out come

Graphic Organizer / Debate Chart:

The three worldviews (technocentric, ecocentric, anthropocentric).

Their approach to biodiversity issues.

Evaluation of strengths & weaknesses.

A proposed integrated strategy for biodiversity conservation

The Amazon Rainforest, the largest rainforest in the world, is a lush and vibrant ecosystem spanning across nine countries in South America, covering an area of over 5.5 million square kilometres, of which almost 60% is in Brazil. It is famously known as the 'lungs of the world,' producing 20% of the Earth's oxygen and playing a crucial role in regulating the planet's climate.

But it's not just the ecological importance that makes the Amazon Rainforest a wondrous place. The rainforest is home to over one million Indigenous people and millions of species of plants and animals, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. From jaguars and macaws to medicinal plants and exotic fruits, the Amazon Rainforest is a treasure trove of biodiversity.

out come

Graphic Organizer / Debate Chart:

The three worldviews (technocentric, ecocentric, anthropocentric).

Their approach to biodiversity issues.

Evaluation of strengths & weaknesses.

A proposed integrated strategy for biodiversity conservation

Read more at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/22129163.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

out come

Graphic Organizer / Debate Chart:

The three worldviews (technocentric, ecocentric, anthropocentric).

Their approach to biodiversity issues.

Evaluation of strengths & weaknesses.

A proposed integrated strategy for biodiversity conservation

out come

Graphic Organizer / Debate Chart:

The three worldviews (technocentric, ecocentric, anthropocentric).

Their approach to biodiversity issues.

Evaluation of strengths & weaknesses.

A proposed integrated strategy for biodiversity conservation

• Restores reef ecosystem function, structure, and biodiversity.

• Preserves endangered coral populations and overall reef genetic diversity.

• Supports coral reef resilience to climate change impacts.

• Helps reefs recover from acute disturbances like storms and predator outbreaks.

• Integrates ecological processes beyond just coral planting for ecosystem health.

Anthropocentric View:

• Protects reefs for the economic benefits to local communities.

• Maintains fisheries and tourism industries that depend on healthy reefs.

• Provides storm protection and reduces coastal flooding risks.

• Engages local stakeholders to ensure sustainability and economic livelihoods.

• Focuses on reef restoration as a tool for human well-being and development.

Technocentric View:

• Uses coral nurseries and transplantation to accelerate reef recovery.

• Applies scientific monitoring methods like photomosaics and genetic analysis.

• Employs technology to optimize coral growth and survival rates.

• Integrates adaptive management with the latest research and innovations.

• Views human intervention and technological innovation as key to solving reef decline.

Problems

• Pollution: The lake suffers from high pollution levels due to untreated sewage and garbage from nearby residential areas, as well as commercial and industrial waste. Studies show low dissolved oxygen levels, which are detrimental to aquatic life.

• Reduced water volume: The lake's area has decreased significantly due to siltation (buildup of sediment) and encroachment from development.

• Ecological degradation: Pollution and habitat loss have impacted the lake's ecosystem, leading to a decline in fish diversity and the overall health of the environment.

Rajasthan is India’s driest state, with very low rainfall (around 400–500 mm per year). Most people rely on groundwater for drinking and farming, which has led to serious depletion. Many wells have dried up because of overuse, and groundwater in some areas has fluoride and nitrate contamination. Droughts happen often, and climate change is making rainfall more unpredictable. Rural communities, especially women, spend hours fetching water, showing big inequalities in access.

A good local example is from Alwar District, where villagers supported by the NGO Tarun Bharat Sangh built hundreds of johads (small earthen dams). These helped collect rainwater, recharge wells, and even revived the Arvari River. It’s a simple and low-cost community method that worked well.

The government has also launched programs like Jal Jeevan Mission (to give tap water to every home), Atal Bhujal Yojana (for groundwater management), and MJSA (for watershed development). These schemes help, but many still face problems like poor maintenance or over-dependence on groundwater.

Solutions include promoting drip irrigation, growing less water-demanding crops, building more rainwater structures, and stricter control on borewells. Public awareness and education are also key to long-term success.

In short, combining local rainwater harvesting with efficient irrigation and government support offers the best chance for sustainable water use in Rajasthan.

