EFFECT OF NILAM IN THE COASTAL PARTS OF ANDHRA PRADESH

Dear All

The failures in the process of predication, preparedness, resettlement and rehabilitation of the People & their properties during the NILAM has affected the crop loss in the coastal parts of Andhra Pradesh. Read more at:  http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/nilam-effect-heavy-crop-loss-coastal-andhra-districts

The comments made on this key issue were pasted below as: 

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Yes, the effect "Nilam effect: heavy crop loss in coastal Andhra districts" (7th Nov. DTE 2012) is serious and affected the lives of the people and properties. Towards this, several people have visited, made comments, medial has shown to all the stakeholders and every one all over the Globe knows about the situation.

The whole process is going on and people got affected with out fixing the RESPONSIBILITY for the occurrence, prediction, assessment, resettlement, rehabilitation, and other matching supports to get recovered from the trauma and loss for people, properties and environment.

In spite of all the technological developments, still the prediction of rain both time & magnitude is quite away. Once this can not be done , then people has to suffer through out their life which further limits their development and affects quality of life.

Knowing the SWOT of the situation, the priority goes to get sustainable solutions which include:

£ Accuracy in prediction in advance

£ Training the people for preparedness for Risk Reduction

£ Warning the people, volunteers, & NGOs in advance

£ Effective resettlement mechanism & shelters

£ Immediate supports like: medical, water, food, sanitation, assistive devices and others matching to the needs of the affected people.

In addition to all these suggestions, the major issue is the POOR DRAINAGE SYSTEM which affects the flow of the water when it more than the requirement. The main reasons are two as:

$ Barriers or obstructions created and

$ The encroachment of land which narrow downs the drainage or some time totally missing the drainage canal system.

In spite of all the technologies, machinery, manpower, & money spent on such adverse conditions, PEOPLE are the sufferers and it is going to be continued. The measures taken are of short term and are not for rehabilitation. So, knowing the complexity & dynamics of the issue, the people should move forward to create better solutions at least in minimizing the RISK.

At the end, if the community / people can be create better drainage system, then the risk can be reduced for both people and their properties.

As the cyclones with varied intensities & damage to the people & their properties have become common with frequency, we all should move towards the creation of sustainable solutions for risk reduction, resettlement and rehabilitation.

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Looking forward for better sharing and to move towards the creation of solutions with better sustainability & quality...which further helps to create FOOD SECURITY..

All the best

BADHTE KADAM 2012 OF THE NATIONAL TRUST

Dear All

The comments made on the Badhte Kadam 2012 written in the Hindu (read more at: http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/society/marching-ahead/article4054841.ece) were pasted below as:

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Yes, BK is the innovative National Event in reaching the unreached. It has created significant impact among the stakeholders during the same event conducted in the year 2009, 2010,& 2011. I was the state coordinator for the BK 2010 and associated with BK 2011 conducted in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

Year to year, BK is different in it approaches and activities and trying to take the benefits of UNCRPD and the need for INCLUSION with equality and dignity.

Certainly, every parent is looking forward to get better solution to their question that "what will happen to the child after us?".

The paradigm shift in disability rehabilitation from charity to developmental to human rights model is the key issue in UNCRPD. In this direction,right based CBR gains importance for moving towards the inclusion of the persons with special needs as an empowerment.

The national Trust through all its best programmes including BKs will move towards creation of sustainable solutions.

All the best for the grand success of th BKs all over the Country.

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Looking forward to share more on this National Event...

All the Best.

WATER LOGGIN AND SALINITY FOR BANNING THE PADDY CROP ?????

Dear all

The water logging with salinity has lead for the ban on Paddy. Read more about it at:  http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/khap-panchayat-bans-paddy#comment-10872

The comments and suggestions made on this key issue were pasted below as:

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In talking the issues related with water logging and salinity,Khap panchayat bans paddy may be the immediate remedy (DTE, 15th Nov. 2012). The problem raised due to when the groundwater level rose with the arrival of the Jawaharlal Nehru canal.

Now the question is how long the local farmers can stop the ban on paddy? It is true that the farmers should have the pattern of alternative crops for better utility of the land for better production.

As indicated earlier, the presence of water in the Jawaharlal Nehru Canal has resulted for the rise in the groundwater. At the same time the initiative taken for lowering the groundwater level have note resulted for sustainable solutions.

In addition to the initiates made already, the problem is some thing different than the expected. The water leakages from the Canal are resulting for the higher level of groundwater along the sides of the canal. So the focus should be towards the mapping of the water leakages along the Canal.

The techniques of Geological and Geophysical can be used for:$ mapping the leakages along the canal both laterally and vertically and

$ to map the groundwater levels.

Based on this data and knowing the dynamics of the groundwater and severity of water leakages from the canal, the action plans include:

* Measures for sealing the leakages

* points can be selected for drilling "Water Discharging Wells".

* Monitoring of these wells on regular basis helps to maintain the groundwater levels.

* Soil & water testing helps to know the salinity.

These measures will help to monitor the groundwater levels, salinity and extent of leakages. Proper study on these issues further helps to grow paddy and other crops with desired change in patterns.

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Looking forward for better sharing and solutions...

with thanks

PEOPLE SACRFICED LANDS ARE IN DARK & POOR ?????

