The effective management of land and water resources plays a central role in alleviating poverty, reducing disasters, improving food security, and ensuring environmental sustainability. It is widely recognized that a mismanagement of these resources is at the core of many human miseries ranging from drought and famine to displacement, economic instability, and conflict. A systematic…
Introduction India is a country with a diverse hydrological profile, ranging from the snow-fed Himalayan rivers to the monsoon-dependent peninsular rivers. Floods, especially during the monsoon season, have long been considered a major natural hazard, causing loss of life, property, and agricultural productivity. According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), floods affect more than…
Introduction The monsoon climate is one of the most distinctive climatic systems in the world, marked by seasonal reversal of winds, distinct wet and dry periods, and high rainfall intensity. It plays a crucial role in sustaining the agriculture, economy, and livelihoods of over 50% of the world’s population residing in Monsoon Asia, which includes…
Introduction Water is one of the most essential natural resources, critical for human survival, agriculture, industry, and ecosystem sustainability. India, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, faces a growing challenge of water stress, characterized by the scarcity of water relative to demand. Rapid population growth, urbanization, industrialization, climate change, and unsustainable water management have intensified…
Introduction The Himalayas, often referred to as the “Third Pole,” are home to the largest concentration of glaciers outside the polar regions. These glaciers are vital for sustaining perennial rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, Indus, and Brahmaputra. However, in recent decades, the Himalayan glaciers have been retreating at an alarming rate, threatening not only…
Introduction Water is one of the most essential resources for sustaining life on Earth. However, despite covering approximately 71% of the planet’s surface, freshwater availability is extremely limited. The water crisis has emerged as a global challenge due to factors such as population growth, climate change, pollution, and unsustainable water use. Water scarcity not only…