Centre to allow diversion of a whooping 20 sq.km. forest area for Andhra's new capital

The Centre plans to give a green signal to the diverting of 19,256 hectares of reserve forest area in Krishna and Guntur districts for Andhra's new capital, Amaravati. Touted as a “blue and green, environment-friendly capital city”, Amaravati will also lead to an acquisition of 33,000 acres of land that includes large chunks of fertile multi-crop farmland. Environmentalists have expressed concerns about this diversion and have pointed out that nowhere in the country or elsewhere has the destruction of such massive forest area been allowed.  

NGT halts construction of Barapulla Elevated Corridor phase-III in Delhi NCR

Taking note of pollution in the Yamuna river, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has put a halt to the construction of the Barapulla Elevated Road, Phase-III extension. It has been alleged that the PWD contractor has blocked an active Yamuna channel by illegally leveling and raising land on both the western and eastern banks of the river. NGT has issued notices to several Government agencies for allowing construction without a green nod.

HP Disaster Authority makes geological study a must for tunnels 

The Himachal Pradesh Disaster Management Authority has issued an advisory to State Authorities to conduct topographical, geological and hydrological studies before selecting tunnel sites for the construction of hydel projects or roads. The advisory has been issued following the collapse of the tunnel while the construction work for the four-laning of the Kiratpur-Nerchowk was ongoing.  

MoEF clears Mopa airport in Goa at the cost of rich water sources

The Environment Ministry has given clearance for Goa's second airport in Mopa village, worth Rs 3,000 crore. The clearance has been granted overlooking various environmental concerns. The airport site falls at the same plateau which is a rich source of water for local farmers. Also, it falls in continuation of the Sawantwadi-Dodamarg wildlife corridor of Maharashtra. 

Telangana bans digging of borewells in 45 mandals

Telangana Government has banned the digging of borewells in 45 mandal across the state due to deficit rainfall and depleting groundwater levels. However, the Government has allowed digging borewells for drinking water purpose. The ban is a temporary one and might be revoked if the situation improves due to cyclonic rains. 

This is a roundup of important policy matters from October 27 - November 1, 2015. Also read last week's news roundup.