References:

1. Central Ground Water Board (2023). Dynamic Ground Water Resources of Rajasthan.

2. Tarun Bharat Sangh (2022). The Revival of the Arvari River.

3. Jal Jeevan Mission (2024). Rajasthan Rural Water Supply Dashboard.

4. The Hindu (2024). Rajasthan’s Water Woes Deepen Despite Jal Jeevan Progress.

5. Mongabay India (2023). Groundwater Crisis in Rajasthan.

Meghalaya’s unique terrain also contributes to water scarcity as run-off is one of the major causes resulting in low water retention. Deforestation is another contributing factor to water scarcity, and livelihoods of the people are climate dependent. Mawsynram in Meghalaya is honoured with the status of being the wettest place on Earth, with an average annual rainfall of 11,871 mm according to the IBDLP

The Meghalaya State Water Policy 2019 includes the provision of water harvesting on the roof of every building including groundwater recharge mechanisms. Whether this provision has been adapted by the contractors is yet to be seen. However, in Mawjrong village of East Khasi Hills, residents have been facing water scarcity for a very long time. This led to innovative ideas by the residents of the village. To harvest rainwater the villagers attached pipes to the drainage on their roofs which led to a barrel where the rainwater is stored for future use. One individual of the village came up with an ingenious idea whereby the individual made the house in such a way where the rainwater captured on the roof followed a drainage system that leads the water into a tank built under the foundation of the house. Perhaps ideas such as these can be implemented elsewhere to ease the problems of water scarcity.

The most likely solution for Meghalaya would be to adopt water recycling in the urban cities of Shillong and Tura to ensure sufficient water supply. As the residents of Shillong would compare its traffic woes with that of Bangalore city in Karnataka, which is known for its traffic.

Other Solution:

Bamboo Drip Irrigation

https://blogs.isb.edu/bhartiinstitute/2024/09/18/water-crisis-hits-meghalaya-is-meghalaya-ready-to-fight-climate-

change/

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/water/meghalaya-how-the-abode-of-clouds-ran-out-of-water-89932

https://timesofagriculture.in/bamboo-drip-irrigation-system-meghalaya/

Filthy overflowing ponds, water logged streets and improper disposal of waste water.

Solutions-

1. for overflowing ponds regular cleaning drivers by the panchayat and villagers. Bleaching powder could also be used as it can be used as a cheap disinfectant.

2. To deal with water logged streets- rainwater harvesting pits can be built. Slope correction could be done aswell.

3. Improper disposal of water can be decreased by spreading awareness.

Solution

Using urbanisation and industrialization to the advantage of Jaipur to help the people of Jaipur to be able not to suffer water problems, the solution is,

Rainwater Harvesting

Drip irrigation

Ground recharge

Well building and storing of water

Rerouting of rivers into covered underground water wells.

The solution could be spreading awareness and the government could hold campaigns. Industries that are dumping the waste into the river should start using advanced technology like wastewater treatment which only costs a few lakhs and they could even recycle the waste.

case study:

https://nexteel.in/why-chennai-ran-out-of-water-in-2019-a-case-study-on-urban-water-mismanagement/

solutions:

1. improve and diversify water sources

• expand desalination plants.

• increase wastewater recycling.

  enforce rainwater harvesting in all buildings.

2. restore natural water systems

• rejuvenate lakes, ponds, and wetlands.

• protect reservoir catchment areas from encroachment.

• build recharge wells and permeable pavements.

3. strengthen water governance

• smart water metering and leak-detection systems.

• strict control on illegal borewells and construction.

• regular maintenance of pipelines and reservoirs.

4. promote public conservation

• awareness campaigns for water-saving habits.

• incentives for low-flow fixtures and water-efficient appliances.

• household greywater reuse (gardens, flushing, cleaning).

• Utilize Deep Draw Handpumps: Many borewells with dysfunctional Mark II handpumps, which have a lower head capacity ($\approx$ 35 m), can be made operational again by using deep draw handpumps ($\approx$ 50 m)¹¹¹¹.

  
  

• Prevent Groundwater Pollution:

  • 
    

    Properly repair borewell platforms and improve drainage around handpumps and other borewells to prevent surface water leakage and contamination^222222222.

    
    

  • Test alternative water treatment systems like UV sterilization

  • 
    

  Relocate Water Sources: Any future water supply systems should source their water from places farther off from the settlements (at least 500 m) to prevent both pollution and the drying up of existing sources⁴⁴⁴.

  
  

📝 Policy and Management Solutions

• 
  

  Prioritize Drinking Water: Drinking water must be given priority over irrigation⁵.

