(Feature Image: Collage of Sentinel Hub satellite images of Tent City location in Ganga river bed in Varanasi from Nov. 26, 2022 to Dec. 11, 2023)

While the NGT putting a stay on the Varanasi Tent city and imposing a fine of Rs 25000 on MoEF for not responding to NGT about how the turtle sanctuary was denotified is welcome, we hope NGT takes it to its logical conclusion. It is strange, to say the least to see the NMCG telling NGT through its one page report dated Dec 13 2023 that the Varanasi Development Authority proposal dated Nov 28 2023 for tent city is under consideration! The Tent city companies were fined by NGT, but UP PCB is yet to do anything to collect the fine. Most interestingly, the Prime Minister, no less, inaugurated the tent city project on January 13 2023, over 11 months back! And very shockingly, none of the National Media is even reporting this remarkable situation.

One only hopes that NGT will take this issue to its logical conclusion and also not allow NMCG, MoEF, UPPCB, Tent city companies or any other body to go scot free. The case will come up before NGT in first week of Feb 2024.

GANGA Varanasi टेंट सिटी का मामला: एनजीटी ने पर्यावरण मंत्रालय पर लगाया जुर्माना  शुक्रवार (Dec. 15) को टेंट सिटी मामले की सुनवाई एनजीटी के तीन सदस्यीय पीठ न्यायमूर्ति सुधीर अग्रवाल, न्यायमूर्ति अरुण कुमार त्यागी और विशेषज्ञ सदस्य डाॅ. ए. सेंथिल वेल की पीठ के समक्ष हुई। न्यायमूर्ति सुधीर अग्रवाल ने पर्यावरण मंत्रालय भारत सरकार के वकील से पूछा कि ये बताइए कछुआ अभयारण्य को आखिर कैसे डिनोटिफाइ किया गया? आखिर कछुओं का क्या हुआ? क्या कछुआ गायब हो गए या चले गए? पर्यावरण मंत्रालय के वकील को कहा कि हम 17 मार्च से इसका जबाब मांग रहे हैं लेकिन आपने जबाब नहीं दिया। इस पर कड़ा रुख अपनाते हुए एनजीटी ने पर्यावरण मंत्रालय पर 25 हजार का जुर्माना लगाते हुए जबाब दखिला के लिए एक सप्ताह का समय दिया है। याचिकाकर्ता की तरफ से अधिवक्ता सौरभ तिवारी वीडियोकांफ्रेंसिंग से हुई सुनवाई में शामिल हुए। मामले में अगली सुनवाई फरवरी के पहले सप्ताह में होगी।

एनजीटी ने उत्तर प्रदेश प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड से पूछा कि टेंट कंपनियों पर 17-17 लाख रुपये की जुर्माने की रकम की वसूली हुई कि नहीं ? इस पर जवाब देते हुए यूपीपीसीबी (उत्तर प्रदेश प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड) के वकील ने कहा कि अभी जुर्माना राशि की वसूली नहीं हुई है। एनजीटी ने कहा कि वैसे भी टेंट कंपनियों पर लगाई गई जुर्माने की राशि कम है। एनजीटी ने पूछा कि गंगा नदी तल में टेंट सिटी लगाने के कारण पर्यावरण को जो नुकसान हुआ है उसके लिए क्या उपचारात्मक कार्रवाई की गई है? जवाब से असंतुष्ट होने पर एनजीटी ने प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड के सदस्य सचिव को व्यक्तिगत रुप से तलब करने का आदेश दिया है।  https://www.amarujala.com/uttar-pradesh/varanasi/tent-city-case-ngt-imposed-25-thousand-fine-on-environment-ministry-strict-action-taken-on-delay-in-filing-re-2023-12-15  (15 Dec. 2023)

गंगा किनारे से महज 650 मीटर अंदर ही आबाद थी टेंट सिटी  गंगा पार रेती पर जगह-जगह पक्के निर्माण, कहीं टैंक तो कहीं जमीन से दो फीट ऊपर निकली हुई पाइप अब भी नजर आ रहे हैं। टेंट सिटी बसाने वाली कंपनियों ने गंगा की धारा से केवल 60 मीटर दूरी पर ही टेंट सिटी आबाद कर दी थी। गंगा पार रेती पर तलहटी का इलाका रामनगर से प्रह्लाद घाट तक है। 11 हेक्टेयर के इलाके में जगह-जगह छोटे-छोटे पक्के निर्माण ऐसे ही छोड़े गए हैं। गंगा पार रेती पर टहलने वालों के लिए यह खतरनाक भी है। राजघाट से रामनगर तक का इलाका गंगा का नदी तल है। इसी इलाके में गंगा की रेत जमा होती है और इसे कछुआ सेंचुरी भी घोषित किया गया था। गंगा के जलीय जीवों का यह स्थान है और साइबेरियन पक्षी भी इसी रेत में अपने अंडे भी देते हैं। केवल रामनगर से राजघाट तक गंगा की धारा किनारे से सात सौ मीटर दूर बह रही है। बाढ़ और बरसात के दिनों में यह पूरा इलाका पानी से भर जाता है।

शासन ने पर्यावरण को नुकसान पहुंचाने के मामले में रोजाना के हिसाब से 12 हजार पांच सौ रुपये का जुर्माना दोनों टेंट कंपनियों पर लगाया है। एनजीटी ने कहा था की संयुक्त समिति की 24 मई की रिपोर्ट में यह स्पष्ट हो चुका है कि टेंट सिटी का निर्माण गंगा नदी तल में हुआ है। न्यायमूर्ति सुधीर अग्रवाल ने तल्ख टिप्पणी करते हुए कहा था कि थोड़ा सा गंगा नदी का पानी कम हुआ और नदी में टेंट सिटी लगा दी। एनजीटी ने वाराणसी विकास प्राधिकरण को विलेन भी कहा था और जुर्माना लगाने की बात कही थी। हालांकि 30 नवंबर को होने वाली सुनवाई में वीडीए और टेंट कंपनी ने अगली तारीख मांगी थी। एनजीटी ने 15 दिसंबर की तारीख तय की है। https://www.amarujala.com/uttar-pradesh/varanasi/the-tent-city-was-situated-just-650-meters-from-the-banks-of-ganga-varanasi-news-c-20-vns1013-444032-2023-12-07  (07 Dec. 2023) In a reply to the Varanasi development authority on October 26, the nodal agency for the management of the Ganga said that the project lacked clearance. https://www.newslaundry.com/2023/10/30/modi-flagged-off-varanasi-tent-city-project-without-clean-ganga-clearance  (30 Oct. 2023)

इस साल जनवरी में पीएम मोदी ने गंगा घाटों के पार बसने वाले टेंट सिटी का उद्घाटन किया था, इसके 2 महीने बाद ही टेंट सिटी के संचालन से पर्यावरण को हो रहे नुकसान को लेकर NGT में एक याचिका दायर की गई. पिछले 8 महीने में हुई सुनवाई में टेंट सिटी के संचालन से पर्यावरण और गंगा के दोहन को लेकर साक्ष्य सामने आए, जिसको लेकर NGT अब गंभीर है. गंगा के साथ हो रहे नए-नए प्रयोग को लेकर नदी विशेषज्ञों ने भी नाराजगी जताई थी.

काशी हिंदू विश्वविद्यालय में महामना मालवीय शोध संस्थान के अध्यक्ष और नदी वैज्ञानिक प्रोफेसर बीडी त्रिपाठी ने कहा था कि बाबा विश्वनाथ की नगरी काशी उत्तरवाहिनी गंगा के अर्धचंद्राकर स्वरूप के एक किनारे पर ही बसी है. ऐसे में गंगा के स्वरूप से छेड़छाड़ करना ठीक नहीं है. गंगा अपनी दाहीनी तरफ बालू डिपॉजिट करती हैं, जिसके कारण नदी के जलचर उस इलाके को अपना मानते हैं.

संकट मोचन फाउंडेशन के अध्यक्ष और IIT BHU के प्रोफेसर विसंभर नाथ मिश्रा ने काशी की गंगा को लेकर हो रहे नए-नए प्रयोग पर आपत्ति जताई थी. उन्होंने प्रशासन पर तंज कसते हुए कहा है कि काजल को आंख में लगाया जाता है, अगर चेहरे पर लगा लिया तो वह कुरूप हो जाता है. कहा था कि टेंट सिटी का कॉन्सेप्ट प्रयाग के लिए है, न कि काशी के लिए. पहले भी गंगा में 11 करोड़ रूपए खर्च करके एक नहर बनाकर प्रशासन ने आम जनता का पैसा पानी में बहा दिया था.

