মুংলি বুধির গল্প, অডিও বই, Bengali audio book for kids

INDIA'S NATIONAL WATER PORTAL

The national water portal of India is an interactive web platform that helps users to retrieve useful water related data and information. The major information that are available are basin wise hydrological reports, Groundwater related data ana maps and reports on various river valley projects. This portal has a web GIS facility that help users to generate:
1) Watershed Atlas
2) Administrative Layers
3) Water Resources Projects
4) Thematic Layers
5) Environmental Data

More details on this portal is available at:

http://www.cwc.gov.in/water-resources-information-system-wris

Water Governance and water framework in India

Government of India released the water policy and water governance framework. Draft National Water Framework Bill, 2016 states, “Under the Indian Constitution water is primarily a State subject, but it is an increasingly important national concern in the context of: (a) the right to water being a fundamental right; (b) the emergence of a water crisis because of the mounting pressure on finite resources; (c) the inter-use, intra-State and inter-State conflicts that this is leading to, and the need for a national consensus on water-sharing principles, and on the arrangements for minimising conflicts and settling them quickly without resort to adjudication to the extent possible; (d) the threat to this vital resource by the massive generation of waste by various uses of water and the severe pollution and contamination caused by it; (e) the long-term environmental, ecological and social implications of efforts to augment the availability of water for human use; (f) the equity of distribution based on types of use and users, area specific issues, different economic sectors, location of countries or states, i.e. upstream or downstream, that share river water; and particularly to safeguard future generations against water crisis; (g) the international dimension of some of India’s rivers; and (h) the emerging concerns about the impact of climate change on water and the need for appropriate responses at local, national, regional, and global levels.” The salient features of Indian water framework and governance is shown in Table 3.

Table 3 Salient features of water governance in India

Elements	Key features	Management framework
Governance regime	Democracy, federal structure	Participative leadership
Administrative rule	Decentralization	Domination by district and provincial administrations.
Decision-making process	Bottom up in general.	All decisions are made based on aspiration and active participation of stakeholders. In case of large river basins and international basins, decisions are taken by high power committees with representatives from state government and other stakeholders.
Budgetary system	Water users sharing participation	A part of the financial sources comes from water users and the rest from government budget.
Role of water in regional development	Limiting factor	Priority on water balance consideration, especially in water poorer states and regions.
Management responsibility	River basin and regional authority	Equitable distribution of water and prioritisation for domestic consumption.
Role of government in construction of infrastructure	Enabler	Capacity building for strengthening government administration, user community and other stakeholders.
Project setting	Integrated approach	Environmental sustainability interests basis
Project interest	People aspiration	To solve water-related problems in diverse geographical situations. Location specific solutions are invited.
Project preparation	Based on master plan	Approved based on comprehensive study.

India’s water policy is not only guided by a drive to mitigate water crisis but also by integrated water resource management (IWRM) and sustainable development goals of the United Nations. IWRM is a “cross-sectoral policy approach” (Global Water Partnership, 2010) and calls for an ecosystem based approach in water management. 

Industrial Water Resource Management, Challenges and Opportunities for Corporate Water Stewardship

John Wiley & Sons has recently published my book on Industrial water resource management. This book provides the tools that allow companies to understand the fundamental concepts of water resource management and to take proper action towards sustainable development 

Businesses, communities, and ecosystems everywhere depend on clean freshwater to survive and prosper. When the same source of water is shared for economic, social, and environmental causes it becomes the responsibility of every sector to develop a sustainable water strategy beneficial for all. This book offers a water resource management plan for industries that is directly implementable and consistent with the Water Framework Directives of different countries with a special emphasis on developing countries—a plan that is economically efficient, socially equitable, and environmentally sustainable.

Industrial Water Resource Management, Challenges and Opportunities for Efficient Water Stewardship offers explicit technical and investment solutions, socioeconomic and legal instruments, and recommendations for institutional restructuring. Written by a leading world expert in the field, it covers a wide range of topics including:

●      Source water assessment and protection

●      Water audit, industrial water footprint assessment—an evaluation of tools and methodologies

●      Corporate water disclosure methods and tools

●      Water stewardship by the industries

●      Stakeholder collaboration and engagement

●      New technologies enabling companies to better manage water resources

Given the well-known challenge of managing natural resources in a way that maximizes and sustains social welfare, this book provides an invaluable point of reference for applied researchers and policy makers working in water resources management.

 preview

EARTHQUAKE IN KOLKATA

Today 13th April 2016 at about 1928 hours a mild tremor is felt in Kolkata. It shook my chair and I felt the waves below my feet. People, in my neighbourhood are scared. It is a mild tremor. The epicentre might be far away. waiting for further result.

