The Environment Ministry has approved the Kerala government's recommendation to keep agricultural land, plantations and habitations out of the ecologically sensitive areas in the Western Ghats. The state had appointed an expert committee following the Ministry's ban on industrial activities in the Wesern Ghats on the basis of the Kasturirangan panel report. The ministry has accepted the recommendations of the Kerala government in an office memorandum but the Left opposition and protestors have demanded a notification of the approval.
The high power committee, headed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) member secretary has submitted its report to the National Green Tribunal confirming the continued increase in pollution levels at Singrauli which is spread across Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The report has identified faults with the way fly ash is being disposed off in the region. However, the impact of pollution on groundwater, public health and crops has been ignored in the report.
Karnataka government has constituted two high-level committees for managing land acquisition and rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) of people displaced following the increase in height of the Alamatti dam from 519.6m to 524.25 m under the third phase of the Upper Krishna Project. The 26-member committee chaired by the state CM will look into the larger issues of increasing the dam height while the 21-member committee headed by the Chief Secretary of the state will prepare the action plan for the timely completion of land acquisition and R&R.
The High Court has ordered the government of Maharashtra to ensure completion of the Vasai-Virar water supply scheme by June 30. The project aims to supply pipeline water to 69 villages. The court noted that in June 2013, the Vasai- Virar Municipal Corporation had assured completion within a year following a petition filed against companies implementing the project.
The Gujarat Ecology Commission is all se to impart training to the locals on conserving and reviving traditional wetlands. The state government has decided to lauch this extensive drive, acknowledging the large number of wetlands in the state. People will also be encouraged to conserve water in their houses and offices during the training drive.
This is a weekly roundup of policy matters from March 3-8, 2014. Also read last week's news roundup.