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The National Water Policy of India The National Water Policy of India emphasizes the critical importance of water as a finite resource that must be managed sustainably and equitably. It highlights the need for a comprehensive framework for planning, development, and management of water resources, considering socio-economic and environmental factors. Given the uneven distribution of water and increasing demands due to population growth and economic activities, the policy advocates for efficient use, conservation practices, and technological advancements. It also stresses the establishment of strong institutional mechanisms, participatory approaches, and the prioritization of drinking water and irrigation in project planning, aiming for a national consensus on water management strategies.
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The Nilgiris Water Resources Project The Nilgiris Water Resources Project report highlights critical water management issues in the Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu, which is characterized by diverse altitudinal zones and an intricate network of rivers feeding into larger basins. Despite substantial rainfall, water scarcity is prevalent due to reduced rainy days, land-use changes, and increased urbanization, leading to dependence on government systems that disrupt traditional water management practices. Indigenous communities face challenges in accessing clean water, exacerbated by pollution and competition for resources from commercial agriculture and tourism. The report advocates for the protection of springs and wetlands, promotion of rainwater harvesting, and revitalization of community-based management systems to ensure sustainable water access for all inhabitants.
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Posters on Hydrogeology of the region _ English Wetlands are ecosystems saturated with water, supporting unique aquatic vegetation and providing essential environmental functions such as water purification, flood control, carbon storage, and biodiversity. Key wetland types include swamps, marshes, bogs, and fens. Springs are points where groundwater emerges to the surface, contributing to perennial streams. The Nilgiris region features hard rocks like granite and gneiss, which undergo weathering processes that affect groundwater movement. Soil in this area, particularly lateritic soil, is rich in iron and develops from extensive weathering. Overall, the Nilgiris showcases a complex interplay of geology and hydrology.
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Water Resources and Communities in the Nilgiris _ A Situation Analysis The Nilgiris district, rich in biodiversity and home to vulnerable tribal groups, faces significant challenges regarding its water resources due to urbanization, tourism, and agricultural practices. A historical overview highlights the detrimental impact of land use changes, including the conversion of natural habitats into tea plantations and settlements, which exacerbates water scarcity and pollution. Dependency on groundwater and springs for water supply has risen, yet many sources are contaminated with chemicals and waste. The report emphasizes the urgent need for integrated management strategies to address water quality and quantity, ensuring sustainable practices that protect both local communities and ecosystems.
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NTFP and Gender -roles, practices and knowledge amongst some indigenous communities in India The study examines the intricate relationship between non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and gender roles in various indigenous communities in India. It highlights that while NTFPs are vital for food security and cultural practices, women's contributions to harvesting and processing are often undervalued due to patriarchal norms. The research indicates that gender dynamics significantly influence access, control, and decision-making in NTFP management. Empowerment initiatives, such as women's self-help groups, are essential for enhancing women's roles in these processes, ultimately impacting household income and food security. The findings emphasize the need for policies that recognize and address gender inequalities in resource management.
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Community well-being and the ‘invisible’ subjectivities of indigenous people The article discusses the importance of measuring community well-being (CWB) for indigenous groups, particularly the Irulas of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in Tamil Nadu, India. It critiques the conventional Human Development Index (HDI) for failing to capture the subjective experiences of these communities, which are essential for understanding their development needs. The authors emphasize that individual well-being is deeply interlinked with collective well-being, highlighting the significance of social cohesion, cultural identity, and traditional practices. They advocate for a holistic approach to development that prioritizes both material and non-material factors affecting indigenous communities' livelihoods, health, and cultural integrity.
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Dhobikana and Shiva Cottage Water Security Plan_ Working file The Dhobikana and Shiva Cottage Water Security Plan 2019 addresses significant water management issues in two small urban settlements in Kotagiri, where polluted stream water poses health risks. Despite a Panchayat water supply, residents prefer spring water for drinking and cooking, indicating a disconnect in water management. The villages lack adequate infrastructure, leading to poor sanitation and hygiene. Proposed interventions include building storage tanks, improving spring facilities, and community contributions for maintenance. Sustainability measures involve establishing a savings account for ongoing costs and seeking community involvement in infrastructure upkeep, highlighting the need for better water quality and accessibility.
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Krishnapudhur Village Water Security Plan The Krishnapudhur Village Water Security Plan outlines critical issues faced by the community, including inadequate housing, poor sanitation, and contaminated water supply, which has led to health problems like diarrhea. The village, vulnerable to landslides and flooding, struggles with open defecation and clogged drains, attracting wildlife and increasing disease risk. There are four wells, with only one deemed uncontaminated, highlighting the urgent need for water quality improvement. Proposed interventions include cleaning wells and streams, enhancing sanitation facilities, and raising community awareness about waste management, aiming to ensure sustainable water access and improve overall health and hygiene in the village.
