You may be interested in a new initiative by the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance that is developing new tools to support Indigenous management of land and sea country – including formally designated Indigenous Protected Areas.I-Tracker uses the renowned and free Cyber Tracker software (www.cybertracker..org) on rugged handheld PDAs. It provides for electronic user friendly, customisable data collection in the field and data download and management and GIS analysis capacity in the office. It is being taken up enthusiastically by the growing workforce of Indigenous Rangers across north Australia.Our I-Tracker website is at http://www.nailsma.org.au/projects/i-tracker.html and a video on the Djelk Rangers using I-Tracker can be seen at http://www.nailsma.org.au/projects/nailsma/itracker_whos_involved.html.A report on the recent review of I-Tracker can be downloaded from http://www.nailsma.org.au/publications/itracker_report.htmlWe welcome hearing from anyone with similar experience and particularly Indigenous groups who have similar interests in monitoring tools and are interested in sharing learnings.If you would like to know more about NAILSMA and its other programs please start with a visit to our website - www.nailsma.org.au.RegardsDr Rod KennettSaltwater Country ManagementNorth Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management AllianceTel:+61 8 (08) 8946 6271Fax:+61 8 (08) 8946 6388Email:Rod.Kennett@cdu.edu.auAddress:NAILSMAPurple 12.3.27Charles Darwin UniversityDarwin NT 0909
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The new EIA process in Indiaexact opinion behind EIA scoping is still unknown. We apply for Terms of Reference along with project details to appraise the project and provide a comprehensive terms of reference for carring out EIA studies. But, it was observed that irrespective of the project / pollution potential etc the terms of reference issued by the Committee remains same. How can this be justified.if this is so then why call the project proponent to appraise the project and spoil their time and money. rather the TOR can be issued even without calling them to a meeting
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Prof. Elinor Ostrom, one of the two laureates chosen for this year's Economics Nobel Prize, has devoted her life to dismantling prevailing orthodoxies and disciplinary boundaries. A number of these orthodoxies pertain to ideas of 'development', with which India is now grappling. Therefore, this is an apt moment to pause and reflect upon the development paths we have chosen, in light of Elinor Ostrom's work.Lin, as the professor is fondly known among her colleagues, built upon and took to new heights the contributions made by her senior colleague and husband Vincent Ostrom. Vincent has pursued the philosophical challenge posed by Alexander Hamilton, i.e. "whether societies of men are really capable or not of establishing good government from reflection and choice". Lin has gone further with this question, and has attempted to understand and explain, "How can fallible human beings achieve and sustain self-governing entities and self-governing ways of life?"At the University of California in 1965, for her doctoral research, Lin Ostrom studied efforts to halt the intrusion of saltwater into a groundwater basin within the Los Angeles metropolitan area. She concluded that the success of these efforts was founded on cooperation among citizens who deliberated, bargained, and made constructive use of a variety of institutional arenas.Lin's view was - and is - contrary to the conventional wisdom aptly captured in the Tragedy of Commons thesis propounded by biologist Garrett Hardin. Hardin had argued that the resources held in common were doomed to a tragic downward spiral of degradation as each individual within the community would attempt to maximise his or her gains at the cost of the resource, and even the other members of the community. Lin's findings from the Los Angeles study showed otherwise, that the community could evolve institutions to manage its resources successfully.The metaphor of this Tragedy of Commons has been conveniently exploited by those who advocated either blanket privatisation on the one hand, or unencumbered state control on the other hand over natural resources such as forests, water, and village grazing lands. Thus, Lin's work has provided counter-arguments to both agendas. In the 1990 book Governing the Commons, Lin argued that either privatisation or the leviathan - a strong state - were not the only choices, insisting that under certain conditions, local communities could successfully overcome the challenge of managing their commons by crafting appropriate rules and conventions.However, Lin cautions that her work should not be taken to mean that communities will succeed no matter what. Successful governance arrangements are often characterised by cooperation at several scales, at times involving institutions such as judiciary, and democratic arrangements for policy formulation and implementation. In her recent work, Lin argues against applying her findings too broadly, for instance, to advocate decentralization as a cure for every ill plaguing a society. Thus policies and programs that romanticise either the state control of resources, a mere hand-over of natural resources to local community groups have little chance of success in the long run.Similarly, centralized programs of so-called partnership between the government and