After review of North India and Maharashtra Rivers, SANDRP presents the development surrounding rivers in rest of West Zone: Gujarat, Goa, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan states in 2017.
Gujarat Rivers
Dams, industrial pollution killing State Rivers In MoEF report, Gujarat ranks 4th among top 5 states with highly polluted rivers. Sabarmati is among Gujarat’s 20 most polluted rivers including Narmada and Mahi. Over Rs 200 cr has been spent to curb pollution in Sabarmati & Mindola rivers. This fund is the highest amount ever spent outside the Ganga river conservation project on which Uttar Pradesh has spent Rs 917.24 crore, West Bengal Rs 411.26 crore and Bihar Rs 216.46 crore. As per activist, Rohit Prajapati, industrial effluents are being released in big rivers like Sabarmati, Mahi and Narmada without being treated and big dams have been built on big rivers due to which the rivers are drying up and vanishing as a result, the condition of rivers in Gujarat is going from bad to worse. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/polluted-rivers-guj-ranks-4th/articleshow/62685910.cms (The Times of India, 29 Jan. 2017)
Gujarat plans Further disaster for rivers As per statement of MansukhLaxmanMandaviya, Union Minister of State for Road Transport five rivers in Gujarat — Tapi, Narmada, Mahi, Luni and Sabarmati — were likely to be linked to develop waterways in the state. He was speaking at the Stakeholders’ Conference aimed at developing the inland waterways in the state. http://indianexpress.com/article/india/five-rivers-in-gujarat-may-be-linked-for-waterways-mansukh-laxman-mandaviya-5059195/ (The Indian Express, 10 Feb. 2018)
Tapi River Industrial waste aggravates river pollution In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has claimed to have begun a major mission to clean up India’s rivers, starting with Ganges and Yamuna, a top South Gujarat NGO has alleged that sewage waters are being released into the Tapi River river, as it reaches Surat, which is Gujarat’s second biggest city, and as Tapi flows beyond into the sea, which is just 30 km away. Brackish Water Research Centre, an NGO in Surat shows how the industries and Urban sewage are destroying Tapi River. https://www.counterview.net/2017/05/industrial-waste-discharge-into-south.html (Counter View, 3 May 2017)
Sabarmati River Sabarmati riverfront project gets approval In Feb. 2017, the Gujarat State Cabinet approved volume-based General Development Control Regulations (GDCR). The approval would make volumetric development available for developers on the riverfront and the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Limited (SRFDCL) planned to auction two building footprints, one on either bank of the river in April-May. https://www.nbmcw.com/news/35970-sabarmatiriverfront-projectgetsapproval.html (NBMCW, 10 Feb. 2017)
Sabarmati may now garner Rs 6,000 cr for hotels, malls In May 2017,to attract national attention,Ahmadabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) conducted roadshows across metros post the cabinet nod for plot auctions. As per report, the approval facilitated development of over 12.5 million sqftriver bank area for private developers and corporates for anything from offices, commercial complexes, hospitality projects to residential towers. https://www.newkenyan.com/once-a-dry-river-sabarmati-may-now-garner-rs-6000-cr-for-hotels-malls/ (News Kenyan, 17 May 2017)
The report also revealed that the resettlement of about 12,000 families living on the banks of Sabarmati costed AMC about Rs 1,200 crore which was the 50 per cent of the total cost of the project i.eRs 2,500 crore. The riverfront development project drew its inspiration from similar riverfront skyline projects in Paris, San Francisco, London. The project stretched across 22 km, 11 km on each side of the river. This is the real face of Sabarmati River Front Development, to grab riverbank for the generation of 6000 crores. http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/once-a-dry-river-sabarmati-may-now-garner-rs-6-000-cr-for-hotels-malls-117051700876_1.html (Business Standard, 18 May 2017)
Govt to increase Sabarmati Riverfront stretch to 32.2km In Jan. 2018, the length of the controversial Sabarmati River Front Development Project was extended from 11.25 km (22.5 km if we include lengths along both east and west bank) to about 16.1 km (32.2 km including both sides), using over 111 acres of land. The Govt also made a provision of Rs 850 crore for the second phase of the riverfront, while announcing a draft budget for the 2018-19 fiscal. http://www.dnaindia.com/ahmedabad/report-sabarmati-riverfront-in-gujarat-to-stretch-to-322km-soon-2577314 (DNA, 22 Jan. 2018)
