Aarti Kelkar Khambete

Barefoot scientists a.k.a local farmers

Solutions to deal with the ill-effects of climate change extend beyond formal scientific knowledge. Local communities combat these using their Indigenous knowledge. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 7 months ago

Depeasantisation: The gender aspect

Punjab, the land of the Green Revolution, is going through an agrarian crisis. This impacts not only men, but also women from small-scale and marginal farming communities. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 7 months ago

Farmer in Punjab (Source: India Water Portal)

Mysore golf course goes green by reusing treated wastewater

Use of treated wastewater for landscape irrigation of areas such as golf clubs is a promising enterprise, which can lead to huge economic and environmental benefits. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 9 months ago

The Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar Golf Club, Mysore

The unique 'Khachar' system explained

In spite of the high rainfall it receives, Mulshi taluka is one of Pune's more agriculturally backward talukas. Can the 'Khachar' system and other local methods change the scenario? Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 11 years 6 months ago

Symbolic yet neglected

The 64 sacred teerthas at Rameshwaram are historically important and also contain a wealth of knowledge in water conservation methods. Can local communities continue to maintain them well? Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 11 years 6 months ago

Dhanushkodi: stuck between science and religion

The Sethusamudram canal might aid shipping traffic in the area but how will it impact the fisherfolk who totally depend on the sea and the island for their livelihoods? Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 11 years 7 months ago

Harbour'ing the fisherfolk

This photo essay shows the poor living conditions of the fishing communities of Vizhinjham, Kerala. Will making it an international port help or cause more harm? Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 11 years 7 months ago

Can we keep blaming dengue on climate change?

Poor sanitation, poor waste management systems and poor urban planning are the real causes of dengue. Find out what we can do to prevent this disease. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 11 years 9 months ago

The dengue-causing Aedes aegypti mosquito (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Post-monsoon celebrations

This photo essay captures the range of activities post-monsoon in rural areas of Maharashtra including the celebration of the Vatapoornima festival. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 11 years 10 months ago

Rainwater harvesting saves college lakhs of rupees

Yenepoya Medical College in Mangalore, which has implemented rainwater harvesting (RWH) within its campus has reduced its dependence on water tankers. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 11 years 10 months ago

Rainwater harvesting pond in Yenepoya College

Simple but unique idea revives a pond in Kerala

Pallichal panchayat in Thiruvananthapuram district has turned a neglected pond into a clean and beautiful space that is also helping alleviate drought. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 11 years 10 months ago

The revived Vetubali pond in Pallichal panchayat

From worshipped to diseased - the slide of the Karamana river in Kerala

The Karamana, which flows through Kerala's capital city Thiruvananthapuram is now so polluted that it is closed to residents. Will the city figure out a way to clean it up? Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 11 years 11 months ago

A commerce ex-lecturer from Karnataka's Udupi district converts 25 acres of barren land into a lush green farm through rainwater harvesting

This article by Aarti Kelkar - Khambete narrates the story of a commerce ex-lecturer, who successfully transformed a barren piece of land into a self sustainable farm Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 12 years 2 months ago

The story of Dhanushkodi, a cyclone hit town, where reality coexists with myths, mysteries and miracles

This article describes a visit to Dhanushkodi and the method by which the island-dwellers source sweet drinking water Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 12 years 2 months ago

Water management - Mounting challenges and responses - A report on the three day seminar jointly organised by KSCSTE and C Achutha Menon Foundation, Trivandrum from the 21st to the 23rd December 2012

A 3 day national seminar organised for creating awareness and triggering a dialogue among scientists and lay people on the emerging challenges related to water resources, quality and conservation Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 12 years 2 months ago

Reviving a lake transforms 120 acres of barren land into a self-sufficient organic farm: The story of Rajesh Naik and Oddoor farms, Mangalore, Karnataka

A visit to Oddoor farms near Mangalore, Karnataka, provides an inspiring example of the efforts made by Rajesh Naik ji to transform 120 acres of barren land into a lush green farm. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 12 years 3 months ago

A community comes together to revive lakes and ponds in Valni village, Nagpur, Maharashtra

This story demonstrates how one person through his persistence and dedication can make a huge difference in solving water issues at a village level. A visit to Valni village with Yogesh Aneja ji shows us how local villagers have revived a lake that has transformed the village and helped in solving the long term water scarcity problems of the village, and improved the situation of farmers through increase in production. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 12 years 5 months ago

Survey of the environment 2012 - A publication by The Hindu

This report published by The Hindu focuses on the issues related to the environment, nature, conservation and biodiversity and includes contributions from leading experts who talk about a variety of issues ranging from medicinal plants to shrinking wetlands, the threats to coastal ecosystems, the mining crisis, the dying rivers of India and threats due to urbanisation Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 12 years 5 months ago

A growing concern - How soon will India run out of water - Paper published in the Journal of Global Health

This paper published in the Journal of Global Health sheds light on the grave water scarcity that the country could face in the coming years and warns that this could happen in as few as twenty years as the demand for water continue to exceed the sources of supply. The paper argues that this will have a negative effect on the public health and sanitation situation in the country and urgent steps thus need to be taken to deal with this situation. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 12 years 5 months ago

Exploring linkages between the agricultural sector and the environment - Report on the Kerala Environment Congress organised by the Centre for Environment and Development at Thiruvananthapuram, between 16 -18 August 2012

The focal theme of the 8th Kerala Environment Congress was Agriculture and Environment. The congress aimed at providing a platform for scientists, researchers, students and members of the community to deliberate on the issues pertaining to the agricultural sector and their impacts on the environment. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 12 years 5 months ago