Maharashtra government notifies Thane creek as flamingo sanctuary
The state government has formally notified 16.9 sq km on the western side of the Thane creek as a dedicated flamingo sanctuary. In addition to over 40,000 flamingoes that call the creek home for six months, the sanctuary also hosts a variety of migratory birds including the sand plover and Black-tailed Godwits. The sanctuary, proposed as one of the mitigation measures for the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link will come under the Mumbai Mangrove Conservation Unit.
Centre clears 400 MLD mega desalination plant at Perur along Chennai's outskirts
The Expert Appraisal Committee of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has granted Coastal Regulation Zone clearance for the 400 million litre per day desalination plant in Perur, Nemmeli. The project was earlier not cleared as questions remained regarding beach erosion and the effect on marine biodiversity along the Nemmeli coast. Chennai metro water will be in charge of implementing the shoreline erosion control and management plan of the Tamil Nadu government.
HC criticises Delhi for providing 20 kilolitres of free water across the board for domestic use
The Delhi high court has criticised the state government’s policy of providing 20 kilolitres of free water across the board for domestic use. The bench noted that while supplying free water to residents of slum clusters is justified, supplying it free of cost to those who could afford it made absolutely no sense. The bench raised concerns over those who have illegally constructed several floors above the sanctioned limit being benefitted.
Union government unveils model law on contract farming and services
The Centre has unveiled the draft Agricultural Produce and Livestock Contract Farming and Services (promotion and facilitation) Act, 2018 which is expected to ensure better prices for farmers and also help buyers minimise transaction costs. The law seeks to place contract farming and services contracts outside the ambit of respective Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee Act of the states. A dispute settlement authority will be set up and penalties will be levied for breach of contract.
NGT seeks responses on Polavaram Project, maintaining minimum environmental flow of Godavari
Following a plea alleging obstruction in the minimum environmental flow in the Godavari river as a result of the Polavaram dam, the National Green Tribunal has sought responses from the Centre, the Polavaram Project Authority, the Union Environment Ministry, Andhra Pradesh among others. Recently, the NGT had asked all states to maintain a minimum environmental flow of 15-20 percent of the average lean season course in their rivers to sustain freshwater and estuarine ecosystems, along with human livelihood.
This is a roundup of important policy matters published between May 22 and 28, 2018. Also, read the news this week.