WWD 2026: Collective Groundwater Conservation Efforts in India

March 22, 2026March 22, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: In Rajasthan’s Chambal, wives of ex-dacoits lead revival of water sources and hope. Source: The Tribune)

On the occasion of World Water Day (WWD) 2026, themed around water and gender, this overview highlights ten stories of collective efforts by communities, experts, and government agencies to conserve groundwater from across India. These examples show how decentralized actions such as reviving wells, recharging aquifers, harvesting rainwater and managing surface water bodies offer simple yet effective alternatives to large-scale infrastructure projects to address the water scarcity. The compilation demonstrates that sustainable groundwater management depends on collective action, local knowledge and active participation of local people.

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Dams, Rivers & People · Free flowing rivers · River Water Disputes · Riverine Literature · Rivers and Culture

2026: Books, Films, Discussions on State of Indian Rivers

March 21, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Cover page of five books on Indian rivers mentioned in this overview)

This overview puts together brief information on top five books, films, discussions, reports, and cultural stories published during previous year to present a comprehensive view on the state of rivers in India. The compilation emphasizes how rivers are deeply intertwined with ecology, society, politics and culture while highlighting the growing crises they face due to pollution, dams, urbanization and climate change. Through research, storytelling and lived experiences, the collection questions current policies and development models, stressing on the need for sustainable management, stronger accountability and recognition of rivers as living systems essential to human and ecological well-being.

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Urban Water Bodies · Wetlands

2025: People’s Actions to Protect, Restore Wetlands in India

February 21, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Citizens under Save Kavesar Lake campaign carrying out a march in Thane in June 2025. Source: Manohar Dumbre FB Post)

This final 2025 India Wetlands overview documents wetland-related developments during 2025 & highlights remarkable actions by individuals, community and citizen groups to protect lakes and water bodies across India during past one year. It also covers some encouraging and collective efforts undertaken to reclaim and revive degraded wetlands. Together, these inspiring stories reflect on growing awareness among people that wetlands are vital for water security, flood protection and climate resilience.

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Yamuna River

Complaint against damage to Yamuna floodplain forested patch by dumping of concrete debris & rocks at ITO Chhath Ghat, Delhi

February 13, 2026February 16, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

Date 12 Feb. 2026

To,

1 Sh. Tanmay Kumar,

Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC)

secy-moef@nic.in

2 Sh. Rajeev Kumar Mital,

Director General, National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)

dg@nmcg.nic.in

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Wetlands

WWD 2026: Govts Wetlands Protection Actions mostly fail to convince

January 31, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: An aerial shot of Madambakkam lake in Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu shows buildings on the banks of the waterbody: Source)

On occasion of World’s Wetlands Day 2026, this overview compiles top ten reports from 2025 covering decisions and steps taken by various state governments for the protection of wetlands in India. There could be some more relevant reports which we could not track and compile. The first part and second part of the overview have covered the continual degradation of Ramsar sites and other wetlands across the country.

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Dams, Rivers & People

2025: Env & Forest Clearance Decisions on Dams, Hydro, Irrigation Projects

January 20, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

This analysis tracks the decisions taken by Union Ministry of Environment and Forests’ (MoEF) Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for River Valley and Hydropower Projects between Jan. 10 and Dec. 19, 2025 regarding Dams, Hydroelectric Power (HEP), Pumped Storage Projects (PSP) and Irrigation related proposals seeking Terms of Reference (TOR) for Environmental Impact Assessments and Environment Clearance (EC) approvals. It also covers various water projects related proposals considered by the MoEF’s Forest Appraisal Committee (FAC) between 27 Jan. to Dec. 02, 2025 for Forest Clearances (FC) approvals. SANDRP’s 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020 overviews on the subject can be seen by clicking the hyperlinks.

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Dams, Rivers & People

Dam Protest 2025: People Demands Development Not Displacement

January 2, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

The annual overview tracks top ten people’s resistance stories against large dam projects in India during 2025. It is encouraging to see that the year ended with the Odisha CM announcing scrapping of Samakoi dam project after strong opposition by local villagers. Interestingly, the NTCA and CEC have boldly underlined the threats to tribal people, tigers and forest biodiversity from proposed Morand-Ganjal dam in Madhya Pradesh and dams in Shivalik national park in Haryana. During the year, the villagers have organized mass protests against massive Guna and Dongari dams under PKC link project. Demanding basic information and consultation, the affected tribals have halted ground surveys for Basania dam project.

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Pumped Storage Projects

2025: Pump Storage Projects Developments in India

December 20, 2025 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Former SC judge N. Santosh Hegede, environmentalist Suresh Heblekar and other activists stage a protest urging the govt to abandon the Sharavati PSP on Nov. 29. Source)

2025 has seen increase in concerns and protests against pump storage projects (PSP) across the country. While citizens and experts have criticized Sharavathi PSP in Karnataka, Sillahalla PSP in Tamil Nadu, Shahbad PSP in Rajasthan, Bargi PSP in Madhya pradesh and numerous PSPs in western ghats in Maharashtra for their potential adverse impacts on forest, environment, endangered animals, the Sileru, Pedikota and Yerravaram PSPs in Andhra Pradesh faced resistance for undermining tribal and forest rights. Indeed, most of the PSPs are being proposed in sensitive region of Western Ghats and tribal dominated population endangering both the wildlife and vulnerable population.

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Dam Decommissioning · Dam Safety · Dams, Rivers & People

2025: Silt accumulation in Indian Dams: Reducing entry of silt is the only viable option

December 18, 2025December 18, 2025 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Luhri-I HEP muck dump along Satluj river. Credit HNA, Aug 2024)

This annual overview highlights the critical issue of siltation in dams across India. Silt accumulation is defeating the very ‘multi-purposes’ for which they were built. While the reduced storage has been hampering dam-based water supplies, it is also leading to their fast filling up and untimely releases in monsoon season thus creating avoidable floods. It is in some case has also been resulting in plans to construct additional reservoirs and increase in dam height.

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Dam Disaster

Feb. 2025: Srisailam Dam Left Bank Tunnel Collapse Disaster

December 14, 2025December 15, 2025 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: A rescue worker at the SLBC tunnel. Credit: Nagara Gopal)

The SLCB tunnel collapse in Feb. 2025 is among worst dam-tunnel disaster this year in India. The incident occurred just four days after resuming tunneling work after a long halt killing at least 8 workers. Despite, two-month long multi agency search operation only two bodies were retrieved while mortals of six still remain buried inside the tunnel. The TBM involved in tunnelling has also been damaged. Given risky situation the rescue work was stopped in April end and there is no update on the same so far. Nearly 10 months after the disaster, there is no official report probing the reasons and addressing the concerns over inadequate geological, geotechnical inspections.

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