local leaders not accountable to the larger community, such as the much talked about "Joint Forest Management" in India, are also simplistic. Instead, what is required is a nuanced and deliberative process of arriving at governance arrangements that are informed of local realities and address the interests of different concerned groups.Lessons for IndiansIndia has had a long tradition of community-based conservation of land, water, and forest resources. For instance, hundreds of community groups in Orissa, Gujarat, and Uttarakhand have protected the village forests despite lack of incentives and virtually no cooperation from the forest department. A large majority of Indians still rely on Common Pool Resources (which may not always be managed under a Common Property Regime) such as water, forests, and grazing land. Add to this the tradition in several parts of our country where post-harvests, even privately owned agriculture fields turn into commons. Moreover, the reliance on commons is not merely of income, as is often argued inadequately. It is essential for the very survival of sections within rural and tribal communities. For us Indians, the reliance on commons is a question of human development as well as environment conservation.Indians also have rich intellectual traditions that offer the norms and conventions that should guide the conduct of our societal affairs. Unfortunately, members of what is sometimes referred to as the "call-center generation", which is fast occupying the role of opinion-makers in our society, don't appreciate these nuances. They fall for simplistic but gratifying quick-fix solutions. Protect all remaining forests at any cost; plant large number of trees every June 5th; deal militarily with the dissent in tribal areas; and so forth.This is precisely where Lin's work, often summed up as an exercise in evolving a craft of association, may come handy. How do the Delhiites think of their 'association' with the tribals in Dediapada? Such reflection is a pre-requisite for dealing with the challenges we face in devising systems of governance that do justice to our social, cultural and geographic diversity. Moreover, the commons are not just about local forests and local association, particularly in this era where the whole environmental discourse is defined by climate change an issue that is about development as much as it is about environment. Local lessons and domestic sensitivities should play a vital role in defining our position at the global negotiating table too.Finally, it is pertinent to consider the kind of scholarship that Lin and her colleagues from around the world practice. It involves combining theoretical insights from different fields through a variety of research methods, something that is underlined by the awarding of the Economics Nobel Prize to Lin, a Political Scientist, who works in the mould of a Political Economist. Moreover, she has and continues to work with Mathematicians, Computer Scientists, Biologists, Geographers, Foresters, and Anthropologists, to name a few.Given that building the academic and research institutions should be India's top priorities, we should meticulously work on encouraging interdisciplinary work among scholars from around the country. This may help us nurture not only scholars but citizens who appreciate the nuanced deliberations required for finding humble solutions to challenges that seem daunting. ⊕Prakash Kashwan03 Nov 2009Prakash Kashwan author is one of Prof. Ostrom's doctoral students at the School of Public & Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington. He is currently working on his dissertation research on questions of forest rights and forest conservation in India.Originally published at India Together.Portions of this article were first discussed here.
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This is a funny initiative taken up by the mining giant Vedanta under its Corporate Social Responsibility programme, I find it very hilarious for the facts that, first it is an exotic species, secondly the communities have no control over its market, thirdly it will effect the local food crops, and what about the propagation of this? Do the communities have the nursery and other facilities and having known the impacts of introduction of exotics (animals and plants) how far do you recommend the introduction of an exotic species like this in ecologically sensitive areas like forests!!!! can some one tell me this. Please read the article in which this initiative was shown in a very colourful way. This is my view would like to know your perspective too.. Thank you.http://kalingatimes.com/business_news/news2/20090110_Farmers_grow_strawberry_in_Kalahandi_district.htmRead more…
hello friendsThere is a conference going to be held in this month in IIT-Bombay. The link is given below:Any body interested can attend it..http://www.ese.iitb.ac.in/~icaer2009/workshop.htmlLast date is very near...so hurry up...if interested..Thank youRegardsMunna ShahM.Tech Student (IIT-Bombay)
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To increase consumer awareness, the Government of India launched the eco-labelling scheme known as `Ecomark’ in 1991 for easy identification of environment-friendly products. Any product which is made, used or disposed of in a way that significantly reduces the harm it would otherwise cause the environment could be considered as Environment-Friendly Product.-Santhosh Ramdoss.http://envfor.nic.in/cpcb/ecomark/Read more…
