IS WATER WAR BREWING UP? INDIA

Following the Indian Supreme Court directive to divert the Brahmaputra River as a part of multi billion dollar River linking project last month, the survey work has started for the construction of a 457-km-long link canal which could carry more than 43 cubic km a year to the Ganges to irrigate water-starved fields to the western and southern parts of the country. According to a study, the impact of diversion of the river could lead to 10 to 20 per cent reduction in the river's flow in Bangladesh for much of the year. Without the flow of fresh water, salt from the Bay of Bengal would invade the large river delta, causing "an environmental catastrophe”.

21, 30 March, 26 April

http://bbc.in/Ht8kAN, http://bit.ly/J1PT32, http://bit.ly/KdHc4U

WATER PROJECTS AND LEOPARDS- INDIA

For tackling water problems in Guwahati, the state government is constructing several water reservoirs in the hill top areas of the city. However, the construction is resulting on the rapid degradation of leopard habitat and they are forced to move out into the urban areas. In past three months, the city witnessed eight cases of leopards straying in the city.

29 March

http://bit.ly/WjMfe7

26 SPECIES OF WATER BIRDS AT POBITORA- INDIA

Census conducted on the wetland area of Pobitora wildlife sanctuary (38.19 sq km) recorded 26 species of water birds with a total count of around 12,000. In the past couple of years the number of residential and migratory birds coming to the sanctuary has increased.  Last census was conducted in 1993-1994.

12 February

bit.ly/xZpnrE

WETLANDS LOOSING GROUND- INDIA

Wetlands in Jammu are on the verge of extinction as two of the five wetlands have dried up giving way to human encroachment as a result few migratory birds visit the area. In addition, villagers scare away migratory birds as they fear that birds damage crops.

15 January

BIRD SIGHTINGS AT INCREASE- NEPAL

In the Barju Lake of Chimadi VDC of Sunsari district, Eastern Nepal around 5,000 species of birds have been sighted. Conservation initiative taken by the locals in 1995 turned the lake into wetland and bird sightings have increased in the area.

GOVT APATHETIC TO MAIPOKHARI CONSERVATION: LOCALS- NEPAL

Maipokhari of Ilam, Eastern Nepal which is rich in biodiversity has come under threat of extinction. Local people and other stakeholders are concerned over decreasing water level in the lake and have complained that lack of efforts to conserve biodiversity has put the area at risk and accused the government of being apathetic towards conserving the lake.

17 December

Kantipur