UP Pollution Control Board issues notice to 956 units for polluting Ganga

956 units in UP gets notice for polluting Ganga

The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) has issued notice to 956 Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs) that were discharging effluents directly into the Ganga river. The National Green Tribunal has demanded an examination of all these 956 units and has ordered the authorities to submit a report of the same along with photographs by May 21. 

POSCO allowed to use water from Mahanadi and Hansua rivers

The Odisha government has allocated water from the Mahanadi and Hansua rivers to POSCO for the construction of its steel plant project in Jagatsinghpur district. POSCO can draw 138,000 and 3,400 cumecs of water from the Mahanadi and Hansua rivers respectively. However, the farmers in the state are opposing the government's decision to provide water to the steel giant while turning a blind eye to the locals' demand for water.

SC allows TN to raise Mullaperiyar dam height

The Supreme Court has allowed the Tamil Nadu Government to raise the level of the Mullaperiyar dam to 142 ft and has struck down the Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation (Amendment) Act. The Act, which was passed to ensure the safety of the people staying in and around the dam, prohibited any height increase. However, the Kerala Government has opposed the court's order and has decided to file a review petition. 

Ban on green clearances to Uttarakhand hydel projects to continue: SC

The Supreme Court has upheld its ban on issuing environmental and forest clearances to hydropower projects in Uttarakhand. The decision was made following an expert panel's report that has blamed hydropower projects for the occurrence of catastrophic floods in June last year. The court will go with the panel's recommendation and will not allow construction of the 24 projects proposed in the state. 

Mining activities banned in Sariska, Rajasthan

The National Green Tribunal has enforced a ban on mining activities in 84 stone and marble quarries present inside and in the buffer of the Sariska Tiger Reserve and Jamuaramgarh Sanctuary in Rajasthan. The Forest Officers have been asked to prepare a restoration plan of the forest area immediately and submit the same to the government. To visualize the extent of ecological damage done to the Aravalli region, the Tribunal has also ordered the Rajasthan Government to submit satellite imageries of hill range. 

This is a weekly roundup of policy matters from May 4-11, 2014. Also read last week's news roundup.