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September 21, 2021
Shrinking forests, declining biodiversity - a ticking time bomb!
A fatal tick borne disease is on the rise in the Western Ghat states. Deforestation, declining biodiversity and increasing human animal conflicts are to blame.
The Western ghats forests, under threat (Image Source: India Water Portal)
September 10, 2021
India needs to wake up to severe air pollution
With each new report, the number of polluted cities in India is increasing
According to a Greenpeace India report released on January 21, 2020, 80 per cent of the country's cities are polluted by national standards (Image: Max Pixel, License CC0)
August 29, 2021
Poisoned waters, deadly outcomes!
A study shows that high arsenic contamination of groundwater in Bihar is linked with increase in cancer cases. Districts located near the Himalayan river basins have more people with cancer.
Drinking water in Bihar, linked to cancer (Image Source: IWP Flickr photos)
August 26, 2021
Poisonous encounters: Nitrate contamination of groundwater in Rajasthan
This study from Rajasthan found that anthropogenic factors led to nitrate contamination of groundwater. High nitrate levels in drinking water posed major health risks to children.
A well in Rajasthan (Image Source: IWP Flickr photos)
May 17, 2021
Rural realities amid second COVID surge
Practitioner's experiences in tackling the second wave in Indian villages
There is a need to strengthen the capacities of ASHA workers, and other healthcare and grassroots workers. (Image: DMD, Government of Bihar)
May 11, 2021
Bathing spaces for women - crucial for WASH!
Bathing spaces and not toilets alone, aid women in maintaining health and hygiene. It is time the Swachh Bharat Mission pays attention to bathing spaces as well!
A temperory bathing space with no water and privacy in a fishing village in Tamil Nadu (Image Source: India Water Portal)
Shrinking forests, declining biodiversity - a ticking time bomb!
A fatal tick borne disease is on the rise in the Western Ghat states. Deforestation, declining biodiversity and increasing human animal conflicts are to blame. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 3 days ago

The Western Ghats region of South India is one of the world's most important biodiversity hotspots, and the rainforests of this region are known to harbour 500 types of bird species, 225 reptile species, 219 amphibian species, and 133 mammal species.
The Western ghats forests, under threat (Image Source: India Water Portal)
India needs to wake up to severe air pollution
With each new report, the number of polluted cities in India is increasing Amita Bhaduri posted 2 weeks ago

Two studies released on September 1, 2021, on the damage to human health due to increasing air pollution in India have revealed very worrying facts.
According to a Greenpeace India report released on January 21, 2020, 80 per cent of the country's cities are polluted by national standards (Image: Max Pixel, License CC0)
Uranium in drinking water: A growing concern for India
A recent report by CGWB reveals that uranium contamination of groundwater is on the rise with Punjab and Haryana being the most affected. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 2 weeks 2 days ago

Groundwater continues to be extracted at frightening proportions in India and the fear of severe depletion of groundwater resources in the coming years is real. As if this is not enough, the available groundwater is also deteriorating in quality posing a severe threat to the health of the population.

India drinks water poisoned with uranium
Uranium contamination of drinking water on the rise in India (Image: Pxhere)
Kudrati kheti (natural farming) - A manual in Hindi
Farming the natural way - going back to the age old traditions and practices Amita Bhaduri posted 3 weeks 1 day ago

This manual (third edition) in Hindi developed by Rajinder Chaudhary on natural farming, also known as organic, zero budget or alternative farming, is an attempt to spread awareness among Indian farmers about the above sustainable agriculture methods.
Poisoned waters, deadly outcomes!
A study shows that high arsenic contamination of groundwater in Bihar is linked with increase in cancer cases. Districts located near the Himalayan river basins have more people with cancer. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 3 weeks 5 days ago

While groundwater is an important source of drinking water worldwide, contamination of groundwater sources is on the rise. Arsenic contamination of groundwater has been found to affect as high as 300 million people worldwide exposing them to a number of health risks.

Arsenic contamination of groundwater in India
Drinking water in Bihar, linked to cancer (Image Source: IWP Flickr photos)
Poisonous encounters: Nitrate contamination of groundwater in Rajasthan
This study from Rajasthan found that anthropogenic factors led to nitrate contamination of groundwater. High nitrate levels in drinking water posed major health risks to children. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 4 weeks 1 day ago

Groundwater in arid and semi arid regions continues to be a valuable and often the single most source of freshwater and conservation of this resource remains crucial for the survival of communities residing in the area. At the same time, a serious decline in the quality of groundwater is adding pressure on these water resources.
A well in Rajasthan (Image Source: IWP Flickr photos)
Ganga, a sink of microplastics
A study by Toxics Link reveals that Ganga is heavily polluted by microplastics, the highest concentration being at Varanasi. Amita Bhaduri posted 1 month 4 weeks ago

A new study by the Delhi-based environment NGO Toxics Link reveals the presence of microplastics in all samples collected from the river at Haridwar, Kanpur and Varanasi.
Cleaning efforts on the Ganga has so far focussed on focussed on creating sewage treatment capacities in the major urban centres along the river. (Image: Richard IJzermans, Flickr Commons, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
Rural realities amid second COVID surge in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
Rural areas emerge as sites of mass COVID outbreaks Amita Bhaduri posted 3 months 2 weeks ago

COVID-19 has been spreading fast in rural areas while issues related to its management and the government’s response to the pandemic remain.
COVID-19 has had an adverse impact on the livelihood of people doing small jobs due to lockdown. (Image: Gospel for Asia; Wikimedia Commons)
Second wave, new challenges: Civil society on the frontlines
How community radio is helping in times of COVID Amita Bhaduri posted 3 months 3 weeks ago

The onset of a second wave of COVID-19 has inflicted havoc in urban centers and even in the national capital which has somewhat sound state-of-the-art health system.
Involved in COVID relief (Image: SM Sehgal Foundation)
Smothered by heatwaves as climate swings
Effective action needed to avoid extreme heat events Amita Bhaduri posted 4 months ago

In recent times, India has been routinely experiencing abnormally hot days during the summer months of April and May.
A study shows how the open space on the western bank of the Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad acts as a heat sink. (Image: Emmanuel Dyan, CC BY 2.0)
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