45 villages use toxic water for irrigation A study conducted by IIPH-Gandhinagar and the Centre for Development Research of the University of Bonn, involving 652 households in villages located on the banks of the Sabarmati river, has found high levels of Escherichia coli, the bacteria that has contaminated even the drinking water of these households. The study shows the expected impact of Sabarmati River Front Development Project for villages along the river downstream from Vasna barrage, downstream of Ahmedabad. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/45-villages-use-toxic-water-for-irrigation/articleshow/57832858.cms (The Times of India, 26 March 2017)
Vishwamitri River River Front Development new threat to Vishwamitri river VadodaraThe project sought to mimic the model of the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad. As it turned out, VRDP work had begun in several areas even before the completion of due processes by the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Clearance (EC). An application filed by RohitPrajapati and his team to the NGT in 2016 comprehensively explains the various shortcomings of the project and the illegality of the work underway. https://www.counterview.net/2018/02/as-factories-populace-choke-vishwamitri.html (Counter View, 7 Feb. 2018)
Coastal pollution at four beaches under NGT scanner In Nov. NGT Pune bench, ordered the Goa-based National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) to carry out close monitoring of the entire sea coast stretching from Tadgam beach to Tithal beach in Valsad as well as from Jampore beach to Devka in Daman. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/seawater-pollution-at-four-beaches-under-ngt-scanner/articleshow/61761702.cms (The Times of India, 23 Nov. 2017)
Narmada River Fishermen protest new dam on Narmada Oct 08 has been a sad day for Narmada River and thousands of fisherfolk families who will further suffer due to the Rs 4350 Cr Bhadbhut dam on the Narmada river’s mouth on the Bay of Khambhat, of which PM Modi has laid the foundation Stone. However, the project is being opposed by local fishing folks because it would adversely affect over 12000 fisherfolk families, their livelihoods would be destroyed. They were neither consulted, nor was there any impact assessment, nor any question of compensation or rehabilitation.
The new dam is claimed for mitigation of the impacts of upstream dams! It will actually store polluted water from urban and industrial areas and further destroy the estuarine ecosystems. Sailing into the river and shouting slogans, the fisherfolk were detained for five-and-a-half hours for demanding that there should not be any damming of the river at Bhadbhut, as they believed, it would destroy their prized catch, hisla, which breeds in brackish waters.
The fishermen in the area have been protesting against the barrage since 2010. Raising these concerns, fishermen took out a boat protest with black flags against the PM laying foundation stone for the Bhadbhut dam in which over 100 boats participated. They all were arrested and released only after PM left. They were denied permission to hold protest walk. Indeed, fishermen have shown amazing courage. The national media unfortunately seems happy to ignore this. https://www.counterview.net/2017/10/fisherfolk-show-black-flags-against.html (Counter View, 9 Oct. 2017)
Goa Rivers
All rivers in State are grossly polluted As per Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) study almost all the rivers (Sal, Mandovi, Sinquerim, Chapora, Zuari, Bicholim, Tiracol, Talpona, Kushawati, Khandepar, Madei, Mapusa) in the state were polluted and water availability was increasingly being threatened due to rampant pollution from untreated domestic sewage and industrial effluents flowing into the rivers making the water unfit for drinking or any other purpose. http://www.navhindtimes.in/pollution-killing-major-goa-rivers/ (Nav Hind Times, 9 June 2017)
Coal transportation choking Goa land, water, rivers The five part investigation report showed how transport of coal in Goa is destroying the air, water, land, lives and environment of Goa, and massive quantity of MORE COAL is on the way. The people and groups in Goa are fighting, but we all need to join.
