(Feature Image: An aerial view of Narmada river downstream Sardar Sarovar Project in Oct. 2018. Source: CMO Gujarat twitter handle)

With Gujarat state assembly election round the corner, Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) the party ruling the state and Centre has been evoking the Sardar Sarovar Project as a big achievement in the face of contrasting ground realities as suggested by no less than former Gujarat Chief Minister of BJP Shri Suresh Mehta. The project has failed to provide promised irrigation water to farmers of Kutch and Saurashtra in whose name the dam was pushed as the canal system remains not fully built. The people of Kutch, in whose name Gujarat got 9 Million Acre Feet of water, disproportionate to its catchment area at SSP, were incidentally last to get the water and not first as it should have been. Kutch canals remains largely unfinished and command area largely unirrigated. Who stopped this area to get the water over a decade after the water started flowing from the dam is a question, Gujarat rulers refuse to answer.

Similarly, thousands of project affected people continue to struggle for rehabilitation and compensation despite court orders. The Gujarat rulers have gone silent over unending and unfolding ecological and hydrological impacts of the dam on Narmada river system downstream from the dam including delta area. Thousands of villagers living in miserable conditions submerged in backwater of the dam but have not been officially recognized as project affected people. At this moment, the timely, just rehabilitation and compensation of these villages and project affected families should be top priority of concerned governments including the Central government.

Sardar Sarovar Project Waters from Sardar Sarovar Project yet to reach people of Gujarat (as planned) and most of those displaced by the dam yet not rehabilitated: Ex BJP CM Suresh Mehta. PM should not be taking political advantage of the project, he said. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/bjp-taking-political-advantage-of-sardar-sarovar-project-suresh-mehta-8203235/  (12 Oct. 2022)

ग्राम पिछोड़ी निवासी हिरदाराम पिता काल्या। 2017 के सर्वे में एनवीडीए के अफसरों ने इनका मकान डूब से बाहर बताकर मुआवजा दिया न पुनर्वास किया। अब नर्मदा जलस्तर 138.20 मीटर पर पहुंच गया है। बैक वाटर इनके घर के आसपास जमा होने से मकान टापू बन गया है। हिरदाराम की तरह नर्मदा किनारे 10 गांवों में 50 से ज्यादा परिवार ऐसे हैं, जिन्हें 5 साल पहले सर्वे में डूब से बाहर बताया था। लेकिन अब हाल ये है कि इनके मकान टापू बन गए हैं। नर्मदा बचाओ आंदोलन कार्यकर्ता पवन यादव ने बताया निवेदन, आवेदन व आंदोलन के बाद भी एनवीडीए अफसरों का रवैया गैरजिम्मेदार है।

यादव ने बताया ग्राम पिछोड़ी के हिरदाराम पिता काल्या को मकान मुआवजा पूर्व में विभाग द्वारा दिया था। लेकिन 2017 के सर्वे में डूब से बाहर बता दिया गया। वर्ष 2019 की डूब में सरदार सरोवर बांध में 138.68 मीटर पानी भरने के बाद अब तक शासन-प्रशासन द्वारा गंभीरता से डूब प्रभावितों के दर्द को नहीं देखा जा रहा है। सरकार द्वारा न्यायालयों में जीरो बैलेंस बताया जा रहा है। जबकि अब भी सैकड़ों परिवार मूल गांवों में रहकर गुजारा कर रहे हैं। इन लोगों का पुनर्वास होना बाकी है। प्रदेश सरकार एक ओर आदर्श पुनर्वास की बात करती है। दूसरी ओर डूब के मंजर दिखाते प्रभावित किसे अपना संघर्ष बयां करें। ऐसे कई गांवों में परिवार बसे हैं, जिनके मकानों के सामने पानी है, या फिर मकान डूब चुका है। मकान क्षतिग्रस्त हो रहे हैं। रास्ते जलमग्न हो रहे हैं। टापू में चारों ओर से प्रभावित अपने परिवार और मवेशियों के साथ पुनर्वास की आस में जीवन यापन करने को मजबूर है।

यादव ने बताया ग्राम पिछोड़ी, अवल्दा, बिजासन, जांगरवा, भवती, राजघाट, सेगांव, धनोरा, छोटा बड़दा व दतवाड़ा में 50 से ज्यादा परिवार ऐसे है, जिनके मकान डूब चुके हैं या फिर मकानों के आसपास बैकवाटर जमा हो गया है। मकान टापू बनने से आवाजाही में दिक्कतों का सामना करना पड़ रहा है। नाव से आवाजाही में कभी भी दुर्घटना हो सकती है। पूर्व में नाव से राजघाट जाने के दौरान दो व्यक्तियों की करंट लगने से मौत हो चुकी है। बावजूद जिम्मेदारों का इस कोई ध्यान नहीं है। https://www.bhaskar.com/local/mp/barwani/news/5-years-ago-survey-said-out-of-drowning-now-50-houses-built-on-the-island-no-benefit-of-rehabilitation-130372172.html  (29 Sept. 2022)

Three decades on, many Sardar Sarovar Dam affected persons still await rehabilitation. https://sabrangindia.in/article/three-decades-many-sardar-sarovar-dam-affected-persons-still-await-rehabilitation  (13 July 2020) The environmental impact of the Sardar Sarovar Dam https://sabrangindia.in/article/environmental-impact-sardar-sarovar-dam  (06 July 2020) Sardar Sarovar Dam and the denial of Adivasi rights. https://sabrangindia.in/article/sardar-sarovar-dam-and-denial-adivasi-rights  (12 June 2022)

Book Review आज जिस तरह से दलित साहित्य और आत्मकथाएं प्रचुर मात्रा में सामने आई हैं उस तरह से आधुनिक भारत में आदिवासी समाज के संघर्ष का आख्यान आना अभी बाकी है। नंदिनी ओझा की किताब “द स्ट्रगल फॉर नर्मदा ” एक ऐतिहासिक जरूरत को पूरा करती है। आजादी के बाद सबसे लंबे चले इस अहिंसक आंदोलन के नायक वे आदिवासी हैं जो विकास की हर परिभाषा में नकारे गए हैं। विकास की हर राह इनके घरों को रौंदती हुई गुजरती है। विकास के विरोधाभास को लेकर शुरू हुए संघर्ष की यह मौखिक दास्तान लोक व तंत्र के बीच बनी बड़ी खाई को दिखाने का काम करती है। https://www.downtoearth.org.in/hindistory/river/dam/Book-Review-Interviews-from-Missing-History-85118   (07 Oct. 2022)

This report lists and describes how the phrase Urban Naxals have evolved over the last few years, basically used by the BJP top brass their apologists. Home Ministry told parliament that they are not using that term. https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/the-rise-of-urban-naxals-a-term-not-used-by-govt-8203746/  (13 Oct. 2022)

HYDRO POWER PROJECTS

Arunachal Pradesh Experts not convinced about safety of Subansiri HEP  “The worst fears of the critics are coming true with repeated accidents, landslides and other disasters at this project. It again shows how inadequate are our feasibility and appraisal studies and how little we understand the geology, ecology and geomorphology of northeast India,” Himanshu Thakkar of the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers & People told this writer.

– Experts have also questioned the economic viability of the project. “The project that had been economically unviable long back with projected cost already over Rs 20 000 crore for a 2000 MW project. Who will buy the electricity from the project at cost of upwards of Rs 8 per unit? Why should India be continuing to pursue such unviable and destructive large hydropower projects when power is available at much cheaper rates from alternatives?” Thakkar asked. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/northeast-diary-why-experts-still-not-convinced-about-safety-of-this-mega-project/articleshow/94872377.cms  (15 Oct. 2022)

On Wednesday (Oct. 12), a large portion of the hill at the project site fell on the diversion course of the river causing panic among the workers and further affecting the repair work. The SLHEP site in Assam that has been hit by landslides and water spills during the course of past several days has prompted the NHPC and its contractors to suspend work and evacuate its workers. https://nenow.in/north-east-news/assam/assam-landslides-subansiri-project-gerukamukh-disaster.html  (12 Oct. 2022)  

According to reports, the company executives of the NHPC are planning to construct an alternative route to reach the main dam (bundh). They are further planning to develop concrete walls on the hillsides to prevent further landslides in the affected areas. Sources informed that the river’s wave also broke a portion of the guard wall of the power house constructed on the left bank, thereby damaging some machinery.

It may be recalled that union Power Minister Raj Kumar Singh, who visited the power house of the NHPC’s 2,000 mw power project in Gerukamukh on 14 June this year, had announced that the Subansiri project would be commissioned from early next year. NHPC Chief Executive Director YK Subhe had also assured the people that the project would start generating power from January 2023. However, following the natural disaster, uncertainty is looming large over the much-hyped mega power project. https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2022/10/14/uncertainty-looms-over-2000-mw-slhep-subansiri-river-triggers-massive-landslides-in-gerukamukh/  (14 Oct. 2022)

The Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) and All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) continue to oppose the Subansiri Lower Dam construction by the NHPC. According to reports in a recent development some parts of the project have been damaged due to flooding and people residing on the North Bank of the Brahmaputra River are worried.  https://www.guwahatiplus.com/exclusive-news/protests-erupt-after-parts-of-subansiri-lower-dam-damaged-in-assam  (29 Sept. 2022)

Hydro disaster The author concludes about the controversial proposed Dibang Multipurpose Project and The Etalin projects in Dibang Valley and Lower Dibang Valley districts of Arunchal Pradesh: “But with the rise of younger voices opposing government plans to build large dams, those voices have been growing louder.” https://www.thequint.com/climate-change/in-arunachals-dibang-valley-chasing-hydropower-projects-could-end-in-disaster  (15 Oct. 2022)

MoEF Relevant agenda of FAC meeting to be held on Oct 17, 2022: – DIVERSION OF 4577.84 HA (ORIGINALLY PROPOSED 5056.5 HA) OF FOREST LAND For NHPC Ltd FOR DIBANG Multi-purpose PROJECT (2880 MW ORIGINALLY PROPOSED 3000 MW) ON DIBANG RIVER IN LOWER DIBANG VALLEY DISTRICT OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH. http://forestsclearance.nic.in/AgendaDetail.aspx?id=276!dis1

Himachal Pradesh Clamour over hydro project ahead of Modi’s visit PM is to visit Chamba dist on Oct 13, 2022 to inaugurate the 180 MW (3 X 60 MW) Bajoli Holi HEP commissioned in March 2022. The project has been facing dissent from the Gaddi community as they fear the project is posing threat to their houses and fields owing to cracks and seepage in private and public land. They fear evacuation of their village, leaving behind their ancestral land and houses.

