The National Mission for Clean Ganga has approved 12 projects worth Rs 929 crore under the Namami Gange programme. Under the project, two sewage treatment plants (STPs) have been sanctioned for Delhi for creating 340-MLD waste treatment capacity at a cost of Rs 580 crore. Projects worth Rs 128 crore have been approved for Uttar Pradesh. For West Bengal, two projects, one for upgrading the STP in Kancharapara and another for Hilsa fisheries improvement at Farraka barrage, have been approved. Several other projects under the CSR category and beautification have also been okayed.
The National Green Tribunal has ordered the NHIDCL (National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation) to submit Rs two crore to the Central Pollution Control Board for environmental restoration. The company has been found dumping muck into the Bhagirathi river in Uttarakhand. The expert committee has been directed to carry out quarterly inspection of the area till the muck dumping sites are saturated. The NGT has also ordered the NHIDCL to conduct soil survey in respect of stability of soil and the geology structure of the areas before taking up such projects in the future.
The central government has ordered all the states to complete their respective audits of District Mineral Foundations (DMFs) by the end of 2018. DMFs are the district-level bodies established under the new mining law to benefit local people affected by mining operations. Also, 60 percent of the funds collected under DMFs would be utilised under high priority sectors like drinking water supply, health care, sanitation, education, etc. Centre has also pulled up Goa, Bihar, Kerala, Meghalaya and Tamil Nadu for spending less from funds collected under DMFs.
The National Green Tribunal has cancelled the permission granted to stone crushers within 100 metres of rivers and water bodies in Himachal Pradesh. The move has been taken as the location of the stone crusher near a water body is illegal and in violation of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The tribunal has also directed the state pollution control board to file a compliance report within two months. Permission for stone crushing was granted to 347 crushers by the industry department. However, 121 of the crushers are lying closed for various reasons and in violation of the norms.
In September last year, the environment ministry had notified Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 that mandated constitution of State Wetlands Authority (SWA). The rules mandated that the authority should prepare a list of wetlands to be notified by the state government within six months. However, the Telangana government has failed to constitute the State Wetlands Authority despite the ministry giving its notification more than a year ago.
This is a roundup of important policy matters from October 30 - November 6, 2018. Also, read news this week.