30 अक्टूबर को अपर मुख्य सचिव पर्यावरण मनोज सिंह और UPPCB के सदस्य और सचिव कार्यवाही में तलब थे. सुनवाई में वीडियो कॉन्फ्रेंसिंग के जरिए बहस के दौरान CPCB ने अपना पक्ष रखते हुए बताया कि उन्होंने एनवायरमेंटल कम्पेंसेशन के तौर पर 12,500 रूपये प्रति दिन के हिसाब से टेंट सिटी पर जुर्माना लगाया है. इसका नोटिस भी जारी कर दिया गया है. जबकि NGT ने इसका विरोध किया और कहा कि गंगा बेसिन में क्षति इससे कहीं ज्यादा हुई है. उन्होंने कहा कि लगभग 11 हेक्टेयर जमीन पर टेंट सिटी बसाई गई थी, इसके बावजूद जुर्माना कम लगाया गया है. जुर्माना राशि को बढ़ाने पर विचार करें.   https://hindi.thequint.com/news/india/varanasi-tent-city-ngt-order-booking-suspended-ganga-river-environment-issue-national-green-tribunal   (02 Nov. 2023)

HYDRO POWER PROJECTS

SANDRP Blog 2023: People’s Protests against Hydro & Dam projects in India This yearend overview compiles the ten remarkable reports on community led protests against dam and hydro power projects in India in 2023.

The report also covers some important judicial and government decisions regarding dams related issues during the year. It further compiles some relevant reports which significantly highlight bleak future of hydro and dam projects due to persistent decline in power generation, rise in construction cost and corruption issues. https://sandrp.in/2023/12/14/2023-peoples-protests-against-hydro-dam-projects-in-india/ (14 Dec 2023)

2023: Accidents & Damages to Hydro, Dam Projects in India This annual overview compiles the incidents of accidents and disasters that have caused significant damages to the hydro power and dam projects and around them in India during 2023. The report also highlights the incidents of violations of environmental norms at some under construction project sites which could result in manmade disaster in future. https://sandrp.in/2023/12/11/2023-accidents-damages-to-hydro-dam-projects-in-india/  (11 Dec. 2023)

Report Rethinking development in the Himalayas Himanshu Thakkar, coordinator of South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP), an environmental and human rights advocacy group, says that the key to infrastructural development projects in the Himalayan region is “democratic and informed decisions.” He points out that since climate change has worsened the inherent vulnerabilities of the Himalayan region, any major develop­ment activity needs to take the entire scenario into account. “Developmental projects must be based on democratic and informed decisions. Local people must be involved in the decision-making. There must be an honest, credible, and independent social, environmental, and disaster impact assessment. If local people are involved, they would ensure projects that hurt them are rejected.”

-For development, the government needs to begin at the smaller, local level before making larger interventions and big projects should be considered only when localised options are exhausted. Thakkar also emphasises the need to adopt more nature-based solutions.

-He emphasises that the new scenario necessitates that, particularly in the Himalayas, there must be a disaster impact assessment. This should address the probable impacts of projects on the disaster potential of the location, taking into account the inherent vulnerabilities, climatic changes, existing infrastructure, and other planned infrastructure. “There should also be a credible monitoring system for compliance, without which any impact assessment becomes useless. This kind of environmental governance has to be put in place but is entirely missing currently,” he adds. https://www.outlookindia.com/national/rethinking-development-in-the-himalayas-magazine-335548  (13 Dec. 2023)

Opinion Contradictions within global goals for hydropower & sustainable energy  Jeff Opperman: -First, the big picture: it’s taken more than a century to reach approximately 1,200 Gigawatts (GW) of global hydropower capacity, and that development has already taken a major toll on rivers and the people that depend on them or live alongside them. Millions of people have been displaced by reservoirs, and species that depend on rivers have declined or are imperiled at far greater rates than species on land or in the ocean. Can we really double today’s level of hydropower in just a few decades in a way that meets anybody’s definition of sustainable?

-Second, let’s focus on definitions. As noted above, the hydropower sector now defines sustainable hydropower as that which can be certified by the Hydropower Sustainability Standard. The Standard is almost always applied to single projects, often at a time when key decisions, such as project siting, have already been made. Yet we have abundant evidence that the key to sustainable hydropower—or sustainable power systems more generally—is planning at the system-scale, through which decisions about siting (which projects get built and which don’t) can still be made, informed by assessments of cumulative impacts and multi-benefit synergies. If sustainability is best evaluated at the system scale, then how can a certification focused on individual projects define sustainability? https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffopperman/2023/12/14/contradictions-within-global-goals-for-hydropower-and-sustainable-energy/  (14 Dec. 2023)

WMD 2023: Impossible to restore ecosystems with current development models  Tikender S Panwar: -World Mountain Day gives an opportunity to at least ponder the unsustainability of the current development models in the region. This model must be altered and become nature-based, people-centric and ecologically sensitive. https://www.newsclick.in/world-mountain-day-impossible-restore-ecosystems-current-development-models  (12 Dec. 2023)

Study Over 70% of GLOF outbreaks since 1833 happened in last 50 years  An analysis of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development’s (ICIMOD) latest data on glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) since 1833 has suggested that over 70 per cent of the 700 GLOF outbreaks have happened in the past 50 years. The year 1980 saw the highest number of GLOF events, 15, followed by 2015 (13). The years 1973, 1974, 2002 and 2010 all experienced 10 GLOF events. But, according to ICIMOD, “the overall increase in GLOFs is mainly due to better observations and reporting, but the overall damage to infrastructure from these events has likely increased in the recent past”. https://www.downtoearth.org.in/factsheet/what-190-years-of-glacial-lake-outburst-flood-data-tells-us-about-the-hindu-kush-himalayas-93412  (15 Dec. 2023)

2 lakhs lives, infra threatened due to GLOFs in Third Pole  Triggered by climate change, these potential GLOFs also threaten the infrastructure in the region, including buildings, hydropower projects, roads and bridges, researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, China, said in their study. Of the 5,535 glacial lakes in the region, they have identified almost 1,500 that have a “high potential” for outburst floods. After analysing data since 1900, they also found that yearly GLOF occurrences heightened in frequency, from an average of 1.5 events during 1981-1990 to 2.7 during 2011-2020.

Overall, these findings are concerning for countries like India, China, Kazakhstan, Nepal, and Pakistan which are exposed to GLOFs in the Third Pole, the researchers said in their study published in the journal Nature Communications. “Approximately 55,808 buildings, 105 existing or planned hydropower projects, 194 (square kilometres) of farmland, 5,005 kilometres of roads, and 4,038 bridges are threatened by the potential GLOFs,” said the study’s corresponding author Weicai Wang, associate professor, Chinese Academy of Sciences. “Our findings underscore the significant challenges posed by the substantial potential disaster volumes in these economically disadvantaged and highly vulnerable regions,” said Wang.  https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/2-lakhs-lives-infra-threatened-due-to-glofs-in-third-pole-study/articleshow/106049317.cms  (16 Dec. 2023)

Manipur People unanimously resolve to stop further extension of Loktak HEP Taking the extension of the much contentious Loktak Hydro Electric Project for another 25 years as serious concern, people in the surrounding areas of Loktak Lake today convened for a day long public meeting and resolved to oppose the move. The convention was held under the theme “Impact of Loktak Hydro Electric Project in Manipur” at Ikhai Wapokpi Public Ground under Bishnupur district. It was organised by the People’s Committee on Restoration of Loktak and its Associated Wetlands Manipur. As a part of the programme, the meeting unanimously resolved not to accept extension of the Loktak Hydro Electric Project in Manipur which is owned by National Hydro Project Corporation (NHPC) Limited. The commitee said that project gives lots of detrimental loss to the environment of Loktak Lake and its ecosystem. They also decided to urge the state government to review the Loktak Protection Act 2006.  https://www.indiatodayne.in/amp/manipur/story/manipur-people-unanimously-resolve-to-stop-further-extension-of-loktak-hydro-electric-project-724132-2023-12-10  (10 Dec. 2023)

Sikkim How Teesta Disaster was in the making for years: – In the most startling and brazen violation of this very clause, the Sikkim government had to move to court to get a restraining order against TUL for the dilution of shares to third parties without its consent, while at the same time denying the Sikkim government its share of 26% equity.  TUL finally offered the Sikkim government its share of 26% equity for which it had to borrow Rs 296 crore in July 2012 after the Sikkim government moved to the court.

– The Singapore-based Asian GencoPvt Ltd owned by TV Vijaykumar, an erstwhile close aide of the late YSR Reddy (former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh), the late CV Balayogi (former Speaker, LokSabha, also from Andhra), Jagan Mohan Reddy (YSR’s son, now CM of Andhra) and KVP Ramachandra Rao (close associate of the Reddys). Until recently, it held close to 50 per cent equity in the project.

– An in-depth analysis of these investments shows that the finances were pumped in from tax havens like Singapore and Mauritius by companies registered in these countries by Private Equity (PE) funds, venture capitalists and hedge funds.

– A clique of investors, led by Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners, bought close to 49 per cent stake in power generation and engineering services firm Asian Genco for $425 million in 2010, the biggest private equity (PE) transaction in India in the power sector. The group of private equity (PE) investors in Asian Genco included US-based Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners, Everstone Capital, General Atlantic, Goldman Sachs Investment Management and Norwest Venture Partners, among others. Asian Genco, (which has the former power secretary of Delhi RV Shahi as a consultant) had earlier raised funds from other investors like power trading firm PTC and its finance offshoot, PTC Financial Services, besides global investors such as Tiger Global Management.