– The locals, who grow apples and prized rajma (kidney beans) with traditional agriculture practices, besides raising livestock, have been demanding a geological survey. “For the past 10 months we have been demanding a geological survey of the area that falls close to the pressure shaft of the project, ” local resident Anoop Jhadota, a resident of Jharauta village, told IANS over phone.

– Haunted by horrifying memories of the land sinking last December that damaged three village houses owing to high seepage from the dam, he said nearly 200 villagers have been living in constant fear of threat to life. “Still people cannot sleep peacefully fearing what will happen to them if yet another disaster hit the village.”

– In a latest missive to CM Jai Ram Thakur, Himdhara demanded a comprehensive scientific study for effective decision making and avoid life threatening near future hazards in the area. Also it sought the Himachal Pradesh State Dam Safety Organization intervention and investigation relating to safety of the 40-odd families. https://www.punjabnewsexpress.com/national/news/clamour-over-hydro-project-ahead-of-pm-modis-visit-to-himachal-186116  (12 Oct. 2022)

PM to visit Chamba dist of HP on Oct 13, inaugurate the 180 MW Bajoli hydroelectric project and lay the foundation stone of the 48 MW Chanju-III and 30.5 MW Deothal Chanju hydroelectric projects. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/cm-jai-ram-thakur-reviews-preparations-for-pm-narendra-modis-visit-to-chamba-439533  (09 Oct. 2022)

Jammu & Kashmir High environmental, human cost of new hydro projects India is constructing seven new dams in Kishtwar, a region of dense forest in India-administered Kashmir – Bursar Dam (800 MW), Pakal Dul (1000 MW), Kwar Dam (540 MW), Kiru Dam (624 MW), Kirthai-I (390 MW), Kirthai II (930 MW), and Ratle Hydroelectric project (930 MW). Work on four of the dams has already begun. Aimed at generating 5,190 megawatts of hydroelectricity, these projects will, however, affect the lives of over 20,000 locals, including members of Indigenous communities who depend on the forest for survival.

While the government painted a rosy picture before acquiring the land, all is not well in the village. People believe they were short-changed by the administration in terms of compensation and rehabilitation. According to locals, the compensation was not enough to even purchase land in the nearby villages, let alone move to the main town of Kishtwar. The government’s ambitious hydropower project and its unplanned implementation left the families landless and homeless, with no substantial means of sustenance.

Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C., and a leading specialist on South Asia, said all large dams pose ecological risks and those in Kishtwar are no exception, especially because as many as seven of them are expected to be built close to one another. “There’s reason to worry about the ecological balance, impacts on marine life in the Chenab River, and earthquake risks. This is an area of high seismicity, and that means large-scale dam development could increase the chances of a major earthquake,” he said.

More than two dozen hydropower projects have been planned for the Chenab river and its tributaries in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir alone. One such region is Chenab Valley in Kashmir, which is an active seismic zone and has a history of earthquakes. Over 70 major hydroelectric projects on the Chenab are in various stages of planning, construction, and operation with a combined capacity of over 13,000 MW. These projects are spread across India and Pakistan. From affecting livelihoods to destroying the ecological stability in these areas, the dams have left locals and experts worried about the safety of the region and the detrimental impact of these dams.

Resettlement, downstream hydrology, muck generation and disposal, the cumulative impact of submergence, loss of forest land and habitats, and impact on fish such as the famous Chenab Trout are a few of the issues arising out of these hydropower projects. These dams also impact the region’s seismicity, silt discharge into the river, transport and road construction, ambient air quality, local water sources, groundwater, and the region’s overall water security.

Multiple villages have been completely displaced due to the Dungduro hydropower project. These are Sirchi, Pohar, Krosa Sounder, and Sewarbatti Dachan. Three more fall in the danger zone – Resri Dachhan, Thachna Dachhan, and Suid Dachhan. “The entire ecological balance here has been disrupted. In the spring, before we sow seeds, there is continuous rainfall in the region. If any crop survives that weather, they are destroyed in the sudden heatwave of summer – a phenomenon hitherto unknown,” said Ghafil, a resident of Loharna village, who owned around 18 kanals of ancestral land in the village. Nine kanals of his land have been acquired for the power project.

Hussain said that despite promises of permanent jobs in the NHPC, the Indian government’s hydroelectric corporation, their families received no offers of employment. “We were promised permanent jobs in the NHPC. But since 2017, our children have not been employed even as laborers in these projects. Neither were we compensated for our fruit trees nor anything else. We are only being asked to run from one government office to another with a bunch of files,” he said.

Kugelman said that the track record in terms of compensation was poor. “Large dam construction often pushes people off their land, with major livelihood implications. The hope is that the authorities would compensate people whose land is taken away, or at least help them find new homes. But given the track record with dam construction in the past, I’m not sure that’s on the cards,” he explained.

The first storage project being constructed by India – the 800-MW hydroelectricity project on Marusudar – will submerge nearly a dozen villages and displace hundreds of families. Marusudar is also the largest tributary of the Chenab – a river that flows into Pakistan.

Like India, Pakistan is also working on multiple dam projects. This is because mountainous regions with little arable land and negligible industrial manufacturing base in the larger part of the Himalayas find harnessing hydroelectric potential as a necessary source for financial and economic growth. This is also why Pakistani officials keep a close eye on similar developments on the Indian side. The plans for dams on cross-border rivers will end up impacting people on both sides of the India-Pakistan border. The next article will explore the view from the ground in Pakistan. https://thediplomat.com/2022/10/indias-grand-plan-for-kashmir-dams/  (15 Oct. 2022)

DAMS

Uttarakhand:-जमरानी परियोजना के प्रबंधक हिमांशु पंत ने बताया कि मौसम के साथ देने पर बुधवार से टीम छह गांव पहुंच सर्वे शुरू करेगी। मुआवजे से जुड़े पपत्र तैयार करने के लिए आधार कार्ड, राशन कार्ड, बिजली बिल आदि जुटाया जाएगा। इसके अलावा मकान व जमीन बंटवारे का भौतिक सत्यापन होगा। जिसके बाद पुनर्वास और विस्थापन का ड्राफ्ट तैयार किया जाएगा। विस्थापन को लेकर की जाने वाली अहम प्रक्रिया को लेकर पूर्व में एक समय सारणी बनाई गई थी। जिसके तहत जून 2022 में धारा 16 से जुड़े सर्वे व प्रक्रिया को पूरा किया जाना था। लेकिन शेड्यूल तीन महीने पीछे चल रहा है। https://www.jagran.com/uttarakhand/nainital-team-will-collect-jamrani-dam-displaced-people-details-in-two-months-23134966.html  (12 Oct. 2022)

INTERLINKING OF RIVERS

Ken-Betwa Interlinking MP Wildlife board approves new tiger reserve Madhya Pradesh Wildlife Board on Oct 14 2022 approved a new reserve for tigers of Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR), one-fourth of which will get submerged due to the linking of the Ken-Betwa rivers, officials said. The 2,339 sqkms new tiger reserve, to be called Durgavati Tiger Reserve, will spread across Narisinghpur, Damoh and Sagar districts. A green corridor linking PTR with Durgavati will be developed for the natural movement of the tiger to the new reserve, officials added. The Board’s meeting, chaired by CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, approved a proposal to notify 1,414 sq km area as core area and 925 sq km as a buffer in the new tiger reserve.

– “Now, the proposal will be sent to National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for final approval,” said Abhilash Khandekar, a board member.

– On September 27, the Uttar Pradesh cabinet approved the notification of the state’s fourth tiger reserve in the Ranipur Wildlife Sanctuary (RWS) in the Chitrakoot district. RWS has no tigers of its own. But pugmarks of the animals are frequently seen there as tigers from nearby PTR frequent it. The two protected areas are just 150 km from each other.

– Nauradehi wildlife sanctuary, which has five tigers, is a corridor between Satpura and PTR, while Durgavati Wildlife Sanctuary is a green corridor for Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. “The new reserve will also accommodate excess tigers from Bandhavgarh,” Chauhan said.

– Experts, however, said tigers are not the only species that will get affected. Panna is home to the largest number of vultures in Central India and loss of habitat will badly impact them. “Panna is known for tigers and vultures. While tigers can move to Rani Durgavati reserve, what will happen to vulture habitats is not known,” said retired Indian Forest Service officer RS Murthy, who played an important role in the reintroduction of tigers in Panna in 2009. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/wildlife-board-approves-new-tiger-reserve-in-madhya-pradesh-101665770685559.html  (14 Oct. 2022)

INTERSTATE WATER DISPUTES

SYL Punjab and Haryana CMs meet on SYL canal dispute following directions from the Supreme Court.

The meeting happens first time without the presence of Govt of India representatives. No solution could be found as Punjab CM says they do not have water to share. https://www.amarujala.com/chandigarh/manohar-lal-and-bhagwant-mann-meeting-on-syl-inconclusive  (14 Oct. 2022)

Canal is not going to be operational… now we have no trust in politicians’: Farmers in border villages of Punjab, Haryana. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ludhiana/canal-not-going-to-be-operational-no-trust-in-politicians-farmers-border-villages-of-punjab-haryana-8209544/  (15 Oct. 2022)

The discussion between the 2 CMs has been scheduled after the Supreme Court had recently nudged them to meet and try to find an amicable solution. Though official-level talks between the two states are on, the Centre has been insisting on meetings between the 2 CMs. The Centre had on September 6 informed the Supreme Court that the Punjab government was “not cooperating” in resolving the dispute. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/haryana-cm-khattar-and-punjab-cm-bhagwant-mann-to-meet-on-october-14-on-syl-dispute-440266  (12 Oct. 2022)

IRRIGATION

Odisha “The Water & Effluent Treatment Business of L&T Construction has secured repeat orders from the Water Resources Department, Govt. of Odisha to execute Cluster XIX & Cluster XX Mega Lift Irrigation Projects,” the company said in a stock exchange filing.  “The aggregate scope of work includes execution of 23 Lift Irrigation Schemes consisting of intake points spread across Anandapur Left Main Canal, Bidydharpur Barrage, Hadagarh Reservoir, Anandapur Barrage & Kharsua, Kani & Baitarani Rivers, with the objective to irrigate a culturable command area of 29,914 hectares in the districts of Keonjhar, Jajpur & Kendrapada on a turnkey basis,” the company said. https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/lt-construction-wins-order-under-its-water-and-effluent-treatment-biz-11665472758036.html  (11 Oct. 2022)

RIVERS

Report Rivers polluted pharmaceutical ingredients A study published in June analyzed samples from 1,000 sites along waterways in more than 100 nations, looking for 61 active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Their results suggest that concentrations of at least one API breached safe levels for aquatic life at nearly 40% of sites tested globally.

