GSI report suggests channeling Mandakini river

The Geological Survey of India's report on Uttarakhand's flash floods of June 2013, recommends channeling the Mandakini river to its original course, as the river is merged with Sarswati river in the south post-floods. The original course of the Mandakini has been blocked by 15 meter high debris mounds in the North side and needs to be removed to restore the river. The report further identifies 274 critical landslide zones in 67 villages in Rudraprayag, Pithoragarh, Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Bagheshwar districts and cautions against any construction within 150 meters of the Kedarnath temple. 

Third driest year for Sohra, Meghalaya

2013 was the third driest year in the history of Sohra, which is is known to receive the highest rainfall in the world. It received only 7560 mm of rainfall last year as against the annual average rainfall of 12,000 mm. The locals blame deforestation for limestone mining and other purposes as a cause for rainfall variation while scientists points to global warming as a reason behind this fluctuation. 

HC issues closure orders to 12 units in Mundra SEZ, Gujarat

Gujarat High Court directs shut down of 12 manufacturing units in the Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Mudra, Kutch district. The units were operating without attaining an environmental clearance. The court has asked MoEF to look into the environmental clearance again within 30 days while taking into consideration the Sunita Narain Committee report that states serious violations in the SEZ.

Fishermen seek tribunal's intervention in POSCO's project

Around 50,000 fishermen of Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara villages in Odisha seek intervention of the National Green Tribunal to stop the coming up of the proposed POSCO port near Jatadhari river mouth. The fisermen allege that the project will lead to environmental degradation in the area and will adversely affect their livelihood. The South Korean steel maker POSCO plans to set up a 12 million tonne steel plant worth Rs. 52,000 crore near Paradip in Odisha.

TN dams to gain strength under World Bank Project

World Bank to fund Rs. 745 crore to Tamil Nadu to enhance 11 dams in the state for irrigation and generation of drinking water and hydropower. The project that aims to strengthen the dams to withstand natural calamities, is expected to be completed by 2018.

This is a weekly roundup of important news from  January 12-18, 2014. Also read last week's policy matters updates.