Centre appoints task force, with an aim to speed up implementation of river interlinking
In the wake of emerging differences among the states over the interlinking of the rivers, the Centre has constituted a task force to build consensus between the states. B N Navalawala (ex-UPSC member and one of the advisers to the Gujarat Chief Minister) is heading the task force. The task force will also look at alternative options for infeasible links in the current plan. However, the task force only comprises former and serving Government officials while no representation from the states has been considered.
Water Resource Ministry launches the Nirmal Ganga Sahbhagita
The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has launched the Nirmal Ganga Sahbhagita scheme to develop a sustainable partnership with 118 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) located along the Ganga. The objective of the programme is to involve more and more sectors into the Clean Ganga Mission. Along with this, the model mobile phone application was presented during the launch, which would enable the public as well as officials to upload onsite photographs of project implementation which can be viewed through the Bhuvan web portal.
Sewage collection and transport to become mandatory
In order to stop the release of untreated sewage into water bodies and groundwater, the Environment Ministry is all set to make sewage collection and transport mandatory across India. Soon a notification will be issued to all the states in this regard. Along with this, the Ministry has recommended that the state authorities prohibit the use of fresh water for all non-potable purposes such as industrial process, gardening, cleaning of railway tracks and irrigation.
Forest clearance denied to two hydel projects in Arunachal
The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has denied clearance for two hydropower projects (Siyom and Naying) proposed on the tributaries of the Siang river in Arunachal Pradesh. The rejection has temporarily saved nearly 2,000 hectares of forestland in West Siang district. The FAC has rejected these projects as they are located close to several biodiversity hotspots and thus, will affect the regions ecology, if implemented.
NGT stays ban on diesel vehicles, while the Government tries to find a solution to air pollution within three months
A major relief to Delhi's car owners as the National Green Tribunal has stayed the ban preventing diesel vehicles older than 10 years from plying on the capital's road. The Environment Ministry and state agencies of the NCR have set a deadline of three-months to adopt various measures for tackling air pollution. Also, a key goal proposed in this regard is, turning coal fired plants in the NCR into gas plants.
This is a roundup of important policy matters from April 13 - 20, 2015. Also read last week's news updates.
Lead image Source: AmyNorth via Wikipedia Commons