– In 2008, TUL took Rs 4,500 crore as a loan from a rural electrification corporation (REC) and a consortium of seven nationalised banks and parked the funds in Asian Genco. https://www.eastmojo.com/sikkim/2023/12/10/how-15-years-of-corruption-led-to-the-sikkim-disaster/  (10 Dec. 2023)

This article in defense of Chungthang dam may have number of inaccuracies. It says:

– In the wee hours of Wednesday the 4th October 2023, a Glacial Lake Outburst Flow (GLOF) of South Lonak lake at an elevation of 5200 metre, coupled with a cloud burst caused a sudden 19 metre high wave in the flow of Lachen Chu. (THE DISASTER STARTED AROUND 1030 PM ON OCT 3. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF CLOUD BURST, AS CLAIMED. EVEN CWC OFFICIALS HAVE DISCOUNTED THIS POSSIBILITY.)

– It is reported that the staff in-charge of operation of spillway gates tried to open the gates but before the gates could be opened, the flood water reached the operating location. (ARTICLE IS SILENT AT WHAT TIME THE GATE OPERATION EFFORTS WERE STARTED. THEY WERE CLEARLY VERY LATE AND SLOW.)

– Hence it did not contribute significantly to the peak flow. (AUTHOR EITHER DOES NOT KNOW OR WANTS TO MISLEAD ABOUT THE FACTS AND FIGURES ABOUT STORAGE AND ITS CONTRIBUTION & IMPACT.)

– However, as the spillway gates provided for the safe discharge of flood water could not be opened. (WHY? AUTHOR DOES NOT GO INTO THE DETAILS ON THIS CRUCIAL ISSUE.)

– Looking at the basic design of the dam, it provides sufficient flood discharge capacity. The total capacity of the dam complex (with the twin tunnels and the diversion tunnel) is to safely pass a flood discharge of 8028 cumec. This unfortunately could not be used because the spillway gates were not opened. In terms of design the dam cannot be faulted. Subject to estimations, it is felt that GLOF should be within this capacity of the spillway. (NO BASIS FOR THE GLOF ESTIMATE OR FOR THE SPILLWAY CAPACITY. BOTH SEEMS WRONG.)

– With global warming, outbursts of glacial lakes is a possibility. A designer designs for possible possibilities but designing for every possible possibility, would make the project unviable. While earlier the study of monsoon patterns could give some estimates of expected flood flows, the added dimension of melting glaciers makes such predictions very difficult. (THIS CONTRADICTS PREVIOUS STATEMENT. MOREOVER, IF THE PROJECT IS UNVIABLE WHY SHOULD IT BE BUILT. OR AT LEAST STATE THAT IN PROJECT DOCUMENT THAT IT IS UNVIABLE AND STILL BEING BUILT.)

– Was a dam break model study done? Were sufficient safeguards against seepage conducted? The photographs of the disaster show that the dam breached at its junction with the spillway part. It is likely that this location was under distress with abnormal seepage occuring. A special treatment as per designs (key wall, wraparound etc.) has to be provided at this junction. It appears that the treatment failed to provide sufficient resistance to the seepage.

Was there a standing operating procedure for spillway gates? Were observations on movements of glacial lakes made? Do different power projects communicate with each other? (ALL VALID POINTS) https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/the-sikkim-floods-in-defence-of-the-chungthang-dam-project/  (11 Dec. 2023)

The post disaster satellite photo shows the extent of damage upstream and downstream of the Chungthang Dam. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-67678440  (12 Dec. 2023)

Tiger sighted at 3,640 metres, highest point in India yet  “Based on the available evidence, it seems that tigers are using the upper areas of the sanctuary as a corridor to enter the forests of north Sikkim from Bhutan. Previous tiger sightings in the North Sikkim region indicate a potential link between the neighbouring Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary and Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary, suggesting the existence of a tiger corridor. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of tiger movement in the high-altitude region of the Sikkim Himalayas, further long-term intensive monitoring studies are required,” Singh said, adding that this could be a potential high-altitude tiger corridor.

-Himadri Sekhar, a scientist, said according to the available records, this is probably the highest altitude tiger sighting in India. “World’s highest altitude sighting of a tiger was in Bhutan as per information,” he added. As per reports, Bhutan has the highest altitude tigers in the world, at over 4,000 metres. In 2019, a tiger was caught on camera in Uttarakhand’s Kedarnath Sanctuary, at an altitude of 3,400m (around 11,154 ft) above mean sea level. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/tiger-sighted-at-3640-metres-highest-point-in-india-yet/articleshow/105868200.cms  (11 Dec. 2023)

Power Ministry Redrafting hydro power policy  The power ministry is reworking its planned hydro power policy in order to carve out a ₹4,000 crore grant for North-eastern states as a separate scheme, said two people aware of the developments. The initial draft included the grant for North-eastern states to take up equity in hydro projects and provide the required investment. The decision to revise the policy was taken after the PMO asked the ministry to come up with a pure play policy and roll out the incentive for North-eastern states as a separate scheme, said one of the two persons.

The Central Electricity Authority is working on the revised draft and is likely to release it soon. “Comments were received on the first draft. Earlier the scheme of giving assistance to North-eastern states was included in the policy. But the PMO suggested we draft a separate scheme for North-eastern states, and the policy should be a pure policy. Both the documents will be different. A draft is being prepared for the pure policy; CEA is working on it,” the person added.

The other person said the policy will include budgetary support for building infrastructure for hydro power projects, including roads and transmission lines. “The policy will deal with how to encourage hydro. There will be separate incentives,” he said. Queries mailed to the ministry of power and prime minister’s office remained unanswered at press time.  https://www.livemint.com/news/india/centre-redrafting-hydro-power-policy-11702395030114.html  (12 Dec. 2023)

Opinion Why India needs a new hydropower policy Rituraj Baruah  India currently has an installed capacity of 52 GW and another 18 GW is either under implementation or has been bid out. The government aims to take it to 78 GW by 2030. However, this fiscal, amid intermittent rains and the El Niño phenomenon, hydropower generation has been impacted. Union power minister R.K. Singh last week informed Parliament that there was a 14% fall in hydro generation in the first half of FY24 compared with the corresponding period of FY23 due to variable monsoon rain. Further, around 2 GW of hydro capacity is currently inoperative after floods in Sikkim.

The government did come up with a hydropower policy in March 2008 which talked about transparent selection procedure for awarding projects to private developers and allowing the project developer to recover the costs incurred in obtaining the hydropower project site. It allowed a special incentive for the developer by way of merchant sale of up 40% of the saleable energy. However, the segment has not grown as expected largely because of issues in land acquisition, and environmental clearance, among other reasons. The new policy would replace the existing one and possibly, plug the gaps.

The new policy may provide incentives for project developers and budgetary support for building infrastructure related to hydro projects, such as roads, bridges, and transmission lines. Currently, the developer not only has to develop enabling infrastructure, including roads and bridges for the construction of power projects, but also has to bear the expenditure that leads to an increase in project costs and therefore power tariff. The policy is expected bring about tariff rationalization. It may also incentivize pump hydro projects. https://www.livemint.com/politics/policy/mint-primer-why-india-needs-a-new-hydropower-policy-11702496651167.html  (14 Dec. 2023)

Arunachal Pradesh Work for DMP begins The NHPC has commenced work to establish the largest hydropower project in India in Lower Dibang Valley (LDV) district. As per reports, execution of the 2,880 MW Dibang Multipurpose Project (DMP) started in February 2023, and is anticipated to be completed by February 2032. The Rs 31,876.39-crore project is being designed and engineered through an international consultant (RCC Dam), Studio Pietrangeli – SMEC JV, Rome, Italy, including construction planning and monitoring.

Four experts from the design team had visited the site for seven days in August 2023. Another site visit was conducted by a team of geologists for 10 days in October 2023 for conducting geotechnical exploration of the site as well as of the construction materials. The initial overall planning report (final) was submitted by the NHPC on 30 September this year, while the draft technical specification was submitted on 7 November, and the tender design report was submitted on 9 December.

The construction agency claims that the reservoir created behind the dam will provide flood moderation benefits in the downstream, for which the reservoir will be kept 40.10 mtrs below FRL in the monsoon period. The backwater in the reservoir will travel up to a length of 41 kms in the Dibang river and its tributaries. The flood moderation will save erosion of agricultural land and damage to crops, and further save crores of rupees being spent on flood control measures by the government, as per the construction company.

The government of India has extended a grant of Rs 6,715.55 crore towards the project, which includes Rs 6,159.40 crore for flood moderation and Rs 556.15 crore for enabling infrastructure such as roads and bridges. https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2023/12/13/work-for-dibang-multipurpose-project-begins/  (13 Dec. 2023)

Jammu & Kashmir Speed up pace for timely completion of HEPs: CS  Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo today (Dec. 14) reviewed the harnessing of hydropower potential in the Union Territory (UT) through various agencies, addressing aspects of the Rehabilitation and Resettlement plan for Project Affected Families (PAFs). He sought details on civil and electromechanical works completed, urging a hastening of project execution to ensure timely completion.

The meeting disclosed that the completion of ongoing projects would add approximately 3043 MW by November 2026. Mega projects like Pakal Dul HEP (1000 MW), Kiru HEP (624 MW), Kwar HEP (540 MW), and Kirthai-II HEP (930 MW) on the Chenab basin were reviewed, along with smaller projects like Parnai HEP (38 MW), Karnah HEP (12 MW), New Ganderbal HEP (93 MW), and Lower Kalnai HEP (48 MW), slated for completion within two years.