Posted by Hidam Tonsana on November 23, 2009 at 8:21am
Water quality is the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water. The most common standards used to assess water quality relate to drinking water, safety of human contact and for the health of ecosystems. The parameters for water quality are determined by the intended use. Work in the area of water quality tends to be focused on water that is treated for human consumption or in the environment.Environmental water quality, also called ambient water quality, relates to water bodies such as lakes, rivers, and oceans. Water quality standards vary significantly due to different environmental conditions, ecosystems, and intended human uses.Some people use water purification technology to remove contaminants from the municipal water supply they get in their homes, or from local pumps or bodies of water. For people who get water from a local stream, lake, or aquifer (well), their drinking water is not filtered by the local government.A lubricant (sometimes referred to as "lube") is a substance (often a liquid) introduced between two moving surfaces to reduce the friction between them, improving efficiency and reducing wear. They may also have the function of dissolving or transporting foreign particles and of distributing heat.One of the single largest applications for lubricants, in the form of motor oil, is to protect the internal combustion engines in motor vehicles and powered equipment.A Motor Servicing Centre performs lots of activity which includes all kind of Cleaning, Mechanical, Electrical Work & Denting / Painting. Taking care of Private / Passenger Cars involves heavy utilisation of water resources and the washed away water becomes the source of contaminants in local water bodies. AC servicing and other servicing is also the source of contaminants. Car Wash may be Interior or Exterior Cleaning.• Small Car = Maruti 800, Esteem, Indica, Indigo, Ikon, HondaCity Etc.• Big Car = Tavera, Qualis, Innova, Scorpio, Sumo, Bolero Etc.Every Motor Company has their own Servicing Centre and the effective utilisation of water resources differs from company to company. The effluent of the washed water is either disposed to local water bodies or goes underground.The complexity of water quality as a subject is reflected in the many types of measurements of water quality indicators. The following is a list of indicators measured for the study:Chemical assessment• Conductivity• Dissolved Oxygen (DO)• Chemical oxygen demand (COD)• Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)• Dissolved metals and metalloids (lead, mercury, arsenic, etc.)• Dissolved metals and salts (sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, manganese, magnesium)Physical assessment• pH• Temperature• Total suspended solids (TSS)• Total dissolved solids (TDS)• Turbidity• Colour of water.
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Dear Friends,Every one knew that plastic bags are non-degradable and cause pollution problems. But we indian are addicted to use plastic bags in every walk of our life. If not we, our family members even after repeated request won't discard using plastic bags (my experience). Because using plastic bags is more convinient and easy. Even after government bans the usage of plastic bags, we find them thrown in an indiscriminate manner not only in public places but also at historical places, rivers, ponds and reservoirs etc. Lets try to resolve this problem right from our end and pass it on to our neighbours and so on.This may be difficult but not impossible.
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Dear Friends,There are so many people who talk about protecting enviornmental and controlling environmental pollution but how many act on this front. Lets become active in this matter
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United Nations University will organize the tenth regular session of its six-week UNU International Courses (UNU-IC) at UNU Centre in Tokyo, Japan, from 10 May through 18 June 2010. The UNU-IC programme is designed for postgraduate students and young professionals (with a college or university degree) in various occupations in Japan and abroad who wish to pursue careers in international fields in public-service or private organizations, including the United Nations, multinational corporations and non-governmental organizations as well as national foreign service organizations. The courses are designed to provide analyses of global issues from both theoretical and empirical perspectives.The UNU International Courses are taught in a cooperative fashion by a team of scholars and practitioners comprising both in-house and outside experts. One of the unique features of the UNU-IC is that many of the practitioners come from United Nations organizations. Another important characteristic is the direct access to teaching faculty and the support provided to course participants by the UNU in-house academic staff who serve as academic counsellors. The UNU-IC also draw on the research projects undertaken at the UNU Centre in Tokyo and at various UNU Research and Training Centres and Programmes (RTC/Ps) located around the world. The courses, though advanced in nature, are open to graduate students and professionals in various occupations who are not necessarily specialists in the fieldPlease click on the link provided belowhttp://www.unu.edu/ic/Read more…
Posted by Ashok Ghosh on October 18, 2009 at 2:32am
