Aarti Kelkar Khambete

From water to agriculture, well-being and beyond

While WOTR’s work has contributed to improving SDG outcomes, what are the learnings from the efforts made by the organisation to map and identify the pathways that have brought about this change? Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 5 years 11 months ago

WOTR’s holistic approach integrates environmental, social and development challenges. (Image Source: WOTR)

India, in the eye of a storm!

The incidence and intensity of tropical cyclonic storms during monsoons is increasing in India. Can historical analysis help understand and cope with them better? Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 5 years 11 months ago

A cyclonic storm that hit India in 2016 (Image Source: IWP Flickr photos)

Climate change real, warns Pangi tribe

The effects of climate change are felt by the indigenous communities residing in the Himalayan region. How are they coping with these changes? Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 5 years 11 months ago

Chandrabhaga river through Pangi valley, Himachal Pradesh (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Caste and farmer’s access to quality information

A study finds that farmers from socially-marginalised castes continue to be disadvantaged in accessing agricultural extension services. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 6 years ago

Access to information helps improve crop output among farmers. (Image Source: India Water Portal)

Borewells: Boon or bane for women?

A study shows that although borewells have improved women’s access to water in the short term, they have increased water insecurity and the suffering of women in the long term. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 6 years ago

Collecting water, a daily backbreaking task of women. (Image Source: India Water Portal)

Coping with droughts: Gender matters

A study finds women are hit the hardest during droughts due to food and water scarcity, loss of income and a range of health problems resulting from it. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 6 years ago

Women are burdened with household tasks such as collecting water. (Image Source: India Water Portal)

Water management: Still a neglected electoral issue?

India is facing a major water crisis and a number of water sector challenges remain unaddressed even today. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 6 years 1 month ago

India's water woes need urgent attention. (Image Source: India Water Portal)

In conversation with nature

This study from Bihar shows that official flood prediction systems are often inadequate to understand the true impact of the floods on the population. Local gendered knowledge can help fill this gap. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 6 years 1 month ago

Shape of clouds can be an important indicator of weather. Source: Robert Hensley/Wikimedia Commons

Flourishing water markets in Darjeeling

Better governance and equitable as well as sustainable use of water resources are essential to solving the deepening water crisis in Darjeeling. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 6 years 1 month ago

Private water tankers, a common sight in urban areas. (Source: India Water Portal)

What’s forest governance without local hand

Multilayered governance and involvement of forest dwellers in the decision making processes can go a long way in managing our forests better. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 6 years 2 months ago

Mangar Bani, a green patch between Faridabad and Gurgaon (Image: Pradip Krishen, Facebook)

Could the water towers of Asia be drying up soon?

As climate change and urbanisation threaten water security in the HKH region, there is an urgent need for good water governance. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 6 years 2 months ago

A view of the Himalayas. (Source: IWP Flickr photos--photo for representation purpose only)

Plastic on the green menu

Expanding tourism has led to increasing generation of garbage and plastic wastes in natural reserves in Uttarakhand. Wild animals feast on this garbage increasing their risk of plastic consumption. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 6 years 3 months ago

Mountains of garbage can attract a range of animals that feast on it. (Source: IWP Flickr photos)

River basin governance: Learnings from Cauvery conflict

While the recent ruling of the Supreme court on the Cauvery conflict opens up new possibilities, a push for holistic and interdisciplinary river basin governance is required. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 6 years 3 months ago

Cauvery river at Hogenakal, Karnataka. (Source: IWP Flickr Photos via Claire Arni and Oriole Henri)

Can we gain from changing rains?

While changing rainfall patterns, increased frequency of cyclones, droughts and floods threaten food and water security in India, adaptation strategies to cope with these changes are crucial. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 6 years 3 months ago

Changing rainfall patterns in India (Image Source: IWP Flickr photos)

Human activities reduce catchments’ climate resilience

A study finds that only over a third of human-dominated catchments in India are resilient to climate warming. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 6 years 5 months ago

River Krishna at Wai, Maharashtra (Image Source: India Water Portal)

The garbage siege of our coasts

A study finds that plastic forms the largest component of marine litter that is polluting the beaches in the country. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 6 years 6 months ago

Marine litter on one of the Mumbai beaches. (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Bengaluru drinks poisoned water

A study finds drinking water in peri-urban areas around Bengaluru has high levels of bacteriological and chemical contaminants making it unfit for consumption. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 6 years 6 months ago

Poor drinking water quality can pose a risk to health. (Image Source: India Water Portal)

Gene revolution adds to farmer distress

This study finds that Bt cotton has not helped but worsened the situation of farmers in Telangana. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 6 years 6 months ago

A farmer picks cotton. (Image Source: Claude Renault via Wikimedia Commons)

The unique Himalayan wetlands

The Himalayan wetlands are under threat due to unregulated urbanisation and unsustainable tourism. Urgent attention at the policy level is the need of the hour. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 6 years 7 months ago

Antibiotic use in livestock and superbug risk

A study shows lack of awareness and poor regulatory mechanisms among various reasons behind irrational use of antibiotics in livestock by farmers. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 6 years 7 months ago

Small scale farmers with their livestock (Image Source: India Water Portal)