Out of the 18000 MW hydropower potential, 15000 MW was identified on J&K river basins, with additional projects in the pipeline under DPR and feasibility study stages. In a subsequent meeting, Chief Secretary Dulloo addressed the Rehabilitation and Resettlement Plan for the 850 MW Ratle HEP, emphasizing suitable compensation for PAFs and those losing properties. http://risingkashmir.com/speed-up-pace-for-timely-completion-of-hydropower-projects-cs  (15 Dec. 2023)

Himachal Pradesh India, France in talks for increased cooperation on SHPs India’s ministry for new and renewable energy (MNRE) and France’s AFD are in talks to step up their cooperation on small hydropower projects, said Lise Breuil, the French development agency’s India Director.

– AFD has experience working on hydro projects in Himachal Pradesh. The agency provided €80 million in financial assistance to Himachal Pradesh Power Corp. Ltd for the development of hydropower plants. The project began in 2017. “The project aims to finance two run-of-river hydropower plants, Chanju III (48 MW) and Deothal Chanju (30 MW), located upstream from each other in the Chanju river basin. They will be built and operated by HPPCL,” AFD had announced. https://www.livemint.com/news/india-france-in-talks-for-increased-cooperation-on-small-hydro-projects-11702469399004.html  (13 Dec. 2023)

Uttarakhand Tiger spotted at 6,000 ft in Almora While tigers are occasionally spotted in the Mohan area of Almora, near Corbett Park, this is the first time they have been observed at an elevation of over 6,000 feet at Shaukiyathal, an area surrounded by dense forests of bamboo and rhododendrons near Jageshwar Dham. “The movement of tigers in the mountains is the result of climate change, availability of food and an increasing population of the big cat in Terai forests,” said Dr Dheeraj Pandey, Director, Jim Corbett National Park. Experts say in the last few years, the number of tigers in the state has increased. Uttarakhand now has over 570 tigers, making it the third-largest tiger population in the country. Corbett Park alone has about 270 tigers. https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2023/dec/13/tiger-spotted-at-6k-ft-in-almora-2640965.html  (13 Dec. 2023)

Report Energy storage cost at Rs 10.18 per kWh: Power Minister  The cost of battery storage of electricity has been discovered at Rs 10.18 per KWH in a recent competitive bidding by Solar Association of India for 500 MW/ 1000 MWH storage. The govt is to provide upto 40% of investment as VIability Gap Funding to bring down the cost, according to Union Power Minister.  https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/power/energy-storage-cost-at-rs-10-18-per-kwh-govt-plans-to-reduce-further-power-minister/105945977  (13 Dec. 2023)

Tripura Govt. to set up 5 PSPPs Lal Nath, the Power Minister has announced on Dec 14 2023 that NHPC has joined hands with the government’s ambitious initiative to establish five pumped power storage stations in North Tripura and Dhalai district with total 800 MW capacity.   https://www.indiatodayne.in/tripura/story/tripura-to-set-up-five-pumped-power-storage-nhpc-to-arrive-on-dec-16-power-minister-726520-2023-12-14  (14 Dec. 2023)

IRENA  Hydrogen energy clashes with water scarcity fears  According to an analysis report “Water for Hydrogen Production” by IRENA, released at COP28, 99% of India’s existing and planned green and blue hydrogren manufacturing facilities will face extreme water scarcity by 2040. https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/indias-quest-for-hydrogen-energy-clashes-with-water-scarcity-fears-report/105886870  (11 Dec. 2023)

Industry Hydraulic turbines market Hydraulic turbine is used to generate electricity using kinetic energy of falling water. Falling water on turbine creates mechanical energy, which is further converted into electrical energy through hydroelectric generator. Generally, hydraulic turbine is made of stainless-steel structure, which consists of one rotor with blades.

– On the basis of type, impulse turbine emerged as the market leader. This is attributed to rise in demand in small and medium sized hydropower plants, and chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Moreover, the efficiency of energy conversion from kinetic to mechanical energy is higher in case of impulse turbine than that of reaction turbine. On the basis of rating, the 10MW and above segment accounted for the highest revenue share in 2019. As initial installation and infrastructure cost is high for hydraulic turbines, it is not used for small scale applications. https://www.whatech.com/og/markets-research/energy/765094-hydraulic-turbines-market-investigated-in-the-latest-research  (11 Dec. 2023)

MoEF Relevant decisions of FAC meeting held on Nov 29 2023:

1. Diversion of 73.94 ha forest land for Kareghat Minor Irrigation Tank at Kareghat, Tal. Nawapur, Dist Nandurbar, Mah: Deferred for site inspection.

2. Diversion of of 211.8427 ha. of forest land for 500 MW Dugar Hyrdo Electric Project of NHPC Ltd. under Pangi Forest Division and Chamba District of Himachal Pradesh: Deferred. Impact and feasibility assessment to be done by Wadia Inst of Geology and other issues.

3. Diversion of 150 ha of forest land for Mining of minor Minerals from KosiDabka part 2 river from reserved forest of Uttarakhand Van Vikas Nigam, Khanan Prabhag, Ramnagar under Tarai West, Ramnagar Forest Division and Dist Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand: The CB ratio in this proposal is 3.50:1 which shows that the proposal is not beneficial. the Ministry had extended the validity of the proposal for collection of minor minerals from Gaula, Kosi, Dabka and Sharda River subject to the compliance of the certain conditions within 3 months of time. However, the State has not submitted any information/compliance in this regard. In view of the nonsubmission of the compliance report of the previous approval granted to the UKFDC and non-beneficial nature of the proposal (wrt CB ratio) the Committee recommended that the instant proposal may not be acceded to in the present proposition. https://forestsclearance.nic.in/writereaddata/FAC_Minutes/1211812271210112118121712101ApprovedACMoM.pdf 

Relevant agenda for FAC committee meeting to be held on Dec 15 2023: – Diversion of 73.94 ha for forest land in Maharashtra for CONSTG. M.I.TANK AT KAREGHAT, Nandurbar. https://forestsclearance.nic.in/AgendaDetail.aspx?id=296!dis1

DAMS

SANDRP Blog  Why India needs Dam Decommissioning policy & program  Dams are not natural solutions. The climate scientists are telling us to look for nature based developmental path and solutions. The world and India are facing multiple interconnected crises, from climate change, to injustice, to the loss of rivers, nature and biodiversity and increasing disasters. Rivers flow through these challenges, and river restoration can be a powerful nature based solution. Restored, free flowing rivers are also required for cultural needs, livelihoods and life in general.

India thus urgently needs a policy, plan and program for dams decommissioning dams, considering the increasing stock of old, unsafe and unwanted dams and also increasing risks that we face from such dams. The changing climate is making this need even more urgent. https://sandrp.in/2023/12/15/why-india-needs-dam-decommissioning-policy-and-program/  (15 Dec. 2023)

Dams Decommissioning going up globally All large dams have finite life. What happens to the dams once the useful life of a dam is over? It would need to be decommissioned. Decommissioning of a dam generally refers to[i] complete removal of the dam and its associated structures. This is a very relevant question for India as the third largest dam builder of the world. It becomes even more important as large dams are no longer required or are no longer viable and importance of a flowing river is increasingly appreciated. It needs to be kept in mind that a dam cannot be allowed to remain on the river, without proper maintenance, as such a dam would remain a huge safety hazard for society and economy downstream from the dam. https://sandrp.in/2023/12/13/dams-decommissioning-going-up-globally/  (13 Dec. 2023)

दुनिया भर में बांधों को हटाने में वृद्धि  सभी बड़े बांधों की उम्र सीमित होती है। क्या आपने कभी सोचा है कि एक बार बांध का उपयोगी जीवन समाप्त होने पर उसका क्या होता है? इसे हटाना होता है जिसे डीकमीशनिंग कहते हैं। डीकमीशनिंग का मतलब बांध और उससे जुड़ी संरचनाओं को पूरी तरह हटाने से है। दुनिया के तीसरे सबसे बड़े बांध निर्माता के रूप में भारत के लिए यह एक बहुत ही प्रासंगिक सवाल है। यह मुद्दा इसलिए और भी अधिक महत्वपूर्ण हो गया है क्योंकि अब बड़े बांध न तो आवश्यक है और न ही व्यावहारिक। इसके अलावा अब बहती नदियों के महत्व को तेज़ी से सराहा जा रहा है। यह ध्यान में रखना ज़रूरी है कि किसी बांध को बिना उचित रखरखाव के नदी पर बने रहने की अनुमति नहीं दी जा सकती है। इससे बांध के नीचे की ओर रहने वाले समुदाय और अर्थव्यवस्था के लिए खतरा बना रहता है। https://shorturl.at/dmtBS  (16 Dec. 2023)

भारत में बांध हटाने की नीति व कार्यक्रम की आवश्यकता  भारत में पुराने, असुरक्षित और अवांछित बांधों के बढ़ते जखीरे से हमारे सामने आने वाले बढ़ते जोखिमों को देखते हुए तत्काल बांधों को हटाने के लिए एक नीति, योजना और कार्यक्रम की आवश्यकता है। जलवायु परिवर्तन इस ज़रूरत को और भी आवश्यक बना रहा है। https://shorturl.at/tuDNW  (17 Dec. 2023)

