Policies, Laws and Regulations

Maharashtra gears up for irrigation projects
Policy matters this week Posted on 09 Jan, 2017 10:14 AM

Maharashtra approves cost overrun in irrigation projects, set to complete Gosikhurd project

Irrigation canal from the Bhima dam, Maharashtra (Source: Nvvchar on Wikipedia)
A water worried year in a nutshell
From river disputes to the failure of the Ganga clean-up plan and the interlinking of rivers, water conflicts dominated most of 2016. Posted on 07 Jan, 2017 08:13 AM

The year 2016 was eventful, to say the least when it comes to the water scenario in the country. The year saw severe droughts affecting 33 crore people across 10 states.

The Cauvery river at Hogenakkal, Karnataka
The sea mouths crisis
The opening of sea mouths in the Chilika is increasing the salinity of the lake, affecting the fish population and the livelihood of the fishing communities. Posted on 06 Jan, 2017 11:21 PM

Lingaraj Jena is a worried man. At 86, he is one of the older fishermen in Berhampura village, an island on the Chilika lake in Odisha. Though he no longer goes for fishing due to old age, he is worried about the opening of new sea mouths; he knows it is not good news for the fishing communities he is a part of that depend on the Chilika for their livelihood.

A view of the Chilika in the evening.
Ecologists challenge Bharti's remark on Ken-Betwa
Policy matters this week Posted on 05 Jan, 2017 11:20 AM

No final approval for Ken-Betwa river link as claimed by Centre

The Ken-Betwa river link shown on a map. (Source: Shannon via Wikipedia)
NGT takes note of Chambal river e-flow
Policy matters this week Posted on 25 Dec, 2016 06:54 PM

NGT seeks MP, Rajasthan's opinion on maintaining e-flow in Chambal river

Chambal river near Kota (Source: Wikimedia commons)
Saving the Ganga, one step at a time
A walk along the Ganga is all it takes to get a better perspective on the river and its deteriorating ecosystem. Here’s an attempt at it. Posted on 21 Dec, 2016 09:11 AM

An aerospace engineer from IIT, Kharagpur, Siddharth Agarwal could have been drawing a fancy salary like any other 25-year-old if he hadn’t followed his passion.

Siddharth Agarwal (Photo credit-Siddharth Agarwal)
Open letter to Uma Bharti, Minister for Water Resources
What are the gaps in the recent gazette notification on river Ganga rejuvenation? Dr Brij Gopal, coordinator, Centre for Inland Waters in South Asia writes an open letter for public discussion. Posted on 20 Dec, 2016 08:03 PM

Hon’ble Madam,
 
Namaskar,  

Chhatris on the banks of the Betwa river. (Source: Vadaykeviv Wikimedia Commons)
Soon a single tribunal for all inter-state river disputes
Policy matters this week Posted on 19 Dec, 2016 12:45 PM

Government decides to create a permanent tribunal for all inter-state river disputes

Cauvery river in Karnataka (Source: IWP Flickr photos)
NGT cancels illegal salt pans in Sambhar Lake
Policy matters this week Posted on 13 Dec, 2016 07:19 AM

Good news for Sambhar Salt Lake

Sambhar Lake, India's largest salt lake. (Source: IWP's Flickr photos)
A notification to ensure ecological flow of rivers
Environment lawyer Ritwick Dutta talks about the highs and lows of the new river Ganga notification and how environmentalists can use it to make an impact. Posted on 12 Dec, 2016 11:27 PM

I have objected so many times to the change in the name of Ministry of Water Resources to the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. It shows where the priority of the government lies. It says that all the rivers need to be developed except the Ganga which needs to be rejuvenated.

Boys wait to collect coins thrown into the Ganga at Kanchla, Uttar Pradesh.
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