In India, Delhi’s sewage treatment plants aren’t designed for extracting pharmaceutical contaminants. Researchers detected a cocktail of 22 APIs, including metformin, in river water samples collected in the capital region. Despite growing awareness among scientists, there is no systematic reporting of waterway pollution by medicines, or impacts on ecological health. Currently, many human-excreted pharmaceuticals enter directly into waterways, or pass through existing wastewater treatment facilities.

That reality now leaves scientists asking the question: How much of any one pharmaceutical, or a combination of these pollutants, might result in an overdose for a river system? The answer is, we just don’t know and data remain woefully lacking.

“Any change in the use of medicines by a society will influence what we see in a river,” Boxall explained. That’s because many pharmaceutical compounds, including metformin, pass through the human body without losing their potency, and aren’t metabolised fully. In fact, more than two-thirds of a metformin dose can end up in the urine or feces intact. And most of it passes right through sewage treatment plants.

“It is first and foremost a problem of waste management,” Okoye asserted, with sewage treatment systems woefully inadequate in countries where pharmaceutical use is galloping ahead.

Delhi is an outlier in this respect, with the ability to treat 80% of its waste. Yet, according to government data, 24 of the 34 capital sewage treatment plants did not meet standards for wastewater treatment as of 2021. The Yamuna receives most of the mega city’s wastewater.

Despite being among India’s best-equipped facilities for tackling waste, the capital’s sewage treatment plants aren’t designed for extracting pharmaceutical contaminants. Researchers detected a cocktail of 22 APIs, including metformin, in river water samples collected in the capital region. In the new study, Delhi had some of the world’s highest average concentrations of APIs, alongside Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; La Paz, Bolivia; and Lahore, Pakistan.

“Solutions like activated carbon filters or ozone treatments will degrade a lot more pharmaceuticals,” Boxall explained. “The problem is that they are costly.”

Installing such systems at scale will greatly burden taxpayers. More than a decade ago, an upgrade at a single Canadian treatment plant to deal with organic waste and pharmaceuticals cost more than 2,440 crore rupees ($300 million). This July, the Delhi government approved a 1,855 crore rupee ($230 million) plan to clean up the Yamuna River. Authorities envision using this money to lay down new sewer lines, build 10 new sewage treatment units, and upgrade six existing sewage treatment plants.

Clearly, achieving the goal of fully evaluating and effectively managing the world’s pharmaceutical pollution lies far in the future. Mongabay reached out to pharma majors who market metformin globally, including Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Co. and Bristol Myers Squib, but did not receive any responses by the time of publication. https://india.mongabay.com/2022/10/humans-are-contaminating-earths-waterways-with-medicines-pharmaceutical-ingredients/  (05 Oct. 2022)

Jammu & Kashmir Govt fined Rs. 35 Cr for Doodhganga pollution In a fresh order the NGT has imposed a penalty of Rs 35 Crores on J&K Government for constantly polluting the Doodh Ganga which is a major source for drinking water in Srinagar uptown and some areas of Budgam district as well.  The NGT principal bench of four members headed by Justice Adarsah Kumar Goel while pronouncing the order on Friday (Oct. 14) in the case of Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat v/s  Govt of J&K said that apart from compliance in future, the liability of the State has to be fixed for the past violations in the light of earlier binding orders passed in pursuance of orders of Hon’ble Supreme Court dated 2.9.2014

– “Similarly, liability for compensation was laid down for failing to install water pollution control devices after 31.3.2020. The Tribunal has to follow ‘Polluter Pays’ principle under Section 20 of the NGT Act. The State Authorities contributing to the pollution by failing in their constitutional duties are to be held accountable on this principle. Admittedly, timelines under Supreme Court orders and orders of this Tribunal for preventing water pollution and statutory timelines for solid waste management are over. Thus, at least from 01.01.2021, the ‘Polluter Pays’ principle has to be applied. Compensation has to be equal to the loss to the environment and also taking into account cost of remediation” reads the order. http://www.knskashmir.com/ngt-imposes-rs-35-cr-penalty-on-govt-for-polluting-doodh-ganga-172678  (16 Oct. 2022)

Karnataka Activists Allege Industry-Politician Nexus in Railway Project The forestland required for the project is spread across the Dharwad, Yellapur and Karwar forest divisions of Karnataka. Environmental activists have pointed out that the project, a major part of which falls in the catchment area of Kali River, will cause drinking water shortage and loss of vegetation as a huge number of trees will have to be felled. https://www.newsclick.in/Activists-Allege-Industry-Politician-Nexus-Western-Ghats-Railway-Project  (16 Oct. 2022)

Maharashtra KTPS fly ash discharge in Kanhan hits water supply As the intensity of rain increased over the last two days, fly ash slurry from Khaperkheda Thermal Power Station (KTPS) has once again started flowing into Kanhan River affecting water supply to the city. “This time, the accumulated fly ash was clearly seen at Kanhan water treatment plant (WTP) intake well. On the upstream, substantial discharge of fly ash was seen from Waregaon overflow point which flows into the Kolar River and ultimately meets the Kanhan River,” said officials from NMC’s water works department. The official said: “This is the third time fly ash has been witnessed at Kanhan WTP in the last two months and pumping had to be stopped, which affected water supply.”

As the Kanhan WTP cannot separate fly ash from river water, the raw water pumps on the right bank of the river (drywell) had to be stopped, which means 35% less pumping. Only 65% pumping was done from Kanhan WTP which resulted in water crisis in North, East and South parts of Nagpur city including 28 ESR’s from Asi Nagar, Nehru Nagar, Lakadganj and Satranjipura zones. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/ktps-fly-ash-discharge-in-kanhan-hits-water-supply/articleshow/94795922.cms  (15 Oct. 2022)

Madhya Pradesh How people’s efforts in Chhattarpur (MP) had lead to 28 km long Bachhedi river perennial.

YAMUNA Delhi Projects worth ₹570 cr approved to clean river Delhi Jal Board (DJB) Chairman Manish Sisodia has given administrative approval to projects worth ₹570 crore to ensure “pollution free Yamuna by 2025”, the Delhi government said on Wednesday (Oct. 05). The projects approved include the construction of decentralised STPs in several areas of Bawana and Mundka and laying of sewer lines in various unauthorized colonies and rural areas of Delhi, and the construction of 2 MGD wastewater treatment plants at Bawana, an official statement said. In the Delhi government’s 2022-23 budget, a sum of ₹6,710 crore was allocated for “water supply and sanitation”, which was 104% more than the sum allocated in the previous budget — ₹3,274 crore. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/sisodia-approves-projects-worth-570-cr-to-clean-yamuna/article65973274.ece  (06 Oct. 2022)

RIVERS BIODIVERSITY

WWF Living planet report : 69% drop in wildlife population globally in 50 years Among species, fresh water ones have seen the most decline in this period (83%). The Asia-Pacific region that includes India has seen a 55% loss. The causes: habitat degradation and loss, exploitation, the introduction of invasive species, pollution, the climate crisis and disease. Living Planet Report 2022.

The biennial report published by the WWF does not have India-specific data but WWF India representatives said the country is also extremely vulnerable to massive biodiversity loss: over 12% of wild mammal species in India are facing extinction; more than 40% honey bees have disappeared in the past 25 years; over 50% of 867 bird species will see population declines in the long term while 146 are at great risk even in the short term; and nearly 150 species of amphibians are under threat.

WWF India officials said at the launch that most of India’s river systems are not free flowing and hence their biodiversity has declined. In 2019, 205 species from India were in the ‘endangered’, 81 in the ‘critically endangered’ and 394 in ‘vulnerable’ category on the ‘red list’ of the IUCN, they added. Globally, only 37% of the rivers longer than 1000 km remain free flowing over the entire length. When some fish species migrate along these swim-ways, the presence of dams and reservoirs pose a threat to their survival.

Combining expert information from the IUCN red list and special distribution, threats to a total of 23,271 terrestrial species, WWF generated global maps of the threats to these groups from agriculture, hunting, trapping, logging, pollution, invasive species and climate change. These maps indicate that entire Himalayas and the Western Ghats region in India are among global hotspots of risk.

“Compared to all other biodiversity, populations of fresh-water species have declined the maximum globally: by 83%. In India also the fresh-water biome and ecosystems in them are the most threatened. We have to manage our existing dams and reservoirs better, keeping in mind the ecology of the rivers as well us as flood risk from last minute releases, reduce our dependence on a few water guzzling crops in favour of diversity and seriously reconsider proposed new dams,” said Jagdish Krishnaswamy, Dean, School of Environment and Sustainability, Indian Institute for Human Settlements, Bengaluru.

Even though climate change and land-use change are the big drivers, over-exploitation remains a major threat to aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity in many parts of the country. On invasive species which the report identifies as a major threat to native biodiversity, India is severely impacted in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. We must note that well before this report came out, Tamil Nadu is the first state with a policy on invasive species and with management plans for regulation and restoration. They deserve our support and encouragement and should serve as role model for other states,” he added. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/69-drop-in-wildlife-population-globally-in-50-years-living-planet-report-101665737724397.html  (14 Oct. 2022)

SAND MINING

Odisha NGT seeks FIR against tehsildar, slaps Rs 1cr fine on lessee The NGT rapped the District administration of Balasore over illegal sand mining in Subranarekha riverbed. The tribunal has directed filing of an FIR against former Tehsildar of Basta during the period 2017 to 2021  and penalised an accused of Rs 1 crore. As an interim measure, the NGT directed one Rajesh Khatua from Jaleswar, Balasore to deposit Rs 1 crore towards environmental compensation to Odisha Pollution Control Board (PCB) within a period of 1 month till final computation of environmental compensation is carried out by SEIAA.

