Aarti Kelkar Khambete

Swacch Bharat Mission: An opportunity to rethink public toilet governance

Althought the SBM rightly promises to secure the right to sanitation infrastructure and the right to a clean environment, it must take into consideration the sociopolitical realities of Indian cities. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 4 months ago

Can GIS rescue South India's deteriorating tank systems?

Eris or tanks in Tamil Nadu, which once provided water for drinking and irrigation, are in disrepair today. Can technology help restore them? Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 4 months ago

Social regulation as a key to sustainable groundwater use

While a knowledge-based approach to groundwater management improves awareness, it does not address issues of equity. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 4 months ago

Water wars: Not what you think!

India has a role to play in trans-boundary water interactions in the South Asian region. Cooperation, not war, could be resulting outcomes. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 4 months ago

The Brahmaputra river (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Science-based changes to cope with water crisis

A business-as-usual approach isn't enough to bridge the gap between water supply and demand. So what must water management policies focus on to cope with the water crisis in India? Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 4 months ago

Girls carrying water (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Droughts in Maharashtra: Lack of management or vagaries of climate change?

None of our policies seem to be designed keeping in mind the farmer and his convenience, says Suneel Joshi, State Coordinator for Jal Biradari, in an interview with India Water Portal. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 5 months ago

Severe droughts (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Traditional fishing technologies: Will they survive the onslaught of development and mechanisation?

Age-old skills and techniques used by fisherfolk are under threat, and at the risk of being replaced by modern unsustainable technologies. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 5 months ago

Fishing technologies used by the fisherfolk

Can we reverse the outcomes of climate change for India?

Heat extremes and groundwater scarcity are but two of the impacts of climate change affecting India. Technology, political will, and international cooperation are needed to reverse these impacts. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 5 months ago

Droughts and climate change (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Budget 2015-16 likely to have huge cuts in social sector

Policy matters this fortnight Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 5 months ago

MNREGA workers building check dam in Gujarat

Hydropower projects aggravated the Uttarakhand disaster

News this fortnight Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 5 months ago

Are we heading towards ecological and social suicide?

Development at the cost of the environment and ecosystem-dependent communities can be an easy recipe for ecological and social disaster. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 5 months ago

The revived lake in Valni village, Nagpur

Dengue and chikungunya in India - High temperatures, humidity, rainfall and local practices to blame?

High temperatures, humidity, rainfall and local practices favour breeding and abundance of Aedes mosquito species increasing the risk of dengue and chikungunya Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 6 months ago

Aedes aegypti mosquito (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

A science-policy nexus to combat disasters in India

Disasters aren't always inevitable. Scientific perspectives when used to formulate policies, could help with being better prepared and also reducing the damage and devastation. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 6 months ago

Traditional rainwater harvesting systems to the rescue!

Rainwater harvesting, a “soft path” approach towards water management, cannot be advocated in isolation to tackle water scarcity. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 6 months ago

White, Green and now a ‘Blue Revolution’!

Policy matters this week Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 6 months ago

Kerala's Ashtamudi lake certified by Marine Stewardship Council

News this week Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 6 months ago

Mussel farm in Ashtamudi lake (Source: Fotokannan)

Toilets and social networks: Is there a connection?

Studies have shown links between social dynamics and behaviour change, especially with regard to toilet use. Intervention efforts should focus on communities, and not individuals. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 7 months ago

It's not just about rape!

Women need toilets, not only to protect themselves from rape but to also preserve their dignity and health. Sanitation is a fundamental human right and not just temporary media hype. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 7 months ago

Women in rural areas (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Gender inclusive development in mountains

Perspectives that aren't the norm must be examined while talking about gender-related development in the mountain regions. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 7 months ago

Factors affecting toilet adoption in rural India

Men prefer to defecate in the open more than women, latrines are considered a luxury item and open defecation isn't considered a threat to health, finds a study done in rural North India. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 10 years 7 months ago