South Asia Citizens Web

contents
The strong case for reducing the FRL of Gandhi Sagar Dam 1
– Sustainable water management in Konkan under threat 5
– Kalpsar: Modi’s hankering for illusory legacy of mega water project 8
– Indian Express Campaigns for Big Hydro in North East 10
– PILs lead to the framing of Policy on Sand Mining for Maharashtra 13
– India’s 1st Climate Impact Assessment Report 14
– Global Temperature could rise by 4 C by 2060 15
– Protests against Kalu dam near Mumbai 16
– Past misdeeds (…)

Protecting the rights of women who work as prostitutes is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of HIV. And in Orissa, India, that approach is working – even amid deep-rooted taboos

The government of India and the state governments have turned a blind eye to illegal mining in the rush for economic growth. Unregulated mining is proliferating at an extraordinary rate. It is not without consequences: hundreds of thousands of people, mainly Adivasis, have been dispossessed from their lands without resettlement and rehabilitation.

Millions of people in developing countries rely on affordable generic medicines to stay alive. More than 80% of the medicines used by MSF to treat AIDS across the developing world are produced in India. But the European Commission is now shutting off the tap of affordable medicines by attacking the production, registration, transportation and exportation of generic medicines. People who need these will be left without a lifeline.

The eviction plan [in Colombo] will encompass not just unauthorised settlers but even families with legal titles to their lands. Each family will be paid the princely sum of Rs 100,000, as compensation (some ministers receive as much per month, as rent allowance). When private land is appropriated for developmental purposes, owners are paid the market value. Will the legal owners among the evictees receive identical treatment or will they too be paid Rs 100,000 for land which is worth much more?