Kaleshwaram Project Probe ordered into sinking of Medigadda barrage pillars The newly-formed government on Dec 11 2023 has ordered a comprehensive probe into the alleged sinking of pillars of Medigadda barrage of Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project on Godavari river. A decision to this effect was taken during a high-level official meeting convened by state irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy.  https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/telangana-govt-orders-probe-into-sinking-of-pillars-of-kaleshwaram-barrage-101702324552331.html  (12 Dec. 2023)  The probe will be reportedly done by a sitting judge into the sinking of piers of Medigadda barrage, water leakage at Annaram barrage and ‘inferior quality’ works of the Kaleshwaram project.  https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/revanth-orders-judicial-inquiry-into-sinking-of-medigadda-barrage-piers/articleshow/106055065.cms  (17 Dec. 2023)

Medigadda repair to take 6 months, cost 300 crore  The irrigation department has estimated that 300 crore would be required for complete restoration of Medigadda barrage, while the restoration works are set to take at least six months. Officials of the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) are expected to visit the barrage once again.  https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/medigadda-repair-to-take-6-months-cost-300-crore/articleshow/106036705.cms  (16 Dec. 2023)

L&T says can’t work for free  Construction major Larsen & Toubro, which built the structure, informed the irrigation department that it cannot take up rectification works for free. This is contrary to claim of BRS irrigation department earlier. Construction of coffer dam alone will cost above Rs 50 Cr. The estimate of the cost of repair can be made only after the area around the damaged area is completely dewatered, but it  is likely to be between 300 to 500 Cr.

– The company, in its letter to the irrigation department on December 2, is reported to have made it clear that it cannot be held liable for the damage to the pier as its period of contract for defect liability had ended in March 2023. According to sources, L&T was issued a letter of completion of works to the satisfaction of the irrigation department on March 15, 2021 after which the two-year defect liability period of the company kicked into effect, which ended on March 14, this year. With this being the status, the company reportedly made it clear that it cannot pay for the repairs.

– The sources also said it was surprising that the department chose to issue the completion certificate, particularly after the aprons at the Medigadda barrage were damaged after the 2019 floods to Godavari after which the irrigation department failed to ask L&T to take up repairs. “This being the case, the irrigation department should not have issued the completion certificate,” the sources said.  https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/171223/medigadda-returns-to-haunt-brs-company-says-cant-work-for-free.html   (17 Dec. 2023)

Is L&T escaping from responsibility?  Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) senior president G. Niranjan alleged that there was a conspiracy behind the letter of L&T company evading its responsibility from reconstruction of the Medigadda barrage, where some pillars caved in. At a press conference here on Saturday (Dec. 16), he wondered whether there was a change in the L&T company policy because of a change in the government? The company that issued a statement earlier that it would take up the repair works and bears the costs of it is now insisting for subsidiary agreement to take up works.  https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/is-lt-escaping-from-responsibility-on-medigadda-mishap-due-to-pressure-from-brs-govt-congress/article67645355.ece  (16 Dec. 2023)

Isolation of affected piers underway for expert study  The irrigation department is constructing a cofferdam at the Medigadda barrage to pave the way for a comprehensive study of pier numbers 19 and 20, which sunk on October 21. While the cofferdam would prevent the water flow, irrigation officials are also constructing an approach pathway for experts to reach the affected portion of the piers. “We have started the construction of cofferdam a fortnight ago to drain out water from the affected piers. The move is aimed at conducting a detailed study of the piers 20 and 19,” said engineer-in-chief (irrigation) Nalla Venkateswarlu.

– During the incident in October, supervising engineers noticed that pier number 20 had sunk by up to four metres while pier number 19 had sunk by two-and-a-half metres, having a cascading effect on half a dozen adjoining piers as well. The piers stopped sinking three days after the water was drained out. https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/121223/isolation-of-affected-piers-at-medigadda-barrage-underway-for-expert-s.html  (12 Dec. 2023)

Maharashtra  Live storage in dams dwindles to 65% of capacity Water expert Himanshu Thakkar, who is also the coordinator of the SANDRP, said, “The impact of El Nino may worsen the summer of 2024 as compared to this year, leading to increased water demand. Additionally, there is a likelihood of greater losses in surface water next year due to higher temperatures leading to increased evaporation. In contrast, groundwater losses would be minimal in such a scenario, as aquifers are located underground. Therefore, it is imperative to focus on preserving groundwater on a significant scale by maximizing the conversion of rainfall into groundwater. This approach will help us navigate through any potential water scarcity issues in the future.” https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/live-storage-in-maha-dams-dwindles-to-65-of-capacity/articleshow/105945778.cms  (13 Dec. 2023)

Himachal Pradesh  Despite HC directive, no let up in illegal muck dumping Illegal muck-dumping continues at various spots along the Chandigarh-Manali highway in Bilaspur district, despite the Himachal high court directing the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) not to allow it.

– According to Fourlane Visthapit and Prabahavit Samiti (FVPS), a Bilaspur-based organisation that works for people displaced by highway projects, there are more than 10 spots in the district where fresh muck-dumping is currently on. As per the FVPS, which has also complained to the district administration and sent photographs as evidence, illegal muck-dumping is going on in the Naina Devi, Jhanduta and Ghumarwin tehsils of Bilaspur. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/shimla/despite-hc-directive-no-let-up-in-illegal-muck-dumping/articleshow/105888608.cms  (11 Dec. 2023)

Odisha Ash pond breach destroys cropland; causes pollution in Hirakud Dam  The collapse of an ash pond in a thermal power plant run by the state-owned Odisha Power Generation Corporation (OPGC) in the state’s Jharsuguda district has destroyed crops and polluted the Hirakud Dam reservoir. A breach in the pond’s dyke at Banharpali village in the district caused its dam to collapse on the morning of December 9, 2023. Slurry from the pond flowed into paddy fields spread across 150 acres of land, villagers of Sardhapali and Kantatikira said.

– However, officially, there are around 15 ash ponds of different industries in Jharsuguda district. Besides, there are also over 100 illegal ash ponds in the name of ‘low land fillings’. Breaches keep occurring in these ash ponds beyond the public glare and constantly pollute the rivers that merge with the Hirakud Dam reservoir. No penalty is paid for these. On December 7, 2023, the tehsildar (revenue official) of Jharsuguda has sent a reminder to the Vedanta authorities, directing them to deposit dues amounting Rs 20.11 lakh for the loss of government revenue due to deposit of slurry over a riverbed because of the collapse of its Katikela ash pond in 2017. https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/pollution/ash-pond-breach-in-odisha-s-jharsuguda-destroys-cropland-causes-pollution-in-hirakud-dam-93315  (11 Dec. 2023)

Rajasthan Dilip Buildcon bags ₹397-cr dam project in Udaipur  Highways builder Dilip Buildcon Ltd (DBL) on Monday (October 9) said the company received the letter of acceptance (LoA) and signed the agreement for a new project in Udaipur. The project, titled ‘Planning, Design, and Construction of Dewas III and IV Dams in Tehsil-Gogunda, Udaipur District,’ is to be executed on an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) single-responsibility turnkey basis, including a 10-year operations and maintenance (O&M) period. The project, with a total estimated cost of ₹396.93 crore, is slated to be completed within 44 months from the commencement of work, the construction engineering company said in a regulatory filing.  https://www.cnbctv18.com/business/companies/infrastructure-company-dilip-buildcon-bags-rs-397-crore-dam-project-in-udaipur-17996401.htm  (09 Oct. 2023)

INTERLINKING OF RIVERS

NWDA Basin states to meet on river linking project The National Water Development Authority (NWDA) is gearing up to convene a crucial meeting with the Godavari basin states this week to finalise the roadmap for the Godavari-Krishna-Pennar link project.

The NWDA has proposed to divert 247 tmc ft of water from the Godavari during the flood season from Inchampalli (Telangana) to Krishna (Nagarjuna Sagar) and take the water to Pennar basin (Somasila project) and from there to Cauvery basin. It wants to take at least 2.2 tmc ft of water per day between June and October to finish the task. Interestingly, NWDA wants to take 141 tmc ft of water from unutilised water from Chhattisgarh quota and remaining 106 tmc ft found as surplus water.

The previous state government in Chhattisgarh refused to give permission to divert its quota of water saying that it would require it for future and proposed projects.

NWDA authorities and the task force chairman of the Godavari-Krishna-Pennar-Cauvery Vedire Sriram held several rounds of discussions with Chhattisgarh officials to convince them to take the project ahead. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/nwda-godavari-basin-states-to-meet-on-river-linking-project/articleshow/105946429.cms  (13 Dec. 2023)

INTERSTATE WATER DISPUTES

Krishna Water Disputes Dispute refuses to die down  The dispute over the sharing of the Krishna river waters between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana had come to the fore once again in the early hours of November 30, the day the neighbouring State went to the polls, when the Government of Andhra Pradesh took control of its “legitimate territory” at the Nagarjuna Sagar Project (NSP) site. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/dispute-over-sharing-of-krishna-waters-between-andhra-pradesh-and-telangana-refuses-to-die-down/article67614621.ece  (07 Dec. 2023)

About 400 cops from AP police along with state irrigation officials barged into the dam around 1am on Thursday (Nov. 30), stunning the poll-primed Telangana police and taking control of half its 36 gates. When Telangana officials and some cops from Nalgonda arrived at the dam, an argument with AP officials ensued. But when AP officials insisted that they were discharging duties on the directions of their government, the Telangana officials returned.

