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 10 years 8 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 10 years 8 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 10 years 8 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 10 years 8 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 10 years 8 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 10 years 9 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 10 years 9 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 10 years 9 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 10 years 9 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 10 years 9 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 10 years 9 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 10 years 9 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 10 years 9 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 10 years 10 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 10 years 10 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 10 years 10 months ago