The Environment Ministry has released the draft of the new Wetlands Rules 2016 and will seek suggestions and objections to it over the next two months. Unlike the 2010 rules, the new rules will mandate the State Governments and Union Territories to constitute a wetland authority. However, environmentalists have shown concern over the proposed draft as they do not list specific activities prohibited in ecologically sensitive areas. There is also no mention of a national regulator, and the rules are seen as the Ministry's attempt to dilute environment norms.
The National Green Tribunal has suspended environment clearance to the 780 MW Nyam Jang Chhu Hydropower project in Arunachal Pradesh as the project site is on an eco-sensitive stretch of the Tawang River Basin. The order has come following a petition filed by Save Mon Region Federation (SMRF), a Tawang based group spear-headed by Buddhist Lamas, against the green nod to the project. The Environment Ministry has now been asked to carry out a fresh study for the project and also conduct a separate study of environmental flow requirement for the protection of habitat and conservation of the Black necked Crane.
The Environment Ministry has revised the Solid Waste Management Rules after 16 years. The new rules have now extended to areas beyond municipal areas. Along with this, the responsibility of waste segregation into three categories – Wet, Dry and Hazardous Waste – at source has been introduced. Also, from now, manufacturers of sanitary waste need to provide pouches or wrappers for disposal of used sanitary products. The Ministry has also set up a Central Monitoring Committee under its chairmanship for monitoring the overall implementation of the Rules.
The Supreme Court has rapped Gujarat, Haryana and Bihar Governments for refusing to accept drought in these states despite deficient rainfall and fall in foodgrain production. Also, the former two States have been slammed for presenting outdated charts and facts on rainfall data. The Gujarat Government has been directed to immediately release special packages to farmers in drought-hit areas, while both Haryana and Bihar have claimed that there is no need to declare drought.
The State Government has reduced the quantum of water allocated originally to Jindal Stainless Ltd, NTPC Ltd and Jindal Steel & Power Ltd in order to conserve its water resources and ensure optimal utilisation. Water allocation has been completely scrapped from industries which have delayed the implementation of their projects. Moreover, there are also plans to levy fixed charges on unutilised water by industries. A 'Water Conservation Fund' has also been formed wherein industries drawing five cusecs of water or more will contribute Rs 2.5 crore per cusec of water.
This is a roundup of important policy matters from April 5 - 11, 2016. Also read last week's news roundup.