Centre releases draft of new National Forest Policy

Environment ministry releases the draft of India’s new National Forest Policy

The draft of the new National Forest Policy (NFP) has been released by the environment ministry. The new draft proposes to levy green tax that will allow for an ecologically responsible behavior and will also supplement the finances essential to address the issues pertaining to forestry. The new policy aims to bring a minimum of one third of India’s total geographical area under forest or tree cover. Once implemented, the policy that was last amended in 1988 will be a driving force for the forest management of the country for the next 25-30 years.

Agricultural ministry to soon come up with the new national policy on fisheries

Centre has set an ambitious target of increasing the country's export earnings from fish and fish products from Rs 33,441 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 1,00,000 crore in the next five years. Towards realising a Blue Revolution in the country, the agricultural ministry is all set to bring out a new national policy on fisheries that will cover development and management of inland fisheries, aquaculture, marine fisheries including deep sea fishing and all activities undertaken by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB).

Shailesh Nayak Committee proposes to ease the coastal regulation norms

The Shailesh Nayak Committee report has proposed to relax the existing restrictions on the development activities in the coastal areas. Along with this, the report has also proposed to dissipate the powers for according clearance to the state governments along with local authorities. The coastal regulations were last amended in 2011 but several states were unhappy with the exisitng norms, therefore, the environment ministry had constituted a six-member committee in June, 2014 to revise the norms. 

HC takes notice of acute water crisis in South Gujarat's district

The high court has issued notice to the Gujarat government over acute water shortage in south Gujarat’s Chhotaudepur district. The district is less than 100 km from the Narmada dam-reservoir and just 50 km away from the Narmada canal. The court has asked for government's response by July 20 on what mitigation measures are being taken to cope with the situation. The notice has been issued following the petition filed seeking urgent intervention to provide Narmada water to the water-stressed district.  

Revive water bodies in Delhi’s Dwarka before monsoon: NGT to govt

The National Green Tribunal has ordered the Delhi government to rejuvenate the water bodies in Dwarka, a sub-city in Delhi, before the monsoon arrives. Notices have been issued to the Delhi government, Delhi Jal Board, Delhi Development Authority and other agencies concerned to urgently take steps to clean water bodies in order to utilise the rainwater properly. The order has come following a plea seeking directions for cleaning and revival of the 33 water bodies identified by the Dwarka Water Bodies Committee. 

This is a roundup of important policy matters from June 18 -24, 2016. Also read last week's news roundup.