Manu Moudgil

Number crunching helps farmers manage water
Calculating water availability and crop budgeting can prevent over-extraction of groundwater and mounting farm debt. Manu Moudgil posted 1 year 9 months ago
The weather station at Randullabad that helps farmers plan their crops. (Photo by Manu Moudgil)
How sand mining impacts ecosystem
A lucrative business, sand mining from rivers done illegally and unscientifically is found to affect riverine ecology. Manu Moudgil posted 2 years 5 months ago
River sand is preferred for construction because it requires less processing. (Source: P Jeganathan/Wikimedia Commons)
Green toilet in my backyard
Ecological sanitation toilets are the best option to deal with mounting sewage burden in India. Manu Moudgil posted 2 years 6 months ago
Chicu with a pan used in ecosan toilet. (Photo courtesy: Chicu Lokgariwar)
Storms in India: Science of Severity
The world may see more freak storms due to rising temperatures. Reducing pollution and protecting forests are perfect preventive measures. Manu Moudgil posted 2 years 8 months ago
Image for representation purpose only. Source: Pixabay
Power play in Kinnaur
Villagers are making informed decisions when it comes to government projects that affect ecology. Equipped with legal knowledge, they are challenging damaging hydropower projects. Manu Moudgil posted 3 years 7 months ago
People believe that tunnels such as these cause irreversible damages to the environment.
How Punjab can deal with its hot potato
Despite favourable climatic conditions, the spud is a difficult crop to grow. Add to it the government’s indifference and market fluctuations, the potato kings of Punjab are having a tough time. Manu Moudgil posted 3 years 8 months ago
More than potatoes, it's the seed that Punjab is famous for.
Project power plants fear
A 1,320 MW power plant near mangrove forests of Sundarbans may have irreversible consequences. Manu Moudgil posted 3 years 9 months ago
The mangrove forests of the Sundarbans are the biggest barriers against cyclones from the Bay of Bengal. Source: Laskar Sarowar/Wikimedia Commons
Profit of loss: When growth harms the earth
Development projects from across India are flouting environmental norms, says a recent CAG audit report Manu Moudgil posted 3 years 9 months ago
CAG found development projects not meeting conditions of environment clearances.
With nature for company
Merging traditional way of understanding weather with science and technology can not just improve the accuracy of weather forecast but augment adaptation to climate change also. Manu Moudgil posted 3 years 9 months ago
Shape of clouds can be an important indicator of weather. Source: Robert Hensley/Wikimedia Commons
Going wild in a bustling city
Once ravaged by the mining industry, Asola Bhatti, the only wildlife sanctuary in Delhi is a refreshing sight now with dense flora and a thriving wildlife. Manu Moudgil posted 3 years 10 months ago
Nilgai (blue bull) is in abundance at the sanctuary.
‘Our target is to reach 90 million farmers by 2020’
Indian Meteorological Department is focusing on agriculture-related advisories through network expansion. Manu Moudgil posted 3 years 10 months ago
A farm in Madhya Pradesh during monsoon. Source: Rajarshi Mitra/Wikimedia Commons
When money grows on trees
Gauging the economic value of an ecosystem can save it from degradation. But proper yardsticks need to be used without getting carried away by numbers. Manu Moudgil posted 3 years 10 months ago
At the watershed level, the valuation of forests may help design user pay schemes.
‘We have more hardy, nutritious grains than GM can offer’
Debal Deb has conserved 1,200 climate resilient rice varieties. He speaks on the need to conserve traditional seeds and why we don’t need genetically modified ones. Manu Moudgil posted 3 years 11 months ago
At his farm in Odisha, Deb conserves 1,200 traditional varieties of rice.
Election update: Free power is Punjab’s albatross
The manifestos of the major parties swear to extend the ill-conceived scheme of free power despite its impact on the water and the people. Manu Moudgil posted 3 years 11 months ago
Punjab elections are keenly watched for the contest between SAD (B)-BJP alliance, Congress and AAP.
Saving Ramgarh Lake
All efforts to rejuvenate the lake near Jaipur have failed as authorities continue to ignore obstructions to its natural flow. Manu Moudgil posted 3 years 11 months ago
The reservoir that has been dry for the last 10 years.
The doer from the Thar
There are many unsung heroes amidst us who go about their good work silently. Chattar Singh is one such hero who has revived traditional water management system of the parched Jaisalmer villages. Manu Moudgil posted 4 years ago
Despite all the great work, Chattar Singh's demeanour remains unassuming. Source: Farhad Contractor
A book every city needs
Jal Aur Samaj' takes the readers through the pond culture of Bikaner that nurtured its past and holds promise for its future. Manu Moudgil posted 4 years ago
One of the ponds in Bikaner.
‘Have a selfish interest in environment’
Lawyer Ritwick Dutta says we need to understand how minor changes in environment governance impact our lives in big ways. Manu Moudgil posted 4 years ago
Ritwick Dutta (left) receives the Bhagirath Prayas Samman at India Rivers' Week.
Anupam Mishra: The Gandhian I know
Anupam ji’s work can’t be measured in words, least of all by me. Here are some of my memories of him over a few years. Manu Moudgil posted 4 years ago
Source: Ted Talks
A notification to ensure ecological flow of rivers
Environment lawyer Ritwick Dutta talks about the highs and lows of the new river Ganga notification and how environmentalists can use it to make an impact. Manu Moudgil posted 4 years 1 month ago
Boys wait to collect coins thrown into the Ganga at Kanchla, Uttar Pradesh.