Unraveling the Complexities of Water: Insights from Paani.earth’s Groundbreaking Initiatives
In the ever-evolving landscape of environmental advocacy, the team at Paani.earth has been at the forefront, tackling some of the most pressing water-related challenges facing our communities. Through a series of comprehensive studies, innovative partnerships, and tireless on-the-ground efforts, they have been shining a light on the critical issues surrounding water quality, river conservation, and sustainable resource management.
Uncovering Water Contamination in the Arkavathi River
One of Paani.earth’s most impactful projects has been the in-depth analysis of the Arkavathi River’s water and sediment quality. Collaborating with the International Centre for Clean Water (ICCW) under IIT Madras, the team delved into the alarming levels of various contaminants, including nitrogen, phosphorus, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and hexavalent chromium. Unexpectedly, they also detected the presence of lithium in the sediment, raising further concerns.
The findings from this comprehensive study are particularly troubling, as the Thippagondanahalli Reservoir, which is set to supply water to Bangalore once the Yettinahole project is operational, is fed by the Arkavathi River. This discovery has prompted Paani.earth to work diligently to bring these water quality concerns to the attention of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), advocating for immediate action to address the issue.
Measuring the Flow of Urban Rivers
In partnership with CDDIndia, Paani.earth embarked on a crucial project to measure the flow of the Arkavathi River upstream of the Thippagondanahalli Reservoir and the Vrishabhavathi River, just before it exits the Bangalore Bruhat Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) jurisdiction. By conducting flow measurements every two hours over a 24-hour period in March, the team was able to determine that the Vrishabhavathi River carries a staggering 541 Million Litres per Day (MLD) of wastewater, while the Arkavathi River flows at a rate of 163 MLD.
These alarming figures highlight the profound impact of urban development and the uncontrolled discharge of wastewater on the health of these vital water bodies. The insights gained from this study will be instrumental in shaping future policies and interventions aimed at reviving and protecting these urban rivers.
Challenging the Expansion of Coromandel Sugars
Paani.earth’s commitment to environmental advocacy extends beyond water quality and river conservation. In response to concerns raised by citizens in Mandya, the team, in collaboration with the Human Rights Protection Foundation (HRPF) in Udupi, began investigating the pollution issues surrounding the Coromandel Sugars factory. The factory is seeking environmental clearance to set up a 150 KLPD ethanol plant, which raises concerns among the local community about the potential mismanagement and release of toxic effluents, known as spent wash, from the ethanol distillery.
Paani.earth’s team conducted a thorough analysis of the Draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environment Management Plan (EMP) submitted by the industry, identifying several serious flaws in the assessment process. They found inconsistencies in the water balance figures, a severe deficit in the sugarcane feedstock, and a lack of analysis on the Hemavathi River’s flow to determine if there is sufficient water for the industry’s expansion. Importantly, the team also noted that the draft EIA was provided in English, with only the executive summary in Kannada, depriving the local community of crucial information needed to effectively raise their concerns.
Paani.earth, along with the citizens of Mandya and the Udupi Human Rights Foundation, is prepared to challenge the approval of this expansion in the National Green Tribunal (NGT), advocating for a more transparent and comprehensive review process that prioritizes the well-being of the local community and the environment.
Preserving the Hesaraghatta Lake Catchment
Paani.earth’s efforts extend beyond investigating water quality and industrial pollution. They have also dedicated significant resources to understanding and protecting the Hesaraghatta Lake and its critical catchment area. Originally commissioned in 1895 to provide drinking water to Bangalore, the lake no longer serves that purpose today, and the degradation of its catchment has only worsened in recent decades.
To safeguard this vital resource, Paani.earth has collaborated with local stakeholders to make crucial data about the Hesaraghatta Lake and its catchment publicly accessible. This includes detailed maps, profiles, and analyses of the lake and its surrounding land cover. The team has conducted extensive research, including satellite image analysis to track the loss of water spread in the catchment, as well as an in-depth study of 122 years of rainfall data from the Indian Meteorological Department.
By consolidating this information and making it readily available, Paani.earth aims to empower the local community and policymakers with the necessary data to make informed decisions that will protect and conserve the Hesaraghatta Lake catchment, a critical component of Bangalore’s water security.