⚡Presentation 'Group D, MBA (PT) CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) Ajit Singh S-07CRIS Ankur Garg S-10Utstarcom Anokha Sharma N-06LIC Arvind Bhisikar S-13NPC Harish.'

⚡Presentation 'Group D, MBA (PT) CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) Ajit Singh S-07CRIS Ankur Garg S-10Utstarcom Anokha Sharma N-06LIC Arvind Bhisikar S-13NPC Harish.'

Management of fresh water resource

The first and foremost requirement of water management policy is to evaluate actual consumption of fresh water by different stake holders and production of polluted water in the backdrop of spatial and temporal availability of  both surface and subsurface water. Wastage of fresh water in irrigation sector and urban areas should also be taken into account. Compilation of district wise water footprints of foods, industrial products and services consumed by the individual and   business on the basis of UNESCO-IHE document of 2002 will be of much help to allocate water in different sectors and resolve water conflict among states. The crisis of fresh water in our country is due to want of any sound management policy. Water management comes under states subject. Moreover there is no biding guideline for rational management of scarce water resource. Now right to access clean water comes under Human right as ratified by UN General Assembly.

There are two aspects of water resource management. Both the demand-side management to control, protect and conserve of water resources with supply-side management to augment the resource should be implemented in a well coordinated effort of the stake holders to mitigate the crisis.

Agricultural sector is the main consumer of fresh water. So demand-side management of fresh water needs reform in agriculture sector through change in farming practice and crop pattern as well as optimization of irrigation.

The present practice of monocroping industrial agriculture requires maximum quantity of fresh water and pollutes (agro-chemical pollutants) water over a vast area. Deep ploughing reduces soil organic content and creates demand for more fertilizer i.e, high capital intensive. Shifting focus on polycroping agro ecological farming will keep the soil covered by mulching and increase its organic carbon content there by increasing water holding capacity. Soil scientist report for every 1 percent of organic matter content, the soil can held 16,500 gallons of plant-available water. It will reduce requirement of irrigation water along with the source of chemical pollution generated by extensive use of fertilizer, insecticide, herbicide etc in industrial farming. Moreover water logging and salination of soil as well as depletion of ground water table due to over irrigation as observed in many areas of Indo-Gangetic plain could also be checked.

 

Hydrocentric management in changing crop pattern suitable to different agroclimate zone negotiating pressure of big farmer’s lobby should be started immediately. Cultivation of water guzzling crops like sugarcane and rice in water scarce areas and spending public money to bring fresh water from far away source to meet its irrigation requirement is the most irrational example of water management. Recent example of spirit of cooperation of small farmers of Dhavadshri village of Satara in Maharashtra is worth following. They shifted to cultivation of spices from traditional water guzzling sugarcane after interlinking their wells and implementing rainwater harvesting to raise groundwater level without any outside help. This type of spirit of cooperation saved them from ruin and also led the educated village youth back to farming.

Research on water management technology by ICAR and other organizations produced different technology for optimum irrigation requirement of crops depending on its type and agro climate zones. The farmers should be encouraged by suitable incentive to apply different micro and other irrigation technology to save water.

Supply-side management needs countrywide adaptation of different surface and subsurface techniques of water harvesting and groundwater recharging projects. The technology varies depending on the agro climate, hydrology and physiography of the area. Different pilot projects initiated by CGWB and other government organizations were very encouraging. Community level participation with spirit of cooperation is required to manage sustainable groundwater as a community resource. Well known among many examples is the restoration of water flow in river Arvari in Rajasthan through local co-operation effort. It should be implemented by raising green brigade in every village and towns to carry out rain water harvesting and groundwater recharging. That will raise the groundwater level leading to increase in surface water flow. Dr David Korenfeld Federman, Chairman of UNESCO International Hydrological Programme was associated in water management programmes of different poor countries of Africa and other continents. He emphasizes that all of the cultural, social and economic issues associated combating water scarcity must be taken into account, with a multidisciplinary, academic approach rather than a political one.

Recycling of waste water in industries and urban housing complex could substantially reduce fresh water consumption. Appropriate public policies can create an enabling environment for such sustainable modes of production.

Policies of combating water crisis could be summarized as follows:

(1)   Managing cropping pattern accounting for geography, agro climate and water constraint.

