A petition has been filed in the National Green Tribunal against the environmental clearance granted to the 2880 MW Dibang hydro project in Arunachal Pradesh. Per the petition, the project would cause irreversible environmental damage to one of the mega biodiversity hotspots of the world. Along with this, the petition has claimed that the Environment Minsitry did not carry out any downstream impact and cumulative impact assessment before granting a green nod.
HC directs Maharashtra Govt not to grant new water projects
The Bombay High Court has ordered the Maharashtra Government not to approve any new water projects in the state until the Integrated State Water Plan (ISWP) has been finalised. Along with this, the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority (MWRRA) has been ordered to furnish details of the sanctioned projects to the Court. A petition has been filed, which states that 189 water projects have been cleared during 2007-13 in the absence of ISWP which is in violation to the MWRRA Act, 2005.
The National Green Tribunal has issued a stay notice on Odisha Government's ambitious tourism project -- Shamuka. The petition filed against the project has alleged that large-scale felling of trees has been going on in the ecologically fragile area that comes under the Coastal Regulation Zone. The project that is planned on over 3,000 acres of land on the sea beach will cater to the rejuvenation needs for both domestic and international tourists.
US firm charged with bribing Indian officials to win water projects
A New Jersey-based firm has been charged with bribing US$ 976,630 for winning two major water development projects in Goa and Guwahati. The firm also targeted Indonesia, Vietnam and Kuwait to secure Government construction management contracts. After this was revealed, the company has agreed to pay US$ 17.1 million as a criminal fine to resolve the charges against it.
The National Green Tribunal has ordered the civic authorities of the pilgrim town of Alandi near Pune, to stop discharging municipal solid waste in the Indrayani river bed. The waste disposal on the river bed has caused pollution in the Indrayani river which eventually merges with the Chandrabhaga river. Civic authorities have been asked to secure a no objection certificate from the neighbouring village to dispose garbage generated in Alandi till a garbage processing unit of its own is operational.
This is a roundup of important policy matters from July 13 - 20, 2015. Also read last week's news updates.
Lead image source: SANDRP