– JWS, Adani and Vedanta are three biggest corporates, the report exposes illegalities involved already. – Port had become unviable after export of iron ore was stopped.
– The coal dust is blackening lungs, pushing up incidents of respiratory disorder; it’s threatening fragile forests, paddy fields, countless streams and rivers, at one place even a tiger corridor, at least two sanctuaries, and an entire hill.
– On the proposed water route, the fishing unions are the first to sound the alarm. As per OlencioSimoes, vice-chairperson, National Fishworkers’ Forum, the dredging will collapse river beds and cause floods in neighbouring villages. Also, this will amount to violation of CRZ (Coastal Regulation Zone) norms as mangroves will be cut or destroyed along with the destruction of corals and reefs, turtle nesting grounds, horseshoe crab habitats, sea grass beds, mudflats, and nesting grounds of birds.
This five-part investigative series rightly underlines the adverse impact of coal transportation on Goans, rivers and environment. http://indianexpress.com/article/india/coal-burying-goa-after-road-and-rail-river-at-risk-as-coal-floats-by-mormugao-port-pollution-4914699/(The Indian Express, 31 May 2017)
Fishermen reject plans to make Goa a coal hub In May 2017, it seemed to be a national record of sorts as series of environmental clearance-related public hearings on whether the administration should permit the construction of facilities to allow large amounts of coal to be imported and transported through the coastal state, took eight days to complete after being extended by an unprecedented five days. The hearings are probably the longest in the history of environmental clearances in India. Thanks, indeed, Nihar Gokhale for this excellent report. Amazing that Nitin Gadkari opposed the public hearing, and good to know that SC overturned that decision and now so many people came forward to puncture holes in the fraudulent WAPCOS EIA and Public hearing was extended to RECORD EIGHT DAYS, unprecedented in India. https://scroll.in/article/837111/fishers-grandmas-students-priests-politicians-and-activists-reject-plans-to-make-goa-a-coal-hub (Scroll.in, 10 May 2017)
CM says will not allow more coal transport via state’s rivers In Dec. 2017, Chief minister Manohar Parrikar assured that the government would not allow enhancement of coal transportation through the state’s rivers. The state would also not take up public private partnership projects for dredging and navigation under the National Waterways Act, Parrikar assured the public during a hearing on the memorandum of understanding between the state government and Inland Waterways Authority of India.Goa CM has made some assurances here. These need to be put on paper to make them legally binding. https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/coal/goa-cm-parrikar-says-will-not-allow-more-coal-transport-via-states-rivers/62030971(Energy World, 12 Dec. 2017)
On the last day of winter assembly session, the CM again stated that his government may consider the demands of the Opposition on removal of six Goan rivers from the schedule of the National Waterways Authority Act, 2016 in future, but will go ahead with the Memorandum of Understanding with the Inland Waterway Authority of India (IWAI) and the Mormugao Port Trust for now.
