NGT forms committee to address polluted water discharge in Ganga River at Prayagraj
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has established a committee to investigate and address concerns raised in a petition alleging the discharge of polluted water into the Ganga River at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The petition highlighted the release of polluted water from 50 drains and malfunctioning sewage treatment plants during the 'Magh Mela' event until March 8 in Prayagraj. Approximately 10 sewage treatment plants were reportedly not functioning correctly, resulting in the river's water turning "blackish."
The NGT, led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, acknowledged that the plea raised significant environmental compliance issues. In response, the tribunal constituted a joint committee, including the member secretary of the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board and the district magistrate of Prayagraj, to investigate and provide a corrective action plan. The committee is tasked with determining the accurate factual situation and the validity of the allegations, with a directive to submit an action-taken report within two months, as per the order issued on January 18. (The Times of India)
Advancing water security: India's Vision 2047 through innovative governance
The government aims to fortify the nation's water security through a proposed action group of secretaries, in alignment with India's Water Vision 2047. This initiative, part of 22 comprehensive recommendations emerging from a conference of state water secretaries, emphasises the creation of new state-level institutional mechanisms. The envisioned group intends to actively involve various stakeholders, particularly farmers, in addressing water-related challenges on the ground.
Key aspects of the proposed institutional arrangement for effective water governance include the establishment of water resources regulatory authorities by each state and the formulation of state water policies mirroring the National Water Policy. Other deliberations from the conference, held in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, include the development of River Basin Plans for every river basin, a rationalised water tariff mechanism, and a framework for the safe reuse of treated wastewater across states.
Union 'Jal Shakti' Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat highlighted the imperative for collaboration and innovation to ensure sustainable water management. Emphasizing the centrality of a robust center-state partnership, he reaffirmed the commitment to achieving water security goals. In response, 30 secretaries from states/UTs and central officials concurred on recommendations encompassing climate-resilient infrastructure, environmental-flow maintenance, and advanced technology for weather prediction's impact on water resources.
The proposals also include incentivising farmers for significant crop pattern changes, extensive artificial recharge to groundwater, and the commitment of states and UTs to collaborate on all 22 recommendations from the previous year's conference.
These recommendations cover diverse aspects, such as enhancing water utilisation efficiency, intensifying conservation programs, monitoring river health, ensuring environmental flow, undertaking flood management measures, prioritising drinking water sustainability, building climate resilience, adopting advanced technology, encouraging river interlinking, and fostering enhanced people's participation. This holistic approach seeks to address the multifaceted challenges of water security, recognising the interconnectedness of water-related issues and the need for collaborative, innovative solutions for a sustainable water future in India. (The Times of India)
Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh collaborate on Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project for water security
In Jaipur, Chief Ministers Bhajan Lal Sharma of Rajasthan and Mohan Yadav of Madhya Pradesh convened to deliberate on the progress of the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP), a longstanding initiative aimed at alleviating water scarcity across 13 districts in Rajasthan. The ERCP seeks to provide sustainable solutions for both drinking water and irrigation needs in the region. The meeting concluded optimistically, with both leaders expressing their dedication to realising the project.
A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the revised Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-ERCP link project was signed, marking a collaborative effort between the Central Government, the Government of Rajasthan, and the Government of Madhya Pradesh to address shared water challenges. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma underscored the project's significance, emphasizing that ERCP would soon deliver essential water resources to the people of Rajasthan.
Chief Minister Yadav outlined the anticipated benefits of the ERCP, emphasizing increased water availability in districts like Morena, Gwalior, Shivpuri, Guna, Bhind, and Sheopur, leading to expanded irrigation areas and development in the Malwa and Chambal regions of Madhya Pradesh. (India Today)
Cauvery Water Regulation Committee: Union Minister emphasises impartial management for water security
Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, highlighted the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) as an impartial platform dedicated to efficient water resource management. Speaking at the All India Secretaries Conference on Water Vision @2047-Way Ahead in Chennai, Shekhawat emphasised the CWRC's role in assessing water availability and determining fair allocations among states, particularly regarding the Cauvery water share for Tamil Nadu.
He discussed the positive impact of the Jal Shakti Ministry's aquifer mapping initiatives on groundwater management, showcasing a nearly 10% improvement in assessment units due to enhanced recharge strategies. Shekhawat also mentioned the Ministry's draft recycle and reuse policy, shared with state governments, and urged states to prioritise demand-side water management. The conference aimed to evaluate state governments' progress in implementing recommendations for water governance, storage, climate resilience, and river health, emphasising the importance of sharing successful practices across states. (The Hindu)
NGT requests responses on alleged Bengaluru Lake buffer zone encroachment
The NGT has requested responses from the member secretary of Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) and two others concerning alleged encroachments on the buffer zone of a lake in Mahadevapura, East Bengaluru. The tribunal, chaired by Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel, addressed the matter after taking suo motu cognizance of a newspaper report detailing unauthorised road construction in the buffer zone of Pattandur Agrahara Lake.
Justice Shrivastava commented that the news item raised a substantial issue regarding compliance with environmental norms. The tribunal then included the KSPCB, the revenue department of east Bengaluru, the Commissioner of Bangalore Development Authority, and the member secretary of the state wetland development authority as respondents in the case. The Bangalore Development Authority had appeared before the tribunal, requesting time to submit its response. The tribunal issued notice to the other respondents for their responses, and the matter is scheduled for March 6 before the southern zonal bench as per an order passed on January 23. (Hindustan Times)
NGT issues notice over N-choe environmental crisis: Chandigarh authorities under scrutiny
In response to a series by The Indian Express highlighting the deteriorating condition of seasonal streams in Chandigarh, particularly N-choe, the NGT has taken suo-motu cognizance and issued a notice to the Municipal Corporation (MC) commissioner of Chandigarh. The NGT scheduled the next hearing for March 20 and sought a response from the MC commissioner.
The series, titled 'How garbage is choking N-choe in Chandigarh,' outlined the environmental issues in three streams – N-choe, Sukhna Choe, and Patiala-ki-Rao, where sewage water, garbage, solid and wet waste, and carcasses of dead animals were indiscriminately dumped.
The NGT's notice comes after the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC) confirmed in its response that sewage water and various waste materials, including solid waste and garbage, were being dumped into N-choe. The tribunal instructed the member secretary of CPCC to conduct an on-site inspection and submit a report at least one week before the next hearing. Four authorities, including the deputy commissioner-cum-district magistrate, UT; member-secretary, CPCC; chairman of CPCC; and commissioner of Municipal Corporation, were made respondents in the suo-motu case.
In its response, CPCC highlighted that it had previously directed corrective measures to prevent waste disposal in N-choe, including installing iron nets on culverts near roads. The pollution committee observed that some iron nets were not up to the mark and requested their installation where needed. CPCC also addressed issues of furniture waste and liquid waste disposal, emphasising recent improvements due to interventions.
The CPCC stated that a sewage system collapse near Sector 36 diverted wastewater to a stormwater channel, impacting N-choe's water quality. However, repairs by the municipal corporation improved water quality, with the biochemical oxygen demand value well below the permissible limit. (The Indian Express)
This is a roundup of important policy updates from 16th January to 30th January 2024. Read our news updates here.
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