By Marina Kozlova

TASHKENT, April 24 (IPS/AWW) – Happy days are here again for caviar lovers worldwide as the export ban meant to protect the sustainability of this prized delicacy has been lifted recently. But environmentalists are not optimistic, saying that the ban and its subsequent lifting did not really make a dent in the illegal harvesting and sale of caviar.  

Wetlands are among the world’s most productive environments. They are cradles of biological diversity, providing the water and primary productivity upon which countless species of plants and animals depend for survival. They support high concentrations of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrate species. Wetlands are also important storehouses of plant genetic material.

Convert an aquarium into a simple hydroponic system. The plants are suspended on a floating Styrofoam platform. This system is popular for classrooms because the roots of the plants are visible hanging below the floating platform. Click here for some useful tips: http://www.simplyhydro.com/free2.htm.

Water scarcity encourages people to store water in their homes. This can increase the risk of household water contamination and provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes - which are vectors for dengue, dengue haemorrhagic fever, and malaria and other diseases.

(Source: WHO at http://www.who.i

The average distance that women in developing countries walk to collect water per day is four miles and the average weight that women carry on their heads is approximately 44 pounds.

Over 40 billion work hours are lost each year in Africa to the need to fetch drinking water.

(Source:

By Stephen Leahy

BROOKLIN, Canada, Apr 11 (IPS) - An investigation has revealed that the U.S. supplier of sushi to more than 6,000 restaurants is associated with a Japanese company that sells millions of tins of whale meat.

A new global TV series, released recently for free worldwide distribution, looks at how researchers, farmers and local communities in different parts of the world are trying to grow more food with less water.

Produced by TVE Asia Pacific (TVEAP), the Living Labs series showcases efforts currently underway in Africa, Asia and Latin America to meet one of the biggest challenges in international development. Released in time for World Water Day last March 22, the series' theme this year is 'Coping with Water Scarcity'.