MANGO TREES across the country this year are laden with dense clusters of greenish-white and pinkish flowers. In Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, the rhododendron has painted the hills red and pink more than four weeks ahead of schedule. In Jammu and Kashmir, almond, peach and gul-tour (a yellow flowering herb), too, have flowered earlier than usual. But rather than spreading cheer, this early arrival of spring has raised concerns among scientists.
This story is from the April 16, 2021 edition of Down To Earth.
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This story is from the April 16, 2021 edition of Down To Earth.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT
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WATER SCARREDCITY
Bengaluru's water crisis was long in the making. The city has grown at the cost of its lakes and ponds that are key to its water security. Over 93 per cent of the city is built-up, which makes groundwater recharge difficult. Inadequate sewage systems pollute the limited water available. Over the decades, the city has become dependent on the Cauvery, 100 km away, for 70 per cent of its water needs. This makes water unaffordable. It's time Bengaluru broadened its water resource base beyond the Cauvery and focused on recharging groundwater and reusing treated wastewater.
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TROUBLED TEAK
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