India eases assessment guidelines for India-Nepal Pancheshwar project
The expert panel of the environment ministry has waived off the requirement of a joint mechanism to assess the environmental impact of the 5,600 MW India-Nepal Pancheshwar multipurpose project. The move will help to avoid further delay to the project that the government considers to be of international importance. The project, envisaged to be built on the Mahakali river, is primarily aimed at energy production along with providing water for irrigation.
India approves Kishanganga hydel project
In a move to exploit India’s share of water in the Indus Water Treaty, India plans to fill up the reservoir to galvanise the 330 MW Kishanganga hydropower project in Jammu and Kashmir. The project involves the construction of a 37-metre high concrete dam in Gurez valley of Bandipora area at an estimated cost of Rs 3,642.04 crore. However, Pakistan is opposing the project as it will reduce 40 percent of the water flow into the latter.
India-Netherlands sign MoU for water management
The cabinet has approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Netherlands for bilateral cooperation in the field of water resources management. The MoU envisages that the two governments shall work to enhance cooperation at the national, regional and international levels in the field of water resources management and development. Also, a joint working group will be formed to monitor the activities towards the fulfilment of the MoU.
ADB to provide $275 million loan for water supply project in MP
The government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a $275 million loan for improving urban services in 64 small towns in Madhya Pradesh. The project will develop sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient water supply in these small and medium-sized towns and integrated stormwater and sewerage infrastructure in two heritage towns of Khajuraho and Rajnagar. Along with the ADB's loan, the state government will also provide counterpart support of $124 million to the project.
Adani group to get another 141 hectares of land for its Gondia project
Three years back, the Maharashtra government had sanctioned 148.59 hectares of forest land in Vidarbha's Gondia district for the construction of a coal-based thermal power plant by the Adani Group. Now, another 141.99 hectares of land is being sanctioned for the project with the approval from both the Centre and the state governments. The state forest department has raised no objection to the Adani group's demand and has said that the land demanded was located far from the vicinity of the Navegaon National Park.
This is a roundup of important policy matters from June 20 - 26, 2017. Also, read the news this week.
Lead image source: Wikipedia via A. J. T. Johnsingh, WWF-India and NCF