8: Turning the tide

On the last episode of water, we explore the ways urban settlements contribute to the degradation of rivers. We also learn what national water policy has to say about conservation and restoration of water bodies, and whether its ideas match reality. We try to seek solutions for the problems of the Yamuna in Delhi, and take a step back to see where we're going and whether we can change direction and revive our water sources.

India is a land of many rivers, and rivers are deeply wound into our history (Sapta-Sindhu), culture and religion. In this episode, we take a trip down the religious history of the Yamuna, not the first river you'd think of if someone said sacred river in India. Rivers are so well embedded in our identity that yes, even the Yamuna is mentioned in the Rig Veda, and related to several gods. Find out about Yamuna maiyya, what she stands for, and how modern life is killing this goddess. 

Water is the news again, because it is summer and we're running short, but also because NITI Aayog published a report that makes very scary predictions: 40% of Indians will not have access to drinking water by 2030. In this episode, we talk to urban planning specialist Mriganka Saxena about the water crisis, water policy in India, what can be done and what stands in our way. We find out just how many agencies are involved with the Yamuna, the good and bad about water policy and what it will take for us to avert disaster. The good news? We can. 

In today's episode, we take a look at rivers and how they work.

In today's episode, we consider the changing patterns of rainfall and explore how the monsoon behaves differently these days. What does it mean if we get more rain on individual days but fewer days with rain? What are the things we need to prepare for? And can India's agriculture and economy survive these changes?

In this episode of Water, Ameya encounters the complexity of predicting the weather and its history in India. Speaking to a scientist from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology and the Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, she finds out about the long history of measuring the rain in India and all the technological advances it has made. She also speaks to Pradeep John, aka the Tamil Nadu Weatherman, and a cult figure in the state. 

How the monsoon is important to India, not just economically, but also culturally

Understand the different ways India relates to water, from myth and legend to economics and agriculture