Floodplain zoning law: Only three states and one UT enacted the law to mitigate floods

Floods cause enormous losses to life and property, yet only three states and one union territory have enforced floodplain zoning laws to minimise the damage. Among these states and UTs are Manipur, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and the erstwhile Jammu & Kashmir.

Floodplain zoning measures specify the kinds of development that are permitted in zones likely to be affected by floods of different magnitudes, frequencies, and probabilities in order to reduce flood impacts.

All major flood-prone states - Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, and Odisha - are yet to enact the Floodplain Zoning legislation. As the number of floods are rising due to climate change, experts have warned that flooding will lead to "dire consequences" if floodplain zoning is not implemented soon. (Outlook)

Environment Ministry notifies Battery Waste Management Rules 2022

To ensure environmentally sound management of used batteries, the Union Environment Ministry has notified the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022.

Replacing the Battery (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001, the new rules are based on a concept called Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) where producers (including importers) are responsible for collecting, recycling, and refurbishing waste batteries and reusing recovered materials.

In order to fulfil producers' obligations, the rules will establish a mechanism and centralized online portal for exchanging EPR certificates between producers and recyclers/refurbishers. (NDTV)

Pastoralists ignored in government scheme, notices Centre

Taking note of pastoralists being left out of all the benefits and incentives under different schemes of the animal husbandry department, the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has asked the states to provide assistance to pastoralist communities under the National Livestock Mission, Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) and Rashtriya Gokul Mission (for cattle). As per the ministry, there are schemes for livestock and animal husbandry but they mostly cater to farmers and the settled population of animal keepers.

Indian pastoralism is under-researched and poorly documented, perceived as an outmoded way of life, resulting in its neglect, according to experts.

(Down to Earth)

Karnataka Pollution Control approaches BIS to fix parameters for using treated sewage water for construction purposes

Last month the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, completed a study regarding the feasibility of using treated sewage water for construction works. The KSPCB's study found that the use of treated water had no effect on the strength of cement.

The board has now approached the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for the purpose of fixing parameters for the use of treated sewage water for construction purposes, which would be a first-of-its-kind globally.

Furthermore, when determining the parameters, the health impact of the treated wastewater on construction workers will also be taken into account. (The Indian Express)

Demarcate and restore Buckingham Canal within six months: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court has ordered the authorities to demarcate and restore the Buckingham Canal in Chennai to its original boundaries within six months.

In order to adhere to the timeline, the court has warned the officials that they will be held accountable for any lapses.

Following the demarcation, the court ordered the encroachments to be removed within one year and the canal be made navigable. Along with this, the court has ordered the State government not to regularize any constructions; reclassification of the land within the Canal shall be cancelled and no further reclassification shall be undertaken. (The New Indian Express)

This is a roundup of important policy matters from August 27 to September 13, 2022. Also, read the news this fortnight.