The direction came after the joint committee constituted by the Tribunal to probe into the allegations of environmental degradation in the area due to indiscriminate sand mining in Subarnarekha, submitted its report on the same. The NGT in 2021 had directed Odisha government to stop sand mining in Subarnarekha River along Jaleswar Tehsil in the district till further orders.

The locals had alleged that illegal and rampant sand mining in the region has resulted in the depletion of water level, change in the course of the river. Moreover, the approach road constructed inside the river is allegedly obstructing its natural flow. Besides, the villagers had complained that they are being exposed to air pollution caused by the transportation of excavated sand in open truck. https://odishatv.in/news/miscellaneous/subarnarekha-illegal-sand-mining-ngt-seeks-fir-against-tehsildar-slaps-rs-1cr-fine-on-lessee-187951  (14 Oct. 2022)

Uttarakhand BJP leader’s wife killed in clash between UP Police, villagers The wife of a local BJP leader was killed and five others injured when residents of a Kashipur village clashed with an Uttar Pradesh Police team that had arrived there to arrest a man accused of illegal sand mining, an official said. 4 of the injured are personnel of UP Police, 2 of them with gunshot wounds, the police said. The clash on Wednesday (Oct. 12) night took place in Bharatpur village near Kashipur in Uttarakhand’s Udham Singh Nagar district. The policemen had come from adjacent Moradabad district looking for Jafar, alleged to be a member of a mining mafia. https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2022/oct/13/bjp-leaders-wife-killed-in-clash-between-up-police-villagers-inuttarakhand-fir-against-cops-2507729.html  (13 Oct. 2022)  Gurtaj Singh Bhullar, the BJP senior block pramukh from Jaspur, has made a number of serious allegations against the UP police officers who were involved in the raid in which his wife, Gurpreet Kaur, was killed on October 12. https://thewire.in/government/bjp-leader-wife-killed-cops-drunk-bhullar  (15 Oct. 2022)

Kerala Film director Vinayan lends support to protests against mineral sand-mining Inaugurating the 487th day of the protest, Mr. Vinayan urged the public to take up the issues of the marginalised. He said that he would always stand by the people affected by the mining. Local residents have been alleging that the State government is engaged in large-scale mineral sand-mining at Thottappally pozhi under the guise of flood mitigation in Kuttanad and the development of Thottappally fishing harbour.

The coastline is prone to severe sea surges and coastal erosion. Residents fear the mining would prove detrimental to people living along the shorelines from Valiazheekal to Punnapra. The sand removed from there gets transported to Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd (KMML) and Indian Rare Earths Ltd (IREL). https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/film-director-vinayan-lends-support-to-protests-against-mineral-sand-mining/article65989385.ece  (09 Oct. 2022)

Punjab The special PMLA court in Jalandhar Wednesday (Oct. 12) framed charges against former CM Charanjit Singh Channi’s nephew Bhupinder Singh alias Honey and his accomplice Kudratdeep Singh in a case of illegal sand mining. Judge Rupinderjit Chahal framed charges against both the accused under Sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Notably, Channi was also summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) during the investigation of this case in April. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/jalandhar/illegal-sand-mining-case-former-cm-channi-nephew-8204971/  (12 Oct. 2022)

Karnataka Mine workers who lost their jobs in 2011 hold a padayatra  Twenty five thousand mine workers from various villages across Karnataka’s Ballari district, who lost their jobs overnight nearly a decade ago, are still seeking justice. The workers, in association with Bellary Zilla Gani Karmikara Sangha, an organisation affiliated with the All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU) began a padayatra from Sandur, on October 11, demanding Rs 5 lakh as compensation for the loss of employment. Social activist and founder of the ‘Narmada Bachao’ movement Medha Patkar flagged off the padayatra from Sandur, on Tuesday (Oct. 11). https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/mine-workers-ballari-who-lost-job-2011-continue-fight-justice-168783  (11 Oct. 2022)

WETLANDS, LAKES, WATER BODIES

Maharashtra Out of 15,918 wetlands, 108 are naturally occurring: Survey The National Wetland Inventory Atlas (NWIA), whose validity has been upheld by both the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court, had counted a total of 44,714 wetlands in Maharashtra of which 23,046 were larger than 2.5 hectares in area.

– The state environment and climate change department has completed the identification and delineation of 15,918 wetlands (area larger than 2.5 ha) across all districts in Maharashtra. Out of 15,918 wetlands, just 108 are listed as naturally occurring water bodies. Mumbai and its suburbs were found to be home to 55 wetlands, of which 34 were naturally occurring, including Powai Lake, Vihar Lake and Tulsi Lake. “What is disturbing is that many natural salt marshes and waterbodies are being shown as man-made tanks. How most have been described as manmade, thus mischievously excluding them from the ambit of legal protection,” said Stalin D, director of Vanashakti. “Man-made” structures are not protected under the Centre’s Wetland Rules (2017), putting them at risk of encroachment and burial.

– Environment department officials confirmed that a second exercise to identify smaller wetlands is on the cards and will commence by early next year. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/out-of-15-918-wetlands-in-maharashtra-108-are-naturally-occurring-government-survey-101665422789513.html  (10 Oct. 2022)

Tamil Nadu Ennore Creek to be protected under Wetland Mission Tamil Nadu Wetland Authority member secretary Deepak Srivastava on Thursday (Oct. 13) said the Ennore Creek, a natural carrier of floodwater and an important wetland that supports livelihood of fishermen, may soon be declared as a protected wetland under Tamil Nadu Wetland Mission. Speaking to TNIE after visiting Ennore, Srivastava said the creek and adjacent group of wetlands in Tiruvallur district need to be protected, both in terms of disaster management and water security. Srivastava said he has already asked Tiruvallur collector, chairman of the district wetland authority, to make an inventory of wetlands in the district and submit a report.

About 9,000 fishers from about 8t villages — Kattukuppam, Mugathwarakuppam, Ennorekuppam, Thazhankuppam, Nettukuppam, Sivanpadaiveethi kuppam, Periyakuppam and Chinnakuppam — lost their livelihood after Tangedco dumped debris in some parts of the creek that are considered to be traditional fishing grounds. Srivastava said his first priority would be to restore the livelihood of these 9,000 fishermen by removing the debris and dredging the area. “Currently, the water level is high. The work will be executed in April-May using the funds available under the wetland mission. Later on, I will push for the notification of Ennore Creek under Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2020,” he said.

Only recently, the NGT has directed the government to notify the full extent of the unencroached portion of Ennore wetlands under the Tamil Nadu Wetland Mission to protect it from further abuse. Ennore is one of the most industrialised regions in the State housing multiple ports, power plants and large petrochemical industries. This has resulted in overexploitation of critical wetlands that are key to flood mitigation and preserving Chennai’s fresh water aquifers. In its final order in a case filed by Ennore fishers Ravimaran (late) and RL Srinivasan, and fisher activist K Saravanan seeking remediation of ash-choked wetlands, the NGT had directed the Department of Environment to ensure that a Detailed Project Report is readied in nine months as per the comprehensive Terms of Reference (ToR) issued by the Joint Experts Committee in March 2022.

As per the expert committee’s report, in the study area of 905 hectares, the area under natural wetlands had dropped by 68%.  The official data shows the salt pans area reduced from 553.37 hectares in 1996 to 95.55 ha; water bodies shrunk from 233.60 ha to 148.69 ha, while the area under mangroves vegetation slipped from 68.72 ha to 33.74 ha. Overall, area under wetlands shrunk from 855.69 ha in 1996 to 277.92 ha in 2022. Incidentally, over the same period, built-up land increased from 0 ha to 259.87 ha and area covered by fly ash increased from 0 hectares to 260.28 hectares. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2022/oct/14/ennore-creek-in-thiruvallur-district-to-be-protected-under-tamil-nadu-wetland-mission-2507890.html  (14 Oct. 2022)

Bhopal NGT notice to BMC, Wetland Authority on Upper Lake Cruise Restaurant NGT, central bench, Bhopal has served notice on state wetland, district wetland, Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) on the construction of a cruise restaurant on the restricted area of the Upper Lake. Construction of a cruise restaurant is underway on 10,000 square feet near the Boat Club of the Upper Lake. The construction in the said area which is a wetland, is a violation of the rules. 

The green tribunal has clubbed all the petitions related to illegal constructions on Upper Lake and will hear them together. A petition was filed in the NGT regarding constructions within a radius of 50 meters at the Full Tank Level (FTL) on Upper Lake at Bhopal Summer site. The NGT has summoned the officials of the department concerned including Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC), Wetland Authority seeking reply in this matter. https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/bhopal-ngt-notice-to-bmc-wetland-authority-on-upper-lake-cruise-restaurant  (11 Oct. 2022)

WATER OPTIONS

Bengaluru Protector of lakes At the root of the flooding in Bengaluru, Dr Singh says, is the fact that lakes and marshy areas in the city’s low-lying south-eastern parts have now become areas of human habitation. Best known for his exposure of the illegal mining of iron ore in Ballari between 2004 and 2011 and the resultant environment degradation, Dr Singh, now retired, has also been a central figure in efforts to protect Bengaluru lakes.  https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/unsung-heroes-uv-singh-ifs-officer-illegal-mining-bengaluru-lakes-8198064/  (08 Oct. 2022)

Karnataka Beloved ‘water sage’ Kalmane Kamegowda dies at 82 Kalmane Kamegowda – who was popularly known as Kere Kamegowda – breathed his last on Monday (Oct. 17) at 82 after suffering from age-related issues. In Karnataka, he was revered as the “pond man” for being the person behind more than 15 man-made ponds. Kamegowda earned the spotlight after he built lakes without any government support in hilly regions in the state. Many animals and birds in Malavalli region are said to have benefitted from these man-made lakes built by Kamegowda.

