Water in news on April 12
Here’s a round-up of today’s news reports and developments around water
Saurashtra woes: Policy change on check dams leads to water deficit
In the 1990s, non-profits and farmers themselves built check dams; today, the government does it, without proper research or site selection
World Environment Day 2023: Springs need urgent revival for water security in the Indian Himalayas
The neglect of springs and aquifers in the context of rivers and watersheds has led to large gaps in developing a national response to spring …
This dying river in Karnataka is now coming back to life
A seven-year-long river rejuvenation project aims at bringing back River Kumudavathi by recharging groundwater
Expert panel opposes desilting of Mysuru's Kukkarahalli Lake
A two-member committee recommended that the existing polluted water should first be pumped out and then the lake should be filled with clean …
Aquatic animals will grow larger, not shrink in size, in warming waters: Study
The findings contradict the theory that aquatic animals such as fish will shrink due to global warming
Guinea worm: A nasty parasite is nearly eradicated, but the push for zero cases will require patience
The final push to full eradication requires patience and faith on the part of institutions and governments supporting the effort; also, people …
The earliest humans swam 100,000 years ago, but swimming remains a privileged pastime
This year the OECD reported that only one in four people in low-income countries can swim
Momentum for Jal Shakti Abhiyan will create water security: Gajendra Shekhawat
The Abhiyan will work in 256 water-stressed districts, the minister told Down To Earth
Wastewater resource, not liability: Moving towards circular economy
If recovered fully from wastewater, there would be a reduction in global demand for nutrients in agriculture
Earth may have been covered by global ocean 3 bn yrs ago: Scientists
The findings could help understand how single-cell organisms first emerged on Earth, according to scientists
Delhi's Sangam Vihar needs to use its natural drainage to solve waterlogging
There is a need to look at informal settlements like Sangam Vihar as part of a larger drainage basin while conserving the natural topography
Increasing population puts pressure on land and water too: UNCCD
Demand of water for agricultural purposes will double by 2050 due to increasing demands for food
Microplastics in drinking water not alarming, but there isn't enough research or data on it: WHO
The global health agency said there doesn’t exist enough research and reliable data to conclude that the situation is alarming
Haryana tries to dissuade farmers from growing paddy, most remain sceptical
The problem started when the government encouraged the cultivation of rice under the Green Revolution in the 1960s
Investors accuse 22 Indian firms for hiding environmental impact
A group of 88 investors have written to corporate giants such as Bharti Airtel, Reliance Industries and 20 others to disclose their impact …
Power generation stresses an already water-starved India
A report says that power generation will account for nearly 9 per cent of the water consumed in India by 2050
Groundwater exploitation linked to rise in India's carbon emissions: study
Billions of liters of groundwater pumped out contributes to carbon emissions in 2 ways - emissions released due to pumps and carbon dioxide …
Catchment areas in India used to be climate change proof, but not anymore
An IIT-Indore study says human activities like deforestation, urbanization and conservation measures are taking away the resilience of natural …
Gangetic dolphins may soon become extinct as river’s natural flow decreases: WII report
The first report on aquatic biodiversity under Namami Gange puts the blame on construction of large-scale hydropower projects
Kerala: Floods over, struggle continues
Incessant rains and severe flooding have rendered several people without homes, food or even a livelihood
After floods, rats plague the people of Kerala
An epidemic of ‘rat fever’ or leptospirosis has struck the state, claiming 9 lives
Now, activists seek personhood rights for a fifth river
An amicus brief was submitted to the Constitutional Court of Colombia on August 9 calling for recognition of the rights of the Anchicayá River
New sensor developed to measure sea surface temperatures
Developed by scientists at the Chennai-based National Institute of Ocean Technology & School of Engineering at Vels University, the sensor …
Centre prepares Rs 6,000-crore plan to recharge groundwater
Once the scheme Atal Bhujal Yojana gets Cabinet’s approval, it will be implemented in water-stressed states such as Rajasthan, Haryana and …