Arsenic contaminated aquifers in a 5 km. wide study belt along the banks of river Ganga, in Patna, Bhojpur, Vaishali and Bhagalpur districts of Bihar, are used for both drinking and irrigation purposes. Following an intense detection work by this study group, and subsequent reporting of spread of this contamination to eleven other districts, the authorities initiated several mitigation strategies. But no benefit has been noted in the affected districts, and the total vulnerable population in the study belt itself, is estimated to be over 725,000.Furthermore, complexities arise as the fertile lands are doused with irrigation water from these contaminated aquifers. Arsenic has entered into the food chain of Bihar through irrigation water. Many crop plants and vegetables being grown in rural Bihar has been detected with high arsenic content.The consumption of the arsenic infested food is further increasing the disease burden.A large number of patients with confirmed symptoms of arsenicosis have been detected by our study group.A very alarming recent finding by our research group is the detection of high arsenic content (more than 50 ppb) in the water of River Jaminia – flowing parallel to River Ganga in Bhagalpur district of Bihar.This river merges with Ganga and water from this river is being supplied to urban Bhagalpur without any treatment.Surveys conducted show inherent flaws in the organization of mitigation work, the contributory effect of the state’s population burden, socio-economic backwardness, lack of accountability in implementing different mitigation projects, as well as the failure of the decision makers to seek implementing different mitigation projects, as well as the failure of the decision makers to seek community awareness and cooperation for faster mitigation delivery techniques. Bihar is in the danger of repeating Bengal’s mistakes in tackling the arsenic problem.. Failure of textbook mitigation strategies can be augmented by adoption of innovative schemes. This group has already tested a gravity-based arsenic filter in field with desired results and with minimal expenses. Bioremediation with microbes isolated from soils of Maner [Patna] is also giving positive results.Arsenic contamination in Gangetic belt calls for establishment of a centralized knowledge & research hub, wherein, as per the regional peculiarities of arsenic hotspots’ locations, experience and expertise may act upon health impacts and infiltration of arsenic in food chain.MITIGATION STRATEGIES IN PLACE-The geographical and socio-economic backgrounds of the Ganga-Meghna-Brahmaputra Plains have posed a serious challenge to mitigation techniques. The flood plains subject to annual inundation compel the rural population to migrate seasonally. In Bihar, the largely agricultural population has a very low per capita income, with a few agro-based industries to sustain the state’s economy. Low literacy levels also acted as impediment to any development initiative. As a result, general apathy exists among the affected villagers towards these schemes. Non-existent medical facilities and lack of sanitation & hygiene behaviour are another bane in this rural environment.Following the reports of this study group in 2005, and against the above backdrop the authorities implemented the following measures in different parts of the districts. Rainwater harvesting units –These structures were exclusively installed by Public Health Engineering Department in collaboration with UNICEF, to cope with arsenic contamination in all the districts. It was found that poor construction materials were used due to which the structures are crumbling. Due to absence of regular monitoring and maintenance work , the collected water has bacteriological contamination and decomposition, rendering it unfit for any form of human use. Moreover, remote villages have very few constructed buildings, providing flat roofs for rain water collection. The villagers also cannot accept the idea of drinking rooftop water, and hence have reverted to drinking water from contaminated pumps which according to them “was clean and tastes fresh”.• “Swajaldhara Yojna” plan envisaged provision of piped water from arsenic-free aquifers.in Bhojpur. However, this project was unable to reach its desired target due to poor power supply, theft of pipes and diesel fuel, and lack of follow-up action. It has not been able to stop mass evacuation of villagers suffering from high disease incidence and death rates. Added to this is the social stigma of residing in a known arsenic affected area, which is particularly leading to social ostracization in matrimonial matters.• Restoration of open wells –Also implemented under the state’s water quality monitoring & surveillance program, the old existing wells were renovated, treated and covered for re-use. Again due to lack of water quality monitoring and maintenance, these wells were becoming polluted and defunct. Only a few old wells have been restored, leaving large parts of the villages unattended.• Construction of new Sanitary wells-As per the current implementation strategy, each new well construction is a time consuming process, ranging from 7-15 months. In Maner administrative block [ Patna district] a number of such wells have been under construction for over 12 months. The few completed wells are not being sanitized and has no follow-up monitoring of bacteriological contamination and possible arsenic levels.