AP officials were also not allegedly allowing vehicles from Telangana unless they showed Aadhaar cards with state addresses. Telangana officials said a similar attempt was made by AP three years ago but it was thwarted. “Our information is that the AP government is releasing 10,000 cusecs of water. They have provided separate power lines for regulator gates. This means AP has been planning this for the past few weeks. They even damaged CCTV cameras as well as an automated entry gate at the dam,” said a senior official of CM KCR’s office.  https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/in-midnight-operation-before-telangana-polls-andhra-pradesh-takes-over-half-of-dam/articleshow/105639490.cms  (01 Dec. 2023)

RIVERS AS NATIONAL WATERWAYS

Uttar Pradesh IWA to start waterway services soon: CM Yogi Adityanath on Friday (Dec. 15) said the Inland Water Authority formed by the state government to start inland waterway services in rivers like Rapti, Sarayu, Ganga and Yamuna is expected to boost cruise services and generate employment on a large scale. After inaugurating the Queen Lake Cruise at Ramgarh Tal Lake here, the chief minister said the development of tourism facilities in the state is being carried out in line with PM Modi’s vision. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/lucknow/yogi-adityanath-inland-water-authority-to-start-waterway-services-soon-9070320/  (16 Dec. 2023)

URBAN RIVERS

Musi; Hyderabad A few members of Hyderabad Cycling Revolution and environmental enthusiasts on Tuesday (Dec. 12) organised a walk around the river and urged the government to take up cleaning up works at Musi and also to protect other water bodies in the city.

https://www.thehansindia.com/news/cities/hyderabad/hyderabad-environmental-enthusiasts-urge-cleansing-of-water-bodies-in-city-843996  (13 Dec. 2023)

RIVERS

COP28 Initiative to restore degraded rivers, wetlands  Indian govt has not joined the initiative: 38 countries today (Dec. 10) joined the Freshwater Challenge – the world’s largest initiative to restore degraded rivers, lakes and wetlands and to protect vital freshwater ecosystems. The countries from Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, and the Pacific were unveiled at a high level event with 15 Ministers hosted by the COP28 Presidency. They joined the six countries that launched the initiative at the UN 2023 Water Conference in New York – Colombia, DR Congo, Ecuador, Gabon, Mexico and Zambia.

The champions and new members – including Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Canada, Chad, Chile, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Fiji, France, Finland, Gambia, Germany, Iraq, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, Niger, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Republic of Congo, Senegal, Slovenia, Spain, Tajikistan, Tanzania, UAE, Uganda, UK, USA and Zimbabwe – contain over 30% of the world’s renewable freshwater resources and are home to almost 2 billion people.

The Freshwater Challenge aims to ensure 300,000km of degraded rivers – equivalent to more than seven times around the Earth – and 350 million hectares of degraded wetlands, an area larger than India, are committed to restoration by 2030, as well as conserve intact ecosystems.  https://www.wetlands.org/big-boost-to-climate-action-as-over-30-countries-join-the-worlds-largest-freshwater-restoration-and-protection-initiative/  (10 Dec. 2023)

Karnataka 16 rivers highly polluted As per the statement of Forest and Environment Minister Eshwara Khandre during the winter session major rivers in Karnataka, including Arkavati, Lakshmana Tirtha, Tungabhadra, Bhadra, Tunga, Kaveri, Kabini, Kagina, Krishna, Shinsha, Bhima and Netravati had already found their names on the dreaded list of polluted water bodies. The root of the problem, as identified by Khandre, lay in the discharge of waste from 30 cities and towns directly into these rivers. The sheer volume of sewage entering the water bodies necessitated urgent action. In response, the government set the wheels in motion to establish 24 STP strategically placed to purify the contaminated water. These STPs aimed to tackle the pollution at its source, preventing further degradation of the rivers.

“The water quality of 30 rivers in Karnataka was monitored at 107 locations during the years 2019 and 2021, out of which 41 locations on 17 rivers were found to be non-compliant with the prescribed water quality criteria with respect to BOD,” according to the CPCB report.  The maximum numbe rof polluted river stretches are in Maharashtra (55), followed by Madhya Pradesh (19), Bihar and Kerala (18 each), and Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh (17 each). Even though the report on water quality is dated, it continues to instill fear among the public due to persistent concerns regarding water quality, according to a senior official from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB). https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/pollution/shocking-revelation-by-environment-minister-16-rivers-in-karnataka-polluted-93383  (14 Dec. 2023)

BRAHMAPUTRA Arunachal Pradesh Polluting our rivers  M Panging Pao Like Punjab, Arunachal Pradesh was formed initially with five districts… all named after rivers – the Kameng, Subansiri, Siang, Lohit and Tirap. Later, more districts were added, named after rivers like the Dibang, Kurung Kumey, Papum Pare, Shi-Yomi, etc. Rivers and the supporting ecosystem have provided food, water and, in a few cases, protection from hostile attackers to native Arunachalis for centuries. However, most of our rivers in towns and cities are polluted and dirty.  https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2023/12/17/polluting-our-rivers/  (17 Dec. 2023)

Assam Water quality worsens after immersion of Durga idols  The preliminary assessment of water quality by the Pollution Control Board of Assam (PCBA) following immersion of Durga idols revealed that the amount of biochemical oxygen demand in the water for aquatic life has increased, raising concern among conservationists.

The PCBA collected water samples from eight ghats – Pandu Port, Kachamari, Chunsali and Majar-Bahaghat in the Brahmaputra river while Basistha and Saukuchi ghat of Basistha river, Sonapur ghat of the Digaru river and Digarughat of Kolong river on October 10 for pre-puja analysis and on October 24, the day of immersion. Digaru and Kolong are tributaries of the Brahmaputra while Basistha is a rivulet.  https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/water-quality-worsens-after-immersion-of-durga-idols/articleshow/104840546.cms  (31 Oct. 2023)

NARMADA Madhya Pradesh  Villagers protest against Gariya nullah pollution The SPCB on Saturday (Dec. 16) collected soil and water samples from various places in Meghnagar to confirm the extent of chemical contamination in them, allegedly discharged from the local factories. These samples will provide crucial insights into the potential risks posed by chemical contamination and help in formulating effective remediation strategies.

Earlier, scores of villagers from Meghnagar and its adjoining villages staged a road blockade in protest following the death of one antelope near Gariya Nallah on December 9. Villagers claimed that this antelope died after consuming toxic water flowing into Gariya Nallah. The villagers demanded immediate action from the authorities to prevent further contamination of the water source.

Notably, the water flowing in Garia Nullah later meets the same Anas River; the villagers have accused this polluted water of being acidic. This suggests that the pollution in Garia Nullah is indeed affecting the quality of drinking water supplied to Meghnagar, as claimed by the villagers. There have been allegations of water pollution from factories in Meghnagar for a long time, due to which violent protests have taken place here several times. The polluted water from chemical factories has raised concerns about public health, affecting water sources like the Anas River.  https://www.freepressjournal.in/indore/mp-pcb-swings-into-action-collects-soil-water-samples-for-test-to-probe-alleged-discharge-of-hazardous-chemicals-from-factories  (16 Dec. 2023)

SUTLEJ Himachal Pradesh Kasauli distillery dumps effluents into water source, supply affected In utter disregard for the environment, Mohan Meakin Private Limited’s Kasauli-based plant allegedly dumped effluents into a natural source of water in the Kasauli khud on Wednesday (Dec. 13) night. The effluents from the distillery polluted the water source, which developed a pungent odour of fermentation, besides froth. The Larah lift water supply scheme, which feeds around 2,000 people of two gram panchayats, was adversely hit as lifting of water has been put on hold since Wednesday night. The residents have no other source of drawing drinking water.

This is the second time this year that the plant staff have dumped effluents into this natural source of water. In January too, the plant had dumped effluents and had remained closed for 10 days. A complaint has been submitted to the SDM, Kasauli, the DSP, Parwanoo, the Deputy Commissioner, Solan, and the SHO, Kasauli, for action against the unit management.  The Larah lift water supply scheme is located in the Kasauli khud while the Mohan Meakin plant is located upstream. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/kasauli-distillery-dumps-effluents-into-water-source-supply-affected-572276  (16 Dec. 2023)

Palampur-Mandi highway widening restricted to 2 lanes  Earlier, the NHAI was expected to construct four lanes up to Mandi. However, the NHAI, after a meeting between CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Union Surface and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, has agreed to Sukhu’s request. It has awarded the work for one package of 22 km between Padhar and Bijni for Rs 400 crore to a private company for the construction of a two-lane highway. As per NHAI sources, phases III, IV and V of the project have now been restricted to two lanes instead of four lanes between Palampur and Mandi.

