Fearing a loss of 90 sq km area of Madhya Pradesh's Panna Tiger Reserve, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has recommended constituting a committee to monitor the construction works related to Ken-Betwa river linking project. The authority stated that the commencement of works shall not be permitted till notification of at least core or critical tiger habitats is carried out by respective state governments. Along with this, several other concerns have been raised by NTCA which must be looked into by the Centre before going ahead with the project.
India and Israel have signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of water management with desalination being the main area of collaboration. The two countries will share their experiences and expertise in the MoU. Along with this, there are plans for installation of desalination plants in areas where water crisis is an issue or in regions where water is loaded with hazardous substances like arsenic and fluoride.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has reprimanded the Uttar Pradesh government over the shifting of tanneries located on the banks of the Ganga river in Kanpur. The tribunal was agitated after the state government informed that it was not in favour of shifting leather industries outside Kanpur as it was not “economically” viable. Also, the NGT has suggested that the state government should give more importance to a clean environment for people and that the infrastructure for the tannery clusters should be provided outside the city.
The Madras high court has put a restriction on the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) from supplying Tamirabarani river water to two of the soft drink manufacturers in Tirunelveli district. The order has come following a petition filed that claims that the sale of the river water to the beverage plants at throwaway prices had caused immense hardship to farmers and other residents of Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Virudhunagar and Ramanathapuram districts, who were dependent on the river water.
In a bid to safeguard wildlife during the coming tourist season, the National Green Tribunal has ordered a ban on noise and solid waste pollution in the Sunderbans. With this, the use of mikes or loudspeakers blaring music, fancy decorative lights, the release of solid waste and other material in the river water have been prohibited in the region. Sunderbans which is already facing threats of deforestation, is also at a risk of air and sound pollution.
This is a roundup of important policy matters from November 21-27, 2016. Also, read the news this week.