  
  

• 
  

  Control Groundwater Extraction: Strict control of over-exploitation of groundwater is needed in areas of deficit⁶⁶⁶.

  
  

  • Strict enforcement of groundwater rules (like maintaining safe distances) is necessary before any further drilling of government borewells^.

    
    

  • An area of at least 300 m radius around drinking water borewells needs to be freed of irrigation borewells⁸.

    
    

• 
  

  Develop Water Resources Simultaneously: Surface and groundwater resources must be developed simultaneously, and this should include percolation tanks around drinking water borewells⁹.

  
  

• 
  

  Promote Decongestion and Smaller Settlements: Large settlements need to be decongested, and the formation of small hamlets of less than 600 population size should be promoted to reduce unsustainable population pressure on water sources¹⁰¹⁰¹⁰.

  
  

• 
  

  Protect Drinking Water Borewells: Shift drinking water borewells into marginal land on the higher terrain of the villages and take over at least 2 ha of surrounding land for afforestation and percolation tanks¹¹.

  
  

🌾 Cropping and Agriculture Solutions

• 
  

  Restrict Sugarcane Cultivation: Sugarcane cultivation has to be controlled and restricted to areas with sufficient surface water resources¹².

  
  

  • Implement disincentives for sugarcane cultivation in areas where groundwater must be used for irrigation¹³.

    
    

  Promote Alternative Crops:

  • Promote less water intensive fodder crops like maize to substitute for the loss of fodder from sugarcane¹⁴.

    
    

    Promote low water-consuming and high-return cash crops like oilseeds and grapes in areas where groundwater is available, but this should not be a blanket encouragement¹⁵.

    
    

    Provide for Cattle: Make special arrangements for cattle during droughts for both water and fodder, potentially through cattle camps¹⁶

• Problem Faced:
  In the arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, rainfall is highly variable and limited. Traditional water-harvesting systems were declining or underused, groundwater was being over-exploited, and many areas were facing water scarcity for domestic use and agriculture.

• Solution:
  The study looked at how to make traditional rainwater harvesting methods, like the “chauka” system, work on a bigger scale. Using maps and data, the researchers checked things like rainfall, soil type, land slope, and drainage to see where these systems would work best. They found that only a small part of the land (about 3.6%) was perfect for it, some areas (8.2%) were okay, and quite a lot (27.3%) weren’t really suitable.

Case Study of India’s Water Supply Challenges and the Puri ‘Drink-from-Tap’ Solution

Puri — problem (before ‘Drink-from-Tap’):

Like most Indian cities running on intermittent supply, Puri faced high losses and health risks: non-revenue water (NRW) in such systems sits around 45–55% and contamination can enter pipelines during non-supply hours. In Urban Odisha (including Puri), the pattern showed up as poor coverage and quality, intermittent timings, and high water losses—made tougher in Puri’s case by the city’s role as a major pilgrimage centre with ~2.5 lakh residents and large tourist inflows (nearly 2 crore annually). In practice, Puri’s own NRW exceeded 50%, threatening service reliability and sustainability.  

Puri — solution (what was done):

Under the Odisha government’s Drink-from-Tap mission, Puri converted its network to pressurised 24×7 supply, expanded household connections with 100% metering, created DMAs and a dedicated NRW cell, and fixed leak-prone ferrule joints (switching to saddle/compression fittings). Quality assurance was strengthened through third-party monitoring and mobile labs, and customer service/billing was supported by women’s SHGs (“Jalsaathis”). The citywide rollout now covers the full urban area, and NRW has been cut from >50% to ~15% while water at the tap meets BIS IS:10500—safe to drink without further treatment. 

Citation:

1. https://www.pppinindia.gov.in/bestpractices/storage/assets/case-study/624eb41e1f6e6Drink-from-Tap-Mission-A-case-study-of-24x7-Water-Supply-in-Puri-city.pdf

-Dharavi receives a daily water supply from the reservoir in Bhandup, but only once a day and for a limited time (somewhere between ~6 am and ~10 pm). -Many residents report going 3–4 days without any supply in certain pockets.

-Water pressure is extremely low: described as “just drips” by residents.

-Illegal or unauthorised water connections are widespread—~50% of connections in Dharavi reportedly are illegal, which further reduces supply and pressure for legal users.

-Private water tanker dependency is increasing: When supply fails, residents resort to tankers which are expensive (₹ 800-₹2,000 for 10,000 litres, spiking to ₹ 5,000 in emergencies).

