Government cancels green nod to Odisha's coal washery project

The expert appraisal committee of the environment ministry has cancelled the green clearance granted to a coal washery project in Jharsuguda district of Odisha. The reason behind deferring of the green nod is the committee's concern over the use of groundwater for the proposed project. The total estimated water requirement for the project is 612 cubic meters per day. However, the committee has approved another coal washery in Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh with a condition to choose a technology that conforms to the "zero liquid discharge" policy along with efforts to be made to find alternative sources of surface water. 

Kaleswaram irrigation project: Telangana can use forest land

The environment ministry has given its green signal to use 7,920 acres of forest land as part of the Kaleswaram irrigation project in Telangana. The project worth Rs 13,811 crore is going to lift 300,000 million cubic feet of water from the Godavari river and will provide water to 30 lakh acres of area in the north Telangana region. The forest area will be used for the construction of barrages, tunnels, canals as well as reservoirs. 

NGT wants environment experts to head pollution control boards

The National Green Tribunal has reprimanded 11 states-- Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Rajasthan, Telangana, Maharashtra and Manipur-- over the appointment of pollution control board chiefs. These states have been directed to appoint officers with a comprehensive understanding of conservation strategies, technical knowhow and a relevant degree as pollution control board chairpersons.

NGT raises questions on Ganga encroachments

The National Green Tribunal has ordered the water and environment ministries, the National Mission for Clean Ganga, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Uttar Pradesh government and other authorities to clarify their stand on the demarcation and encroachments on the floodplains of the Ganga river from Haridwar to Unnao. Along with this, the tribunal has also sought the authorities' view on the minimum environmental flow of the river and the extraction of groundwater to restore the Ganga to its original condition.

NGT gets strict over installation of rainwater harvesting systems in Delhi schools

The National Green Tribunal has given five days to both private and government schools in Delhi to submit an action plan on installing rainwater harvesting systems in their premises. With monsoon round the corner, the tribunal wants the schools to take immediate steps to set up rainwater harvesting systems. In its earlier order, the NGT had directed schools to install rainwater harvesting systems in their premises within 10 days and any violation would lead to a fine of Rs 20,000. 

This is a roundup of important policy matters from June 13 - 19, 2017. Also, read the news this week.