He was also acknowledged for a huge contribution for the rejuvenation of underground water at the Kundur hill. Kamegowda was also conferred with Karnataka Rajyotsava award by the state government and he even got a national recognition after PM Modi mentioned his name at his monthly radio show ‘Mann Ki Baat’ in the year 2020. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/bengaluru-news/karnatakas-beloved-water-sage-kalmane-kamegowda-dies-at-82-cm-pays-tribute-101665987669101.html  (17 Oct. 2022)

GROUNDWATER

Punjab Section 144 imposed at Zira ethanol plant protest site Exhorting the protesters to shift ‘dharna’ site 300 metres away from an ethanol plant at Mansurwala village, District Magistrate Amrit Singh on Oct. 11 imposed Section 144 of the CrPC to ensure movement of factory workers. It’s pertinent to mention that thousands of locals, including farmers had been protesting outside the plant for more than past two months, demanding closure of the plant over charges of alleged contamination of groundwater. Though the NGT, which had collected samples from various spots had given a clean chit to the plant, the protesters refused to relent and shift the dharna site. Even all efforts of the district administration to convince the protesters citing findings of the NGT report remained futile so far. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/section-144-imposed-at-zira-ethanol-plant-protest-site-440045  (11 Oct. 2022)

Rajasthan Groundwater scheme being linked with other segments An ambitious scheme for checking the decline in ground water level, operative in 38 panchayat samitis of 17, is being connected with agriculture, forestry and water harvesting works for capacity enhancement. The scheme has been implemented in the State with the participation of local communities. Chief Secretary Usha Sharma said here on Wednesday (Oct. 12) that the Atal Bhujal Yojana, supported by the Centre and the World Bank, would be operative till 2025 and would play a significant role in ground water management through convergence with other ongoing schemes. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/ground-water-scheme-being-linked-with-other-segments-in-rajasthan/article66002295.ece  (13 Oct. 2022)

URBAN WATER

Karnataka NGT slaps Rs 500 cr fine on govt for not maintaining Chandapura lake The Principal Bench of the NGT headed by justice Adarsh Kumar Goel imposed the penalty taking into account a joint committee report which noted laxity by various government agencies in cleaning the water body. Out of the total 24.27 acres, nearly two acres of the lake has been encroached by construction activities. The buffer zone has been encroached by a government hospital and local shops. The fence around the lake has been broken and garbage is littered along its boundaries. There is no STP due to which untreated sewage is discharged into lake, the Tribunal said. The NGT, which was hearing a Chandapura lake pollution case, had constituted an expert committee.

 “The State has failed to protect environment and provide clean environment to citizens in breach of its to enforce right to life and ‘Sustainable Development’ principle. Lake ecology and ecosystem have hugely suffered. The State is thus to be held liable to pay environmental compensation and to restore the ecosystem. Needless to say, the State is free to recover the amount of compensation which it is being required to pay from erring violators – industries, encroachers and erring officers, following due process of law,” the Tribunal said.  The NGT also asked the Karnataka government to submit its interim action taken report may by January 31, 2023 and asked the Chief Secretary to remain present in person by video conference on the next date of hearing. https://www.deccanherald.com/state/top-karnataka-stories/ngt-slaps-rs-500-crore-fine-on-karnataka-govt-for-not-maintaining-chandapura-lake-1153896.html  (15 Oct. 2022)

Bengaluru Polluted Muthanallur Lake on radar of activists The demand for cleaning Muthanallur Lake, which is spread across 500 acres has grown louder, as the lake is barely 800 meters away from the highly polluted Chandapura lake for which the NGT imposed Rs 500 crore penalty on the state government for failing to arrest pollutants from entering into the lake. According to Captain C Santosh Kumar, who petitioned the state government and the NGT in connection with Chandapura lake, the NGT committee in its observation stated that sewage in municipal limits is discharged into the lake directly or indirectly through drains, and hence penalty was imposed. Kumar said Muthanallur is also among the worst impacted, and if probed, officials will be answerable. The lake comes under KC Valley project 2. “The lake fills up 45 lakes downstream in Anekal and Kanakapura. If this issue is not addressed, all these lakes will end up like Chandapura in the long run,” warned Kumar, adding that the lake water has already turned black. https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2022/oct/16/polluted-muthanallurlake-on-radar-of-activists-2508629.html  (16 Oct. 2022)  

Shimla Water supply project row reaches World Bank Shimla Municipal Corporation’s former Mayor Sanjay Chauhan and Deputy Mayor Tikender Panwar have approached World Bank’s Country Head for India, alleging irregularities in the implementation of the Shimla Water Supply and Sewerage Services project. In a letter to the World Bank official, the former MC officials have urged him to intervene and cancel the recent award of tender for the continuous high pressure water supply in the city.

Challenging the award of tender to Suez India for Rs 683 crore, the former MC officials alleged that the lowest bid, including Capex (capital expenditure) and operation and maintenance costs was nearly 33 per cent higher than the department’s estimate of the project value. The two alleged that estimated value of the project, excluding operation and maintenance, was Rs 442 crore in a tender published by the SJPNL on July 27, 2022, but the project cost would balloon up to around Rs 786 crore after the quoted cost. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/shimla-water-supply-project-row-reaches-world-bank-441392  (15 Oct. 2022)

Gurugram Leachate flowing from Bandhwari plant to Aravalis, say villagers Black-viscous liquid – believed to be leachate – is flowing into the Aravalis and collecting into small pools within a 1km forest area next to the Bandhwari waste plant since the rains last week, residents living nearby have alleged. “Every time it rains, several new ponds of leachate come up, eventually leading to groundwater contamination,” said Sunil Harsana, an environmentalist and a resident of Mangar village, some 10km from the waste plant.

“The residents of five villages near the waste plant — Bandhwari, Mandi, Mangar, Gwal Pahari and Baliawas have been suffering due to groundwater contamination for a long time. Leachate keeps flowing out and the civic bodies don’t take any action,” added Gaju Harsana, a resident of Bandhwari. This isn’t the first time that villagers have raised the issue. Last year, a survey by the wildlife department had found that EcoGreen was “intentionally” spilling thousands of litres of leachate from the landfill onto mining pits in the eco-sensitive Aravalis.

After this, the NGT had directed HSPCB, district forest department and district magistrates of Gurgaon and Faridabad to submit a report on the dumping of waste and release of leachate in the area. Then, in September this year, the tribunal also imposed an environmental compensation (EC) of Rs 100 crore on the Haryana government for continuous damage to the environment in Bandhwari. It also the nine-member panel to come up with alternative ways to manage the city’s waste, instead of letting it pile up in Bandhwari. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/after-showers-leachate-flowing-from-bandhwari-plant-to-aravalis-villagers/articleshow/94822882.cms  (13 Oct. 2022)

Pune PMC cell to monitor groundwater levels in housing societies The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will set up a cell to study groundwater levels in housing societies across the city. The initiative is to check water retained by aquifers and take steps to recharge groundwater levels. The cell was okayed after discussions with organisations and government bodies on October 7.

Mangesh Dighe, PMC environment officer, said, “Though we are already monitoring surface water levels, the new cell will examine water resources and displacement. We have chalked a map and identified places where groundwater levels will be measured.” According to Dighe, the basic map of areas across the city has been made by Advanced Center for Water Resources Development and Management (Acwadam). “Experts on groundwater from NGOs and government organisations will be invited to survey urban area,” he said. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/pune-news/pmc-cell-to-monitor-groundwater-levels-in-housing-societies-101665945388571.html  (17 Oct. 2022)

Even as it grapples with the problem of garbage disposal as its Moshi dump has run out of space, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has more trouble in store as the forest department has threatened to cancel a land deal to facilitate the next such garbage depot for the civic body. In turn, the PCMC has rushed to the district collectorate, urging it to provide an adequate amount of land with which it intends to compensate the forest department. According to the forest department, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation sought 22 hectares of forest land in Punawale to set up the new garbage depot and promised another 22 hectares to it in return. However, PCMC is yet to provide this. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/punawale-garbage-depot-plan-forest-dept-cancel-land-deal-pcmc-district-collectorate-8210685/  (15 Oct. 2022)

Chandigarh Residents of Mullanpur are suffering due to erratic and contaminated water supply to the area for the past one year. They have been staging a protest for two days. There are only three tube-wells of the Public Health Department for a population of more than 40,000. Most of the times, one or the other tube-well is non-functional. “Valves are always broken and sometimes, motors malfunction. The water supply pipes are old and worn out. There is leakage at multiple places, but no one is bothered,” said Arvind Puri, a social activist and resident of Mullanpur. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/chandigarh/year-on-mullanpur-gets-contaminated-water-supply-442036  (17 Oct. 2022)

Hyderabad Along with torrential rains, sewage overflow has been creating double trouble for commuters and residents in the city. Mud spread across roads and sewage water has been giving nightmares to dwellers forcing them to bear the stench emanating from the sewage water flooding across several areas along with rainwater. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) have been facing criticism for their failure to complete the monsoon-related works and solve the never-ending sewage overflow issue.https://www.thehansindia.com/telangana/hyderabad-citizens-raise-a-stink-over-overflowing-sewage-water-765665  (16 Oct. 2022)

WATER POLLUTION

Karnataka NGT imposes Rs. 2,900 cr penalty for poor waste management Moreover, without fixing the quantified liability necessary for restoration, the mere passing of orders has not shown any tangible results in the last 8 years (for solid waste management) and 5 years (for liquid waste management), even after the expiry of statutory/laid down timelines. Continuing damage is required to be prevented in future and past damage is to be restored, said the Tribunal. Tribunal Bench headed by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel in an order passed on October 13, 2022, said that we determine the compensation payable by the State of Karnataka.

“In respect of the gap in the treatment of liquid waste/sewage i.e. 1427.4 MLD, compensation works out to Rs. 2856/- crores. Un-remediated legacy waste is to the extent of 178.59 MT. The total compensation under the head for the failure to scientifically manage solid waste works out to Rs. 540 crores. The total compensation comes to Rs 3396 crores, or say Rs. 3400 crores. Out of the said amount, we deduct the amount of Rs. 500 crore levied as compensation vide order dated October 10,” the Tribunal said in a statement. The remaining amount of Rs.2900 crore may be deposited by the State of Karnataka in a separate ring-fenced account within two months, to be operated as per directions of the Chief Secretary and utilised for restoration measures preferably within six months.

