As per a new report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Asia has the highest number of people exposed to flooding from possible storm surge events, particularly in China, India, Bangladesh, and Indonesia. Moreover, the coastal cities are at a higher risk of flood exposure due to growing populations, assets and subsidence. The report also claimed that southern India may witness a decline in rice yields by five percent in 2030.
In Kerala, a massive people's movement along with state government's support has revived a 9-km-long dead Varattar river. The river which has been dead for many years was once a perennial freshwater source linking two rivers in Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta districts and carried racing boats and cargo. Sand mining and encroachment, coupled with deficient rainfall over the years, were the causes of the death of the river. Thanks to the efforts of the locals, the river has started flowing well beyond what was expected.
According to a recent study, the Cauvery delta region which is widely regarded as the granary of Tamil Nadu has shrunk by 20 percent with cultivable lands increasingly deteriorating into wastelands. The study conducted between 2014 and 2016 covers a period spanning almost four decades. The shrinkage is due to anthropogenic factors such as the diversion of land for nonagricultural purposes as well as factors linked to climate change. Also, the study has reported an increase in mangrove cover which implies that more cultivable agricultural land is coming under sea water turning the soil saline.
Three in 10 people lack access to safe drinking water: Report
As per a new report by the WHO and the UNICEF, nearly 2.1 billion people worldwide lack access to safe water at home and 4.5 billion lack safely managed sanitation. The Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) report titled Progress on drinking water, sanitation and hygiene: 2017 update and Sustainable Development Goal baselines is the first global assessment of safely managed drinking water and sanitation services. The report, however, recommends maintaining good hygiene as an effective measure to prevent the spread of diseases that occur due to the lack of safe water and sanitation.
Tata Steel's Noamundi mine has become the country's first iron-ore mine to have installed a three MW solar photovoltaic power plant. The initiative is aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of the plant. The solar plant has been set up at a cost of Rs 35 crore, covering 19 acres of area and will help in reducing the carbon emission by about 3,000 tonnes per annum.
This is a roundup of important news from July 11 - 17, 2017. Also, read the policy matters this week.