Indias level of water stress very high

India's level of water stress is high: researchers

India among the most water stressed countries in the world with 40-80 per cent ratio of withdrawals to supply, find researchers.

Govt recognises 19,749 MW small hydro potential

Centre encourages states to set up small/micro hydropower projects both in public and private sectors. Provides financial support for development of small hydel projects and identification of new potential sites.

No burning of plastic or rubber across India: NGT

National Green Tribunal puts a nationwide ban on unregulated open burning of plastic, rubber or such other article. Orders all municipal authorities to strictly enforce the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2011.

Centre details funds allocation for drinking water schemes

Releases Rs. 4,663 crore out of Rs. 9,135 crore allocated to states/UTs as drinking water funds under the National Rural Drinking water Programme for 2013-14.

Govt installs more than 22 lakh toilets in 2013.

Uptil November 30, 2013, Centre has spent Rs. 794 crore to construct around 22 lakh toilets across the country under the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan, reports Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation.

Expert favours hydel projects to avoid disasters

Recommends more hydropower projects with reservoirs to prevent Uttarakhand type tragedy in future.

Scientists recommend actionable plans for towns in Ganga basin

Suggest preparation of Urban River Management Plan within the next 6-12 months for all class I town in the Ganga basin. 

No felling of mangroves in Gujarat: NGT

National Green Tribunal stays felling of mangroves in Gujarat without approval till January 14 following complaints regarding illegal diversion of mangrove forests to industries in the state, .

A 38-km stream revived in Fatehpur, UP

4,000 workers under MGNREGA worked for 45 days to desilt the dried up Sasuri Khaderi-2 rivulet in Fatehpur district, Uttar Pradesh. 

POSCO disobeys NGT's directive

Begins construction of boundary wall around its steel plant site in Nuagaon gram panchayat in Jagatsinghpur district of Odisha despite National Green Tribunal's stay on felling of trees.  

18 districts in Assam bear the risk of arsenic contamination

30% of water sources surveyed during 2006-2011 in the state were found affected with arsenic above the permissible limit of 10 parts per billion.

NABARD-funded project provides clean drinking water to 140 villages in Karnataka

NABARD sanctions Rs 6.3 crore for implementation of water supply project to seven districts of Karnataka to ensure round the clock potable water.

TN to build check dams across Cauvery tributaries

11 grade walls and 14 check dams to be constructed across the various tributaries of river Cauvery in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu at cost of Rs. 67.68 crore to be funded by NABARD.

Chattisgarh to divert Mahanadi for thermal power plants

Cascade of barrages to be built on Mahanadi river in Jangir-Champa district for catering to the needs of proposed plants.

Tithal beach bears the brunt of sand mining

The beach in south Gujarat, known for its black sand, faces the threat of erosion due to illegal sand mining in surrounding coastal villages.

This is the roundup of important news for December 14 & 15, 2013.