Subrata Chakraborty

We are happy to announce that @down2earthindia's Dhruval Parekh and Rohini Krishnamurthy (formerly Down To Earth) received the the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Award (RNG) for Excellence in Journalism, in the Environment, Science and Technology Reporting category (Broadcast) for the video, ‘Is Hindon dead?!’ Congratulations to both the winners! This marks the third consecutive RNG win in the video category, an extraordinary milestone that reflects the unwavering dedication, creativity, and purpose-driven work of our teams. Scan the QR code to watch the award winning video.

JUST RELEASED: State of India's Environment 2026! In numbers we trust. At the Anil Agarwal Dialogue 2026 conclave today, @CSEINDIA and @down2earthindia unveiled the 2026 edition of India's most credible annual report on environment and development. Sunita Narain (@sunitanar), @AshokLavasa, Justice Deepak Gupta, Raj M S Liberhan, @SouparnoBaner10 and @richiemaha at the launch. Packed with the latest data, ground reports, and critical analysis, SoE 2026 is your go-to source for understanding the state of our country — from climate change to water security, forest cover to air pollution. Get the report here: csestore.cse.org.in/default/books/…

CSE wrapped up a two day workshop cum training in Uganda to promote water - wastewater circularity in institution successfully. CSE's partner @min_waterUg_ is currently working on an annual plan to be launched in June. MWE is planning for groundwater recharge structures and greywater recycle projects in the next year plan for institutions in different districts. Here are some highlights that were discussed in the workshop: - Understanding water management and extreme weather events - WASH practices in the institutions across Uganda - Policy, legal and regulatory framework for rain water harvesting and waste water management in the built environment of Uganda - Planning and designing of rainwater harvesting/ groundwater recharge at institutional levels - Strategy, planning and implementation of wastewater management at institutional levels - Success stories: Case studies from India on water positive institutions

The two-day workshop, “Urban River Management Plan – @WaterasLeverage (WaL): Shaping Interventions for a Resilient Prayagraj,” was held on March 19–20, 2026. Having developed the City-Level Action Plan for Prayagraj, @CSEINDIA led a session on “Reuse of Treated Wastewater.” Led by @Suchak2001 and @singhal_sumita, the session explored how wastewater reuse can strengthen urban river management in Uttar Pradesh. Thank you to our esteemed panel for an insightful dialogue: Mithilesh Mishra (SMCG), Dr. Anjana Pant (GIZ India), Rahul Sachdeva (National Institute of Urban Affairs (@NIUA_India), and Ayushi Kashyap (CEEW).

A meaningful work with the UP govt. Proud to be a part of the entire initiative. Congratulations @school_waterCSE @CSE_FSSM_UP

New Report Out | Sludge Drying: Technology and Economics Effective sludge management is essential for achieving safe sanitation outcomes, and plays a pivotal role in advancing the goals of the Swachh Bharat Mission, strengthening Faecal Sludge and Septage Management, and enabling circular economy–based resource recovery and reuse in the sanitation sector. We are pleased to share the release of CSE’s new research, Sludge Drying: Technology and Economics: cseindia.org/sludge-drying-… The report examines sludge drying technologies used across six states of India, including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telengana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and Rajasthan. The report also provides a techno-economic assessment to support urban local bodies, utilities, and state agencies in selecting context-appropriate solutions Download the report here: cseindia.org/sludge-drying-…

@drsunita02 Ol kopi in Bengali

What do we call this in Telugu? I have no idea... What do you call this in your own local language? Known as Knol khol in english.

Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi rolled out today, February 24, 2026, workshop cum training in collaboration with @min_waterUg. The inauguration session brought into focus the need for making water sources sustainable at institution level across Uganda, especially the schools which face drying up of their borewells or are forced to fetch water from polluted sources. CSE emphasised that MWE should work with the National Building Regulatory Board and the Ministry of Education and Sports to support the schools to plan water conservation.

The recent sewage contamination in Pune is not an isolated incident. Subrata Chakraborty, Director, Water programme, CSE was invited to The Breakfast Club story on CNN-News18. These contamination events are warning signals of deeper structural flaws in urban water systems, and not just temporary breakdowns. Today’s TV discussion unpacks what this means for Pune and other cities facing similar risks. Watch here: youtube.com/watch?v=6Z5Wws… A similar episode unfolded in Indore, which we examined in detail in earlier investigations by Down To Earth. Here are the links: downtoearth.org.in/water/the-suni… downtoearth.org.in/water/what-lie… downtoearth.org.in/water/why-indi… downtoearth.org.in/water/indias-u… downtoearth.org.in/water/indores-… Our reporting highlighted how ageing underground pipelines, intermittent water supply, poor FSSM, leaking sewer lines and weak asset management create recurring public health risks in Indian cities.

State Level Workshop on “Source Sustainability & Greywater Management in Rural Areas of UP” was jointly organized by CGWB, NR, LKO & CSE on 19.02.26 with ~130 participation. Shri G.S. Priyadarshi, IAS, Commissioner, Rural Development Deptt., UP graced the event as Chief Guest.

CSE's workshop on “Source sustainability and greywater management” at Lucknow on 19th February in collaboration with @tatatrusts and Bhujal Bhawan, @CGWB_CHQ, North Region, brought out some very interesting points on the household water supply in the rural areas. As the state enters to the last phase of implementation of @jaljeevan_, the workshop proved to be timely. The workshop brought together nine relevant departments involved in household supply and groundwater and greywater management. Academia, researchers and non-profits also contributed to the discussions in the workshop. The workshop gathered more than 120 participants to discuss and debate on the issues of sustainable drinking water sources in the rural areas of Uttar Pradesh. See thread to know more.