The issues of solid as well as liquid waste management are being monitored by the Tribunal as per orders of the Supreme Court order of September 2, 2014, with regard to solid waste management and order dated February 22 in 2017, with regard to liquid waste management. “Other related issues include pollution of 351 river stretches, 124 non-attainment cities in terms of air quality, 100 polluted industrial clusters, illegal sand mining etc. which have also been dealt with earlier but we propose to limit the proceedings in the present matter to two issues of solid waste and sewage management,” said the order. https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/ngt-imposes-rs-2900-crore-penalty-on-karnatake-government-for-inappropriate-garbage-management  (15 Oct. 2022)

JJM/ RURAL WATER SUPPLY

JJM can avert 1.3 lakh infant deaths a year The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), launched by the Indian government in 2019, if successful will prevent around 136,000 under-5 deaths per year provided that the water delivered through JJM is free from microbiological contamination, according to a paper co-authored by Nobel laureate Michael Kramer. The paper has been published by the University of Chicago. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/jal-jeevan-mission-can-avert-1-3-lakh-infant-deaths-a-year/articleshow/94796197.cms   (12 Oct. 2022)

WATER

India’s Sugar (WATER) Export: Mills in the South Asian country, which vies with Brazil as the world’s top sugar producer, have so far contracted to export about 1.2 million tons and aim to ship as much as 8 million tons in the 2022-23 year, according to Rahil Shaikh, managing director of trading company Meir Commodities India Pvt. Domestic sugar production is forecast at 35.5 million tons this year, while consumption is seen at 27.5 million, according to the Indian Sugar Mills Association. India was the top sugar exporter after Brazil in 2020-21 and counts Indonesia, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Dubai among its customers. https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/economy/india-sells-sugar-in-golden-opportunity-on-tight-global-market-9329931.html  (14 Oct. 2022)

Rajasthan Govt recently has given approval of around Rs. 747 crores for two phases of the drinking water project in the Prithviraj Nagar area. The area and its surroundings will be linked to the Bilaspur dam and will cover an area of 145 km. https://www.livemint.com/news/india/rajasthan-govt-nod-to-rs-747cr-drinking-water-project-upgradation-of-bus-stands-11665927366919.html  (16 Oct. 2022)

Report Food leftover contributes to carbon emission, water wastage Every year, around 1.3 billion tonnes of food valued at $1 trillion is wasted or lost. Almost a third of all food produced each year is squandered or lost before it can be consumed, says a World Food Programme (WFP) report. And imagine: If wasted food were a country, it would be the third-largest producer of carbon dioxide in the world, after the US and China.

And all this unconsumed produce causes between 8-10 per cent of global carbon emissions. Statistically, food wastage’s carbon footprint is estimated at 3.3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent of greenhouse gases (GHGs) released into the atmosphere annually. Coming to water wastage — A quarter of our water supply is wasted in the form of uneaten food, which is equivalent to $172 billion in wasted water. https://www.indiatoday.in/environment/story/food-wastage-contributes-carbon-emission-2285874-2022-10-16  (16 Oct. 2022)

MONSOON 2022

Bengaluru City breaks annual rainfall record As per data from the IMD, rainfall measured by its Bengaluru city observatory this year stood at 166 centimetres till 8.30 am, Saturday (Oct. 15). This was just short of the 170 centimetres that the observatory had measured in 2017, an all-time record. By 8.30 pm, the record was broken as the observatory recorded a further 4.6 centimetres of rain in the 12-hour period, taking the total rainfall this year to 170.6 cm. The IMD observatory at the HAL airport has also recorded 170.3 cm of rain this year, another all time record. https://www.deccanherald.com/city/top-bengaluru-stories/bengaluru-breaks-annual-rainfall-record-1153950.html  (16 Oct. 2022) Bengaluru recorded 131.6 mm of rain in the past 24 hours making (Sept 5) the wettest September day since 2014, according to IMD. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/bengaluru-rains-city-records-wettest-september-2014-8132270/  (05 Sept. 2022) Bengaluru records 946 mm of rainfall since March this year, inches closer to annual figure. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/bengaluru-rainfall-march-year-annual-figure-8072663/  (06 Aug. 2022)

October Rains There was 80% excess rain in the first 10 days of the “post-monsoon” season from October 1 to 10 and 405% extra rainfall in the country’s northwest alone, the IMD has said as some experts said it may have prematurely announced the monsoon withdrawal.  Delhi recorded 625% (63.8mm against a normal of 8.8mm), Haryana 577%, Uttarakhand 538%, and Uttar Pradesh 698% excess rainfall in the first 10 days of October. IMD on September 30 announced that monsoon has withdrawn from Punjab, Chandigarh Delhi, parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan.

“In September 1988, after monsoon withdrew, a similar event happened leading to flooding rains in parts of northwest India on September 23, 24, and 25. Last year also there was heavy rain in Uttarakhand in October” M Mohapatra DG, IMD said.

The withdrawal has been significantly delayed over the past few years and stretched to late October, which means farmers have to make changes in their sowing schedules. IMD released new monsoon onset and withdrawal dates in 2020 factoring in the likely impact of climate change, which has altered the way the southwest monsoon progresses.

IMD’s new onset dates were based on an analysis of monsoon data from 1961 to 2019, and withdrawal dates on that from 1971 to 2019. They were delayed by three to seven days in parts of central, west, and east India. The withdrawal has been delayed by a week to two weeks in northwest India. Monsoon normally withdraws completely by October 15.

In 2019, monsoon withdrawal commenced on October 6 and withdrew by October 15. In 2020, it commenced on September 28 and withdrew on October 28. Last year, this took place on October 25 and was the seventh-most delayed monsoon withdrawal between 1975 and 2021.

Until 2019, the onset and withdrawal dates were determined based on records of 149 meteorological stations between 1901 and 1940. Climate scientists said agriculture and allied activities need to factor in this change in the monsoon cycle to better adapt to unseasonal rainfall events.

Institute of Climate Change Studies director DS Pai said there had been a continuation of La Nina conditions for three consecutive years, and it is likely to continue till next year. “La Nina is associated with good monsoon. So monsoon will now gradually begin withdrawing from the rest of northwest India and central India. The agricultural community should have a strategy to deal with this climatological shift in rainfall months.” https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/80-excess-rain-in-1st-10-days-of-post-monsoon-season-imd-101665544851071.html  (12 Oct. 2022)

Delhi Rainiest Oct. in 66 years So far, the city has seen 128.3 mm rainfall, starting Friday. The city had received 236.2 mm of rain in 1956. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-rains-october-imd-8203132/  (12 Oct. 2022)

Heavy rains in October are due to this phenomenon, not monsoon The rains being recorded in several parts of northern India are the result of a western disturbance, which has formed as a trough in mid and upper tropospheric levels. The trough runs along 64 degrees East to the north of 25 degrees North with a cyclonic circulation lying over south Haryana and neighbourhood in lower tropospheric levels. The interaction of the western disturbance with the cyclonic circulation is leading to heavy rains in several parts of Bihar, UP, and Uttarakhand.

The current rains in Delhi are not monsoon showers, which had receded from the city on September 29 after depositing 516.9 mm of rainfall this year against a normal of 653.6 mm. https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/delhi-october-rains-monsoon-western-disturbance-imd-2283421-2022-10-10  (10 Oct. 2022)

According to IMD data, the normal date for withdrawal of monsoon from the national capital regions occurs by 25th September. This time, the dates were pushed to 3-9th October. “These (October rains) are not unusual but also not frequent,” IMD chief Dr M Mohapatra told Times Now. “In October, a low pressure are or cyclonic circulation can develop over Bay of Bengal, it moves across southern India just like this system that moved across Andhra Pradesh and now the circulation is over north east Rajasthan. At the same time western disturbance passed over north west India. These two systems interacted with each other and led to the latest development.” Southwest monsoon is expected to withdraw in the next 4-5 days, according to Dr Mohapatra.

However, it should be remembered that monsoon withdrawal period is not a dry season. It is merely a reversal in the wind direction and precipitation may occur. IMD chief M Mohapatra had revealed this summer that the number of stations recording very heavy and extremely heavy rainfall within limited periods in India was increasing.  https://www.timesnownews.com/exclusive/delhi-rains-what-is-behind-the-continuous-untimely-rainfall-in-delhi-other-parts-of-north-india-article-94756020  (10 Oct. 2022)

Scientists believe a number of factors such as delayed monsoons and the development of low-pressure areas are responsible for continuing rain in several places. Climate change can also be a reason for these delayed rains. https://www.india.com/news/india/delhi-rains-explained-why-its-still-raining-in-october-5676084/  (10 Oct. 2022)

As of October 7, the withdrawal line of monsoon has not reached Maharashtra. As per the weather department, the withdrawal line of monsoon continues to pass through Uttarkashi, Nazibabad, Agra, Gwalior, Ratlam and Bharuch.  https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/pune-news/monsoon-withdrawal-delayed-this-season-for-maha-101665156710556.html  (07 Oct. 2022)

Monsoon withdrawal from southwest India including Pune and Maharashtra is likely from October 7, IMD officials said on Monday (Oct. 03). The normal date of monsoon withdrawal from Maharashtra starts from October 5. Whereas over 90% monsoon withdrawal from the state is expected around October 10. By October 15, the monsoon withdraws from the state completely. Till the end of September, Maharashtra reported 23% rainfall in excess and Pune district reported 33% excess rainfall during the monsoon season. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/monsoon-withdrawal-from-southwest-india-including-maharashtra-from-oct-7-imd-101664788770186.html  (03 Oct. 2022)

Between June 1 and September 30 — the official monsoon season for India — West Uttar Pradesh only accumulated 501 mm of rainfall while East UP gathered 556 mm. Most of these rains were registered in September, with the western half and the eastern half gathering 55% and 19% excess rains, respectively, during the last monsoon month. But the good rainfall month came too late, and both west and east subdivisions recorded a whopping 25% and 30% seasonal rainfall deficit, respectively.

In October, however, the gradually retreating monsoons seem to be in a mood to make up for the lost ground. With nearly 100 mm of rainfall across the state in the first ten days of the month, the state has witnessed over 500% of its normal quota this time of the year. A similar trend will likely repeat this week as the monsoons prepare to bid adieu to the state.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the southwest monsoon will deliver one of its last bouts of rain over Uttar Pradesh before retreating eastwards from the Central region this week. A cyclonic circulation lies over south Haryana, which will help introduce wet weather over the state. https://weather.com/en-IN/india/monsoon/news/2022-10-10-weather-oct-10-heavy-rains-uttar-pradesh-monsoon-ends-on-wet-note  (10 Oct. 2022)

FLOOD 2022

Tamil Nadu Stanley Reservoir discharges flood of the houses Over 80 houses located along the River Cauvery and in low-lying areas in Bhavani town and Kodumudi were flooded, as the discharge of surplus from the Stanley Reservoir in Mettur into the river stood at more than one lakh cusecs on Saturday (Oct. 15).

