By Ramji Mishra
The canal irrigation network in Uttar Pradesh measures upto 74,660 kilometres and includes rajbaha (smaller canals) and drains. Still, almost 78% of irrigation needs are met by groundwater, the levels of which are fast dropping. Water conflicts around irrigation are getting violent and such clashes have left a farmer dead in the past week.
The canal irrigation network in Uttar Pradesh measures upto 74,660 kilometres and includes rajbaha (smaller canals) and drains. Still, almost 78% of irrigation needs are met by groundwater, the levels of which are fast dropping. Water conflicts around irrigation are getting violent and such clashes have left a farmer dead in the past week.
By Nidhi Jamwal
As we rush headlong into the world of artificial intelligence, never have we felt a greater need to go back to basics and revive the ancient wisdom that has stood the test of time. The Bhovi community of traditional well diggers has many lessons to offer, as I learnt one afternoon.
As we rush headlong into the world of artificial intelligence, never have we felt a greater need to go back to basics and revive the ancient wisdom that has stood the test of time. The Bhovi community of traditional well diggers has many lessons to offer, as I learnt one afternoon.
By Ramji Mishra
उत्तर प्रदेश में 74,660 किलोमीटर लंबा नहर सिंचाई नेटवर्क है और इसमें रजबहा और छोटी नहरें शामिल हैं। लेकिन फिर भी लगभग 78% सिंचाई की जरूरत भूजल से पूरी होती है, जिससे भूजल स्तर तेजी से गिर रहा है। सिंचाई को लेकर अक्सर विवाद होते रहते हैं जोकि हिंसक होते जा रहे हैं और पिछले हफ्ते ऐसी ही एक झड़प में एक किसान की मौत हो गई।
उत्तर प्रदेश में 74,660 किलोमीटर लंबा नहर सिंचाई नेटवर्क है और इसमें रजबहा और छोटी नहरें शामिल हैं। लेकिन फिर भी लगभग 78% सिंचाई की जरूरत भूजल से पूरी होती है, जिससे भूजल स्तर तेजी से गिर रहा है। सिंचाई को लेकर अक्सर विवाद होते रहते हैं जोकि हिंसक होते जा रहे हैं और पिछले हफ्ते ऐसी ही एक झड़प में एक किसान की मौत हो गई।
By Chiranjit Guha
A participatory national campaign called Napo Jal, Bachao Kal was launched in 2020 to map and measure wells across the villages of India and to enhance the collective understanding of groundwater as a shared, common resource. This year, the aim is to map at least 50,000 wells across the country.
A participatory national campaign called Napo Jal, Bachao Kal was launched in 2020 to map and measure wells across the villages of India and to enhance the collective understanding of groundwater as a shared, common resource. This year, the aim is to map at least 50,000 wells across the country.
By Ranvijay Singh
People living in villages close to the Sandila Industrial Area, 55 kms from Lucknow, say the alcohol, sugar and milk factories are rampantly using groundwater, because of which they have to struggle for water every single day
People living in villages close to the Sandila Industrial Area, 55 kms from Lucknow, say the alcohol, sugar and milk factories are rampantly using groundwater, because of which they have to struggle for water every single day
By Ranvijay Singh
India is the largest user of groundwater in the world, withdrawing about 230 billion cubic meters every year. This is why the groundwater level has gone down, which leads to drying up of water bodies even in good monsoon years
India is the largest user of groundwater in the world, withdrawing about 230 billion cubic meters every year. This is why the groundwater level has gone down, which leads to drying up of water bodies even in good monsoon years
By Rahul Tiwari
Having sensed that the water from the wells in their villages is devoid of toxins like arsenic and unhealthy levels of iron content, rural residents in Bihar are gradually renouncing the use of handpumps. Community action aided by some NGOs has led to the revival of wells in the Khagaria district which has resulted in a decrease in the disease burden in some of the villages. A ground report from the rural hinterland of Bihar.
Having sensed that the water from the wells in their villages is devoid of toxins like arsenic and unhealthy levels of iron content, rural residents in Bihar are gradually renouncing the use of handpumps. Community action aided by some NGOs has led to the revival of wells in the Khagaria district which has resulted in a decrease in the disease burden in some of the villages. A ground report from the rural hinterland of Bihar.
By Satish Malviya
Large portions of the ‘perennial’ Betwa river in Madhya Pradesh are bone dry due to over exploitation of the groundwater and the river. Poor villagers living along its banks trek long distances to fetch drinking water while rich tubewell owners sell aquifer waters. Will the Ken-Betwa link project solve the region’s water crisis? A ground report.
Large portions of the ‘perennial’ Betwa river in Madhya Pradesh are bone dry due to over exploitation of the groundwater and the river. Poor villagers living along its banks trek long distances to fetch drinking water while rich tubewell owners sell aquifer waters. Will the Ken-Betwa link project solve the region’s water crisis? A ground report.
By Sundar Chandel
By गाँव कनेक्शन
Ponds once dotted the rural hinterland and were integral to the daily lives of villagers, who revered and protected them for both religious and drinking purposes. But, with the advent of handpumps and now piped water supply, these water bodies have been encroached upon by buildings, bhavans, playgrounds or putrefying garbage dumps. With changing climates and increased water stress, protecting and reviving the village ponds has become imperative.
Ponds once dotted the rural hinterland and were integral to the daily lives of villagers, who revered and protected them for both religious and drinking purposes. But, with the advent of handpumps and now piped water supply, these water bodies have been encroached upon by buildings, bhavans, playgrounds or putrefying garbage dumps. With changing climates and increased water stress, protecting and reviving the village ponds has become imperative.