Impact study demands for a no-go zone for hydel projects in Sutlej

A Cumulative Environmental Impact Assessment (CEIA) study conducted by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun has suggested that the governement mark 'no-hydro project zones' in the Sutlej basin. The study assessed the impact of 38 hydropower projects and found an absence of fish upstream from Rampur to Karcham, Himachal Pradesh, which is due to the barrage structures that have blocked the fish's migratory route. It has recommended 10 areas in the Sutlej basin and its tributaries to be declared as protected. 

Maharashtra to investigate the corruption involved in building check dams

The Maharashtra government has directed four investigation teams to probe into the construction of cement check dams across the state. The order has come following allegations of poor quality construction made in newspaper and television reports. The team will investigate whether the authorities adhered to the norms as mentioned in the November 12, 2013 order and will be submitting the report to the government by July 10.

Centre set to revive the proposed Renuka dam project

Team Modi is all set to revive the 148 metre high Renuka dam project in Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh. The project worth Rs 3,600 crore will benefit Delhi by supplying 275 million gallons of water per day. However, according to the Forest Advisory Committee the project will lead to felling of 1.5 lakh tress and lot of environmental and social degradatoin. Owing to these reasons the earlier government had rejected the project. 

Telangana and Andhra at cross roads over water sharing

A conflict has developed between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh over the release of 3.6 thousand million cubic feet of water from Nagarjuna Sagar dam to the Krishna district of Andhra. In the earlier order, the Krishna River Management Board had ordered Telangana to stop the release of water from July 1 but later extended it by one more week. The extension came following a request from the Andhra government that has to meet the drinking water needs of Krishna, Guntur, West Godavari and Prakasam districts.

Unabated illegal mining continues in Rajasthan: Planning Commission

The Planning Commission has reported illegal mining rampant in the state. It has also accussesd the state government for the unauthorized renewal of mining leases without taking the Centre's consent. The report further mentions that the Rajasthan Government has given arbitary forest clearances, flouted environment norms and illegaly changed the status of forestlands. 

This is a weekly roundup of policy matters from June 30-July 6, 2014. Also read last week's news roundup.

Lead image source: Sanyam Bahga via Wikipedia