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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.
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Paper Tigers on the Prowl: Rumors, Violence and Agency in the Up-Country of Sri Lanka In Sri Lanka's Up-country, rumors surrounding violence and family planning reflect deep-seated anxieties among Tamil communities, particularly regarding their political marginalization and perceived governmental neglect. Local leaders often invoke threats of violence, claiming that conditions are ripe for uprisings, yet these assertions serve more as political rhetoric than genuine warnings, revealing the leaders' own insecurities and lack of agency. Additionally, suspicions about coercive family planning practices, seen as attempts to reduce the Tamil population, further complicate community dynamics. Ultimately, while these rumors highlight real grievances, they also mask the leaders' failure to effect meaningful change, perpetuating a cycle of fear and inaction.
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Media and the Making of the Malaiyaha Identity in Sri_Lanka The paper explores the identity formation of the Malaiyaha community in Sri Lanka, whose members, originally brought from South India as indentured laborers, face ongoing struggles related to citizenship and social recognition. Following disenfranchisement in 1948 and violent incidents like the Bindunuwewa riots, the community's identity is shaped through political engagement, media representation, and gender dynamics. Workshops utilizing cinema as a medium foster discussions on belonging, class, and the intersection of gender and identity. The research highlights how figures like MGR and Thondaman serve as cultural icons, embodying hopes and aspirations while also revealing tensions in gender roles and political leadership within the community.
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Malaiyaka Tamil Youth in Sri Lanka_ Values,_Aspirations, and the Forming of a New Elite The dissertation by Radek Novotný examines the Malaiyaka Tamil youth in Sri Lanka, focusing on their values, aspirations, and the emergence of a new elite within this historically marginalized group. The Malaiyaka Tamils, brought to Sri Lanka for plantation labor, faced civil rights deprivation and socio-economic challenges. However, recent changes, including citizenship acquisition and educational opportunities, have sparked a shift towards upward mobility among the youth. The study highlights their desires for better education and employment, alongside a struggle for identity, as they navigate between traditional roles and modern aspirations, seeking greater integration into Sri Lankan society.
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Indo-Ceylon Pact and _Stateless_ Indians The Indo-Ceylon Pact, signed in 1964, aimed to resolve the citizenship status of over 975,000 Indians in Ceylon, many considered "stateless." Despite initial hopes, political changes in both countries complicated its implementation. The pact stipulated repatriation of 525,000 Indians to India and granting Ceylonese citizenship to 300,000, yet faced opposition from the newly elected parties in Ceylon and India. Key issues include the compulsory nature of repatriation, the creation of separate electoral registers, and economic strains from repatriation costs. The ongoing debates reflect tensions over citizenship rights and the future of the Indian-origin population in Ceylon.
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Immigrants in Their Homeland The article discusses the plight of Tamil repatriates returning to India from Sri Lanka, where they have been classified as "stateless" despite having lived there for generations. This situation arose due to political decisions and economic challenges in Sri Lanka, leading to an Indo-Ceylon agreement for citizenship that has not fully resolved their status. Many repatriates arrive in India impoverished, facing bureaucratic hurdles and inadequate support for resettlement, leading to disillusionment and hardship. The article emphasizes the need for effective governmental follow-up and community support to improve their living conditions and integrate them into society.
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Everyday Ethnicity-book review The article reviews Daniel Bass's book on Up-country Tamil identity politics in Sri Lanka, emphasizing the historical context of ethnic identity amidst the country's violent ethnic conflicts. It discusses how Up-country Tamils, primarily descendants of Indian plantation workers, have sought to assert their identity in a multi-ethnic Sri Lanka rather than pursuing separatism. By fostering ethnic solidarity and cultural practices, they have improved their social and political conditions. The book highlights the impact of state and structural violence on this community and explores their ongoing struggles for recognition and belonging in a post-war society, making it a critical resource for studies on diaspora and ethnicity.
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The Educational Progress of the Indian Tamil minority The chapter examines the educational progress of the Indian Tamil minority in Sri Lanka's plantations, highlighting the historical struggles they faced regarding citizenship and access to education. Initially brought by the British as low-caste laborers, the Indian Tamils' educational advancements stemmed from complex interactions of caste, ethnicity, and economics over time. The chapter identifies five key phases of educational development, demonstrating that while various political and economic factors have historically hindered progress, recent state interventions and community demands have led to significant improvements in literacy and school enrollment, especially among women.