This is the fifth time in the last three months that they were moved to the camps after the river was in spate affecting their livelihood. Despite flooding, many families near the river continued to stay in their houses while few others move to their relative’s houses. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/more-than-80-houses-flooded-in-erode-district/article66013812.ece  (15 Oct. 2022)

 West Bengal This provides some useful information about the Mal/ Neura river in Jalpaiguri where the durga dashami disaster struck on Oct 5. (Statesman 13 Oct 2022)

“Save the Hills” blogpost on Oct 7, 2022 about the tragedy at Mal Bazar in Jalpaiguri, where eight people drowned on Oct 5, 2022 while doing Durga Puja visarjan, throws some light about the quanrum of rainfall in the catchment of the Mal River, based on readings of two rain gauges in the catchment. Their conclusion is that this rainfall is not sufficient to create a flash flood that lead to the death of the people. This leaves a question than what are the reasons behind this tragedy? https://savethehills.blogspot.com/2022/10/an-avoidable-tragedy-mal-bazar.html  (07 Oct. 2022)

Dilip Pandit, a resident of Caltex More in Malbazar filed a police complaint against the local municipality, alleging that an embankment constructed on the Mal river had led to the flash flood that had killed his wife and son. A source said authorities had built a raised patch near the site of the tragedy on the river using boulders and sand to enable vehicles carrying idols to enter waters. ‘The complainant might have referred to the raised patch as the embankment,” said the source. Officials of Jalpaiguri district administration, who are conducting an inquiry into the incident, have said they are mulling over a proposal to prepare a standard operating procedure (SOP) which should be followed at all ghats of rivers where idols are immersed after Puja every year. https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/complaint-blames-embankment-for-river-tragedy/cid/1890777  (08 Oct. 2022)

Assam Soil erosion worsening with climate change and floods With intensifying monsoons and deepening soil erosion, Assam is becoming one of India’s states most vulnerable to climate change, hurting food production and livelihoods in the process.

15 of the 25 districts in India most vulnerable to climate change are in Assam and there’s been an “exponential increase in the frequency of flood events since 2010,” Climate Change Minister Keshab Mahanta told the state assembly in mid-September. Worse times lie ahead, Mahanta warned. He cited a state government report that projects “extreme rainfall events” are likely to increase by up to 38 per cent and floods by more than 25 per cent by mid-century. https://www.villagesquare.in/assam-soil-erosion-worsening-with-climate-change-and-floods/  (13 Oct. 2022)

Why Assam floods every year? The video which is a part of special series of Mausam Bemausam explains the correlation of climate change and floods in Assam. How this impacts the lives of crores of people. News Potli and humanitarian organisation Healing Lives  documents and reports the reasons behind this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1y_HpF5bFE  (05 Oct. 2022)

Uttar Pradesh First drought, and now 683% excess rainfall in October wreaks havoc on farmers https://www.gaonconnection.com/lead-stories/uttar-pradesh-rice-production-paddy-crop-excess-rainfall-farmers-income-profits-agriculture-barabanki-climate-change-51331   (11 Oct. 2022)

यूपी में किसान लाचार, सूखे के बाद अब बारिश की मार https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNHbkggGcg0  (11 Oct. 2022)

Heavy rains in Prayagraj cause a flood-like situation in the low-lying areas of district as water levels of Ganga, Yamuna rivers rise. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/up-rains-flood-like-situation-in-prayagraj-as-ganga-yamuna-river-water-levels-rise/videoshow/94850041.cms  (14 Oct. 2022)

Study Seismic sensing reveals flood damage potential Rapidly evolving floods are a major and growing hazard worldwide. Currently, their onset and evolution is hard to identify using existing systems. However, seismic sensors already in place to detect earthquakes could be a solution to this problem. Researchers led by the University of Göttingen show that a seismometer can sense a flood, such as the devastating one that hit Germany in July 2021, up to 1.5 km away. This could act as an early warning to save lives and lessen damage. They also found that being able to measure the “seismic footprint” of the flood provides information on its magnitude, velocity and trajectory in real time, which could be used for future flood protection. The results were published in Geophysical Research Letters.

– Dietze adds that “as 10% of Europe’s surface area is prone to rapid flooding by rivers confined in valleys, we may want to start thinking about new ways of flood early warning. The current network of water level stations is not enough to be adequately prepared for future events.” https://phys.org/news/2022-10-seismic-reveals-potential.html  (13 Oct. 2022)

URBAN FLOODS

Bengaluru BBMP seeks World Bank help to tackle flood BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath said, “The WB is focussing on problems arising out of climate change across the globe. Currently, the WB team is visiting Bengaluru. We are in discussions on how to take the partnership further and it may be in the form of providing loans and various projects.”

According to him, Karnataka’s Chief Secretary Vandita Sharma has highlighted to the WB team how we are facing both droughts as well as urban floods. “We need to see how we can seek financial assistance from WB. For this, we need to identify the projects first. As of now, we have taken the WB team to inspect the Koramangala valley. The biggest challenge is to stop the flow of sewage to Koramangala valley. We have been successful in fixing the issue till Bellandur but beyond that it is a challenge. So, we are planning to discuss with BWSSB on taking up diversion of sewage especially in the village limits. Based on the WB report, we will submit a plan to WB via State and Central governments.”

Bengaluru’s first water way project at Koramangala has been designed on the lines of Sabarmati water way (Gujarat) at a cost of Rs 175 crore. The big challenge for BBMP was to plug the sewage flow into this. BBMP claims that the either sides of the Rajakaluve will be remodelled on a European styled pathway. According to BBMP, the works will include providing and remodelling of existing retaining walls at critical locations to facilitate the waterway project. https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/bbmp-seeks-world-bank-help-to-tackle-flood/articleshow/94795181.cms  (12 Oct. 2022)

Water from the Budanur lake triggered by heavy rains, entering the town on Saturday  (Oct. 15) created a ruckus on the Bengaluru-Mysore road and entered the residential area and flooded Bengaluru-Mysuru road due to heavy rain in Mandya. The incident happened in Mandya where due to heavy rainfall last night, the water breached the lake and entered the Bengaluru-Mysore Highway, flooding hundreds of acres of land. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofy0d5gSZ1g  (16 Oct. 2022)

HFL BREACH 2022

Uttar Pradesh:-1 River Kwano at Dumari Ghat level monitoring station in Balrampur has crossed old HFL 98.29 m (dated 30.08.2021) at 02:00 hour on 11.10.2022. Present flood level is 98.5 m at 10:00 hour with rising trend.

2. River Suhali at New Motipur level monitoring site in Balrampur district has breached old HFL 135.99 m (dated 27.10.2021) at 03:00 hour on 11.10.2022. Present flood level is 136.02 m at 10:00 hour with rising trend.

3. River Noon part of lower Yamuna basin at Orai 2 Mangrayan level monitoring site in Jaluan district has crossed old HFL 134.04 m (dated 30.07.2021) at 13:00 hour on 10.10.2022. Present flood level is 136.45 m at 09:00 hour on 11.10.2022 with rising trend. The river at this site has also set 135.48 m as new HFL on 22.09.2022.

4. River Sengar which is part of lower Yamuna basin at Bulakipura level monitoring station in Auraiya district has crossed old HFL 136.33 m (dated 19.09.2021) at 09:00 hour on 11.10.2022. Present flood level is 136.46 m at 20:00 hour with stable trend. CWC has wrongly maintained 136.33 m as old HFL for the site as the river has attained the peak of 137.02 m on 25.09.2022.

5. River Burhi Rapti which is part of middle Ganga basin at Muhchurwa level monitoring station in Siddharth Nagar district has breached old HFL 91.79 m (dated 28.08.2021) at 10:00 hour on 11.10.2022. Present flood level is 92.11 m at 20:00 hour with rising trend.

6. River Ghagra at Dhobahat level monitoring station in Ambedkar Nagar district has crossed old HFL 86.95 m (dated 19.08.2020) at 11:00 hour on 12.10.2022. Present flood level is 87.12 m at 16:00 hour with rising trend.

7. River Gomti at Sitapur level monitoring station in Sitapur district has breached old HFL 128.23 m (dated 09.07.2019) at 02:00 hour on 13.10.2022. Present flood level is 128.27 m at 06:00 hour with rising trend.

8. River Rapti in Ganga basin at Bhinga level forecast site in Shrawasti district has crossed old HFL 120.3 m (15.08.2014) at 09:00 hour on 07.10.2022. Present flood level is 120.52 m at 14:00 hour on 07.10.2022 with stable trend.

9. River Rapti at Balrampur level forecast site in Balrampur district has crossed old HFL 105.54 m (15.08.2017) at 12:00 hour on 08.10.2022. It is forecasted to reach 105.75 m at 08:00 hour on 09.10.2022 with rising trend. 

10. River Burhi Rapti at Parsohan ghat level monitoring station in Siddharth Nagar district has crossed old HFL 96.55 m (dated 29.08.2021) at 01:00 hour on 10.10.2022. Present flood level is 97.05 m at 09:00 hour with rising trend.

11. River Ghagra at Gola Bazar level monitoring station in Deoria district has breached old HFL 73.68 m (dated 01.08.2022) at 20:00 hour on 13.10.2022. Present flood level is 73.72 m at 22:00 hour with rising trend.

12. River Rapti at Bansi level forecasting station in Siddharth Nagar district has breached old HFL 85.95 m (dated 03.09.2021) at 16:00 hour on 14.10.2022. Present flood level is 85.97 m at 18:00 hour with rising trend and is forecasted to reach 86.05 m at 08:00 hour on 15.10.2022.

Madhya Pradesh 1. River Pana which is part of lower Yamuna basin at Sarva level monitoring site in Bhind district has crossed its old HFL 161.09 m (dated 12.07.2019) at 19:00 hour on 11.10.2022. Present flood level is 161.1 m at 21:00 hour with stable trend.

2. River Vesli pat of lower Yamuna basin at Gata level monitoring station in Bhind district has breached old HFL 138.84m (dated 27.09.2019) at 07:00 hour on 11.10.2022. Present flood level is 139.27 m at 20:00 hour with rising trend.

