Centre issues guidelines to simplify green clearance process

Centre issues guidelines to simplify green clearance process

MoEF comes out with new guidelines on environmental clearance that will give more powers to states and help them quicken the decision making process.

SC issues notice to MoEF and states for worsening critically polluted clusters

Pulls up environment ministry and 19 state governments for no improvement observed in the condition of critically polluted industrial clusters despite pollution control norms.

Centre emphasises implementation of National Water Mission objectives

Union Water Resources Minister urges states and union territories to establish State Water Missions for achieving the goals of National Water Mission.

Only 29.5% of rural households in Kerala have access to potable water, says study

A survey conducted in 2012 reveals that Kerala is the worst hit state in the country to have access to safe drinking water.

NGT questions Centre and state authorities on Jodhpur industrial sludge

Orders inquiry into the dumping of untreated waste in Jojari river by 10,000 industries in and around Jodhpur in Rajastahan.

Maharashtra loses its forests to agriculture

The state has lost 2116 sq km of forest in the past two decades due to conversion of forests to agricultural land.

Villagers against hydel project in Uttarakhand

Residents of Joshimath village in Chamoli district claim the ongoing 171 MW Lata-Tapovan hydroelectric power project across Dhauliganga river is violating environmental norms.

Maharashtra proposes sanctuary in Thane creek

The state government plans to notify 21 acres of area along the Thane creek in Maharashtra as bird sanctuary.

Uttarakhand prepares action plan to mitigate impacts of climate change

To seek Centre's approval for the Rs.9000 crore plan for minimising the effects of climate change in Uttarakhand.

Odisha aims to add 129 MW of hydropower by 2017

The state government targets 129 MW of hydropower through nine projects in the state by the end of XII plan period.

Centre approves 28 civic projects in Kerala

The project worth Rs. 948 crore includes five drinking water projects, five solid waste treatment plants, sewage treatment plants worth Rs. 50 crore and drainage works worth Rs. 35 crores.

Authorities plan to bring life to Indore's river

To undertake feasibility study of the project for revival of Khan river through Narmada-Shipra river linking project.

No progress in Karnataka's Kachenahalli lift irrigation project for last 20 years 

The project that was sanctioned in 1994 to lift water from Hemavati river to fill the tanks in Holenarsipur, Channarayapatna and Hassan taluks in Karnataka, still awaits completion.

Tourist influx is turning Ladakh dry

Already water-stressed Ladakh is on a way towards acute water crisis due to change in sanitation habits with influx of tourists.

Water scarcity threatens Manipur hills

Water sources in the state's hills are depleting fast due to rampant deforestation.

This is the roundup of important news from December 24 to 26, 2013.