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Key Water Sources_Kotagiri Town Panchayat The Keystone Foundation's 2018 report on Kotagiri's water resources highlights the critical state of nearly 40 springs in the area, essential for local water supply. It emphasizes the need for restoration efforts, as demonstrated by previous successful projects like the Mission Compound spring. The report outlines significant pollution issues, including sewage contamination in various springs, and suggests immediate actions like clearing invasive plants, repairing infrastructure, and enhancing waste management. It also presents water quality results, showing that many springs are at risk, with some indicating fecal contamination, necessitating urgent community and governmental intervention for sustainable water management.
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The RainCycle Advanced User Manual The RainCycle Advanced User Manual provides comprehensive guidance on assessing rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems through hydraulic simulation and whole life costing. It covers system requirements, application components, and step-by-step analysis processes, including optimizing tank sizes and performing detailed financial assessments. Users can conduct scenario modeling and sensitivity analyses to understand the impact of variable parameters on system performance. The manual emphasizes the importance of accurate data input for reliable results and offers tutorials for practical application. Additionally, it outlines how to generate reports summarizing findings and provides troubleshooting advice.
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Water Resource Audit_Karnataka watershed development project The KAWAD (Karnataka Watershed Development Project) report outlines the challenges and strategies for sustainable water resource management in three watersheds in Karnataka, India. It emphasizes the need for equitable and optimal water management rather than merely increasing water harvesting structures. The report identifies issues such as groundwater depletion, inequitable water access, and the impact of climate variability on agricultural productivity. Recommendations include strengthening community participation, improving irrigation practices, and adopting sustainable agricultural methods. The report also highlights the importance of monitoring and evaluation in guiding water resource management decisions to enhance livelihoods while preserving the environment.
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Water Quality Macro organism List The document outlines various macroorganisms essential for assessing water quality, categorized by their sensitivity to pollution. It includes a list of organisms from pollution-sensitive species like mayflies and caddisflies to pollution-tolerant ones like tubifex and blood midges. Each organism’s role as an indicator of water quality, ecological significance, life cycle, and feeding habits is briefly described. Additionally, it mentions aquatic nuisance plants and animals, such as purple loosestrife and zebra mussels, which negatively impact ecosystems. The overall importance of these organisms lies in their ability to reflect environmental health and water quality conditions.
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Urban-enhanced groundwater recharge review and case study Urbanization significantly impacts the hydrologic cycle, altering groundwater recharge and water quality. As urban populations grow, cities face increased water demand and stress on both surface and groundwater resources. This paper focuses on Austin, Texas, where urban development has led to a decrease in direct groundwater recharge from precipitation, falling from 53 mm/a in pre-urban conditions to 31 mm/a in 2000. However, urban sources like water main leakage and irrigation add approximately 85 mm/a of recharge, resulting in a total potential recharge of 94 mm/a, nearly doubling pre-urban levels.
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A Hand book for Managing Small Urban Lakes This handbook serves as a guide for managing small urban lakes in India, focusing on the challenges and restoration options available for urban and peri-urban lakes. It emphasizes the importance of understanding lake types, their roles, and the impacts of urbanization on water quality and community health. Key restoration strategies include catchment management, physical restoration (like desilting and weed removal), and community engagement through local management initiatives. The handbook advocates for a collaborative approach involving urban local bodies, communities, and private sectors to ensure sustainable lake management, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and income generation to support conservation efforts.
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Decentralized options for urban water management Indore, a city facing severe water challenges due to recurrent droughts and population growth, relies on distant sources like the Narmada River for its water supply. As traditional systems, including rainwater harvesting and wells, diminish, efficient water management becomes crucial for sustainability. The city's "Indore City Resilience Strategy" advocates for a paradigm shift towards decentralized water solutions, promoting rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and recycling to enhance resilience against climate change. Community engagement and innovative policies are essential for effective implementation, ensuring that local resources are conserved and effectively utilized to meet increasing water demands.
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Conquest of the Land through 7,000 Years_ soil degradation Lowdermilk Dr. Lowdermilk's "Conquest of the Land through 7,000 Years" examines the agricultural history of civilizations to address soil erosion and land use challenges in the U.S. during the Dust Bowl era. His study spans various ancient cultures, revealing how practices like deforestation and overgrazing led to the decline of empires, while sustainable methods such as terracing and crop rotation fostered long-term agricultural success. The bulletin emphasizes the urgent need for stewardship of land resources to prevent erosion and maintain agricultural productivity, advocating for a collective responsibility to conserve soils and ensure food security for future generations.
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Clumsy Solutions for a Wicked World_Marco Verweij Marco Verweij’s work discusses the complexity of global issues and the need for nuanced approaches, rather than simplistic solutions. He emphasizes that nature's simplicity should not mislead our understanding of its intricate effects, as articulated by Laplace. Drawing from various disciplines, including sociology and psychology, Verweij advocates for developing a typology that reflects this complexity to foster new inquiries. The text explores themes like individualism, hierarchy, and cultural viability, while addressing significant global challenges such as climate change, governance, and health crises, ultimately promoting the idea of "clumsy solutions" as a way to navigate these wicked problems effectively.