Mapping the Impact of Invasive Species on Bengaluru’s Lakes
Paani.earth’s dedication to environmental conservation extends beyond the Hesaraghatta Lake catchment. In May 2024, the team released a comprehensive report titled “Assessing the scale and impacts of planting invasives on Lakes in Bengaluru Urban and its surrounding districts.” This groundbreaking study delved into the pressing issue of invasive tree species encroaching on the city’s precious lake ecosystems.
The report, which was presented at the WOW Action Forum, highlighted the detrimental impact of these invasive plants on the water bodies, sparking a crucial dialogue on the need for more sustainable lake management practices. Paani.earth’s research has been instrumental in raising awareness and driving action to address this overlooked environmental challenge, as evidenced by the Deccan Herald’s documentary on the topic.
Advocating for the Western Ghats
Paani.earth’s scope of influence extends beyond the boundaries of Bangalore, as the team has also been actively engaged in the ongoing discourse surrounding the protection of the Western Ghats. In response to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change’s sixth draft notification on the Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area, Paani.earth’s Nirmala Gowda embarked on a nine-day study tour of the region, visiting various locations across the Western Ghats in Karnataka.
This firsthand exploration has provided the team with invaluable insights and a deeper understanding of the unique challenges and concerns faced by local communities, environmentalists, and businesses in the region. Paani.earth’s efforts to gather feedback and compile critical information about the Western Ghats will be instrumental in shaping their representation to the Ministry, ensuring that the voices of diverse stakeholders are heard and incorporated into the policy-making process.
Harnessing Geospatial Technologies for Environmental Conservation
Paani.earth’s approach to environmental advocacy is not limited to field research and policy engagement; the team has also been actively leveraging the power of geospatial technologies to deepen their analysis and enhance their understanding of complex environmental issues.
By staying at the forefront of developments in earth observation data and geospatial analysis tools, the team has been able to strengthen their capabilities in addressing various environmental challenges. This expertise has enabled them to produce comprehensive spatial data and interactive dashboards that provide a holistic view of the issues they are tackling, from river pollution to lake ecosystem dynamics.
Recognizing the importance of sharing this knowledge with the next generation of environmental stewards, Paani.earth has also been actively engaged in capacity-building initiatives. Khushbu K. Birawat, for instance, led a hands-on QGIS training session for engineering students at BMS College of Engineering, equipping them with the necessary skills to leverage geospatial technologies for environmental conservation and protection.
Fostering Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing
Paani.earth’s work extends beyond their own research and advocacy efforts. The team has been actively engaged in collaborative initiatives, sharing their expertise and gaining valuable insights from other organizations and experts in the field.
During a visit to Udupi, the Paani.earth team participated in a focused learning session with Dr. Ravindranath Shanbhag, a veteran in the field of human rights and environmental advocacy. Dr. Shanbhag’s wealth of experience, spanning issues such as river pollution, mangrove conservation, and pesticide contamination, provided the team with invaluable perspectives and methodologies that they can apply to their own work.
Paani.earth has also been invited to share their insights and knowledge in various forums and discussions. Nirmala Gowda, for example, had the rare opportunity to speak about the “Equitable distribution of water, wastewater and groundwater in Bengaluru and its surrounding areas” in the presence of Supreme Court Justice Abhay A Oka and Hon’ble Karnataka High Court Justice Sunil Dutt Yadav. Similarly, Khushbu Birawat was invited to deliver a guest lecture on the “Application of Remote Sensing (RS) and GIS to Research and Understand Environmental Issues” at her alma mater, BMS College of Engineering.
These collaborations and speaking engagements not only amplify Paani.earth’s voice but also contribute to the broader dialogue on environmental conservation, fostering a multidisciplinary approach to addressing the complex challenges faced by our communities.
Paani.earth’s Unwavering Commitment to Impact
As the Paani.earth team continues to navigate the intricate web of environmental issues, their unwavering commitment to driving meaningful change remains steadfast. Through their data-driven research, collaborative efforts, and advocacy work, they have emerged as a formidable force in the pursuit of sustainable water management and ecosystem preservation.
By sharing their insights and expertise through platforms like the Artificial Christmas Tree Shop blog, Paani.earth aims to inspire and empower a wider audience to become active participants in the fight for a healthier, more resilient future. Their story serves as a testament to the transformative power of grassroots initiatives and the crucial role that data-driven solutions can play in shaping environmental policy and community engagement.
As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of environmental challenges, the work of Paani.earth stands as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that with dedication, innovation, and a collaborative spirit, we can overcome even the most daunting obstacles and create a more sustainable and equitable world for all.
