Uttarakhand finally recognises the land rights of three villages displaced by Tehri dam

Three villages displaced by Tehri dam finally recognised as revenue villages

Following a four decade struggle by those displaced by the Tehri dam, the Uttarakhand Government has finally recognised three villages as revenue villages. The three villages have been renamed as Tehri Bhagirathi Nagar, Ghonti Village, and Chhaam. Post the recognition, these villages will now have land rights, basic amenities like electricity, water, health services, educational institutions, banks, post offices as well as fencing to protect crops from animals.

NGT gets strict with UP, Uttarakhand Governments over Ramganga pollution

Concerned over the current water quality of the Ramganga river, the National Green Tribunal has ordered the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board to inform further on the issue. Along with this, authorities have been ordered to file a report on the current quality of the Ramganga before the next hearing date. Per a petition filed, consumption of Ramganga water has shown cancerous symptoms in aquatic animals, and the stretch between Moradabad and Bareilly is loaded with heavy metals.

West Bengal government report on arsenic contamination is shoddy and vague: NGT

The National Green Tribunal has slammed the West Bengal Government over the 'shoddy' and 'vague' detailing of arsenic affected zones in the State and its mitigation plan. Taking note of arsenic contamination at Tegharia and Gaighata, the NGT has ordered the State Pollution Control Board to collect samples from the region and take up necessary tests to ascertain the level of contamination. Along with this, NGT has asked the State to make rainwater harvesting compulsory in its offices to reduce groundwater use.

Bombay HC shows concern about construction in wetlands

Expressing concern over the destruction of mangroves, the Bombay High Court has asserted that the mangrove should be saved to avoid flooding in Mumbai, else the city will go the Chennai way. The petitioner who filed the PIL gave reference to the expert report which claimed that Chennai which initially had 5,000 hectares of wetlands occupied by mangroves has been reduced to 500 hectares. However, according to the Government, authorities have always taken immediate action against those causing destruction to mangroves.

Probe in Rs 3,000 crore dam scam close to completion

The probe initiated by the Anti-Corruption Bureau in relation to the Lower Penganga irrigation project is nearing completion. Contracts worth Rs 3,000 crore were hurriedly awarded to politically connected contractors when Ajit Pawar was the Water Resources Minister. Lower Penganga, Gosikhurd and Jigaon were the three big projects in the Vidarbha region that were taken up for investigation.

This is a roundup of important policy matters from November 24 - 30, 2015. Also read last week's news roundup.