-A senior officer of the NHAI, while talking to The Tribune, says after the recent flash floods, the NHAI suffered heavy damages to its highways in the state. Therefore, there the road project has been curtailed to two lanes in high mountain areas to avoid environmental degradation and cutting of hills, as the entire stretch is dotted with high mountains which are prone to landslides during monsoons. Besides, as per the reports procured by the NHAI, the volume of traffic on this stretch is also low, which was not the qualifying standard for a four-lane road project. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/palampur-mandi-highway-widening-restricted-to-2-lanes-570786  (11 Dec. 2023)

GANGA Uttar Pradesh Meds found floating in Ganga during Kartik Purnima Mela  Devotees gathered for Ganga snan during Kartik Purnima Mela were shocked to find large quantities of medicines floating on the river. A video of the incident at Mandu Ghat in Bulandshahr was widely circulated on social media on Saturday (Nov. 25). Arvind Kumar (32), a resident of Anupshahar who had come with his family and fellow villagers for the holy dip, said, “We were taken aback to find packaged medicines and syrup bottles strewn across the Ganga riverbanks. These appeared to be government-supplied medicines and vaccines. We immediately alerted local police.”

Another resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed these medicines were discarded from a nearby Combined Health Centre. However, health officials declined to comment on these allegations, stating an investigation is under way. Despite special efforts by the district administration to clean the Ghats ahead of the Kartik Purnima Ganga Snan Mela, the discarded medicines in such large quantities shows negligence on the part of authorities or individuals involved.  https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/meds-found-floating-in-ganga-during-kartik-purnima-mela/articleshow/105508521.cms  (26 Nov. 2023)

Bihar Ganga ‘flows’ to Nawada   CM Nitish Kumar on Friday (Dec. 15) inaugurated the Ganga water supply scheme (GWSS) for Nawada town after formally switching on the water treatment plant at Paura village in the district. Kumar inaugurated the first segment of the GWSS in Gaya and Rajgir last year” in phase-1 of the project that cost around ₹4,100 crore.  The total length of the pipeline installed to supply Ganga water to the three towns of the state is 190.90km. Under the scheme, Nawada is the fourth town to get supply of water from the river after Rajgir, Gaya and Bodh Gaya.

The water is lifted from the river Ganga at Maranchi village near Hathidah and taken to Motnaje reservoir through 91-km-long pipe. About 20-km-long pipe was laid from Motnaje reservoir to water treatment plant at Paura village, from where water is supplied through taps in 17 wards of Nawada town. People in Gaya and Bodh Gaya have been getting the supply from Tetar reservoir, which is filled up through pipes from main reservoir at Motnaje. Water is supplied through taps in Gaya and Bodh Gaya after its treatment at Manpur treatment plant, while Rajgir’s natives get potable water after its treatment at Motnaje plant.

The ambitious Gangajal water supply scheme was approved in a special cabinet meeting held in Gaya in December 2019. Water from the river Ganga is transported from Hathidah to Rajgir, Gaya, Bodh Gaya and Nawada through 11 powerful pumps. Ganga water will also be supplied for animals and plants in the Nature Safari and Zoo Safari at Rajgir.  https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/patna-news/ganga-flows-to-nawada-101702655254986.html  (15 Dec. 2023)

Study Quantitative delineation of water sources in Ganga using stable water isotopes Abstract: -Quantitative delineation of water sources in a large river system is essential for the sustainable use of water. In the present study, we have tested two different methodologies to estimate the contribution from different water sources in the river Ganga. The first model uses stable isotopes and physicochemical parameters of water to delineate the contribution of glacier-melt, groundwater, and surface runoff in different stretches of the river Ganga. The end member-based mixing model provides glacier-melt contribution of ~31.2%, ~5.5%, and ~0.5% in the upper, middle, and lower stretch of the river Ganga. The model showed maximum contribution from groundwater (~66.3%) in the middle stretch and surface runoff (~57.2%) in the lower stretch of the river Ganga.

However, the uncertainties in the estimates from the three-component mixing model were significantly high due to temporal variability in the end member values. To provide estimates with lower uncertainty, an alternate method (discharge dependent budget estimation [DDBE]) has been proposed which delineates the contribution of groundwater and surface runoff in small segments of the river. The DDBE model confines the calculation for budget estimates to smaller segments of the river and hence leads to lower uncertainties in the results, providing improved systematic estimation of water budget for large river systems. In the present study, estimates from the DDBE (discharge dependent budget estimation) model suggest that groundwater contributes ~79% of the additional water whereas the contribution from surface runoff is ~21% in the middle and lower stretch of the river Ganga. The DDBE model was successfully applied in 5 small segments along the stretch of the river Ganga and the methodology used shows great potential for systematic delineation of water sources in large river system. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/rra.4230  (12 Dec. 2023)

Interview Doms of Varanasi: Untouchable cremators of the dead  Without their fire, the dead can’t attain moksha, yet, the living shrink from their touch. They are pushed outside the city, forced to live in an unsanitary ghetto, deprived of govt benefits and not given a chance to free themselves from their place at the bottom of the caste system. ‘Fire On the Ganges’, journalist Radhika Iyengar’s debut book, reported over eight years, captures the lives of the Doms who, for generations, have cremated the dead on Manikarnika and Harishchandra ghats in Varanasi, constituency of PM Modi. https://article-14.com/post/-the-simple-act-of-having-chai-together-broke-an-invisible-barrier-a-new-book-on-the-untouchable-cremators-of-the-dead–657bbaa789e9c  (14 Dec. 2023)

YAMUNA Delhi 10 stations for real-time data on river health Even as freshwater flow in Yamuna reduces in Delhi, seems like new distraction is offered. Delhi Pollution Control Committee will install 10 online continuous monitoring stations (OLMS) on the Yamuna to collect real-time data on water quality. Currently, water samples are collected manually and analysed once a month. DPCC plans to procure a mobile laboratory van to monitor water samples at various locations.  https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/10-stations-for-real-time-data-on-river-health/articleshow/106073086.cms  (18 Dec. 2023)

RIVERS BIODIVERSITY

Report GW pumping threatens underground species Globally, we pump almost 1,000 cubic kilometres of this ancient water each year. We’re using it far faster than it can naturally replenish About a third of the world’s largest groundwater basins are in distress, meaning levels are continuously declining.

That’s bad news for the thousands of species living down there, including the cavefish, blind eels, blind beetles and translucent crustaceans that rely on groundwater. There’s little to no protection in place for these species globally. But groundwater ecosystems play a vital role in surface ecosystems. https://theconversation.com/we-rely-heavily-on-groundwater-but-pumping-too-much-threatens-thousands-of-underground-species-218919  (12 Dec. 2023)

What are freshwater rock pools & who lives in them? Freshwater rock pools originate as depressions formed as a result of weathering of parent rocks which then fill with water. Since this habitat is only beginning to be studied in detail, species new to science are being discovered in them now and will continue to do so for some years to come.

Ecologist Aparna Watve, who studies rock outcrops which host rock pools, bats for awareness and sensitisation about maintaining freshwater rock pools, giving higher conservation priority to sites that have rock pools and ensuring that conservation management plans emphasise protecting, managing and, if needed, restoring rock pools. https://india.mongabay.com/2023/12/explainer-what-are-freshwater-rock-pools-and-who-lives-in-them/  (12 Dec. 2023)

Uttar Pradesh DRI rescues 436 baby turtles Acting on the basis of specific intelligence developed by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Zonal Unit Lucknow seized 436 baby Indian Tent Turtles from a person illegally transporting them interstate on Tuesday. According to an official statement, the person had received the consignment of baby Gangetic turtles in Kanpur and was transporting them to West Bengal through Varanasi by road in a bus for further supply in the grey market. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/dri-rescues-436-baby-turtles-571413  (13 Dec. 2023)

FISH, FISHERIES, FISHERFOLKS

IUCN Freshwater fish highlight escalating climate impacts on species  -State of the world’s freshwater fish species: -Today’s update completes the first comprehensive assessment of the world’s freshwater fish species, revealing that 25% (3,086 out of 14,898 assessed species) are at risk of extinction. At least 17% of threatened freshwater fish species are affected by climate change, including decreasing water levels, rising sea levels causing seawater to move up rivers, and shifting seasons.

This compounds threats from pollution, which impacts 57% of freshwater fish species at risk of extinction, dams and water extraction, which affect 45%, overfishing, which threatens 25%, and invasive species and disease, which harm 33%. For example, the large-toothed Lake Turkana robber (Brycinus ferox) – an economically important species in Kenya – has moved from Least Concern to Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, due to overfishing, climate-change driven habitat degradation and dams reducing freshwater entering the lake. https://www.iucn.org/press-release/202312/freshwater-fish-highlight-escalating-climate-impacts-species-iucn-red-list  (11 Dec. 2023)

Kerala 4 freshwater fish species face risk of extinction Four freshwater fish from Kerala are among the thirty-six species from India that were included for the first time in IUCN’s Red List, updated on December 11. Inclusion in the list signals that these species are now endangered or face the risk of extinction unless measures are taken to prevent it.