Gouri Shanker Priyadarshi, Commissioner and Secretary, Rural Development Department, the chief guest of the event, brought out very clearly that the big groundwater users like Irrigation Department and Industries also need to be roped in for the security of the groundwater source. Management of this source is not only the responsibility of the Jal Nigam but also the Departments of Forest, Irrigation, Revenue and Fisheries, he added. In the last five years, the Rural Development Department has implemented 12.33 lakh water related structures spending around 16103 crore rupees. It came out very clearly in the workshop the need of understanding which groundwater structures work where in the state of Uttar Pradesh as well as monitoring the impact of the groundwater recharge is the need of the hour. The Central Groundwater Board says that the state’s groundwater is stressed - this is alarming – explains the senior scientist of the Board, Rajneet Kumar Prasad. He opined that all the relevant departments need to work together at war footage as the state needs to conserve the local water sources for sustainable drinking water supply. The participants of the workshop agreed that O & M, community participation and accountability of the drinking water projects are the main pillars of the sustainability of the drinking water sources. Centre for Science and Environment shared the findings from the field on the drinking water sources and greywater management in the rural areas of Banda district. J V R Murty, senior advisor of @tatatrusts discussed on the focus of the groundwater stressed blocks in the state and community ownership for the sustainability of the drinking water sources.

Since 2020, @CSEINDIA has been working with @min_waterUg on different aspects of water conservation. Uganda is now geared up to implement groundwater recharge structures and decentralised wastewater treatment systems for institutions across the country, to help develop and fine tune water conservation policies. To support this effort, CSE and MWE are jointly announcing a two-day capacity building Workshop and Training to support officials from relevant government departments and representatives from institutions, non-profits and the private sector. Specially curated for practitioners and engineers involved in planning and implementation, or in facilitating funding for institutions that aim to invest in groundwater recharge and decentralised wastewater treatment systems. To know more, visit: cseindia.org/workshop-and-t…

Budget 2026: What it signals for water, sanitation, river conservation downtoearth.org.in/water/budget-2…

The Water Programme at the @CSEINDIA yesterday organised a state-level workshop in Jaipur on strengthening the rural water sources across Rajasthan. The meeting was organised in collaboration with @WatershedRaj, @NITJaipur and @tatatrusts. More than 100 participants from government departments, academic institutions, non-profits and research organisations joined the discussion. The workshop was inaugurated by @Suchak2001, Director, Water Programme, CSE. @lakewarriors, Senior Programme Manager, CSE set the context by linking climate change, water (mis) management and water security. Sushila Yadav, Additional Director (GIS & Planning, Facilitation, and Coordination) talked about the successful initiatives in Rajasthan on watershed development and restoration. She emphasised the role of monitoring, inter-departmental convergence and the need to harness increased rainfall due to climate change for the benefit of communities through better preparedness. Devashree Purohit (Tata Trusts) spoke about strengthening the partnership with CSE to address source sustainability and greywater management, leveraging CSE’s expertise while working closely with communities to build sustainable models. The workshop also brought together key experts and discussants, including Ashok Kumar (@RajasthanPhed), Dr. Mahender Choudhary (MNIT), @ruchiniz (@UNICEF, Rajasthan), Dr. Shailendra Singh (@CGWB_CHQ), @Pradee_K_Mishra , @Swati13488, and @Vivek_s011 (CSE). @DoWRRDGR_MoJS

Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) is conducting a state-level orientation workshop jointly with the Central Ground Water Board (@CGWB_CHQ), Northern Region, Lucknow on source sustainability and greywater management in the rural regions of Uttar Pradesh. The workshop will bring together stakeholders from the rural water sector to discuss the state of drinking water sources and greywater management in the state, while building capacity on practical, scalable solutions for a safer and more secure water future. To know more about the workshop, visit: cseindia.org/source-sustain…

When water kills: The cracks in the urban supply story deccanherald.com/india/when-wat… via @deccanherald

CSE, in association with the Directorate of @WatershedRaj and @NIT_Jaipur, is hosting a state-level Orientation Workshop on Source Sustainability and Greywater Management in Rural Areas of Rajasthan. This programme will bring together government functionaries and representatives from NGOs, CSOs, and private organisations working in the water sector, with the aim of building capacities to move towards safe, sustainable and secure water sources in rural areas. Know more: cseindia.org/orientation-wo…

We recently organised a consultation meeting to discuss the City-Level Reuse Action Plan for Bhubaneswar, with the support of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation. @ChanchalRanaIAS, Commissioner, @bmcbbsr, demonstrated keen interest and active engagement, underscoring his commitment to making the Reuse Action Plan a success. The meeting was chaired by the Additional Commissioner Kailash Chandra Das (@kcdasics), OAS (SAG) and Deputy Commissioner N Ganesh Babu (@nganeshbabu01), OMAS-(A), BMC, and brought together 20+ government officials from various departments. The discussions focused on building consensus and charting actionable pathways for used water reuse and sustainable water management in the city. A big thank you to all participants for their inputs and commitment towards advancing Bhubaneswar’s vision for circular water economy.

CSE’s Water team recently visited faecal sludge treatment plants in Rajasthan to deepen its understanding of Omni Processor technology. Omni Processors are advanced treatment systems that use thermal and mechanical processes to safely treat faecal sludge and septage, significantly reduce waste volumes, and recover valuable resources such as energy, water, and biochar for reuse. The visit helped build team capacity by providing practical insights into system design, and operations, strengthening our understanding of how Omni Processors can support resource recovery, circular systems, through on-ground implementation