Political

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Report questions ADB funded projects under the 'Himachal Clean Energy Development Programme'.

• ADB loans for four hydroprojects at eco-fragile zones
• Livelihood concerns and environmental issues un-addressed
• Section 17/4 – Urgency clause being used by HPPCL for forced acquisition of land
• Poor EIA reports and non compliance to environmental norms

Recently, a Public Hearing for the World Bank funded Luhri Hydro Electric had to be cancelled after public protests making it clear that the environmental and social impacts of Hydropower projects as well as the increasing gap between their promise and performance, especially in the Himalayan region have become issues of serious concern. And yet these projects continue to be promoted in the garb of renewable and clean energy. So much so that governments are borrowing millions of rupees from international banks and financial institutions to fund these so called 'green' projects.The four ADB financed hydro power projects being constructed by HPPCL include the 195 MW Integrated Kashang Stage I, II and III and the 402 MW Shongtong-Karccham in Kinnaur. The other two projects are the 111 MW Sawara-Kuddu hydropower projects in Shimla district and the 100 MW Sainj hydropower project in Kullu District.

 The study attempted to understand the phenomenon of water contamination in the village by using GIS as a tool to locate and map water supply and sewage distribution systems in the village, in relation to human and animal dwellings, their wastes, sanitary practices and their connections with drinking water quality for a clearer understanding of the connections between these factors and possible

Introduction

Irrigation development is essential to ensure water and food security on a sustainable basis. Large scale development of irrigation infrastructure is the key to achieve these objectives. Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Program (AIBP) was launched by Government of India during 1996-97 to provide financial assistance to State Governments with the aim of speeding up the implementation of on-going irrigation / multi-purpose water resources projects. Monitoring of the projects covered under the AIBP is periodically done by the Central Water Commission / Ministry of Water Resources with the help of its regional offices situated all over the country. In the absence of real time maps during construction, the conventional monitoring is done through discussions with field authorities and random field checks. The monitoring reports with non-spatial information generally lack in the synoptic view of the critical gaps and the quantitative progress achieved in irrigation potential creation.

The availability of data from Cartosat - 1 and Cartosat - 2 high resolution satellites has enhanced the scope of infrastructure mapping and monitoring. This data has immense potential for assessment of progress of Irrigation works and closer visualization of spatial irrigation network.

The incentive for one unit of Individual Household Latrine (IHHL) has been raised from existing Rs. 2,200 (Rs. 2,700 for difficult and hilly areas) to Rs. 3,200 (Rs. 3,700 for difficult and hilly areas). The central share out of this shall be Rs. 2,200 (Rs. 2,700 in case of hilly and difficult areas) and State Government share shall be Rs. 1,000. Minimum beneficiary share shall be Rs. 300. State Governments are allowed the flexibility to provide higher incentive for a household toilet, of the same or higher unit costs from their own funds.

Guest post by Priya Desai

Background

This was organised by the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE). Held on May 26th 2011, we were joined by around 150 to 200 student volunteers from various higher educational institutions in Kerala, such as the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, St. Albert's College in Ernakulam, School of Applied Life Sciences in Chuttippara and the School of Environmental Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University.

Organizer: Filmbooth

Venue: Habitat World, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

Description:

Filmbooth is organising a festival of short films and documentaries to celebrate World Environment Day at New Delhi. It includes short films and short documentaries juxtaposed with crisp 10-min talks by eminent personalities, all films & talks being related to various issues of environment, sustainability and awareness on climate change.

Organizers:

• Centre of Gandhian Studies, University of Kerala
• Kerala Biodiversity Board

Venue: University Senate Chamber, Thiruvanthapuram

 It is an innovative version, and has been appreciated in many seminars and national workshops. It gives a logical treatment of mother earth based on human therapy.

For more information, please visit Awadhesh Nema's Blog.

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Content courtesy: DevNetJobsIndia

Centre for Environment Education (CEE) India is an internationally acclaimed institution in the field of environmental education and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). CEE, a Centre of Excellence of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, works with stakeholder groups like children, youth, communities and in-service professionals in urban and rural areas.