NMCG approves new projects for the revival of six polluted stretches in Uttarakhand

Under Namami Gange, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has given its approval to the Sewerage (Interception & Diversion) Scheme (Dhela River) Phase-1 of District Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand, at a sanctioned cost of Rs 199.36 crores. The project will allow rejuvenation of six polluted river stretches in the state—Bhela, Dhela, Kichha, Kosi, Nandhore and Pilakhar—in the Kumaon region of the state.

The project will ensure tapping of 17 Nalas which will be intercepted and diverted to nine STPs to be constructed under this project for a total treatment capacity of 30.30 MLD. With the approval of these projects, all the nine polluted stretches in the state of Uttarakhand have been covered under pollution abatement projects as the works on the remaining three are already under execution. (PIB)

UN releases draft agreement ahead on November Climate Conference, COP26

Aiming towards stemming and reversing the ecological destruction of the Earth, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Secretariat has released a new Global Framework for Managing Nature Through 2030. CBD's 196 member parties have adopted the draft framework for humanity to live “in harmony with nature” by 2050. Its goal is to expand ecosystems by 15 percent to support healthy and resilient populations of all species and reduce extinctions by at least tenfold by the end of this decade. The second goal is valuing nature's contribution to people, while the third goal is to fairly share the use of genetic resources for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The final goal aims to progressively close the gap between available financial resources by up to $700 billion per year to implement the framework by 2050. (India Blooms)

Krishna and Godavari River Management Boards notified to end water conflicts between Andhra and Telangana

To resolve the existing concerns about water sharing between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the Centre has issued gazette notifications for Krishna River Management Board and Godavari River Management Board. The notification will come into effect from October 14 and empowers both the Boards to take decisions over regulation, maintenance and operation of Godavari and Krishna River basins in both the states. This brings 35 projects in the Krishna basin and 71 in the Godavari basin under the Boards’ jurisdiction.

Although the Andhra Pradesh government had been demanding the notification for long, Telangana has been opposing it in the absence of clarity on the states’ share of water in both rivers. (The Times of India)

Yamuna in a grim state, need to maintain its e-flow, Delhi Govt informs Jal Shakti Ministry

In a report submitted to the Union Jal Shakti Ministry, the Delhi government has informed that in the absence of minimum environment flow in the river, it is tough to achieve its bathing quality standards. The report further informed that 22 out of 35 sewage plants in Delhi do not meet the wastewater standards prescribed by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and six out of 13 Common Effluent Treatment Plants in industrial areas across Delhi comply with the DPCC standards for wastewater.

A study conducted by the National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, has recommended that 23 cubic metre per second (cumec) water be released in the river from the Hathnikund Barrage in Haryana's Yamuna Nagar district in the lean season for sustaining downstream ecosystems.

(Outlook India)

Assam Government approves Rs 370 crore for Brahmaputra riverfront project

With an aim to develop Guwahati into a Smart City, the Assam Government has approved a 1.3 kilometer long Brahmaputra Riverfront project, worth Rs. 370 crores. On the south bank of the Brahmaputra River, the riverfront will benefit the visitor and locals as many recreation activities like a walkway, a cycle track, and a jogging track, etc. will come up after the development of the riverfront. The state government has asked the authorities to give the highest priority to complete the various components of the Smart City project and is even willing to provide extra funds for their completion. In a high-level meeting where the announcement was made, the state government also discussed the revival of water bodies and channels, development of Deepor Beel in full adherence with eco-sensitive manifesto commitment. (The Sentinal)

This is a roundup of important policy matters from July 11-26, 2021. Also, read the news this fortnight.