UP, Maharshtra and Karnataka seeks more funds from Centre to tackle drought

Post the rejection of Centre's offer of a water train to Bundelkhand, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister has sought the central assistance of Rs. 11,000 crore. Going the UP way, Maharashtra, which is battling drought in 28,000 villages, has also sought increased funding from Centre while Karnataka has requested for an additional Rs 12,272 crore for improving the supply of drinking water. On the same lines, 10 more states have demanded package for their drought-hit farmers. 

World Bank warns of severe hit to the economies owing to water shortage

The World Bank has warned that water shortages will lead to a “severe hit” to the economies of the Middle East, central Asia, and Africa by mid-century. It has been predicted that some cities could see a drop in water availability by two-thirds by 2050. Per the report, the biggest economic hit due to water deficits are expected to occur in the Middle East, north Africa, central Asia, and parts of south Asia, however, virtually no impact will be observed on the economies of North America and western Europe.

Ramganga tributaries in Moradabad-Bareilly stretch going dry: Study

Per a recent study by the Rohilkhand University, major tributaries of the Ramganga river in the Moradabad-Bareilly stretch have dried over the past few years. Climate Change and pollution are being blamed for the drying up of these rivers. While global warming is leading to faster evaporation of the river water, the pollution in the river caused by dumping of municipal solid waste, biomedical and industrial waste into the rivers have also resulted in the loss of river water.

417 coal blocks might endanger fresh water sources 

Per the Greenpeace India, as many as 417 out of 825 current and future coal blocks should be categorised as inviolate areas based on the hydrological parameters. The Environment Ministry had recommended excluding 250 meter on either side of a first order stream while marking the boundaries of coal blocks. However, when this criteria was taken into consideration, a whopping 50.5% of coal blocks are rendered 'partially inviolate'.

Fear of 2014-like floods looms over Kashmir

According the official records, nine Kashmir wetlands, despite being protected legally, have shrunk to quite an extent over the last 50 years. Paddy cultivation, plantation, and residential complexes are to be blamed for this. With the fast shrinking of the wetlands there has increased the fears of a looming disaster in the State similar to what it had witnessed in 2014.

This is a roundup of important news updates from May 3-9, 2016. Also read last week's policy matters update.