Published Articles

Ahead of the forthcoming Union budget, experts have derided it for being illegal, lacking economic sense and defying ecological science.

Guest blog by Manoj Misra, with comments on the report called - overview of Detailed Project Reports for rejuvenation of major Indian rivers through forestry interventions-  by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) under the MoEFCC

Sand mining may be feeding the realty industry, but without regulation it could spell doom for our rivers

Yamuna And Other Wetlands Are Becoming Poten7al Reservoirs Of Superbugs

Sick Yamuna is newsy, but not for long?

Dilli ki Sardi (Delhi's winter) has over the years turned from being a cheerful season to a toxic time of a frothy Yamuna and hazardous air. How did this happen?

The nation continues to await a statutory regulation such as the River Regulation Zone that would prohibit and regulate activities in the flood plains of all rivers

Yamuna And Other Wetlands Are Becoming Poten7al Reservoirs Of Superbugs

River Floodplains are not vacant wastelands awaiting tree plantations. They are extensions of a flowing river with key roles for keeping it healthy.

Illegal Sand Mining That Has Come Up Around Uncontrolled Construction Is Taking A Toll On Environment And Human Lives. The Present Regulations And Mining Guidelines Seem Inadequate To Stem The Rot.

Apart From Being Illegal, Such A Facility Is An Environmental Disaster. The Yamuna River Floodplain Should Not Be Made A Sacrificial Goat At The Altar Of Short-Sighted Developmental Needs

Despite IWT’s suspect financials and adverse eco-social impacts, it is surprising that the Centre is going ahead with IWT without mandatory environmental and social impact studies.

Tracing the source of Katha, one of Yamuna's several tributaries

Mindless construction of a series of bridges and other ‘development’ activities over the Yamuna in Delhi have only added to the woes of the dying river

Officials do not understand the gray waters produced by the city

The mantra of zero defect and zero effect manufacturing practice should translate into no pollution from industrial effluents

Hydro-power, long irrigation canals, sand mining and water for industrial use: these are not what Maa Ganga in its magnanimity provides. These are what we extract from an unsuspecting river, leaving her unwell as a result

The recent tragedy in Manali caused by flash floods in river Beas raises serious questions on the management of dams and barrages in the country.

Varuna and Assi, the two tributaries of the Ganga that gave Varanasi its name and together defined the original extent of the city are fighting for survival 

Water security requires healthy rivers. Healthy rivers need perennial or prolonged flows . They require well vegetated and protected catchments. An accountable catchment restoration scheme can address water scarcity far better than controversial river-linking schemes

It is no secret that most rivers in India are in serious trouble with the Ganga and the Yamuna leading the list. Despite having spent huge funds in pollution control measures, authorities are at their wits end to meet the challenge, writes Manoj Misra.

Sand mining thrives because it is low investment, low risk, but promises high returns. A few roadblocks like Durga Shakti Nagpal notwithstanding

Extreme rains followed by floods and landslides in Uttarakhand should act as a wake up call for planners and decision makers all over the country

Know the word Potamology? Our familiarity with the term is as poor as our understanding of rivers as an ecosystem

Is restoration of the Sabarmati the way to go?

River Yamuna’s revival is intimately linked to the restoration and maintenance of the health of its many tributaries across several States

Rather than turning their faces away from ganda nalas that happen to be essential to Delhi’s drainage system, authorities and residents should try protecting and greening them

Here is a true tale about a village and a minister

India has officially been ‘battling’ floods in its rivers since 1954. Instead of ‘waging war’ against floods, we must focus on preparation. Manoj Misra writes.

Coal minister Sriprakash Jaiswal must not fret. There’s nothing called a ‘no-go’ area in India. Manoj Misra writes.

Yamuna's plight is one born of omission and commission of state agencies

The river is almost totally absent in modern day discourse