-Water contamination risk is high: due to leaking pipelines, drinking and sewage lines running close together in narrow lanes, and observations of bacteria like E. coli in tested water.

Possible solutions to the issues

-Stronger enforcement & regularisation of connections to reduce illegal tapping and ensure better equity of supply.

-Infrastructure upgrades: better pipelines, higher pressure, separation of sewage & drinking lines, improved access points.

-Alternative/resilient water sources: Rainwater harvesting, community tanks, treated wastewater reuse (especially for industrial usage) could ease demand/pressure.

Versova Beach, located in suburban Mumbai, was once heavily polluted due to decades of waste dumping, plastic litter, and untreated drainage flowing into the sea. The coastal ecosystem — including mangroves and tidal creeks — was severely degraded, affecting marine biodiversity and local fishing communities.

In 2015, lawyer and environmentalist Afroz Shah began a volunteer-driven clean-up movement after witnessing the beach buried under layers of plastic waste. What started as a small neighbourhood effort soon became the world’s largest beach clean-up initiative. Over 85 consecutive weeks, thousands of volunteers — including residents, students, fisherfolk, and civic officials — joined to remove more than 5 million kilograms of garbage from the 2.5-km stretch of beach.

The clean-up extended beyond the shoreline to the mangrove belts and tidal channels, clearing blockages and restoring natural water flow between the sea and the land. This rejuvenation of the coastal ecosystem improved the water quality index from around 37 to 47 within a year and allowed marine life such as crabs, small fish, and even sea turtles to return after decades.

The initiative demonstrated the power of community-led water conservation, showing that protecting coastal waters and restoring natural drainage systems directly supports cleaner, healthier aquatic environments. It also encouraged the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to install waste barriers at drains and plan long-term waste management and desalination projects in the area.

Afroz Shah’s efforts earned international recognition, including the UNEP “Champion of the Earth” Award (2016), and inspired similar coastal clean-ups across India and abroad.

The Versova Beach case redefines water conservation — showing it’s not only about saving freshwater but also about protecting the quality and resilience of marine and coastal ecosystems, which are essential for biodiversity, recreation, and sustainable living.

As per the report, a water loss of 20.5 per cent takes place pre-consumption in the process of water getting treated and then transmitted to the main reservoir. Following that, the measure of unaccounted-for water — or water that has been produced and is wasted even before it reaches the consumer — is steep where losses are more than 50 per cent.

This means that in most situations, leakages and siphoning go largely untraced.

The Power Department has now officially stated that Shillong’s main source of power, the Umiam Hydroelectric Project, is now at risk of being shut down due to an alarming drop in water levels.

While certain steps have been taken to address the water crisis in Meghalaya, enforceability has been a problem.

When the state became the country’s first to have a water policy in 2019, it mandated all buildings to have rooftop rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge mechanisms, which would be enforced by concerned authorities.

However, few noted contractors of the city stated that many of their constructions — mostly residential — have received clearance certificates without checks for rainwater harvesting. 

Awareness has been another major problem, with most national education boards having removed environmental education as a separate subject at secondary school education.

Hence, we can see an anthropocentric lens as the water scarcity’s contributing factor was government negligence in favour of economic welfare which stemmed from factory production leading to water leakages and wastages going unnoticed.

Shillong, today, is the second-largest urban centre in India’s northeastern region and is grappling with a deepening water crisis driven by rapid urbanisation, deforestation, poor planning, and erratic rainfall. Meghalaya lost over 84 square kilometres of forest cover between 2021 and 2023, severely disrupting the natural recharge of springs and rainfall cycles. These forests, critical for maintaining water sources, are being cleared for roads, housing, and construction, particularly in fast-developing areas like New Shillong.

The city’s growing status as a major urban hub has intensified water demand. In response to dwindling supplies, many households and businesses have resorted to drilling deep borewells—a practice that only worsens the crisis. Shillong’s population has further intensified pressure on water resources. Unplanned urban sprawl continues to outpace infrastructure development, compounding the crisis.