• Use of domestic arsenic filters-Use of domestic filters that were distributed by NGOs could not been sustained for 2 reasons- firstly, there is no mechanism in place to replace the filter candles; secondly, the villagers are not aware of disposal techniques of the used candles, thereby increasing their exposure risk. Many of them are not aware of the life-span of the filter candles.• No contaminated tubewell has yet been capped in Bihar.The above schemes, though well-conceived could not be sustained due to the following main reasons-• The number of implemented schemes is insufficient for the dense population.• Water quality monitoring units exist at panchayat level, but there is lack of follow-up action and lack of communication between the panchayat, block and state levels. Hence the concept of a decentralised, demand driven water quality initiatives is being compromised.• Failure of the authorities to undertake monitoring and maintenance work in the post-construction phase has rendered the projects defunct.• District-level water quality monitoring laboratories are defunct due to ill-maintenance and lack of trained staff.• There is a lack of awareness and sensitization to arsenic contamination , and lack of ownership among the largely illiterate population. These factors have been the biggest contributory factors towards the absence of public participation in these government schemes. Hence, community mobilisation is the sole answer to proper implementation of these schemes.The need of the hour, therefore, is to recognize the basic impediments in resolving the arsenic crisis, and adopt an innovative holistic approach wherein interdisciplinary expertise is effectively utilized. With this end in view, it is proposed that a multidisciplinary Centre of Excellence for Arsenic Contamination Studies be established at a suitable place within the arsenic affected river plains of India.
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I am in Delhi since September 2008 and worked on surface water pollution in Ghaziabad. Holy River Hindon which is lifeline for about 2 million rural populations, residing in catchment of this river in UP. Ghaziabad is fastest growing industrial city in UP and several hundreds of small scale and large scale industries are situated in this city. The urban population is now double than last decade in this region, which another big issue for ecosystem health.......... During survey i realized that most of industrial waste-water is being discharged without treatment or after partial treatments to adjoined drains which opens lastly into River Hindon or Yamuna. Moreover, ETPs (Effluent treatment plant) installed in individual industrail units are of old designs and are not efficient to remove toxicants (metals, PAHs, phenolics substances, pesticides, and other xenobiotics) from industrial discharges. The similar problem has been seen for CETPs (Common Effluent Treatment Plant) of this industrial zone. More dangerous conditions was in areas where some industries are putting waste-water back to ground layers through deep bore-wells. Air pollution in Ghaziabad is another health hazardous for local residents. Industries are pushing toxicants in lungs of local residents through polluted air.Not only industries but unplanned urbanization, illegal colonization and huge human migration posed extra pressure over the quality of life in this region. Untreated sewerage with high BOD load and toxicants are spoiling ecological quality of local surface water resources. In other words local water resources (Hindon and Yamuna) are now acting as open sewerage lines in this region.Now question is that what is the role of those poor rural people who are consuming hazardous chemicals directly through food or water intakes or through other components of the food chains. Industrialist are earning millions of rupees and pollution authorities have closed their eyes.....who cares the humanity and nature ....our precious natural resources are being spoiled by these greedy industrialist....Who have given the right to industrialist to play with lives of poor rural and urban population.Are you ready to fight for right of those rural people who are paying money for drinking water.....don't surprise it is truth....people are purchasing water for consumption in rural habitations of this region...from water mafias supplying water by tanks....where is basic human rights?....Who will tell to poor people for their rights....
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A leading company with the mandate of setting up over 500 MW of renewable energy capacity in renewable energy in India requires a senior Project Management professional with over 15 yrs + experience in small and medium hydro projects in India to head their Hydro Projects division.The incumbent will be responsible for planning the implementation of a capacity of 100-200 MW of Small and Medium Hydro projects in the country.Qualifications: BE, BTech- Mech/Civil .Should have proven background in Hydro Project Management andImplementing Small and Medium hydro projects. He would be responsible for all aspects of Hydro project implementation through a team of professionals and responsibilities will include getting government clearances, land acquisition , R& R etc. Ex. Government employees with strong exposure to HYDRO project management can also be considered.Remuneration : Will be best in the industry.Please send your detailed resumes mentioning list of projects implimented and managed to jobs@vervetalent.com with "Head Projects-Hydro" mentioned in the subject line.
