Since 1997, March 14 has been observed as an International Day of Action for Rivers across the world. This year the 29th event on the topic will be celebrated with the theme ‘Our Rivers, Our Future’. Marking the day, SANDRP through this account highlights the exemplary work being done by activists and organizations in protecting the rivers from destructive riverbed mining practices in India.
Continue reading “Indian People’s Fight Against Destructive Riverbed Mining”Author: SANDRP
2024: Approach to Restore Bengaluru Lakes
(Feature Image: -Doddakallasandra Lake on Kanakapura Road in Southern Bengaluru. Photo Credit: Murali Kumar K/ The Hindu/Jan. 2025)
The lakes in Bengaluru have often been in the news for the froth, fish kills, encroachments and pollution related issues and the year 2024 has been no different amid growing concerns and govt attempts to restore them. In fact, despite NGT orders and huge amount spent by the govt, the restoration works of Bellandur, Varthur, Yele Mallappa Shetty, Madiwala and Hosakerehalli lakes have not been completed.
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DRP 100325: “Good Floods Reduce the Risk of Bad Floods”
(Feature Image: An aerial view of the flooded collectorate ghat at the bank of Ganga river in Patna. PTI Photo/Source: The Asian Age)
This remarkable report this week, quoting the work of Gilbert F White, also considered “father of floodplain management” provide a number of lessons in flood management. These include: – “Floods are ‘acts of God’, flood losses are largely acts of man” (By ‘acts of God,’ he meant that floods are perfectly natural events);
– “Yes, floods will happen. Whether or not those floods are good floods or bad floods, whether or not they cause damage is largely up to us”;
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Winter 2025: District wise Rainfall in India
In the just concluded 2025 Winter Season (January 1 2025 to February 28 2025), as per India Meteorological Department (IMD), India received 47% below Normal Rainfall (it was 33% below normal in winter 2024[i], it was 45% below normal in winter 2023[ii], 44% above normal rainfall in winter 2022[iii] and 32% below normal rainfall in winter 2021[iv]). This is coming on top of 8% above normal in SW Monsoon 2024 and 3% below normal rainfall in Post Monsoon season 2024[v].
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Mumbai Civil Society Efforts to Protect Mangroves, Wetlands
(Feature Image: On World Migratory Bird Day, May 11, 2024, green groups formed a human chain to protest against the ‘deliberate destruction’ of flamingo homes – wetlands. Source: FPJ)
Like previous years, several civil society groups in Mumbai have continued their remarkable efforts dedicated towards protection and conservation of the mangroves and wetlands throughout 2024. While their untiring efforts have met with some successes, given the hostile agencies and increasing developmental pressures the threats to mangroves and wetlands continue to increase. Despite growing challenges, their undying spirit offers inspiration to other civil society groups in the country. This report tracks the top ten developments regarding the subject beginning with broader issues impacting the future of mangroves and wetlands in the city and the documenting specific cases of DPS Flamingo Lake, Ulwe, Nerul, Kharghar, Panje and other wetlands.
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Yamuna Manthan 060325: Dolphin Survey Rings Alarm for Pachnad Dam Project
(Feature Image: Line drawing of proposed Pachnad Major Irrigation Project. Source: Amar Ujala)
The findings of the latest Project Dolphin Survey Report released on March 3, 2025, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in presence of Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav have raised significant concerns over proposed Pachnad Major Irrigation Project.
While the survey reiterates the adverse impacts of dams, barrages fragmenting the national aquatic animal’s habitat as the population has been found nearly absent between Narora barrage and Kanpur barrage stretch in main stem of Ganga, it also reveals that the endangered species are preferring refuge in Ganga tributaries and confluence points and has been found in highest numbers along 47 km long river stretch between Chambal and Pachnad in Bhind which still undammed.
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2024 Bengaluru Groundwater: Top ten Reports: Problems, Causes & Solutions
(Feature Image: People stand in a queue with water cans to get drinking water at Jnana Jyothi Nagar, in Bengaluru. Image Source: PTI/Live Mint, 10 March 2024)
This annual overview complies the top ten reports regarding the continual depletion in groundwater levels in Bengaluru, the factors responsible for it and its impact on the citizens. It also highlights relevant steps taken by government agencies and some cost-effective sustainable alternatives suggested by experts and civil society groups.
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DRP 030325: Supreme Court asks: How a city can become smart without protecting the water bodies, wetlands
In a welcome development, the Supreme Court of India has asked, in the context of Ajmer City in Rajasthan, how can a city become smart without protecting the water bodies/ wetlands? How cities will become smarter by encroachments on the water bodies and wetlands? The Supreme Court bench threatened the Rajasthan government of contempt of court for non-compliance of order dated Dec 1 2023 as also the order of National Green Tribunal on Dec 13 2021.
The Supreme Court here has hit the nail and raised a very fundamental question that is relevant to all the cities across India as they are all guilty of allowing encroachments and destruction of local water bodies in their respective areas. This is a suicidal step as it has adverse impact on the cities in multiple ways and yet, most cities consider this smart and in fact get away with it. There is also no National Urban Water Policy guiding the cities solve the puzzle of multiple issues handled by multiple departments, including some by the local, state and central governments. This self-created mess in the cities comes handy for the various vested interests in encroaching more water bodies. The judiciary, so far has also not been effective in addressing this issue with any effectiveness.
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An Action Plan for Yamuna in Delhi
It was great to see that river figured prominently in the just concluded Delhi Assembly Elections where BJP has come to power in the state after 27 years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured Delhi that the BJP government will make every effort to clean Yamuna. “It may be a long haul but Mother Yamuna will surely bless our efforts,” he said. Will this help the cause of the River?
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Post Monsoon 2024: District wise Rainfall in India
According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), during the Post Monsoon Rainfall for 2024, that included rainfall during the three Oct-Dec 2024 months, India received 117.4 mm rainfall, 3% below normal (110.7 mm, 9% below normal in Post Monsoon 2023[i], 144.1 mm, 19% above normal in Post Monsoon 2022[ii] and 177.7 mm rainfall, 43.54% above normal in Post Monsoon 2021[iii]) rainfall of 121 mm. In the same period in 2020, India received 124.6 mm rainfall, 0.64% above the normal rainfall. As per IMD[iv] definition, the rainfall in Post Monsoon 2024 was in Normal Rainfall category.
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