War warns that excessive drilling disrupts the water table, yet people feel compelled to dig due to a lack of alternatives. Local Dorbar Shnongs have attempted to regulate borewell use and restrict activities like washing clothes in water bodies, but inconsistent enforcement allows the problem to persist, creating a dangerous cycle of over-extraction that depletes groundwater reserves even faster.

https://www.indiawaterportal.org/groundwater/tankers-in-the-abode-of-clouds-shillongs-growing-water-crisis

https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/06/10/water-crisis-in-meghalaya/

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/water/meghalaya-how-the-abode-of-clouds-ran-out-of-water-89932

Key Causes

• Groundwater Over-extraction: This is the most significant human-induced cause. Rajasthan is one of India's top users of groundwater for irrigation, accounting for 80% of its annual extraction. The rate of extraction (17.05 billion cubic meters in 2024) is significantly higher than the natural recharge rate (11.37 billion cubic meters in 2024), leading to rapidly declining water tables. In 2020, 203 out of 295 blocks were already classified as "over-exploited".

• Climate Change and Erratic Rainfall: Climate change has resulted in unpredictable and scanty rainfall patterns, as noted in the 2020 Monsoon Report by the India Meteorological Department. The state experiences frequent and prolonged droughts, coupled with occasional extreme rainfall events that lead to runoff rather than groundwater recharge. Higher temperatures also increase evapotranspiration rates, depleting surface water faster.

• Water-Intensive Agriculture: Despite the arid conditions, farmers have continued to grow water-intensive crops like wheat due to existing policies and a lack of alternatives, further straining limited water resources. Inefficient irrigation methods, primarily flood irrigation, exacerbate water wastage.

• Contamination of Water Sources: Over-extraction has led to the natural occurrence of contaminants like fluoride, nitrate, and uranium from aquifer rocks, making the remaining groundwater unsafe for drinking without treatment. Man-made pollutants from industrial effluents and untreated sewage also pollute freshwater sources, reducing the amount of usable water.

• Neglect of Traditional Water Harvesting Systems: Traditional rainwater harvesting structures like johads, taankas, and baoris have fallen into neglect in many areas, meaning monsoon rain is not effectively captured and conserved for later use.

• Rapid Urbanization and Industrialization: Increased demand for water from growing urban populations and industries, along with associated deforestation for development, adds immense pressure to the existing water infrastructure and resources. 

These factors have intensified the pre-existing water crisis in Rajasthan, leading to economic distress for farmers, increased debt, and migration to cities for alternative livelihoods. 

citations: http://www.socialresearchfoundation.com/new/publish-journal.php?editID=6307#:~:text=Rajasthan%20suffers%20from%20severe%20water,present%20in%20ponds%20and%20lakes.

https://india.mongabay.com/2025/04/farming-families-in-indias-largest-state-are-being-pushed-into-debt-distress-and-migration/

https://rajras.in/ras/pre/rajasthan/geography/major-environmental-issues/#:~:text=In%20Rajasthan%20Geography%2C%20major%20environmental,Desert%20to%20Udaipur's%20Aravalli%20hills.

Promotes large-scale technological solutions and infrastructure development.

The Indira Gandhi Canal Project supplies water from Punjab’s rivers to the arid Thar region, enabling irrigation and urban supply.

The Mukhyamantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan (MJSA) integrates remote sensing, GIS mapping, and watershed modelling for planning.

The Jal Jeevan Mission aims for universal rural tap connections by using modern distribution networks.

Emphasises policy, management, and governance for sustainable resource use.

The Rajasthan State Water Policy (2010) encourages integrated water resource management and demand-side regulation.

Public awareness campaigns promote water conservation and equitable access.

Initiatives like Smart Cities (Jaipur) include wastewater reuse and rainwater harvesting regulations.

Each EVS offers distinct benefits and limitations:

• Ecocentric methods are sustainable and culturally rooted but difficult to scale.

• Technocentric interventions increase access but risk ecological harm.

• Anthropocentric strategies provide governance but depend on public participation.

The most resilient approach integrates all three — combining community-based conservation, modern technology, and policy frameworks to achieve long-term water security.

Rajasthan’s water crisis demonstrates the need for integrated and value-based water governance. Lasting solutions emerge where traditional ecological wisdom, technological advancement, and institutional policy converge. Viewing the issue through multiple EVS lenses provides a balanced understanding of sustainability that aligns with ESS principles of systems thinking and equitable resource management.

Citation (APA 7th Style)

Government of Rajasthan. (2023). Rajasthan Water Resources Department Annual Report 2022–23. Jaipur: Water Resources Department.
World Bank. (2019). Rajasthan Water Sector Restructuring Project: Implementation Completion Report. Washington, DC: World Bank.
Tarun Bharat Sangh. (2022). Water Harvesting and River Rejuvenation Projects in Rajasthan. Retrieved from https://tarunbharatsangh.in
Ministry of Jal Shakti. (2023). Jal Jeevan Mission Dashboard. Government of India.