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The Government of India as a part of its state planning under the eleventh plan is promoting Small and Medium Enterprise to enhance the rural income and ensure rural development. National Afforestation and Eco-development Board as a working body of Ministry of Environment and Forests, is facilitating Joint Forest Management Committees for their sustenance by implementing seven Small and Medium Forest Enterprise pilot projects through its Regional Centres in seven different regions.The Regional Centre, National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, a nodal centre under the Ministry of Environment & Forest, Government of India has motivated, trained and sensitized nearly 1000 tribal men and women in Dhalbhum Forest Development Agency forming about 100 self-help groups. Dhalbhum Forest Development Agency includes nine Joint Forest Management Committees namely Mejogora, Harina, Narayanpur, Roteda, Dhengam, Bhukamdih, Kundrukocha, Ranikudar and Monahdih consisting of 20 villages at Potka Developmental Block in East Singbhum district of Jharkhand. It is situated at a distance of about 60 km to the south of Tatanagar, the industrial city of Jamshedpur. The tribal villagers of this forest fringe area are either small or marginal farmers which cause their dependence on forest for fuel wood, fodder and part of livelihood.The centre prepared them to undertake various activities like Tassar Cultivation leading to silk production, Lac cultivation, Grass mat designer products and Bamboo artifacts production so as to produce saleable products for national and international market. A state level buyers sellers meet was organized at Jamshedpur by the Regional Centre to give the tribal villagers and their produces a nation-wide market exposure and establish convergence with different organizations and sectors like various Government departments for development of funds, Bankers for regular credit flow, Insurance companies for social security, District Rural Development Agency, Jharkhand Tribal Development Society and Corporate Sectors for infrastructure development and marketability of the products.The Joint Co-ordinator of the Regional Centre, National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, Prof. Dr. Asis Mazumdar opined that the whole process under the eleventh Plan, made the initiative of the Regional Centre, a grand success in establishing the first Small and Medium Forest Enterprise in India, at Potka under Dhalbhum Forest Development Agency, East Singhbhum, Jharkhand. The Self-Help Groups of tribal artisans dwelling in the forest fringe villages forming well motivated Joint Forest Management Committees are actively getting involved with Small and Medium Forest Enterprises for preserving and protecting the forest.The Regional Centre has produced a documentary on establishing the first Small and Medium Forest Enterprise in India titled Artistic approach, a film by Susanta Biswas. The documentary got selection for the 8th International Social Communication Cinema Conference organised by Roopkala Kendro, Department of Information & Cultural Affairs, Government of West Bengal in collaboration with Nandan, West Bengal Film Centre.The screening of Artistic approach was held on February 19, 2009, Thursday at 7.30 pm in Nandan as a part of the social communication conference on cinema. Chief Minister Budhadeb Bhattacharjee inaugurated the Eighth International Social Communication Cinema Conference 2009 at Nandan on Sunday, February 15, 2009. Mr Ashok Bhattacharya, Director and CEO Roopkala Kendra, said this event will help bring mass awareness on social developments across the globe, over the years. He asserted that the entry to the shows will be free of cost as the motto is to convey message in the society through screening of the movies.
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Co-authors: Jaya K. Shrestha and Rohini P. Devkota
The Sisdol sanitary landfill site is situated at ward no. 4 of Okharpauwa VDC in Nuwakot district and is bordered by Kolpu Khola to the south from Dhading district and to the south east from Kathmandu district. The present study has been carried out to determine the impact of the leachate contamination on surface water nearby landfill site from December, 2007 to August, 2008. Altogether seven stations were taken viz. six sites for surface water and one for leachate.
It was found that leachate was severelypolluted with most of the physicochemical parameters being higher than the Generic standard (2003) for industrial effluent discharged into inland surface water. Compared to other seasons, the water pollution was less in monsoon season. The surface waters of all the stations are within WHO guideline (1993) and National Drinking Water Quality Guidelines (2062) from pH, TDS, hardness, chloride and nitrate-nitrogen point of view.
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