The Stream, February 16: Uruguay to Begin Onshore Oil and Gas Exploration

Uruguay has signed a contract with U.S. company Schuepbach Energy to begin exploration for oil and gas in the north and centre of the country, MercoPress reported.

Though China has spent billions of yuan trying to clean Lake Tai, where decades of pollution have brought ecosystems to the brink, acute problems persist, Guangzhou Daily reported.

Mining
Asia Society showcases photos of the resource conflict in Jharkhand, India’s coal-mining state. The state, which grants concessions to privately-owned companies, has converted vast swathes of agricultural land into open-pit coal mines.

Gold diggers and archaeologists are squaring off over the historical riches in Sudan’s Nubian desert, AFP reported.

Cities
High population density is the greatest risk factor for the outbreak of water-linked diseases, according to Ohio State University scientists. The researchers created a massive database and developed a model that can be used to predict risks for water-associated disease outbreaks anywhere in the world, ScienceDaily reported.

Potential epidemics are just one of many challenges in Asia’s burgeoning megacities. As huge new urban centers take shape around the world, two Guardian correspondents examine how Chengdu and Delhi are facing the risks and opportunities.

The Stream is a daily digest spotting global water trends. To get more water news, follow Circle of Blue on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter.