Atmanirbhar Krishi App launched to make weather insights handy for farmers
The government has launched the Atmanirbhar Krishi App which will make the weather information relevant to farmers and curated by various government departments on a national digital platform 'KisanMitr'. The app which is both in Android and Windows versions, is available in a manner comprehensible to farmers in 12 different languages. It is free of cost for farmers, start-ups, Krishi Vighyan Kendras, self-help groups, and NGOs.
The aim of the app is to equip farmers with actionable agricultural insights and early weather alerts. Data related to soil type, soil health, moisture, weather, and water table have been aggregated and analysed, to generate personalised insights related to crop selection, fertiliser requirements and water needs for each farmer at the farm-holding level. (NDTV, PIB)
UNDP praises India’s Aspirational Districts Programme which led to four-fold increase in tap water supply
An independent appraisal report released by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has appreciated India's Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) as a very successful model of local area development. In a brief span of 22 months, the programme has resulted in a four-fold increase in tap water supply from 7 percent to 31 percent in 117 aspirational districts.
With the increase in coverage by about 23 percent, presently around 40 percent rural households across the country have tap water supply while Goa, Telangana, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Puducherry have achieved 100 percent household connection in rural areas. Among the states, as of now Bihar has performed well with 72 percent of households in 13 Aspirational Districts in the state having tap water supply. (Times Now)
Yamuna pollution: DPCC slaps fine of Rs one crore each on 12 CEPTs
For failing to comply with the mandated standards of treating the industrial wastewater between February 2019 and February 2021, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has imposed a fine of Rs 1 crore each on 12 common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) in the national capital. According to the experts, the untreated wastewater from CETPs and poor-quality sewage systems are the main reasons for the deteriorating health of the Yamuna river and imposing of fine is seen as a measure to tighten rules regarding the treatment of wastewater. Along with this, DPCC has also ordered an immediate shutdown of 1086 industrial units while also directing officials to restrict power and electricity supply to them. (News 18)
Government to augment groundwater in forest areas using LiDAR survey reports
In a first of its kind and unique experiment using LiDAR (light detection and ranging) technology, the Environment Ministry has released reports to map out the water requirement within forest areas in 10 states-- Assam, Bihar, Chhatisgarh, Goa, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Nagaland, and Tripura.
Using the LiDAR technology, 3-D images have been created of the project areas to recommend soil and water conservation structures that will help to harvest rainwater and prevent stream run-off, which will help in recharging groundwater and thus, help the local communities and reduce man-animal conflict.
The project was initiated in July 2020 at a cost of over Rs 18 crore for implementation in 26 states. According to Ministry officials, four more states will submit their surveys by July 15th, while the rest will submit their reports by September. (The Indian Express)
Gujarat CM gives a go-ahead to work for additional Narmada water to Kutch
Gujart Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has given his approval to initiate the water supply works worth Rs 3,475 crore, for providing an additional one million acre feet of water from Narmada river to the border district of Kutch. Under the project, 38 water bodies, including Saran lake, will be filled with Narmada water. The project will benefit 96 villages in six talukas of Kutch district that includes Rapar, Anjar, Mundra, Mandvi, Bhuj and Nakhatrana with about 3.8 lakh population. The project will not only help farmers in irrigating their crops, but also allow them to grow fodder for their cattle. Along with this, the project will also stop the migration of cattle rearers of this region in the wake of a weak monsoon. (The Indian Express, Devdiscourse)
This is a roundup of important policy matters from June 22 -July 10, 2021. Also, read news this fortnight.