Oceans, Seas, River and Water bodies

Conservationists, activists, and newspaper editorials in India have long been expressing concerns about the “decline” and “neglect” of wetland ecosystems across India.

A new study from the River and Delta Research Centre (RDRC) has revealed that 81 rivers have either dried up or become critically silted during the dry season, posing what experts are calling an ecological emergency.

The Indian government has taken significant steps toward disaster risk reduction, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ten-point agenda on DRR.

The establishment of a Mangrove Co-Management Committee brought together villagers, local governance bodies, and women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to spearhead conservation efforts.

In his letter, Gandhi urged the government to cancel the tenders issued for offshore mining blocks, emphasising the need for rigorous scientific assessments of their environmental and socio-economic impact.

A 2017 study by the Bangladesh Occupational Safety, Health, and Environment Foundation found that over one-third of shipbreaking workers surveyed had developed preventable health complications due to asbestos exposure.

Choudhary said that to assist states in regulating groundwater resources, the ministry of Jal Shakti drafted a Model ‘Groundwater (Regulation and Control of Development and Management) Bill.’ This bill provides a regulatory framework to curb indiscriminate groundwater extraction while promoting rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge.

Accurate hurricane forecasts are not just scientific achievements; they have tangible benefits for society. Yale Climate Connections highlighted a 2024 study by the National Bureau of Economic Research, which estimated that improved hurricane forecasts could lead to over $10 billion in combined benefits for major hurricanes like Helene and Milton.