The water and environment ministries continue to differ over the hydroelectric projects in Uttarakhand. While the water ministry is against the projects as they can affect the uninterrupted flow of the Ganga river, the environment ministry wants to go ahead with them to get ‘clean’ energy. While both the ministries are sorting out their differences, the Uttarakhand government has proposed to strengthen its economy through the low head and micro hydel power projects.
The Maharashtra government got a rap from the Bombay high court for failing to identify the wetlands in the state and seeking modification of a 2013 order of HC banning construction on wetlands instead. It has also criticised the government’s intentions for not identifying the wetlands. However, the court will be hearing the matter on July 4 and has ordered the petitioner to seek the government’s response on withdrawing application that seeks to modify HC’s earlier order.
The expert panel of the environment ministry has recommended the mitigation plan for Ken-Betwa river-linking project. The plan includes addition of four satellite core areas, 8000 hectares of extra buffer area adjacent to the Panna tiger reserve, a possible reduction in the height of the Daudhan dam and an environment management plan worth Rs 5073 crore. The satellite core areas recommended in the plan should be developed including two wildlife sanctuaries each from Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
TN, Andhra at crossroad over check dam height
Tamil Nadu government is opposing Andhra Pradesh's decision to raise the height of the check dam across the river, Palar in the Chittoor district. The Andhra government has increased the height of the check dam from five to 12 feet which TN doesn't approve of. According to TN, the action is in violation to the Madras-Mysore Agreement in 1892 and has filed a petition seeking restrain on Andhra conducting any activity across the river.
Kiru hydropower project gets a green signal
The environment ministry has granted green clearance to the 624 MW Kiru hydroelectric power project across the Chenab river in Kishtwar district of Jammu & Kashmir. The clearance to this project worth Rs 4,640.88 crore is a major achievement for the project developer, Chenab Valley Power Projects (CVPP) Ltd. Kiru hydel project is a run-of-the-river scheme and envisages construction of a 123-metre-high concrete gravity dam with four intakes, four pressure shafts and an underground powerhouse of four units.
This is /a roundup of important policy matters from June 25 – July 2, 2016. Also read last week's news roundup.