Natural causes (the 40%)

• Desert vibes: Rajasthan’s always been dry , the Thar Desert covers a huge part, so low rainfall’s just how it rolls.

• Climate change punching hard: the monsoon’s gotten super unpredictable lately , floods one year, drought the next. That wrecks recharge cycles.

• Rising temps: hotter air = more evaporation, less water staying in lakes or soil. Basically nature’s been turning the heat up nonstop.

However, Human causes (the 60%)

• Overpumping groundwater: people have been draining aquifers faster than nature can refill them. Wells are going deeper and drier every year.

• Water-hungry crops: stuff like sugarcane or paddy being grown in desert-zones? yeah… not smart. those crops guzzle water like crazy.

• Neglecting traditional systems: old-school rainwater harvesting structures , johads, baoris, stepwells , were low-key genius. but most got ignored or encroached on.

• Urban expansion: cities like Jaipur expanding fast = paving over recharge zones + hogging water for construction + higher demand overall.

• Bad water governance: groundwater use barely regulated; people just bore more wells instead of managing as a collective resource.

Now the question is if the government done anything about this issue?

• They launched the campaign Vande Ganga: Jal Sanrakshan Jan Abhiyan in June 2025 to revive traditional water sources and involve the public in water-conservation efforts.

• They committed to building/leverage water-harvesting structures (ponds, johads, etc), recharging groundwater, repairing dams/canals.

• A legislation move: The Rajasthan Ground Water (Conservation & Management) Authority Bill, 2024 was introduced to regulate groundwater extraction, set tariffs, create district-level committees.

• They have national-and-state schemes such as Mukhyamantri Jal Swavalamban Abhiyan (MJSA) that built hundreds of thousands of water harvesting structures, planted trees, made measurable difference in groundwater levels.

Citation:

https://phedwater.rajasthan.gov.in/content/dam/doitassets/water/Public-Health-Engineering-Department/PDF2025/Water%20%284%29.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s3a70dc40477bc2adceef4d2c90f47eb82/uploads/2023/02/2023020954.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://phedwater.rajasthan.gov.in/content/dam/doitassets/water/Public-Health-Engineering-Department/PDF2025/Water%20%284%29.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://www.preventionweb.net/news/india-how-does-flood-prone-city-run-out-water-inside-chennais-day-zero-crisis

• Rain-shadow region: Marathwada receives less rain as moisture-laden winds from the Arabian Sea lose their moisture over the Western Ghats.

• Intensive agriculture: A shift to water-intensive crops like sugarcane, along with high demand for irrigation, puts immense pressure on groundwater resources.

• Groundwater over-extraction: Unsustainable and often unregulated withdrawal of groundwater for both agriculture and industry has led to the drying up of many local sources.

• Poor management and infrastructure: Ineffective water management, a lack of adequate infrastructure for water storage and conservation, and poor implementation of policies have worsened the situation.

• Lack of conservation: Insufficient efforts in rainwater harvesting and other water conservation structures have failed to replenish groundwater tables. 

In 2021 ; birds displaced from habitat due to contaminated water

in 2022 ; The national Green tribunal ordered bmc to stop sewage flow

in 2023 ; invasive plants hyacinth increase lower oxygen levels

in 2024,2025; due to rapid degredation of pollution and untreated sewage the powai lake water was misfit to drink from

Why water is scarce

• The village has seen a large increase in population (officially ~40,000 but in reality over 100,000) which has put heavy pressure on water supply infrastructure.

• The groundwater (aquifer) under the village is heavily polluted due to industrial waste, chemical discharge from factories, and unregulated growth of industrial units.

• Drinking-water supply projects (worth ~₹100 crore) meant to bring treated water via pipelines have been delayed (court cases, clearances, approvals pending). This means piped supply is inadequate.

• Waste‐water / sewage infrastructure is poor: large tanks/ponds hold untreated wastewater, and sewage-line projects are also stuck. This leads to contamination and further loss of usable water.

• Why:

  • Rapid urbanisation with very limited surface water supply.

  • Heavy dependence on borewells — groundwater table has fallen 2–3 m per year in many sectors.

  • Only about 40% of households get reliable piped supply.

• Status: Classified as “over-exploited” by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB).

