Aarti Kelkar Khambete

Causes of agrarian stagnation: A tale of two regions

Agrarian stagnation was the same in Saurashtra and Vidarbha until 1990. However, Saurashtra’s agriculture has been growing, while Vidarbha’s farmers continue to suffer. Why? Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 1 month ago

The Maharashtra Groundwater (Development and Management) Act 2009

Shashank Deshpande, Deputy Director GSDA, talks to the India Water Portal on the background and features of the recently passed Maharashtra Groundwater (Development and Management) Act 2009. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 1 month ago

Indian wetlands under threat!

Despite their importance to the planet, wetlands continue to be ignored at the policy level. More efforts need to be made at restoring the health of wetlands in India. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 1 month ago

Deepor beel, Assam (Source : India Water Portal)

The slow poisoning of the Baitarani river in Odisha

Proper disposal of waste into streams and rivers, and controlling and monitoring human activities near the water sources are some ways by which pollution can be contained. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 1 month ago

The Baitarani, Odisha (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Predicted impacts of droughts on agriculture and food production

The paper presents the findings of a study that attempted to estimate the effect of rainfall on the supply and demand sides of agricultural commodities, and their implications on prices. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 1 month ago

Severe droughts (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Water, through an artist's lens

Photographer Arjun Swaminathan speaks to India Water Portal about his journey so far, which includes filming water stories. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 2 months ago

Search for water (Source: Arjun Swaminathan)

Constructed wetlands as a cost effective cleaning option

Water treated using constructed wetlands before being used for irrigation can be a suitable and cost effective option to prevent possible human health risks Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 2 months ago

Punjab's groundwater crisis: A bye product of the govt's short sighted policies?

As long as electricity is improperly priced and farmers get the MSP for rice, they will not take up maize cultivation. This will lead to further deterioration of groundwater. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 2 months ago

Farmer in Punjab (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Slow poisoning of the Harike wetland

Considered a Ramsar site since 1990, the Harike wetland in Punjab is on the verge of a serious crisis, as contamination of its waters from effluents has reached critical levels. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 2 months ago

Harike wetland (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

World's only floating freshwater lake under threat

Evidence shows that the Loktak lake in Manipur, famous for its floating heterogenous masses of vegetation, is getting more and more polluted. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 3 months ago

View of Loktak lake (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Kashmir's lake fisheries are dying a slow death

The decline of local species, aggressive promotion of species such as carp, and emphasis on tourism have led to a decline in fish production in Kashmir's Dal and Wular lakes. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 3 months ago

View of the Wular Lake (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

A 3-year journey from water scarcity to security

Manayali village in Maharashtra not only became water secure but also managed to provide a solution to a small Banjara community that lives 3 km away from it -- through community participation. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 3 months ago

Manyali residents testing water from their well

Empowered TN fisherfolk challenge urbanisation

Should a fishing hamlet be lost to an elevated Beach Expressway? No!, say the fisherfolk of Olcott and Odai Kuppam who claim their rights over coastal commons using community self-mapping. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 3 months ago

Fishermen launching their boat into the sea

Family farming as an alternative to tackle hunger and poverty

With multiple advantages over corporate farming, family farming can play an important role in achieving food security through sustainable agricultural practices. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 3 months ago

Climate change threatens Indian mangroves

Increase in temperatures, carbon dioxide concentration, rise in sea levels and extreme weather events like cyclones and droughts, are predicted to have deleterious effects on Indian mangroves. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 3 months ago

Sundarban mangrove (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Groundwater resources race against time

Development and urbanisation have already put pressure on groundwater resources in the fragile Himalayan region. So, what is the current status of groundwater resources of this unique region? Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 3 months ago

Kerala's groundwater contamination source revealed

A study conducted in a village in Kozhikode district of Kerala highlights the need for standards while locating wells to prevent groundwater contamination. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 3 months ago

RWH: A tale of two successful states

Rainwater harvesting is a cost effective solution to bridge the gap between water availability and demand. Jodhpur and Goa, areas with low and high rainfall, have shown how. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 3 months ago

How do income levels affect water-borne diseases?

There is lack of crucial information on how urban water infrastructure influences and transforms the flow of water leading to the emergence of diseases in the process. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 4 months ago

An illegal settlement (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

State Action Plans for climate change analysed

5 states, which submitted Action Plans on how to tackle climate change in a decentralised manner, have made limited progress due to many reasons including a lack of clarity in recommendations made. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 4 months ago

Mountains in the catchment area of Khadakwasla dam