Centre releases DPR on forestry intervention for Ganga river

The Water Resource Ministry has unveiled the Detailed Project Report (DPR) on Forestry Intervention for the Ganga which has been prepared by the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun. The project envisages the plantation of 4 crore native tree species along the stretch of the Ganga in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal over a period of five years. The plantation programme will be conducted in a time-bound manner and will start from Uttarakhand. Rs 2,293 crore has been earmarked for this of which Rs 951 crore will be spent during 2016-17. 

Coal India asked to take up long-term hydrologic study of all rivers 

Coal India Ltd has been asked to urgently conduct a long-term hydrologic study of all rivers/ river basins where the company has planned more than one mining project. The order has come following the examination of the company's Rs 152 crore proposal to set up Jagannathpur open-cast mining project on the catchment area of the Mahan river in Chhattisgarh's Surajpur district. Along with the hydrologic study, the Expert Appraisal Committee has also asked the company to study the impact of washeries, in case washeries are also planned in the same areas. 

NGT gets tough with Delhi Jal Board over rainwater harvesting and Yamuna river expenditure

The National Green Tribunal has ordered the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) and Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to fix a uniform procedure for the installation of rainwater harvesting system in hotels, hospitals and malls in Delhi. The two along with the Delhi Pollution Control Committee have been asked to convene a meeting within 10 days and prescribe a uniform format. Also, the NGT has ordered DJB not to spend a "single penny" on rejuvenation of the Yamuna without its approval except for maintenance work. The directions have come while monitoring of the implementation of NGT's 'Maili se Nirmal Yamuna Revitalisation Project'.

NGT gets strict over sewage discharge in the Ganga in UP, and construction on the Ganga floodplains in Uttarakhand

The National Green Tribunal has reprimanded the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) over the quantum of sewage discharged in the Ganga from various towns of the state and has ordered the latter to submit town-wise data on domestic and industrial waste released in the river. Along with this, the Centre has also been asked not to release funds for Ganga clean up to UP and Uttarakhand Governments without NGT's approval. In an another report, NGT has slapped a fine of Rs 20 lakh on a developer in Uttarakhand for the construction of a hotel within 200 meters of the Ganga's bank. The Uttarakhand Government has also been pulled up for issuing a No Objection Certificate (NoC) to the hotel. 

Maharashtra Government approves revival of two rivers in Nagpur district

The Maharashtra Government has sanctioned Rs 10 crore for the revival of the Madar and Landgi rivers that flow through Katol and Narkhed in Nagpur district. The project envisages the setting up of 52 check dams along the course of the two rivers and clearing and de-silting. The rejuvenation will be beneficial for villages along the banks of the two rivers and will provide water to over 1,550 hectares. 

This is a roundup of important policy matters from March 22-28, 2016. Also read last week's news roundup.