There are some bacteria in all waters. In general they carry out beneficial processes but some bacteria or other microorganisms may cause disease in humans. New water-related diseases, periodically emerge either because they are newly recognized or because their importance increases.

For more than a century, the people of Motepur used to build an earthen dam on the Punpun river every two years. Today, wage labour has replaced voluntary service and a cement dam threatens to blot out a unique water harvesting system.

Oustees of the Kutku and Auranga dams in Bihar complain media attention is the only way of getting justice from the government, but the media devotes its ink only to big money projects

A non conventional energy complex set up in Brahampur village lies in a shambles today because authorities disregarded the people's requirements

Junked aeroplane tyres are being used on camel carts in Rajasthan, making life easier for both the villagers and the animals

The government's employment generation schemes, laudable though they may be, have yet to achieve their goals. Not involving intended beneficiaries is cited as a major reason for their failure.

Jagaran, a voluntary body is seeking to re establish traditional herbal medicines in an impoverished tribal area in Udayapur district.

A surgical technique developed by an ayurvedic team has drastically curtailed incidence of dracontiasis, a disease caused by guinea worms, in southern Rajasthan. So successful is the technique, the team's leaders were invited to Africa last year to teach

Butterflies, a non government organisation, is helping street children to organise themselves and operate a restaurant in the Capital's main bus terminus.

The Tarun Bharat Sangh is helping drought hit villagers of Alwar district of Rajasthan grow crops by reviving a traditional system of dam construction.