Joining lives

An Ecological Perspective On Rivers

Adeela Hameed, MSc Environmental Science, AUUP
       
The Indian peninsula is blessed with many perennial (snow fed) and seasonal (rain fed) rivers. But despite that, water remains an issue in the country. The reason being that geographically India is so diverse that rainfall distribution in this peninsula is very random. While the states of North and North East receive abundant rainfall, the states down south from Ramanathapuram to Ganganagar in Rajasthan witness very scanty rainfall. Ergo, some states witness frequent floods and some witness frequent drought. In both cases, crops get destroyed, and crop yield becomes less which can lead to food crisis. A huge network of rivers, canals and reservoirs can be a long term solution to this. This is why an ambitious project of interlinking of rivers has been undertaken by the Government of India.

 Interlinking of rivers
The India Story
First proposed during the British Colonial rule as a way to reduce cost and time of transportation of goods and raw materials, interlinking of rivers could be the potential solution to growing food and water demands of our burgeoning population. India is still an agriculture-based economy where agriculture comprises 18 % of India’s GDP. But agriculture in India is largely monsoon dependent and needs large amount of water for nurturing the crops and vegetables. Even though there are rivers, a constant water supply can not be ensured. While perennial rivers get flooded, seasonal rivers experience long spells of drought. Interlinking of rivers can help resolve the problem of ensuring constant supply for agricultural needs.
Interlinking of rivers
 A progressive solution
With the interlinking of rivers, river basins can drain off their excessive water into the basins of seasonal rivers or rivers with scanty rainfall, tackling floods and droughts at same time. This would also reduce the dependence of  agriculture on monsoon. It will also lead to increase in number of fertile plains which can be further developed for agricultural use, giving a momentum to economy. New human dwellings can also form around those areas tackling the problem of urban and rural migration to a certain extent.

Interlinking of rivers
A perspective
Environmental experts believe that interlinking of rivers might have a far reaching effect on ecosystem, because interlinking of rivers also leads to intermixing of ecosystems. According to Dr Prateek Srivastava, Asst Prof, Dept of Environmental Sciences, AUUP, “Biodiversity of every river is unique and may be disrupted due to interlinking. Irrepairable damage to the native species along with altered rainfall patterns due to deforestation are some of the negative impacts of unplanned interlinking.”  The success of Rhine-Main –Danube canal of Germany may be one example to reckon with but even that faced many ecological troubles when the invasive species, started flourishing and disrupting the survival of already existing species.

Interlinking of rivers
 In troubled waters
The ambitious interlinking of Ken Betwa river in Madhya Pradesh and Bundelkhand region has already run into the troubled waters with rising protests over anticipated submerging of 8,650 hectares of forest area which also includes a part of Panna National Park. This first of its kind project located inside Panna Tiger reserve may result in  almost 20000 losing their land, and shelter both and rehabilitation is a tedious and lengthy process. 

While interlinking of rivers is a progressive change we must not overlook the ecological disturbances it may potentially create. The solution lies in minimising the negative impact by careful and meticulous planning. The idea is to create a balance, and not further the imbalance already created by human beings.

Save our planet

Earth, For It Is Losing Beauty Each Day

With a mission to expedite the efforts to protect Mother Earth, every year Earth Day is celebrated on April 22. And for the same, young Amitians of AIS Noida from Class IX-X came together to celebrate Earth week from April 23-27, 2018. The objective was to give a voice to the agony of Earth and raise hope of resurrection by innovation. During one week long celebration, the students came together and participated in various activities such as poster making, mask making, rangoli competition, digital presentations, debate competition etc. Here’s presenting a glimpse of the celebrations:

Colours speak
Paints, flowers, and powder colours were brought together to weave the patterns of healing, conservation and recreation of our dear Earth. Creativity, science and solutions amalgamated beautifully as the students made enigmatic rangolis depicting different ways to alleviate the damage done to Mother Earth and restore it to its magnificent glory once again.
Earth journos: Shivam Pareek X F; Kashish Tarani X F and Manisha Mishra, X H

Earth lensmen: Bhavya Goel X F & Mehika Sharma, X F

Masked hopes
Humans beings have been the most unworthy children of Mother Earth.  But in this world, the hope of reviving Earth is still alive. This is what was evident in the masks made by students using eco friendly materials on themes like reducing carbon footprints, afforestation, energy conservation, etc.
Earth journos: Sehaj Ghuman X M & Gaurika Wahal, X L
Earth lensmen: Virat Raj, X H & Mehika Sharma, X F

Technology to rescue
Evolved the man and so did the technology. Accelerated the technology and gadgets became smarter. As gadgets became smarter, it became a double edged sword called ‘e-waste’. At the dawn of 21st century man has finally woken up to the reality of perils of e- waste increasing and is now trying hard to find ways to reduce it. This is what was shared in the digital presentations by four groups from Class IX-X.
Earth journos: Aarushi, IX B; Suhani, IX B & Anayta, IX B

Earthy visuals
Mother Earth gave us life and we made her lifeless. With messages like this, posters were made by the students. And all the posters wept of the pain we have given to Earth. Words of every slogan were woven with the tears of peril and helplessness of the mother defaced and destroyed by her most beloved child, the human.
Earth journos : Anannda Mittal, X K; Dalaisha Aggarwal, X K & Saanika Banga, IX F

Earth lensman : Dhruv Arora, X L

Voicing solutions
Every child on Earth needs to voice their love, care, support for the planet. In an effort towards the same students of Class IX-X expressed their viewpoints and shared their ideas in a debate on the topic, ‘Technological development and the conservation of earth cannot go hand in hand’. The speakers brought on stage the problems and suggested some innovative ideas. Judicious and planned use of available resources was a common solution arrived at.
Earth Journo: Sehaj Ghuman, X M