Swati Bansal

MoEF accepts Kerala's recommendations on Western Ghats

Policy matters this week: MoEF approves Kerala's demands on Western Ghats; Committee finds Singrauli pollution a matter of serious concern; Panels set up to manage those displaced by Alamatti dam. Swati Bansal posted 11 years 2 months ago

A view of Western Ghats (Source: Wikipedia)

Water across Northern Railways highly contaminated

News this week: Report says tap water across the Northern Railways is highly polluted; Metal industry poisons groundwater of Chittoor; Allahabad's water table reducing by 62 cm every year. Swati Bansal posted 11 years 2 months ago

Wildlife Board approves controversial irrigation projects in Maharashtra

Policy matters this week: Maharashtra's controversial irrigation projects approved; DJB asked to discard metal pipes; SC notice to Centre, UP and Haryana over flow in Yamuna and Ganga. Swati Bansal posted 11 years 2 months ago

Irrigation canal in Maharashtra (Source:Wikipedia)

India's dykes on Kaliganga cause misery to Nepal

News this week: Nepal blames India for causing floods in former's territory; Study says Ganga is loaded with superbugs; Slowdown affects water use in Pune industries. Swati Bansal posted 11 years 2 months ago

Floods in Darchula in Nepal (Source: Wikipedia)

Scrap 15 out of 40 dams across Siang in Arunachal: CWC

Policy matter this week: CWC report warns against dams proposed in Siang; MoEF eases norms to clear dams in Sikkim; Karnataka all set to constitute groundwater authority. Swati Bansal posted 11 years 2 months ago

A river in East Siang (Source: Wikimedia)

New law to save the Ganga

Policy matters this week: PMO orders framing of draft legislation to protect the Ganga; Narmada-Kshipra river linking scheme passes the test; World Bank to support low-income states. Swati Bansal posted 11 years 2 months ago

Ganga river in Haridwar (Source: Anoop Negi)

Sikkim achieves 100% sanitation under Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan scheme

News this week: Sikkim achieves 100% sanitation; Govt has only 2 months to cover 54.4% of rural India in its drinking water scheme; Maharashtra village gets community rights over dam reservoir. Swati Bansal posted 11 years 2 months ago

New crop insurance scheme for Pudukottai, TN

Policy matters this week: Crop scheme for Pudukottai gets govt. approval; Delhi govt. plans to revive defunct RWH system in schools; NGT orders vigil against illegal coastal sand mining. Swati Bansal posted 11 years 3 months ago

Villagers planting paddy crops (Source: Wikipedia)

Red Hills reservoir leaks Chennai's water supply!

News this week: Chennai's Red Hills reservoir is leaking water; quantum of uranium in 'Thummalapalle' groundwater poses no threat to people; Kerala has the cleanest Anganwadi toilets. Swati Bansal posted 11 years 3 months ago

A reservoir in Tamil Nadu (Source: Wikipedia)

Rurals move away from agriculture: Assocham

News this week: Rural employment in agriculture reduces significantly; Activists demand 'Sarus Safari' in UP; 285 people in Karnataka died drinking contaminated water between 2010-13. Swati Bansal posted 11 years 3 months ago

Decline in agriculture (Source: Neil Palmer, CIAT)

Authority bans sale of packaged drinking water without BIS mark

Policy matters this week: FSSAI declares no selling of packaged drinking water without BIS mark; President gives nod to Maharashtra groundwater bill; Govt opposes tribals way of cultivation. Swati Bansal posted 11 years 3 months ago

Packaged drinking water (Source: Ricardo Bernando)

Bird sanctuary Chilika designated 'Destination Flyways'

News this week: UN to develop strategies to protect migratory birds in Chilika, Odisha; Cochin estuary has highest in toxicity in the world; Jaipur farmers in conflict with bottling plant. Swati Bansal posted 11 years 3 months ago

Chilika bird sanctuary, Odisha (Source:Aditi Pany)

Power corridors for each river basin in Himachal

Policy matters this week: Expert team moots plan to develop power corridors for each basin; Maharashtra govt to make drip irrigation a must for cash crops; DJB to formulate policy to treat greywater. Swati Bansal posted 11 years 3 months ago

Hydropower transmission (Source: Wikipedia)

Ministry eases green norms for coal mine expansion

Policy matters this week: MoEF eases green norms for expanding coal mines; government to undertake review of existing water-related laws; site visit becomes mandatory before forest land diversion. Swati Bansal posted 11 years 3 months ago

An open cast mine (Source: Garavi Gujarat)

Channel Mandakini to its original course: GSI

News this week: GSI recommends channeling Mandakini river to its original course; Sohra experiences one of the driest year; HC orders close down of 12 units in Mundra SEZ, Gujarat. Swati Bansal posted 11 years 3 months ago

No 'paani' for the 'aam aadmi'?

The Delhi government has promised free water for those with piped, metered connections in the city, up to a certain level of usage. Is this new scheme sustainable and equitable? Swati Bansal posted 11 years 3 months ago