3. River Kunwari in Ganga basin at Bagchini level monitoring site in Morena district has crossed old HFL 161.14 m (dated 04.08.2021) at 13:00 hour on 09.10.2022. The present flood level is 161.38 m at 18:00 hour. The river has also breached the old HFL on 23.09.2022 reaching 161.71 m.

4. River Narmada at Balai at Narayanganj level monitoring station in Mandla district has crossed old HFL 422.98 m (dated 30.09.2019) at 22:00 hour on 12.10.2022. Present flood level is 423.02 m at 12:00 hour on 13.10.2022 with stable trend.

Uttarakhand Following incessant rainfall for past three days in Kumaon region River Kosi at Betalghat in Almora district has crossed old HFL 746.94 m (dated 19.10.2021) at 04:00 hour on 10.10.2022. The present flood level is 746.99 m at 09:00 hour with rising trend.

At Syulbari station in Nainital district, the river Kosi has just crossed the old HFL 996.95 m (dated 20.10.2021) at 09:00 hour on 10.10.2022 with rising trend. At 1200 hours the level was 997.1 m.

Bihar After 24 years River Ghagra at Darauli level forecasting station in Siwan district has crossed HFL 61.74 m (29.08.1998) at 06:00 hour on 14.10.2022. Present flood level is 61.76 m at 08:00 hour with rising trend.

Karnataka:-River Hebbahalla in Cauvery basin at Chikkarasinakere level forecasting station in Mandya district has breached old HFL 616.1 m (date not mentioned by CWC) at 09:00 hour on 15.10.2022. Present flood level is 617.43 m at 11:00 hour with rising trend.

River Uduthorehalla in Cauvery basin at Pudunagara level monitoring site in Mysore district has crossed old HFL 587.8 m (dated 06.12.2017) at 17:00 hour on 16.10.2022. Present flood level is 588.15 m at 09:00 hour on 17.10.2022 with stable trend.

Tamil Nadu River Ayyar in Cauvery basin at Thandalaiputhur level forecast site in Tiruchirapalli district has breached old HFL 98.735 m (dated 26.11.2021) at 08:00 hour on 17.10.2022 setting up 98.83 m as new HFL which is 0.095 m higher than the old HFL. Present flood level is 98.275 m at 15:00 hour on 17.10.2022 with declining trend.

DISASTERS

Measures to Tackle Floods From Glacial Lake Outbursts The Ministry of Jal Shakti (Water Resources) disclosed before the committee that the Central Water Commission (CWC) has 46 existing meteorological observation stations in the Himalayan region, 1,000 meters above mean sea level out of which 35 stations are telemetry-based stations. As many as 16 new telemetry-based meteorological observation stations have been proposed in the Himalayan region, which are under various stages of implementation.

The ministry pointed out that the Defense Geo-informatics Research Establishment (DGRE) has been working to enhance the number of Automatic Weather Stations for forecasting avalanches and landslides in a phased manner to increase the coverage area in the states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and in the union territories of Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh. It has already established three Mountain Meteorological Centers in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand for avalanche study.

Further, DGRE has joined hands with the Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SFISAR) to develop a model for forecasting. A network of 35 Automatic Weather Stations is to be built soon in the border state of Sikkim to generate avalanche forecast data for the armed forces.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee, which was headed by Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal, expressed concern over the impact of climate change on glacier movement in the Indian Himalayan region. “Recognizing and spotting dangerous glacial lakes is very important so that all the stakeholders i.e. planners, scientists, academics, and the general public may evolve, adopt and carry out suitable mitigation steps such as monitoring, early warning, evacuation, and relief and rehabilitation,” said the report. The committee has submitted this report to Parliament.

It has also recommended that the ministry should make “concerted efforts” to set up and widen the network of high-altitude meteorological and discharge stations equipped with modern technology including Synthetic Aperture Radar imagery to automatically detect changes in water bodies and lake formations in the Indian Himalayan region. It has told the ministry to work in “close collaboration” with other agencies involved in glacial management and analyzing the mountain hazards by sharing data with them which the ministry has agreed. https://thediplomat.com/2022/09/india-initiates-measures-to-tackle-floods-from-glacial-lake-outbursts-in-himalayas/  (30 Sept. 2022)

This study offers an overview of recent GLOF research by analysing 594 peer-reviewed GLOF studies published between 2017 and 2021 (Web of Science and Scopus databases), reviewing the content and geographical focus as well as other characteristics of GLOF studies. This review is complemented with perspectives from the first GLOF conference (7–9 July 2021, online) where a global GLOF research community of major mountain regions gathered to discuss the current state of the art of integrated GLOF research. https://nhess.copernicus.org/articles/22/3041/2022/  (19 Sept. 2022)

ENVIRONMENT GOVERNANCE

Report Legal right to nature Consultancy group Jigsaw Foresight and The Law Society of England and Wales, in their report published in August 2022 titled ‘Law in the Emerging Bio Age’, have proposed giving legal rights to plants, animals, and non-living entities is crucial to building meaningful human-environment relationships in the future. Experts have said changes in legal frameworks could help. The report focused on rapid developments in biotechnology and the need to understand its ethical consequences on humanity’s relationship with the environment.

-A compelling shift from competition to cooperation between humans and living systems for future survival is currently an underexplored area, with the question of how India is preparing for the “bio age” still remaining. https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-climate/bolivia-new-zealand-legal-rights-non-humans-8208813/   (15 Oct. 2022)

CLIMATE CHANGE

Report How climate change is shifting the water cycle  Intense monsoons and fierce drought have one thing in common: the water cycle. Climate change and other human activity is disrupting this crucial system, which makes all life on Earth possible. https://www.dw.com/en/water-cycle-climate-change-sponge-cities-drought-flooding-monsoon-hindu-kush-himalayas/a-63332091  (10 Oct. 2022)

Courts or policies: Which matters more for climate action in South Asia? Ahead of COP27, lawyers and NGOs have threatened to ramp up global climate litigation in response to government inaction, but IPCC experts stress that institutions and policymaking are also vital. https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/climate/courts-or-policy-which-matters-more-for-climate-action-in-south-asia/  (07 Oct. 2022)

SOUTH ASIA

SANDRP Blog Book Review of Water Conflicts and Resistance in South Asia Guest Article by Ruchi Shree The book is an important intervention and likely to positively shape the water diplomacy in South Asian region with its two chapters on Indo-Nepal water/river relations and one chapter on shared water between India and Pakistan. A chapter on the Indus Water Treaty (1960), Ganga Water Sharing Treaty (1996) and Teesta draft agreement delves into India-Bangladesh relation on water.

A little more detail on the nuances of institutional challenges faced by these two countries in water sharing would have benefitted the readers since the countries share not only the Ganges but also numerous small rivers. The relationship between these two countries has undergone significant changes in the last five decades with change of leaderships on both sides and the changing global water scenario. https://sandrp.in/2022/10/12/book-review-of-water-conflicts-and-resistance-in-south-asia/  (12 Oct. 2022)

China tests Dhaka waters with Teesta barrage trip The much-talked-about multipurpose Teesta river management project involves dredging, building reservoirs, laying a drainage system along the river, and constructing embankments and satellite cities on both banks. The Bangladesh government often cites the project as the most effective solution to the irrigation needs of farmers in the region. Two years ago, Dhaka had proposed implementing the $1-billion project under Chinese funding as the water-sharing treaty on the fourth-largest trans-boundary river with India had not materialised despite a decade-long wait.

The prospect of Chinese involvement in such a large project would concern India, signalling a failure of hydro-diplomacy with its most trusted neighbour. There have been strategic concerns too. The project will lead to Chinese presence within 100km of the India-Bangladesh border, close to the Chicken’s Neck, the narrow strip of land in north Bengal that connects the Northeast with the rest of India.

A source close to the Hasina dispensation said the speculation about Dhaka biting the Chinese bait was far-fetched in the present situation. “The entire project will cost over $1 billion…. The most important question is whether we can afford such a huge foreign loan at a time there are signs of stress on our economy,” the source said.

Bangladesh is in the middle of negotiations with the IMF for a $4.5-billion loan to cope with the mounting pressure on its economy. The country has also sought $2 billion from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to bolster its foreign exchange reserves. The source, however, did not rule out the possibility of Beijing trying to cosy up to the Hasina government by citing New Delhi’s failure to deliver on the most important element in Dhaka’s wish list. https://www.telegraphindia.com/world/china-tests-dhaka-waters-with-teesta-barrage-trip/cid/1891070  (10 Oct. 2022)

THE REST OF THE WORLD

Nigeria Water release from Lagdo dam in upstream Cameroon worsens floods in downstream Nigeria as per Nigeria’s National authority.

https://tribuneonlineng.com/nigerias-perennial-flooding-and-effect-of-cameroons-lagdo-dam/  (10 Oct. 2022)

USA To save California coasts, scientists turn to the humble oyster There are no pearls growing on the oyster reefs in San Diego Bay, but scientists hope they will yield an even more valuable treasure: Protection against coastal erosion wrought by rising sea levels. Thousands of the tiny mollusks have begun growing on the artificial reefs dropped in the bay as part of a plan to mitigate damage in California’s far south. “We look at numerous different ways to help combat sea-level rise, and these reef balls are one of the tools in our toolbox to do that,” Eileen Maher, director of environmental conservation at the Port of San Diego, told AFP.

The port implanted 360 structures in December 2021, along a peninsula wedged between the salt marshes of Southern California and the Coronado peninsula – home to the naval air base that inspired Top Gun. These hemispheres weigh 135kg and look like huge thimbles. They are made from a mixture of cement, sand and crushed oyster shells – a crucial ingredient that attracts living oysters to make their home there. After 10 months in the water, the reefs are covered with a greenish silt, which hides thousands of still-microscopic oysters, said Maher. Eventually, the dozen scientists working on this pilot project hope to see the formation of real oyster reefs, which they believe will have a genuine impact on their local environment.  https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/save-california-coasts-scientists-turn-humble-oyster-2998991  (10 Oct. 2022)

Compiled by SANDRP (ht.sandrp@gmail.com)

Also see: DRP News Bulletin 10 Oct. 2022 & DRP News Bulletin 03 Oct. 2022  

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