• Sources: CGWB 2023 report, Times of India, 2023

Over-extraction of groundwater for irrgation

1. – Intensive drilling of borewells and heavy use of submersible pumps for water-intensive crops like sugarcane depleted aquifers  .

   Shift to water-intensive agriculture (especially sugarcane)

   – Cropping pattern moved from rain-fed millets to sugarcane, increasing groundwater demand in a drought-prone region  .

   Low and inconsistent rainfall

   – Several years of below-normal rainfall worsened groundwater depletion  .

   Poor planning in post-earthquake rehabilitation

   – Relocation to upland sites without considering water availability; water resources not prioritized in rebuilding plans  .

   Failure and non-maintenance of water infrastructure

   – Most pre-existing piped systems and handpumps became non-functional as groundwater levels fell  .

   Political and policy failures

   – Weak enforcement of groundwater rules; state policies favored resource-rich groups and sugar industry interests  .

   Tanker-based supply dependence

   – Emergence of “tanker villages” due to dried local sources; inefficient, exploitative, and contamination-prone system  .

   Contamination & infrastructure issues

   – Poor handpump platform design and leakage led to water contamination, limiting safe available water  .

Reasons :
-The city’s water management focuses on human benefits, especially for the more affluent and industrial sectors, rather than ecological balance or equal access. The government often allocates resources based on economic productivity rather than social welfare — neglecting informal settlements like Dharavi.

-Authorities rely heavily on technological solutions (like centralized reservoirs, pipelines, and large-scale water projects) rather than community-based or sustainable systems such as local rainwater harvesting or decentralized supply systems. This creates dependency on fragile, overburdened infrastructure.

-The natural water cycle and local ecosystems are overlooked. Groundwater recharge, pollution from waste, and ecological restoration are rarely prioritized in the area’s redevelopment plans — worsening water quality and availability.

France has cut its emissions in a bunch of different ways. One of the biggest reasons is that most of the country’s electricity comes from nuclear power, which doesn’t release carbon. They’ve also been expanding renewables like wind, solar, and hydropower. On the transport side, France invests heavily in trains, metros, and trams, and gives people subsidies to buy electric cars while restricting older, more polluting vehicles in cities.

They’ve also put taxes on carbon-heavy fuels and introduced stricter rules for industries, pushing factories to use cleaner technologies. Buildings are becoming greener too, thanks to government programmes that help people insulate their homes or switch to heat pumps. In agriculture and waste, France has been reducing landfill use, increasing recycling, and trying to cut methane and fertilizer emissions.

All of this is tied together by national climate laws, including bans on short domestic flights where trains work just as well and a plan to phase out coal completely. Overall, it's a mix of cleaner energy, smarter transport, stricter rules, and big lifestyle and infrastructure shifts.

The UK has also reduced its emissions through a mix of energy changes, laws, and lifestyle shifts. One of the biggest reasons is that the country moved away from coal much faster than most others — coal used to dominate the UK’s electricity, but now it’s almost completely gone. Instead, the UK relies more on renewables like offshore wind, which is one of the strongest sectors in the world, plus solar and some nuclear.

Transport has been another big area. The UK encourages electric cars with subsidies, tax benefits, and lots of charging stations popping up everywhere. They’ve also been improving public transport in major cities and trying to push people away from fossil-fuelled cars by announcing a future ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles.

On top of that, industries face strict rules on emissions, partly because the UK participates in carbon pricing systems that make polluting more expensive. Homes and buildings are also slowly becoming greener, with insulation schemes, energy-efficiency standards, and a move toward heat pumps instead of gas boilers.

The UK has also changed how it handles waste, increasing recycling and cutting down on landfill emissions. Farming practices are being reformed too, especially around methane and fertilizer use. All of this sits under the UK’s climate laws, including a legal commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. It’s basically a mix of phasing out coal, boosting renewables, cleaning up transport, tightening regulations, and making buildings and industries more efficient.

A country that hasn’t done nearly as much as France or the UK — while still keeping this neutral and factual is Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia hasn’t reduced emissions anywhere close to the level of France or the UK. The country’s economy is extremely dependent on oil, so most of its energy still comes from fossil fuels, and renewable energy makes up only a tiny fraction of its total power. While there have been announcements about future solar farms and diversification plans, the actual emission cuts on the ground have been minimal so far.

Transport hasn’t shifted much either electric vehicles are not widespread, public transport is limited outside a few major projects, and most people still rely on petrol cars. There also aren’t strong carbon taxes or strict emissions rules like in European countries. Industries, especially oil and petrochemicals, continue to operate with high emissions, and there hasn’t been major pressure to change.

