Oil companies have gained control over billions of gallons of water from rivers in the western U.S. in preparation for future efforts to extract oil from shale deposits under the Rocky Mountains, according to a new report by an environmental group that opposes such projects.

Dhaka will take an initiative for holding a regional dialogue on water sharing of the trans-border rivers as the upper riparian India continues unilateral withdrawal of waters depriving Bangladesh of its due share.

The first and foremost challenge in South Asia is the vulnerability to water related disasters. This cause huge loss of life and property estimated loss range from 2-20% and revenue loss between 12-66% and it hinders sustainable development for poverty reduction by eroding hard earned gains of development.

A number of irrigation projects, developmental activities and educational programmes are under way in the district.

In phase I of the Vamsadhara project, the construction of the left main canal and the release of water from the Gotta barrage helped irrigate some 25,000 hectares.

After being caught in bureaucratic red tape and disputes between States for nearly 30 years, the ambitious River Inter-Linking Project may soon become a reality with a link between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh ready for launch in the next three years.

In the next three years, the Ken-Betwa river link between the two States may become the first river inter-linking project of the country.

NORTH LAKHIMPUR, March 8

LUCKNOW: Taking serious note of illegal mining along river with the help of heavy machines in Uttar Pradesh, the high court on Friday constituted a probe committee to be presided by the Geological Survey of India. The court has directed the committee to submit its report in a sealed cover to the court by May 10.

GUWAHATI, March 4

Expressing concern over disruption by local people in repairing of the Kosi river embankment at Kusaha in Nepal, the Bihar government on Monday sought Centre