Among the apprehensions Goans have is the scale of navigational infrastructure modifications to the river depths and banks due the the MoU, which many fear will kill the traditional fishing colonies and also impact the seabed’s morphology. The opposition also pointed river dredging could impact the livelihoods of the traditional fisherfolk of the state. http://indianexpress.com/article/business/business-others/removal-of-rivers-from-waterways-act-goa-cm-manohar-parrikar-says-will-consider-demand-4988894/ (The Indian Express, 19 Nov. 2017)
The CM also stated that as per the Constitution the Centre has no authority over Fisheries and it cannot make any law in that regard. “Indian Waterways Act was passed in Parliament in 2016 and State has no jurisdiction, but signing the MoU with Indian Waterways Authority of India will give us our rights back,” Parrikar said, replying to a three-hour-long debate in the Assembly.” This is contradictory. If Centre has no right, there should be no MOU on the questionable waterways act.https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa-News/Fisheries-is-State-subject-Centre-cannot-make-law-says-Parrikar/124238.html(Herald Goa, 19 Dec. 2018)
Villages reiterate opposition to river nationalisation In a meeting in Salcete on in Nov 12, 4 Gram Sabhas of Raia, Guirdolim, Cavelossim and Navelim have unanimously opposed the nationalisation of 6 rivers from Goa and also the proposed development of Mormugao Port as the coal hub of Goa and all infrastructure development associated with that. https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/4-villages-reiterate-opposition-to-river-nationalisation-/122519.html (Herald Goa, 13 Nov. 2017)
Before this, a group under the banner, ‘Our Rivers Our Rights’ petitioned PM Modi seeking his immediate intervention to remove all six Goan rivers from the National Waterways Act, 2016, thereby dropping the plan of river nationalization for Goa. https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Group-petitions-PM-to-keep-Goa-out-of-river-nationalisation-project/122426.html (Herald Goa, 11 Nov 2017)
Video showing adverse impact of nationalization of six Goa rivers AbhijitPrabhudesai in a fantastic, short video explains the threats of nationalisation of 182 km of six Goa rivers for navigation. Please listen, share and send feedback.
Sal River Work on wall along River Sal halted With the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) issuing a stop-work order, a fisheries department project to construct a 400-metre-long wall along the mouth of the River Sal to regulate the flow of sand deposits has run into rough weather. As per sources said wall was being constructed sans any approval from the authority and was in total contravention of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules. The river-training project in the form of a wall in the east-west direction on the mouth of River Sal, overlooking the Arabian Sea together with the renovation of the Cutbona jetty a little upstream, is part of the Rs 100 crore development project of jetties at Betul and Chapora. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/work-on-wall-along-river-sal-halted/articleshow/57320263.cms (The Times of India, 24 Feb. 2017)
Centre clears Rs 62cr for cleaning Sal river In Feb. 2018, the central government has approved a project to abate pollution of river Sal at Navelim in Goa at an estimated cost of Rs 61.74 crore. Cost of the project, covering setting up of sewage treatment facilities and sewer network, will be shared equally between the Centre and state government.
The project was approved by the Union environment ministry last week under its National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) which covers 31 rivers (other than Ganga and its tributaries) in 14 states. CPCB had in 2015 identified the Sal river stretch at Navelim as one of the 302 polluted river stretches across the country based on BOD levels.
Both the Centre and State will share the cost on 60:40 basis. Under the project, around 32 kms of sewers will be laid and sewage treatment plant of 3 MLD constructed. The project is scheduled for completion by January, 2021. http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=176150 (PIB, 4 Feb. 2018)
As per another report, low budgetary allocation has, however, been a problem for the NRCP. Though a parliamentary standing committee had twice recommended (254threport in 2015 and 283rdreport in 2016) for increase in its budget, the allocation for 2018-19 remained unchanged at Rs 173.50 crore as compared to the year 2017-18. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/centre-clears-rs-62cr-for-cleaning-sal-river/articleshow/62773340.cms (The Times of India, 4 Feb. 2018)
Remembering Kurdi It’s an amazing unimaginably sad yet unbelievably sensitive journey into the past of people displaced by the Salaulim dam built on Zuari river basin submerged 32 years ago. It is celebration of life at office of the death as a character in the film calls it. Please watch and share. http://filmsdivision.org/filmscategory/environment
How long Goa rivers will be Otter friendly Guest Blog by Atul Borker, with Salil Chaturvedi Goan rivers still provide a promising habitat for otters, one of the few areas in the world to do so. It might be a tough ask for a small state like Goa to be an active mining location, a coal hub, an attractive tourist destination and a beautiful state with rivers that support a healthy population of otters, all at the same time.
