Himalayan council constituted for sustainable development of the Himalayas

In order to ensure sustainable development of the Himalayan region, NITI Aayog has constituted the Himalayan State Regional Council. The council will be chaired by Dr V.K. Saraswat, member, NITI Aayog and will also include the chief secretaries of all 12 Himalayan states. The aim of the council is to review and implement identified action points based on the reports of five working groups established by NITI Aayog last year. The working groups were tasked to prepare a roadmap for action across five thematic areas covering springs, tourism, shifting cultivation, landscape and data information in the Himalayas.

Violation of solid waste management rules: UPPCB issues notices to 300 institutions

The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board has issued notices to 319 institutions across five districts for violation of solid waste management rules, 2016 and has warned them of strict action if no improvement is made in this regard within 15 days. The institutions include schools, hospitals, hotels, private colonies, government bodies and other commercial units. The Agra district reported maximum violations, followed by Kanpur, Lucknow, Gorakhpur and Varanasi. As per the 2016 solid waste management rules, all premises established over 5,000 square metre of land are required to make their own arrangement for the segregation and disposal of waste. 

Pollution in Beas and Satluj rivers: Punjab government to pay Rs 50 crore fine

The National Green Tribunal has slapped a fine of Rs 50 crore on the Punjab government over pollution in Beas and Satluj rivers. The strict move has been taken after dead fish were found floating in the Beas river in Gurdaspur district. Sugar mills in the area are being considered as the primary cause for pollution in the two rivers. The tribunal has also ordered the Central Pollution Control Board and the State Pollution Control Board to take water samples from various places along the rivers and inspect the quality.  

Karnataka challenges Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal’s decision 

In August this year, the Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal had granted 1.33 tmcft of Mahadayi water to Maharashtra, 33.39 tmfct to Goa and 5.40 tmfct to Karnataka while the surplus 147.93 tmfct water was ordered to let into the sea. However, the Karnataka government is unhappy with the tribunal's decision and has filed a fresh plea in the Supreme Court challenging the order. As per the state government, despite the apex court mandate for the equitable share of Mahadayi river water among the riparian states, the tribunal had reduced the allocation for the state from 24.15 tmcft to 5.40 tmcft.

Noida hospital construction gets nod but 1,500 trees need to be planted for lost green cover: NGT

Finding no illegality in environmental laws, the National Green Tribunal has allowed the construction of Kailash hospital at NH-01, Sector 71, Noida. The tribunal has, however, ordered the Noida Development Authority to plant 1,500 trees against 100 of those which were transplanted and maintain the plantation for five years. The Central Ground Water Authority and the NDA have also been ordered to ensure groundwater balance through rainwater harvesting and create pits for the same.

This is a roundup of important policy matters from November 14 - 18, 2018. Also, read news this week.