The Expert Panel of the Environment Ministry has decided not to take any call on the ambitious Ken-Betwa river link project until the crucial wildlife issues pertaining to the Panna Tiger Reserve are addressed. The project which has already received a nod from both the Madhya Pradesh Government and the Union Government, has been opposed as it will lead to a submergence of 41 sq.km of forest area in the tiger reserve and 14 sq.km in Chattarpur.
The Chhattisgarh government has cancelled the forest rights of tribals over their traditional lands in Ghatbarra village of Surguja district to facilitate coal mining in Prasa East and Kete Besan coal block. The block has been allocated to Rajasthan Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RVUNL) and Adani Minerals Private Limited. This is the first such order in the country where the community rights of tribals have been cancelled after being granted through the process laid down in the Forest Rights Act, which does not provide for revocation of either community or individual land rights once granted.
With 80% of the country's large dams over 25 years old, the Central Government is mulling over plans to come up with a bill mandating regular inspection, maintenance and rehabilitation of dams across the country. The Water Minister has asked experts and Senior Officials of State Governments to identify dams which needed rehabilitation and take appropriate action to ensure their safety and operational performance. Along with this, the need to explore the tourism potential of existing dams was also emphasised.
NGT clears the the controversial Hubballi-Ankola railway line