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Clumsy solutions for a complex world- the case of climate change 2006 The article discusses the concept of "clumsy solutions" in addressing climate change, emphasizing that successful resolutions to complex social issues require integrating diverse perspectives: hierarchy, individualism, egalitarianism, and fatalism. Each viewpoint contributes unique insights and values that are essential for sustainable policies. The authors argue that traditional approaches, such as the Kyoto Protocol, have fallen short due to their singular focus. They advocate for innovative policies that blend these perspectives, fostering a collaborative environment that acknowledges the multifaceted nature of climate challenges and promotes effective, inclusive strategies for governance and action against climate change.
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A Sand County Almanac AND SKETCHES HERE AND THERE BY Aldo Leopold "A Sand County Almanac" by Aldo Leopold is a collection of essays reflecting on the relationship between humans and nature, advocating for a land ethic that emphasizes respect and responsibility towards the environment. Leopold argues that modern society often prioritizes economic gain over the intrinsic value of the natural world, leading to ecological degradation. Through personal anecdotes and observations, he illustrates the beauty and complexity of ecosystems, highlighting the importance of preserving wildlife and their habitats. The book ultimately calls for a deeper appreciation of the interconnectedness of life and the need for conservation to maintain ecological balance for future generations.
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SAT (Soil Aquifer Treatment) – The Long-Term Performance of the Dan Region Reclamation Project The World Bank Water Week 2003 showcased a study on Soil Aquifer Treatment (SAT) in Israel, highlighting the necessity of wastewater reuse due to increasing water supply costs and environmental pollution. SAT facilitates groundwater recharge with treated wastewater, integrating it into the national water supply and allowing for irrigation. The system efficiently removes contaminants, including heavy metals and pathogens, through biological and physical processes. Despite some challenges in nitrogen removal during specific periods, SAT remains a reliable and cost-effective method for effluent reclamation and reuse, provided proper management and monitoring are in place.
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Conjunctive Water Management in Indore Based on Demand Focused End Use The report on Conjunctive Water Management in Rahul Gandhi Nagar, Indore, highlights the challenges faced by this urban slum, including water scarcity, poor infrastructure, and low socio-economic conditions. With a population of approximately 4,250 and about 850 households, the community primarily relies on groundwater sourced from five bore wells, facing challenges in water quality and availability. The study emphasizes the need for improved water management to enhance access and sustainability, particularly through community participation in initiatives like rainwater harvesting and better infrastructure. The report calls for urgent action to address these issues and improve living conditions for residents.
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A STUDY FOR PLACES OF ORIGIN_TEA ESTATE WORKERS IN KOTAGIRI HILLS, SOUTH INDIA This study examines labor migration to tea estates in Kotagiri Hills, Tamil Nadu, focusing on five estates and analyzing data from over 2,000 workers. It identifies two primary recruitment areas: southern Salem-northern Tiruchirapalli and nearby taluks in Coimbatore and Palghat. The research highlights that the Kangany recruitment system significantly influences the spatial distribution of workers, with most migrants originating from specific localities. Despite expectations, economic and ecological factors did not emerge as strong push factors for migration; instead, the proximity to estates and established recruitment ties proved more influential. The study suggests a need for further investigation into the impact of the Kangany system and the changing patterns of labor migration over time.
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Situation of Tamil repatriates in Madurai, India The study explores the situation of Tamil repatriates in Madurai, India, focusing on their living conditions, employment, and integration challenges following their migration from Sri Lanka. While their life circumstances are not as dire as often portrayed, significant issues remain, particularly concerning inadequate housing and ineffective government support during the repatriation process. Comparisons with Burmese repatriates show that Sri Lankan Tamils generally face more difficulties, including higher unemployment among women and lower educational attainment. The findings indicate that despite some progress, much more needs to be done by authorities to improve the repatriates' quality of life and fulfill their needs effectively.
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Mapping the Stateless in India The Calcutta Research Group's project, "Mapping the Stateless in India," investigates how various communities in India have become stateless, particularly focusing on four groups: inhabitants of Chhitmahals, Indian Tamils from Sri Lanka, Nepali-speaking populations in the Northeast, and the Chinese community in Kolkata. The study highlights that statelessness is not a singular legal category, but a spectrum of rights deprivation, exacerbated by historical and legal complexities. It questions the effectiveness of existing legal frameworks and suggests the need for stronger civil society engagement and regional conventions addressing statelessness. The report emphasizes the intertwined experiences of these communities and the need for clearer legal provisions and humanitarian practices.
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Plantation Politics The Tamil plantation workers in Sri Lanka endure systemic racism and exploitation stemming from their historical role as indentured laborers brought by the British for tea plantations. After Sri Lanka's independence, successive governments entrenched discrimination through citizenship laws, disenfranchising these workers and rendering them stateless. Economic policies under the UNP led to further marginalization, with Sinhalese workers prioritized for jobs and resources. Communal violence exacerbated their plight, sparking a sense of solidarity with indigenous Tamils. Despite minor concessions, plantation workers remain trapped in a cycle of poverty and segregation, with inadequate social and welfare support.