DRP 090326: Polavaram Dam Safety questioned

March 9, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Polavaram Dam. Source: The Hindu)

The safety issues related to Polavaram dam has been under focus for some weeks now. It has come under sharper focus last week due to some very specific questions about various aspects of the Dam, from CWC, Centre for Liberty and former MP Vundavalli Arun Kumar. The project has also been under scrutiny by a panel of experts from abroad. However, the work of the Panel of Experts has remained under wraps so far, which should not have been the case.

Continue reading →

Dams, Rivers & People

DRP 020326: NDMA Compendium on Disaster Case studies welcome, what about accountability?

March 2, 2026March 2, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image Cover Photo of NDMA Case Studies Compendium)

The National Disaster Management Authority has published “NDMA-Case Studies Compendium” in forward of this document, NDMA members and secretary state the following, which is worth quoting here:

“The NDMA – Case Studies Compendium represents a consolidated effort to capture ten significant disaster events across the country. Each case study provides a detailed analysis of causes, responses, challenges, and lessons learnt. Together, they form a repository of knowledge that not only serves as a record of past experiences but also as a guide for shaping future strategies. The document underscores the value of applying evidence- based learning to real-world scenarios, thereby enabling stakeholders to strengthen their capacities for prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery… The compendium also brings out recurring themes such as the indispensability of multi-agency coordination, the role of technology and innovation, the importance of community engagement, and the need for continuous institutional reforms… It is our firm belief that these documented experiences will empower senior administrators and disaster managers to make informed, timely, and effective decisions when confronted with emergencies… This… is presented with the hope that it will inspire reflection, strengthen institutional capacities, and promote a culture of continuous learning in disaster risk reduction and management.”

Continue reading →

Dams, Rivers & People

DRP 230226: Time for a Nationwide INDEPENDENT AUDIT of Dam Safety

February 23, 2026February 23, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Cracks in Medigadda barrage structure. Source: DC, Jan. 2024)

The recommendation of Nation-wide audit of Dam Safety in India in the editorial in Deccan Herald, following International Conference on Dam Safety in Bangalore on Feb 12-13 is very important and timely, the only added proviso required is that the audit must be independent. Dam Safety is essential for public safety and how can this objective be achieved if everything related to dam safety is shrouded in secrecy, with entry to all work and meetings restricted to what the government describes as experts, mostly govt officials, current and retired.

Continue reading →

Urban Water Bodies

Hyderabad Lakes 2025: Degradation Continues Amid HYDRAA Efforts

February 17, 2026February 17, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Lakes in Hyderabad are infested with heavy growth of hyacinth and algae, reflecting the terrible condition of the water bodies. Surya Sridhar/Telangana Today)

The historic network of lakes in Hyderabad city has been under stress from increasing pollution and encroachment for past many years. In response, the govt in July 2024 formed Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) to protect lakes, nalas and public assets from encroachments and address urban flooding problems. Since then, the agency is actively involved in lakebed reclamation, demolition of illegal structures, desilting, flood-management interventions and selected lake rejuvenation projects. So far, it has attracted both support for removing encroachments from several lakes and criticism for lacking holistic approach and sustainable outcome.

Continue reading →

Dams, Rivers & People

DRP 160226: National River Research Centre Welcome, will it help the cause of rivers?

February 16, 2026February 16, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

The news this week that the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, not known for any concern for rivers, has set up the National River Research Centre (NRRC) is welcome with usual caveats. The fact that NRRC has been set up under the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), a body under Union Environment Ministry is not necessarily as positive sign since MoEF too is not known for any concern for rivers. Moreover, setting up of NRRC through NMCG and NRCD also does not provide any hopeful sign for the same reason. WII, where the NRRC has been situated for now itself has had at best mixed track record as far as rivers are concerned.

Continue reading →

Dams, Rivers & People

DRP 090226: NGT Critiques Shoddy CGWA report

February 9, 2026February 9, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

The criticisms of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on January 30 about the report of the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), set up under the Environment Protection Act 1986 in late 1990s is rather mild and seems symbolic, but it has the potential of open up a pandora’s box since CGWA has essentially totally failed in doing anything effective about groundwater regulation in India.

Continue reading →

Wetlands

WWD 2026: Top Ten Judicial Interventions to Protect Wetlands in India

February 3, 2026 SANDRP2 Comments

Marking the World Wetlands Day (WWD) 2026, this overview presents top ten interventions by judiciary to protect the wetlands in India during 2025 so far. Apart from this, there have been several wetlands protection related court cases going on across the country during the year and reports of some of the relevant matters can be seen here. The judiciary has also been pursuing cases pertaining to conservation of several Ramsar wetlands in the country as covered in the first part of the overview here.

Continue reading →

Dams, Rivers & People

DRP 020226: Karnataka High Court Monitored Probe into sand mining menace?

February 2, 2026February 2, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

An interesting sequence of events in Karnataka has led to the High Court Chief Justice taking up a suo moto case and suggesting a court monitored probe into the illegal sand mining menace in the state. One hopes this leads to a proper independent investigation, monitored by the High Court, culminating in ensuring community have the key role in monitoring and compliance of sand mining in their respective area, since that is the most important missing link in governance of sand mining.

Continue reading →

Wetlands

World Wetlands Day 2026: India’s Ramsar Sites Facing Threats

January 29, 2026February 3, 2026 SANDRP1 Comment

(Feature Image: Dead fish floating on Ashtamudi Lake at Kadavur in Kollam in last week of Oct. 2025)

“Wetlands and traditional knowledge: Celebrating cultural heritage” is theme for global World Wetlands Day (WWD) 2026 celebrated annually on Feb 2. On the occasion, we share reports about 21 Ramsar wetlands from various Indian states underlining the worsening plight of Ramsar sites in India. This does not necessarily mean that the Ramsar wetlands not listed here are in any better state, it only means that media attention has not brought their stories in public domain with sufficient prominence. The state of Ramsar wetlands in India clearly shows complete lack of any governance in place to ensure that the Ramsar sites get protection from degradation, threats and destruction. Worryingly, even Ramsar Convention seems completely disinterested in doing anything to ensure protection of the wetlands that get Ramsar tag.

Continue reading →

Climate Change · Dams · Floods · Himachal Pradesh · Himalayas · Hydropower · Indus · Ravi River

Gaddis: Storytellers of the Ravi Basin

January 24, 2026January 24, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

As we stood on a ridge near the Lakke Wali Mata shrine, a tributary of the Ravi roared below in a deep gorge. Across it rose a shaded, Devdar (Himalayan Cedar)-covered mountain slope, etched by a steep brown trail. As we stood there observing the headwaters of Ravi, we noticed that the trail was moving.

Continue reading →