Coal and mining will probably be viable for a decade, but livelihoods generated from sustainable tourism and fishing can last for a much longer period. It is therefore imperative that ecological and social perspectives are included in developmental strategies through rigorous impact assessments. This is possible only when there is a strong collaboration between communities, engineers, ecological and social scientists and planners. Indeed, the otter population will be a litmus test for the ‘development’ of Goan rivers. https://sandrp.wordpress.com/2017/09/30/how-long-will-goa-be-otter-worthy/ (SANDRP, Word Press, 30 Sept. 2017)
Madhya Pradesh Rivers
Jaijawanti River Road project a threat to Jaijawanti riverThe Jan. 2018 report finds that a road project worth Rs 100 crore to connect villages of Dewas and Indore has endangered the very existence of Jaijawanti river, a tributary of Kshipra.In more than 1 km stretch, the road has been constructed within the boundary of the river, said DrVikasChoudhary of Ujjain, who is working for the past many years to revive the water body along with Kshipra. He said, “The road project is posing threat to the existence of Jaijawanti. The project is violating MP BhoomiVikasNiyam 2012 which allows no construction within 30 meters on both the sides of rivers. If the road is constructed it would hamper the flow of the water body, which is dry at most places during its run-up to Kshipra”. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/Road-project-a-threat-to-Jaijawanti-river/articleshow/62333805.cms (The Times of India, 2 Jan. 2018)
Narmada River Gujarat HC notice to Centre, state bodiesThe Gujarat HC in Dec. 2017, issued a notice to various authorities, including central ministries, in response to a PIL seeking to stop the release of untreated sewage into Narmada river by eleven towns in Madhya Pradesh.This is interesting case in Gujarat HC against 11 towns of upstream Madhya Pradesh for releasing untreated sewage into Narmada, which the petition claims is Gujarat’s lifeline. But SSP of Gujarat is destroying the river both upstream and downstream of SSP. Where really is Gujarat’s lifeline? https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/narmada-pollution-in-mp-hc-notice-to-centre-state-bodies/articleshow/62186316.cms (The Times of India, 21 Dec. 2017)
Ganga River Central Audit finds 3 rivers polluting Ganga In May 2017, an audit by National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has found Chambal, Tons (Tamsa) and Sone among the rivers responsible for polluting the Ganga river. While Tons and Sone rivers flow directly into Ganga in bordering Uttar Pradesh, Chambal river flows into Yamuna, which links up with River Ganga. Chambal (industrial estate near Nagda), Sone (paper mills in Shahadol) and Tons have been found to be source of pollution for Ganga as per an Audit by NMCG. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/3-mp-rivers-polluting-ganga-says-central-audit/articleshow/58504644.cms (The Times of India, 4 May 2017)
Rajasthan Rivers
CAG pulls up pollution board over river pollution In March 2017, raising its concerns over pollution of rivers, the CAG has pulled up the State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB) for not preparing comprehensive plan for establishing common effluent treatment plants (CETP) in the industrial hubs. The CAG report singled out three districts Alwar, Bikaner and Hanumangarh where objective of prevention, control and abatement of water pollution suffered due to non-establishment of CETPs. The report further stated that about 12.3 million litres of effluents per day were being discharged by these units on open land and in Dravyawati river without any treatment. The CAG also noted that treated water discharged by CETPs into Bandi river failed to achieve the outlet parameters thereby causing risk of deterioration in quality of river water. https://www.hindustantimes.com/jaipur/cag-pulls-up-rajasthan-pollution-board-for-no-plan-on-effluent-plants/story-WE2KoqMlfGaGKjQGzN59pK.html (Hindustan Times, 31 March 2017)
Bandi River NGT asked Govt to take steps to curb pollution in Bandi riverIn Oct. 2016, the NGTasked the CPCB and the RSTPCB for taking preventive and effective steps immediately to ensure that Nehda Dam and Bandi river don’t get polluted with the untreated effluents from these industries.As such more than 600 of these units lying closed for the past more than one-and-a-half months will continue to remain so till a dry joint inspection of CETP is conducted by the CPCB.
