The need of the hour is to decentralise drought management and think long term

Water has suddenly become a favoured subject for seminars and conferences all over the world.

Despite the government sinking crores, plight of the drought affected people remains unchanged

drought and an acute shortage of

Promoting ostrich and emu farming in India s drought prone districts could be a boon to farmers

The Supreme Court has called for more powers to be given to the National Environment Appellate Authority to enable it to handle

Wildfires and a prolonged drought spurred by the El Ni

Oxfam (India), a relief and development organisation, has launched a massive relief and sustainable development programme in the drought-hit areas of Orissa. The Rs 1.5 crore programme

Problems of the drought-affected people in Madhya Pradesh remain as before. Due to scanty rainfall in Gwalior-Chambal division as also in Bundelkhand, the irrigation was not adequate and hence a good harvest is unlikely. On Monday the question of crippling drought situation in Gwalior-Chambal division figured in the assembly. The Opposition alleged that the state government had been a failure in solving the problems of the drought-affected people and walked out from the House. They charged the govt with making big promises to the suffering people but not fulfilling those promises. Instead, to divert the attention of the people, the state government was making excuses and blaming the Central government for the ills. The government was being partial in doling out relief amount to some selected people, the members charged. The government's attention was drawn towards the drying of crops in hundreds of villages under Bhander canal system, Rajghat project in Bhind district. Water Resources Minister clarified that the Rajghat Canal Project is under Uttar Pradesh. As the dam is in MP, so our state has put pressure on the UP government to give authority for its maintenance. Soon a high-level meeting on this issue is going to be held. The opposition should cooperate with the state government in the interest of the state. Indeed, the farmers facing hardships need relief and other government help. They have nothing to do with the politics being played inside or outside the Assembly. Even they are facing the problem of drinking water. They are already facing the problem of their livelihood but their future is also dark. Keeping aside petty political interests, the parties need to come out with ways to help the farmers.

Some innovations change lives. A favourite of mine is the village milk collection system, a cooperative model. There s a dairy in the village, people bring in milk, the dairy in

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