Dear All

The comments made on the people who are in DARK & POOR in spite of sacrificing their land and community resources. The situation is dynamic and complex and more can be read at:

http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/silence-best-policy   

The comments made on this burning issue were pasted below as:

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The people scarified their land are in DARK and POOR. Yes, it is the reality brought out in the study made under Silence is the best policy (DTE, 15th Nov. 2012). Certainly, SILENCE is not the best policy as there exists several ways to express it. Some of the suggestions includes:
1. The situation of the people is complex and needs immediate attention of the concerned authorities.

2. It reflects the poor and unmatched resettlement & rehabilitation packages, which should be mandatory for all the project affected people (PAPs) which includes their surrounding environment both before and after resettlement,

3. The control mechanism at all levels should keep the health & wealth of the people & environment in mind,

4. The whole process of exploitation and generation of power is aimed as BUSINESS of selected group of people rather than the larger group of people who sacrificed their land and other community resources.

In spite of all adverse challenges, using the available technologies, concerned authorities can improves the situation where people can live with better quality of life. On the other side, it will become good role model for others to accept and support such developmental projects.

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Looking forward for better sharing and solutions for the health and wealth of the people who are suffering ....

with thanks

MEASURES FOR THE CONTROL OF ARSENIC IN THE GROUNDWATER

Dear All

The presence of Arsenic in groundwater is the burning issue in some states of our country. It is more complex in the state of West Bengal and made some initiations to minimize its concentration. More about it can be read at:  http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/arsenic-control.

The comments made on this burning issue have been pasted below as:

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YES, Arsenic control in the ground water (DTE, 15th Nov. 2012) is the key & burning issue covering parts of our country. The suggested model of ARU in West Bengal and the initiations made by various departments is not significant which are not matching to the dynamics of the issue.

Now, the questions are: how many ARUs should be installed, what is the cost of installation & operation, ways for the disposal of waste, regular monitoring to check the content of Arsenic before filtration and after filtration .... so on. The process of ARUs is time & money consuming, longterm process with out end, and may not be sustainable on the long term basis.

As reported in the article, Arsenic comes in the natural form and contaminates the groundwater. The best way is to find out the ways to mitigate it at the source it self.

With the modern tools of geological and geophysical, it is possible to map the possible zone of pollution. Once it is picked, based on the degree of intensity, and depth measures should be taken to dilute it for getting the severity into the acceptable limits. One of the suggestion is to develop "injection wells" and inject fresh water to dilute the concentration of Arsenic for getting into the acceptable limits. The local stakeholders can take the support of the CGWB & State Groundwater Units for refining the measures.  

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Looking forward for better sharing and to get better solution in the interest of PEOPLE & ENVIRONMENT........

With thanks

BALANCING BETWEEN 'NEED & GREED'

Dear All

In continuation, look at the comments made on the LAND utilization for various purposes which includes both for need & greed.  More on this can be read at: http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/need-or-greed

The comments made on this key issue were pasted below as:

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The article on "Need or Greed?" (DTE, 15th Nov. 2012) reflects the reality of utilization of land for various purposes during 11th Plan.

One side, it is surprising to note that the land diverted for the Social Services during the 11th Plan is minimum compare to other activities.

On the other side, except the land diverted to the social services, all other areas are going affect the health & wealth of the people and environment.

As reflected, India has got resources for the "needs" of the people and not for "greed". This should be the mantra for all of us while tapping or utilizing the natural resources including LAND.

In view of the challenges faced due to the divert of lands for various purposes other than social services, the suggestions made includes:
1. This needs to be considered while balancing the allotment or diverting the land for various activities in further plans.

2. Land is not growing based on the increase in population and their needs. So land utilization should be done carefully with out any damage.

3. The priority should be given for the needs of the larger number of people rather than the greed of the selected people who wants to business with the land and its natural resources.

4. When the land has to be diverted to activities other than social services, priority should be given to the "Resettlement & Rehabilitation of the project affected people(PAPs)and the health & wealth of the environment.

5. Move from "Business 2 Business (B2B)" to "Business 2 People (B2P)" as the second approach works for the health & wealth of the People & Environment.

Let us develop creative & innovative strategies for the effective utilization of the LAND for achieving development with sustainability & quality.

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Looking forward for better sharing.....

with thanks

Model building design that helps save energy and money by exploiting the sun’s movement

Dear All

This is to bring to your information that  "Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA)" has made the building design to save energy and money by utilizing the Solar Energy. More info can be read at: http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/greenest-all.

The comments made on this key issue includes as:

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Congratulations to the team who made PEDA Building whose design has helped to save the energy and money (Greenest of all, DTE 31st Oct 2012). This building design and way of saving energy & money is the most needy to all in general and particularly for developing country like India.

Now our Country is facing severe Power crises and affected the production and finally the quality of life of the people. Though the initiations for the alternatives like Bio Gas, Hydro thermal, Wind energy, Solar energy and others are at initial stage and could not come out with sustainable ways. At this stage, the design of PEDA and its claim on saving energy & money is the welcome step and more such things should come into the reality.

Now, the need of the hour is to know about its:

£ Scale up, Replication and Sustainability (SRS)
£ Conveniences and comfortability
£ Cost effectiveness
£ Affordability & Accessibility
£ suitability at all terrains and environments
£ extent of Eco-friendliness ....................

If the answer to the above points is acceptable to the stakeholders at all levels, then the Government should encourage the Institute to do more research if necessary to replicate the designs matching to the needs of the local environment and people.

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Looking forward to share more on this most needy energy & money saving designs for its better "Scale up, Replication and Sustainability"  ....

All the Best