NGT in its directives said that effective steps have to be taken before the units are allowed to function in the normal course.The circuit Bench of NGT at Jodhpur passed the order on the petition of Mahaveer Singh Sukarlai of KisanParyavaranSangharsh Committee. Earlier on July 22, 2016 the Tribunal had issued directions to CPCB and Rajasthan SPCB to conduct a joint inspection but the same was not carried out. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jodhpur/NGT-Take-steps-to-curb-pollution-in-Pali-river/articleshow/54823114.cms (The Times of India, 13 Oct. 2016)
Polluted Bandi river water threatens livelihood in Pali In March 2017, a research by Jai Narayan Vyas University experts revealed that the Bandi river water there is not fit for drinking or irrigation.Pali is the dying and printing hub of Rajasthan. Prior to interim stay by NGT, about 800 textile industries were up and running in the district.The textile industry requires copious amount of water for its operations. The effluents are often drained into the river without treatment. The study showed that textile effluents are highly toxic in nature can threaten livelihood in this part of the state. https://www.hindustantimes.com/jaipur/polluted-river-water-threatens-livelihood-in-pali/story-kE09R7ejznGq1Az0W6EfXI.html (Hindustan Times, 18 March 2017)
Pali textile units pollute Bandi river despite NGT stay As per March 2017 report, textile units in Pali city continue to release polluted water into the Bandi river, violating a NGT order staying their operation. In Oct, 2016, the NGT stayed the operation of about 800 textile units after environmentalists moved the tribunal over pollution of the Bandi river.
The NGT had ordered these polluting textile industrial units to shut their operations on Oct 2016, while hearing a petition moved by, the Kissan Paryavaran Sangharsh Samiti.The untreated effluents of these units have long been polluting a seasonal river of the district, the Bandi river, whose water feeds the Nehda Dam severely affecting agriculture in the region and polluting the underground water.Around 200 million cubic feet of water has been polluted though the state govt focuses on Mukhya Mantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan. https://www.hindustantimes.com/jaipur/pali-textile-units-pollute-bandi-river-despite-ngt-stay/story-YCobJ5LmLBL4GYPdEDn7KP.html (Hindustan Times, 27 March 2018)
The CAG in its report has also noted that treated water discharged by CETPs into Bandi river failed to achieve the outlet parameters thereby causing risk of deterioration in quality of river water. https://www.hindustantimes.com/jaipur/cag-pulls-up-rajasthan-pollution-board-for-no-plan-on-effluent-plants/story-WE2KoqMlfGaGKjQGzN59pK.html (Hindustan Times, 31 March 2017)
No respite for Pali yet, NGT reserves order on illegal textile industries In April 2017, hearing the case on industrial pollution in River Bandithe tribunal sought details of textile industries operating in the area despite the court ordering its closure after the petitioner Mahavir Singh Sukarlai in an affidavit submitted that 17 industries were violating NGT’s orders.
The green bench took a strong view on the issue. “How do you expect us to deal with industries which violate NGT orders?” the bench’s expert member Bikram Singh Sajwan asked the counsels representing the Rajasthan state. Rajasthan’s representatives informed that the consent for operating has already been withdrawn from the flouting industries.
The media also seems to be giving misleading reports. For example, a report my Money Control, reported that the NGT has allowed the conditional reopening of 578 textile units in Rajasthan’s Pali district. This seems to be wrong, going by the DTE report. The Money Control report also said, The NGT also ordered the setting up of a monitoring committee comprising representatives of IIT Jodhpur, the CPCB and RSPCB, directing them to submit a report on the next hearing.Besides this, the tribunal has also directed the constitution of a district-level task force to ensure that no industry functions illegally or in violation of the pollution rules and norms. https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/ngt-allows-reopening-of-textile-units-in-rajasthan-2290869.html (Money Control, 27 March 2017)
Blaming the industries for increasing water level, Mahaveer Singh Sukarlai said that without any precipitation in the region, the Nehda dam on Bandi River is full. The counsel for the respondent however countered saying that the dam’s water level rise was due to the 22 million litres of sewage that enters the river everyday.