Saudi Arabia does talk about big climate goals and long-term visions, but compared to what France and the UK have already done phasing out coal, switching to nuclear/renewables, pushing EVs, adding carbon pricing Saudi Arabia’s actual progress has been quite small. It’s mostly still in the planning or early project stage rather than real, large-scale emission cuts.

1. India's latest climate policy focuses on achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 and includes several targets for 2030, such as reducing its carbon intensity by 45% from 2005 levels, meeting 50% of its energy demand from renewable sources, and increasing non-fossil fuel energy capacity to 500 GW. Key initiatives include establishing a domestic carbon market through the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022, launching the National Green Hydrogen Mission, and promoting a mass movement called 'Lifestyle for Environment' (LiFE).  

2.  India uses several alternative energy sources to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, including solar, wind, hydroelectric, and biomass energy. Solar and wind power are the fastest-growing due to India’s climate and geography. Hydropower, nuclear energy, and emerging options like geothermal and tidal energy also contribute to cleaner energy production.

3. Advantages:

1. They are environment-friendly and produce very low pollution.

2. They are renewable and will not run out like coal or petroleum.

3. They reduce India’s dependence on imported fossil fuels and improve energy security.

4. They can help provide electricity in rural and remote areas.

Disadvantages:

1. They require high initial investment for setting up solar panels, wind turbines, or hydro projects.

2. They depend on weather conditions such as sunlight and wind.

3. They need large areas of land, especially solar and wind farms.

4. Energy storage is expensive and limited.

5. Some projects like hydropower can impact rivers, forests, and local people

“A new economy is rising, while the old polluting one is running out of road.”

That was the message from UN climate chief Simon Stiell as COP30 wrapped up following marathon talks on Friday night which stretched into sunrise Saturday – signaling a turning point for climate ambition and global solidarity. 

What was decided:

• Finance at scale: Mobilise $1.3 trillion annually by 2035 for climate action.

• Adaptation boost: Double adaptation finance by 2025 and triple by 2035.

• Loss and damage fund: Operationalisation and replenishment cycles confirmed.

• New initiatives: Launch of the Global Implementation Accelerator and Belém Mission to 1.5°C to drive ambition and implementation.

• Climate disinformation: Commitment to promote information integrity and counter false narratives.

The final decision emphasises solidarity and investment, setting ambitious financial targets while leaving energy transition for later discussion. The burning of fossil fuels emits greenhouse gases that are by far the largest contributors to global warming, making this omission a point of concern for many nations, including negotiators from South America and the EU, as well as civil society groups.

Expectations were high that COP30's final decision would include explicit reference to phasing out fossil fuels. More than 80 countries backed Brazil’s proposal for a formal ‘roadmap.’

A draft text had included it – until the final hours of talks. The adopted outcome refers only to the ‘UAE Consensus’, the COP28 decision calling for “transitioning away from fossil fuels.”

Before the final plenary, Brazilian scientist Carlos Nobre issued a stark warning: fossil fuel use must fall to zero by 2040 – 2045 at the latest to avoid catastrophic temperature rises of up to 2.5°C by mid-century. That trajectory, he said, would spell the near-total loss of coral reefs, the collapse of the Amazon rainforest and an accelerated melt of the Greenland ice sheet.

The Brazilian Presidency underscored that COP30’s success extends beyond negotiated agreements, highlighting a wave of voluntary commitments under the Action Agenda.

Among them:

• Tropical Forests Forever Fund: Raised $5.5 billion and now includes 53 participating countries; at least 20 per cent of resources go directly to Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

• Belém Health Action Plan: The first global initiative targeting climate-related health threats, launched with $300 million from 35 philanthropic organizations.

• UNEZA Alliance: Public utility companies pledged $66 billion annually for renewable energy and $82 billion for transmission and storage.

• Cities, regions and companies: A coalition spanning 25,000 buildings reported cutting over 850,000 tons of CO₂ in 2024.

Climate justice at the forefront

Countries also agreed to develop a just transition mechanism, enhancing cooperation, technical support and capacity-building.

• It marked the first Global Stocktake, assessing progress towards the Paris Agreement's climate goals. 

• Countries were urged to transition away from fossil fuels in a just and equitable manner, aiming for net zero by 2050. 

• Avani, Urja, Jheel