Centre to allocate Rs 8,216.25 crore for four north-western states and UTs under Jal Jeevan Mission

Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, the Jal Shakti Ministry has approved an allocation of Rs 8,216.25 crore in 2021-22 to Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh collectively. The allocation is over four times the allocation to these states and UTs in 2020-21 and the aim behind the move is to achieve ‘Har Ghar Jal’ status for these states by 2022, two years before the national target of 2024.

Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, Haryana provided tap water supply to 76.62 percent of households since the start of the scheme, while Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh provided 57.92 percent, 55.45 percent, 34.67 and 6.38 percent tap water supply, respectively. (Gaon Connection)

Centre approves integration of two tiger reserves in Tamil Nadu, experts hope the move will revive Vaigai river

The Union government has given its approval to Tamil Nadu’s request to integrate Meghamalai Wildlife Sanctuary and Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary and together declare them as the state’s fifth tiger reserve. The new tiger reserve will function as a connecting link between Kerala’s Periyar Tiger Reserve and Tamil Nadu’s Southern Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve and allow free movement of tigers and elephants of the region in an extended habitat.

According to the river experts, the move will help the rejuvenation of ancient Vaigai river in Madurai that has completely dried out. It is expected that following the tiger reserve gets into operation the activities that threaten the river ecosystem like poaching, encroachments and grazing of animals, will stop. (Mongabay India)

NGT refuses to revive the Yamuna Monitoring Committee

In January this year, the National Green Tribunal had dissolved the Yamuna Monitoring Committee that was formed to monitor the Yamuna river rejuvenation. The tribunal has now received a plea seeking the revival of the committee which the tribunal has refused, saying there was no ground to recall the order. As per the NGT, the committee has functioned for over two years and created a clear roadmap by its exhaustive reports, but the actions taken by the authorities were found to be inadequate. The chief secretaries of Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have now been directed to oversee the cleaning work of the Yamuna river. (The Economic Times)

NGT directs authorities to implement Vishwamitri River Action Plan within three months

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered the authorities to implement the 'Vishwamitri River Action Plan' in Vadodra within three months. The Tribunal further ordered to include the steps for removal of unauthorised structures, demarcation and protection of flood plain zones and other action points as part of the river action plan.

The order came while the tribunal was hearing a plea filed by Rohit Prajapati and others against the Vishwamitri Riverfront Development Project (VRDP) at Vadodra in Gujarat. According to the petition, the project violates environmental norms and has adversely impacted the environment, particularly the Vishwamitri River wetlands, ravines, inter-connectivity with other water bodies, floodplains, flora and fauna and biodiversity. (The Wire)

State government gives a go-ahead to 130 MW hydropower project over Kosi river in Bihar

The Bihar Cabinet has given a go-ahead to the Dagmara Multipurpose Hydroelectirc Project over the Kosi river in Supaul district. The 130 MW hydro project is about 31 km downstream from the Kosi Barrage and will be constructed by the National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC). The project worth Rs 2478.24 crore, envisages the construction of the concrete barrage, earth dam and a powerhouse with a length of 945 meters, 5750 meters and 283.20 meters respectively. As of now, the detailed project report, after obtaining all clearances from various authorities, has been submitted to the Central Electricity Authority for technical approval. (The New Indian Express)

This is a roundup of important policy matters from May 25–June 7, 2021. Also, read news this fortnight.