The river’s pollution issue has remained unresolved since 2004, when the locals first moved to the Jodhpur High Court. The bench reserved its order. However, it observed that river pollution by industries, in violation of NGT’s order, was a serious issue. http://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/no-respite-for-pali-yet-ngt-reserves-order-on-illegal-textile-industries-57646 (Down To Earth, 20 April 2017)
Dravyavati JDA gets Rs 240 cr for Dravyavati revival plan In April 2017, the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) has reportedly released the first instalment of Rs 240 crore for cash-strapped Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) for Dravyavati river revival. The board had approved Rs 1,098 crore for the project in Feb. 2017 and the first installment was released on May 01, 2017. Rs 1,600 crore project to “rejuvenate” the 47 km long Dravyavati river between Jaisalya village at the foothills of Nahargarh Fort and River Dhund includes also plans to remove encroachments along the river, along with construction of 11 sewerage treatment plants (STPs) with a capacity of 180 mld. Will it destroy the river, floodplains and invite more trouble for Jaipur? https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/dravyavati-revivaljaipur-development-authority-gets-rs-240-crore/articleshow/58373432.cms (The Times of India, 26 April 2017)
Jojari River NGT imposes 10 lakh cost on govt NGT has imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh on Rajasthan Govt for not controlling pollution in river Jojari despite commitments/assurances made to the tribunal. The river Jojari was a seasonal river and carried only the excess rainwater, and ended downstream.Now continuous release of almost 90 MLD of untreated sewage and untreated industrial effluent and release of treated water from Jodhpur has been flowing.Due to lack of free passage, the water has been accumulating in the areas around the village of Araba. http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-jojari-river-pollution-tribunal-imposes-rs-10-lakh-cost-on-state-government-2579935 (DNA, 31 Jan. 2018)
Chambal River Consider releasing 10% water in Chambal in lean season The Green Tribunal in Dec. 2016 directed Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan governments to provide their opinion if they would part with 10% of their water share for maintaining the e-flow in Chambal river in the lean period between January and June. The next hearing in case will be on February 6. This is very interesting from NGT, though NGT saying that only snow fed rivers can be perennials is so totally wrong. https://www.hindustantimes.com/bhopal/saving-chambal-s-ecology-will-you-give-up-10-of-water-share-ngt-asks-mp-rajasthan/story-clvzixpiJTNjjmbt1R9uzK.html (Hindustan Times, 26 Dec. 2016) NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE IN THIS MATTER.
Also see, a strongly worded essay by Tarun Nair showing how Chambal River Sanctuary is getting destroyed by the acts of omissions and commissions of the governments. https://thewire.in/91414/chambal-son-gharial-bansagar/ (The Wire, 10 Jan. 2017)
Compiled by Bhim Singh Rawat, SANDRP (bhim.sandrp@gmail.com)
You may also like to see Rivers Review 2017 for other Indian States
North India Rivers Review 2017: Pollution Poisoning Lifelines
Maharashtra Rivers Review 2017: Multi-colored Rivers!
South India Rivers Review 2017: More Water for Cities from Drying Rivers
Kerala Rivers Review 2017 : Government Efforts Fail To Protect Rivers
Tamil Nadu Rivers Review 2017: Despite Drought; Diversion of Rivers
Positive Rivers Stories 2017: Citizens Reconnecting with Rivers
India Rivers Studies 2017: Rivers Succumbing To Dams, Pollution & Climate Change
SANDRP 
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