Pune: Noted ecologist Madhav Gadgil on Wednesday expressed concern over the unavailability of accurate data regarding availability of water.

Addressing a news conference as part of the ongoing 7th Kirloskar Vasundhara international film festival, Gadgil claimed that a lot of information was deliberately being withheld and not made available to citizens. He cited the example of Goa to underline the point. “Spring water is required for irrigation and for the sustenance of orchards and coconut groves on hill slopes. These, however, have been unfortunately and systematically damaged by the mines in the area,” Gadgil said.

77.4 % OF CLASS V STUDENTS UNABLE TO SOLVE SIMPLE SUMS FROM CLASS III

Pune: An annual national survey in 2012 of school-going children’s ability in mathematics and reading has put Maharashtra right at the bottom with just about 22.6% of the total number of Class V students surveyed able to solve simple arithmetic problems from their Class III books. The national average was 24.8%. Educationists blame the Maharashtra’s poor score to the many childfriendly reforms, such as the no exam rule, the government has introduced in the education system but has failed to implement them properly.

Pune: The state government is likely to make it mandatory for all municipal corporations to treat and use sewage water for non-drinking purposes.

“A meeting of municipal officials across the state was called to discuss possible use of recycled sewage water. After deliberations, the government will take steps towards implementation of the plan,” said a state official. He added that the state government has decided to adhere to the Union government’s recent directives.

Proposal Okayed By General Body As Part Of DP Approval

Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has moved ahead in preparing a detailed project report (DPR) to start grey water recycling system in old and new constructions across the city. Grey water comes from kitchen sinks, showers and washing machines. Between 50% and 80% of household water that goes down the drain could be reused to flush toilets or water outdoor landscaping and for irrigation.

Pune: With reservoirs in the state collectively holding 44% water, the state government has asked all divisional commissioners to reserve water for drinking purpose and restrict its usage for non-drinking purpose.

“At least 1,155 villages and 3,709 hamlets are facing severe water shortage. The state is providing water through 1,539 tankers to areas reeling under water scarcity. The state has spent Rs 248 crore to run fodder camps sheltering 1.69 lakh cattle,” a statement released by the government said.

Pune: Only 35 out of the approximate 10,000 buildings constructed in the city in the last five years have received the status of an ecofriendly structure.

The civic body adopted the ecohousing policy in 2008 to promote environmental, economic, health and safety benefits that come with such buildings. The policy plans to educate developers, architects as well as buyers to change the city's scenario and to create awareness about such homes. As per the PMC officials, on an average nearly 2,000 building permissions are issued by the PMC each year. Considering this, permissions to around 10,000 buildings have been given in the city in the last five years.

Pune: World over, efforts are being made to use technology to improve water efficiency with minimum compromise on performance. Considering the urban water crisis in India, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi, has developed a ‘Roadmap for rating system for water efficient fixtures: A way to sustainable water management in India’.

Water-using fixtures in a building include cisterns and commodes, faucets, showerheads, urinals, etc, apart from other appliances like washing machines and dishwashers. The Maharashtra state government has appealed to the builders and developers associations across the state to opt for water saving measures wherever possible.

PMC’s Kondhwa Facility Upgraded

Pune:If you eat a pav bhaji at your local favourite joint and don’t find it palatable, take a sample of it to the food testing facility in Kondhwa to know if it’s consumable. Started by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) at Salunke Vihar in Kondhwa a year back, the lab so far had limited use. “It was designed primarily for testing meat at the Kondhwa slaughterhouse. Since it is well equipped, the lab can be used by common people. Anybody can go there with the food sample and ask for a test to be conducted. The lab will provide the details,” said PMC heal officer S T Pardeshi.

PMC Analysed 35 Child Deaths, Below One Year, Between May 2012 And January 2013

Pune: Low birth weight, a common cause of infant death in rural areas, is also the leading factor linked with infants’ death in Pune, states the latest child death audit report of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). What is more worrying is that preventable diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhoea and jaundice continue to cause child deaths in the city.

‘Pune, Mumbai, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Thane Should Go For 100% Metered Supply’

Pune: Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on Thursday said that the Pune city was not using water in a ‘sensible’ way and that such ‘luxury’ cannot be afforded on the backdrop of the unprecedented drought situation in the state. “There is severe drought in the state. Crops are drying and dairy business is affected. It’s a big challenge to keep the cattle alive… If we are not able to sustain drinking water supply, we will face an unprecedented situation... Pune is not using water in a sensible way... we cannot afford this luxury when the drought is so bad,” the chief minister said.