posted 8 years 4 months ago

Children take refuge in temporary shelters. (Photo source: Jhai Foundation)

Community effort saves mangroves

When climate change threatens the existence of Sundarbans’ mangroves, villagers get together to plant millions of them to protect the fragile ecosystem. Usha Dewani posted 8 years 4 months ago

Mangroves of Sundarbans. (Source: Nature Environment & Wildlife Society - NEWS)

Kolkata's ponds on shaky ground

About 44 percent of Kolkata city's ponds have disappeared in the last two decades. The importance of preserving these water bodies that serve as a lifeline for people cannot be overemphasised. Usha Dewani posted 8 years 6 months ago

College Square tank or Gol Dighi, one of the very old ponds in Kolkata

Water is more than a job for them

Celebrations for World Water Day 2016 in Nagaon, Assam personify passion by honouring grassroots water-workers for their thankless efforts. Usha Dewani posted 8 years 9 months ago

Contribution of water sector workers at the grassroots level goes unrecognised very often

The semi-arid regions of the Moyar-Bhavani basin

State sponsored policies and programmes must be sensitive to promote sustainable developmental activities in this already fragile social ecological system in Tamil Nadu. Usha Dewani posted 8 years 11 months ago

Large population of scheduled caste, and other communities reside in or around protected areas of the basin.

Lessons on ecology from the Apatani tribe in Ziro Valley

The Apatani tribe in Arunachal Pradesh is known for its paddy cum fish agriculture. They practice this as well as other sustainable water management techniques that allow them to coexist and thrive. Usha Dewani posted 8 years 11 months ago

Rice fields at Ziro valley with sacred groves in the backdrop

Life and water at Rachenahalli lake

It provides natural resources to people living around it, acts as a sink for fisher folk cleaning fish or women doing laundry, and receives treated sludge from new residences around it. Usha Dewani posted 8 years 11 months ago

Rachenahalli Lake (Source: Sumetee Pahwa Gajjar)

Tea trouble brewing in Assam

Decreasing rainfall in Assam is causing a decline in tea yield, but the crop itself is somewhat adapting to the impacts of climate change, as are tea growers. Usha Dewani posted 9 years ago

Women plucking tea leaves at a garden in Golaghat

After Cyclone Aila, farming nurtures food, faith in Sunderbans

In 2009, Cyclone Aila caused significant damage to livelihoods in the Sunderbans. While saline soil is subversive to agriculture in the area, integrated farming gives many the courage to start afresh. Usha Dewani posted 9 years 2 months ago

Seed-banks are an effective instrument to preserve local varieties and keep people together

Catching rain in the land of "too much water"

Rainwater harvesting in a school in Jorhat, Assam helps address water quality issues, improves attendance and serves as an example for others in the area to fight arsenic and fluoride contamination. Usha Dewani posted 9 years 3 months ago

Children drinking rainwater collected in tanks at Melamati Government Junior Basic School, Jorhat (Assam).

The sacred springs of Sikkim

Devithans are shrouded in rituals and myths but serve as an important institution to preserve springs. While religious sentiments sometimes get in the way, development around them continues. Usha Dewani posted 9 years 5 months ago

Sikkim conserves its Tsomgo lake

Residents who live near the lake, representatives from the Taxi Drivers’ & Shopkeepers' Association, Tourism Department, and the Police Department have worked together towards a common goal. Usha Dewani posted 9 years 5 months ago

Stained teeth, weak bones and untimely death -- all caused by contaminated water

Tale of Tapatjuri' is the story of a nondescript village in Nagaon district of Assam gripped by fluorosis -- to a degree that could scare many. Usha Dewani posted 9 years 5 months ago

Children at Tapatjuri affected by skeletal fluorosis

First Sikkim, now Meghalaya springs hope!

6000 villages in Meghalaya depend on springs and spring-fed rivers for household water needs. Their drying up threatens water security and future growth. Now, there is some hope. Usha Dewani posted 9 years 6 months ago

Arid, but water secure in Kutch

Reduced migration, better hygiene practices and access to information on govt. schemes were only some of the achievements of villages in Rapar, Gujarat. The videos tell the full story. Usha Dewani posted 9 years 10 months ago

Rearing livestock: the mainstay of people in Rapar

My disappearing land: Majuli

Majuli, a large river island in the Brahmaputra that is also a cradle of Assamese culture, is slowly shrinking due to the river's wrath, and the lives of the people ebbs and flows with it. Usha Dewani posted 9 years 11 months ago