(2)   Govt role is to provide required economic signal to promote conservation  and right mix of crops.

(3)   Providing soil moisture sensors to improve agricultural water efficiency and reducing waste in irrigation.

(4)   Flood control system to be reoriented for storing of waters.

(5)   Recycling of waste water.

(6)   Organising community level participation in management of surface and groundwater through enactment of legal rights of community ownership of subsurface water.

By Swapan Kumar Mukhopadhaya

HYDRO-ECOLOGY CONFERENCE IN INDONESIA 2014

Global water environment has deteriorated and there has been significant loss of biodiversities worldwide, which severely impacts global ecosystems. Such trends provide ample evidence that conventional approaches to water resources management (based on the application of engineering techniques, sectoral interventions, and the elimination of such direct threats as point source pollution) are no longer sufficient to stem the tide of the water crisis. Ecohydrology aims to find solutions that, rather than focusing exclusively on technical issues, better respond to sustainable water resource policies and promote social development.

Ecohydrology is a new integrative science that involves finding solutions to issues surrounding water, people, and the environment. One of the fundamental concepts involved in ecohydrology is that the timing and availability of freshwater is intimately linked to ecosystem processes, and the goods and services provided by freshwaters to societies. This means that emphasis is placed on the hydrological cycle and its effects on ecological processes and human well-being.

To bring the concerned people together and to discussed the issues on ecohydrology a Conference had been organized in conjunction with the 22nd Meeting of the International Hydrological Programme (IHP) Regional Steering Committee (RSC) for Southeast Asia and the Pacific under the topic “Ecohydrology Approaches Facing the Global Water Environment Challenges”.The objectives of the proposed International Conference on Ecohydrology (ICE) held from 10-12 November 2014 was aimed to synthesize information and knowledge gaps for addressing issues related to critical water environment systems; how the ecohydrology and ecotechnology could provide low cost environmentally sound technology for sustainable water management, especially in the Asia Pacific region. The past experiences and on-going projects related to terrestrial ecosystems processes, water issues in landscapes, rivers, floodplains, wetlands, reservoirs, coastal and urban areas will be discussed in the Conference.

The conference venue was the Royal Ambarukmo Palace Hotel at Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

One of the fundamental concepts involved in ecohydrology is that the timing and availability of freshwater is intimately linked to ecosystem processes, and the goods and services provided by freshwaters to societies. This means that emphasis is placed on the hydrological cycle and its effects on ecological processes and human well-being.

Global water environment has deteriorated and there has been significant loss of biodiversities worldwide, which severely impacts global ecosystems. Such trends provide ample evidence that conventional approaches to water resources management (based on the application of engineering techniques, sectoral interventions, and the elimination of such direct threats as point source pollution) are no longer sufficient to stem the tide of the water crisis. Ecohydrology aims to find solutions that, rather than focusing exclusively on technical issues, better respond to sustainable water resource policies and promote social development. Ecohydrology is a new integrative science that involves finding solutions to issues surrounding water, people, and the environment.

The subtopics of the conference were:

1.        Development of Ecohydrological Concepts and Implementation Issues

2.        Ecotechnology for Water, Food and Energy Security

3.        Sustainability Issues in Water Environment

4.        Ecohydrology in Lakes and Reservoirs

5.        Ecohydrology in Wetlands

6.        Ecohydrology in Karst and Terrestrial Ecosystems

7.        Hydroinformatics and Modelling

8.        Human and Water Environment

9.        Local Tradition, Knowledge , Wisdoms and Cultural Values

10.    Water Environment Related Disasters

11.    Governance and Management Challenges

12.    Biodiversity and Water Environment

13.    Public Participation

The conference was sectioned in four parallel sessions where about 70 papers were presented. More than 200 delegates from different countries of Asia and Europe attended the conference.

The programme for third day was a field trip to the spring zone of Merapi volcano, the villages of Kali Khod and to the water castle of Taman Sari. One of the main tourist spots of Yogyakarta is the 800 AD Prambanan temple. This was also included in the field trip.

The main take away from the conference is that Ecohydrology is developing as a separate paradigm in the context of human- nature-water relationship. The understanding of the changes in the backdrop of climate change and anthropogenic activities the new science is gaining importance. Some of the research papers from Indonesia, Thailand and China had been very thought provocating and contained serious efforts in depicting the science in local contexts.

The conference was organized by UNESCO, Indonesia and the Asia Pacific Centre for Ecohydrology, Jakarta, Indonesia in collaboration with some other related organizations.

PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING GROUNDWATER PERMIT FOR INDUSTRIES IN WEST BENGAL

West Bengal has a very good groundwater potential. The reason of such affluence is due to her geographical location, high rainfall, and geological setting. But in recent times groundwater development in some districts in this state has been increased to such an extent that in some areas conditions of near overexploitation has developed. The condition, though not severe yet, has inspired hydro-geologists to think for conservation and sustainable development of groundwater. It has become necessary to assess the state of art and to find ways to augment the resource. Groundwater is not an isolated resource. It is a phenomenon within the hydrological cycle. So depending on the hydro-geological condition, water level condition, and stage of development proper measure for control of groundwater exploitation should be undertaken.

Now groundwater in West Bengal has now become a precious commodity. New industries are coming up in west Bengal, who will also be more dependants on groundwater. So the Act is a very timely intervention of the Government in proper management and conservation of the precious natural resource. It has become a great task of the implementing agency to carry on with it. 

Initially the groundwater Act 2005 was extensive and covered all types of structures that exploit groundwater through mechanical pumping devices. But recent changes have spared the farmers from obtaining permit. So the Act is now being implemented upon industries that are willing to use groundwater for their production or other uses in the industrial areas.

Some significant changes are made to the procedures for obtaining permit, though the main protocols, like submission of application, depositing permit/ application fees, and the authority who will receive the permit have not been changed.

There are two authorities:

1) the District Level Authority or the DLA, where the District Majistrate of the respective district is the chairman and the Geologist in charge of the district level offices of State Water Investigation Directorate (SWID) is the member secretary and the key technical person. The DLA has 10 to 12 maembers from the line departments and the Zilla Parishad who will initially examine the application.

2) The State level authority (SLA) gives the final vetting of the application. The Superintending Geologist of SWID is the member secretary and the Director SWID is the chairman of the SLA. There are other members of the Expert Committee from departments like, PHED, CGWB, Agriculture, Irrigation, Minor Irrigation etc.

The basic procedures for obtaining the permit are:

1.       Apply in plain paper to the DLA and collect requisite number of application forms from the DLA. The format of the form is available at  http://www.howrah.gov.in/Templates/swid/FORM%20I%20-%208%20TO%2010.pdf

2.       Fill up the form (it is a bit complicated) collect all required documents and information and get treasury challan form (TR 7). You can download the form here http://birbhum.gov.in/try2/9TR_Form_No_7.pdf

3.       Fill up the treasury challan and visit the geologist of your district (where the industry will come up). 4 copies of TR form will be required for each application.

4.       The Geologist (the member secretary of the SLA) will sign on your TR form.

5.       You will then have to deposit the application fee (Rs. 500) to the State Bank of India branch of the district. The Bank will return 2 copies of the TR form.

6.       You now come back to the DLA office and submit the Application form along with the TR form and the relevant documents.

7.       The member secretary will examine the form, your water requirement, visit the location of the propose tubewell, prepare a note on the hydrogeological condition of the site, the merit of the application and place it to the DLA meeting.

8.       DLA if satisfied forward the application to the SLA with their recommendation.

9.       Your Case will be discussed in the SLA meeitng and a high power committee will examine your case. If they are satisfied they will vet the case and instruct the DLA to issue the permit.

10.    The DLA will issue a letter of information to the applicant. The applicant will again submit Rs. 1000 as permit fee to the bank. Come back to the geologist and receive the permit.

 The documents required: (not limited to)

1.       The application form duly filled in.

2.       DPR of your Industrial Project + proof of ownership of land

3.       The mouza map of the area showing the location of the proposed tube well.

4.       Your detailed break up of water use.

5.       You detailed plan about how you are going the get the required water, the quantity and source

6.       Your water conservation plan

7.       Your rainwater harvesting plan

8.       Details of water harvesting structures ( no groundwater recharge in industrial area is allowed by the West Bengal Pollution Control Board)

9.       Location of the RWH ponds will have to be shown in the mouza map and also in the proposed layout plan.

10.    A declaration in plain paper that you will maintain the RWH ponds as long as the plant will be there.

11.    You will have to keep the existing ponds in your plant, but if you wish to fill it you will have to take necessary arrangements fos alternative pond excavation and conversion of the pond land.

12.    Your CSR activities related to groundwater conservation and augmentation.

13.    A hydro-geological feasibility report of your proposed plant area (buffer zone) to support your demand.
14.    Impact analysis of the whole operation of groundwater extraction.

FOR MORE DETAILS VISIT MY PROFESSIONAL PAGE