“The four are subterranean fish species (found in water bodies under the surface). They are Kryptoglanis Shajii, Horaglanis Abdulkalami, Pangio Bhujia and Aenigmachanna Gollum. While the first three are categorised as endangered, Aenigmachanna Gollum (snakehead Gollum) is in the vulnerable category,” said Dr Rajeev Raghavan, assistant professor of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), Kochi. According to the fisheries scientist, this is particularly worrying given how there are only 13 subterranean fish species in Kerala. A quarter of them are already on the list!

“Interestingly, Gollum snakehead is one of the two freshwater fish species considered protected in India — since the amendment of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act last year. Sadly, not many people are aware of this. Even the forest department, usually tasked with enforcing protection laws, is not clued in about this development,” Dr Rajeev said. What further compounds the situation is that unlike river and marine fish, subterranean fish live in people-dominated areas. “Groundwater extraction poses a big threat to these fishes. So they stand at the risk of faster extermination than others,” the scientist said. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2023/dec/13/scientists-worried-as-four-freshwater-fish-species-in-keralaface-risk-of-extinction-2640960.html  (13 Dec. 2023)

Maharashtra Govt declares silver pomfret as official state fish The state govt has on Dec 11 2023 officially declared the silver pomfret as the “state fish, signaling a commitment to its conservation and protection. The decision, announced by the minister for fisheries, Sudhir Mungantiwar, came in response to concerns raised by legislators Ramesh Patil (BJP) and Jayant Patil (PWP) regarding the declining numbers of silver pomfret in the region. The state issued a govt resolution (GR) designating the silver pomfret as the state fish and outlined measures to combat juvenile fishing. “This step will aid in preventing the fishing of undersized pomfret, contributing to the growth of mature pomfret,” he emphasised. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/maharashtra-declares-silver-pomfret-as-official-state-fish-101702321009678.html  (12 Dec. 2023)

SAND MINING

Bihar Mining inspector among six injured in sand mafia attack An inspector of the mines department and five home guard jawans were seriously injured allegedly after being attacked by a gang of sand mafias during a joint raid in Kishanganj district, police said on December 9. Following the incident, a case has been registered against 21 people involved in the attack and attempts are being made to arrest them, they said.

According to police, the incident took place at around 3 p.m. on Wednesday (Dec. 06) when a joint team of the mines department and home guard jawans reached the site after receiving a complaint about the illegal lifting of sand. Following the information, a team of mining department officials from Kishanganj rushed to the spot. Seeing the team arriving, the sand mafias fled from the spot, leaving behind their tractor trolley. However, the suspects returned and attacked the team with sticks and pelted stones. The attackers escaped from the scene by the time the local police reached the spot and the injured officials were taken to the Kishanganj district hospital for treatment, the police said.

According to FIR, the accused used to take out sand illegally from Chamrani Balughat of Mahananda river and stock it in Matia Bhitha village. Majbool Rahman, a resident of Naya Chowk Ganjabari village, maintained the stock of sand and would sell it in the market at a higher price, police said. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/mining-inspector-among-six-injured-in-sand-mafia-attack-in-bihars-kishanganj-21-booked/article67620810.ece  (09 Dec. 2023)

Uttar Pradesh SDM accused of torturing man for case against sand mafia A resident of Musran in Hathras has alleged that he was subjected to brutal beatings by the Hathras SDM and the tehsildar after he filed a complaint against illegal sand mining during a Janata Darshan programme on Friday (Dec. 08). After Nakul Chaudhry, 22, posted a video on social media, which purportedly shows injury marks on his body following the alleged beating by SDM Ravendra Kumar, the Hathras DM Archana Verma announced an investigation. Hathras SP Nipun Agrawal, while confirming that police had received a complaint by Nakul’s father Ravindra Kumar, has assured swift action. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/sdm-accused-of-torturing-man-for-case-against-up-sand-mafia/articleshow/105945558.cms  (13 Dec. 2023)

बुलंदशहर जहांगीराबाद थाना क्षेत्र के चांदौक दोराहे के पास रविवार (Nov. 26) की सुबह बालू रेत और डस्ट से भरे दो ट्रकों की भिंड़त हो गई। हादसे में ट्रक इस कदर क्षतिग्रस्त हो गए कि चालक और क्लीनर को निकालने में तीन घंटे तक रेस्क्यू चला। हादसे में एक की मौत हो गई, जबकि दो लोग घायल हो गए। घायलों को जिला अस्पताल में भर्ती कराया गया है। पुलिस के मुताबिक रविवार की सुबह अनूपशहर बुलंदशहर मार्ग पर स्थित चांदोक दोराहे के समीप दो ट्रकों में जबरदस्त भिड़ंत हो गई। एक ट्रक डिबाई के पास गंगा से बालू रेत से भरकर जा रहा था और दूसरा ट्रक बुलंदशहर की तरफ से डस्ट लेकर जा रहा था। चांदौक दोराहा के पास दोनों ट्रकों की भिड़ंत हुई। भिड़ंत इतनी जबरदस्त थी कि दूर तक हादसे की आवाज पहुंची। https://www.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh/bulandshahr-dust-and-sand-truck-collides-in-bulandshahr-district-one-dead-two-injured-rescue-run-three-hour-23589732.html  (26 Nov. 2023)

Madhya Pradesh नर्मदापुरम में रेत से भरी ट्रॉली पकड़ने पर नायब तहसीलदार और खनिज टीम पर माफिया ने पथराव कर दिया। घटना में जहां खनिज टीम के ड्राइवर का सिर फट गया। वही टीम में मौजूद अन्य सदस्य भी घायल हो गए, घटना में ड्राइवर  के सिर में 15 टांके आए हैं। हमले के बाद टीम मौके से किसी तरह जान बचाकर भागी  घटना गुरुवार (Dec. 14) देर शाम की है। शुक्रवार (Dec. 15) दोपहर में महिला अधिकारी ने आरोपियों के खिलाफ FIR दर्ज कराई है। https://mpbreakingnews.in/madhya-pradesh/hoshangabad/sand-mafia-attacks-nayaab-tehsildar-and-mineral-department-team-in-narmadapuram-driver-seriously-injured  (15 Dec. 2023)

आनन-फानन में महिला अधिकारी अमले के साथ एक निजी अस्पताल में ड्राइवर का इलाज कराने पहुंचीं। जहां ड्राइवर को आईसीयू में एडमिट कर लिया। जानकारी के अनुसार छुट्टू गोस्वामी को लगभग 15 टांके आए हैं और उसके ब्रेन में भी सूजन बताई जा रही है। अधिकारी ने घंटों समय निकल जाने के बावजूद पुलिस को हमले की सूचना खबर लिखे जाने तक नहीं दी थी। मीडिया को जब जानकारी मिली तो नायब तहसीलदार कीर्ति प्रधान अस्पताल में मौजूद थीं। लेकिन वह इस घटना को लेकर कुछ भी बोलने को तैयार नही थीं। एक तरफ प्रदेश के नवनिर्वाचित मुख्यमंत्री डॉ. मोहन यादव गुंडे और अपराधियों के खिलाफ सख्ती के निर्देश दे रहे हैं, दूसरी ओर प्रशासनिक अधिकारी ही अपराधियों को संरक्षण देकर उनके कहने पर पुलिस को सूचना देना तक उचित नही समझ रहे। कीर्ति प्रधान से इस मामले में जानकारी लेनी चाही लेकिन उन्होंने अपना फोन स्विच ऑफ कर लिया। https://www.bhaskar.com/local/mp/narmadapuram/news/sand-mafia-attacked-administrative-staff-a-tractor-driver-injured-132289830.html  (15 Dec. 2023)

नर्मदापुरम में रेत माफिया बेखौफ होकर अपने काम को अंजाम दे रहे थे। जिसपर कार्रवाई करते हुए आज सुबह (Dec. 16) अवैध निर्माण पर बुलडोजर चला दिया गया। इस दौरान चार दुकानों को ढहा दिया गया। बता दें कि दो दिन पहले रेत माफिया ने सरकारी कर्मी पर पथराव किया था। https://mpbreakingnews.in/madhya-pradesh/hoshangabad/bulldozer-ran-on-illegal-construction-of-sand-mafia-in-narmadapuram-4-shops-were-built-by-encroachment-mps  (16 Dec. 2023)

Worker of mining company attacked and critically injured in an attack by sand mafia in Narmadapuram on Nov. 30. The mafia had damaged company vehicles two weeks ago. https://www.bhaskar.com/local/mp/narmadapuram/video/sand-company-mafia-is-increasing-trouble-in-narmadapuram-132226958.html  (02 Dec. 2023)

Karnataka Truck carrying illegal sand mows down constable  A police constable was run over by a truck carrying illegally mined sand in Karnataka’s Kalaburagi district Thursday  (June 15) evening, police said. The incident took place at Narayanpura village in Jeevargi, when 51-year-old head constable M Chauhaan signalled the truck to stop for inspection, NDTV reported. However, the driver of the truck sped away, running over Chauhaan and killing him on the spot.

According to local media reports, Karnataka has observed over 10,000 cases of illegal sand mining over the last three years despite the state government trying to introduce a new policy to regulate the availability of the commodity. Data tabled in the Legislative Council shows that illegal sand mining has gone unabated even during the pandemic with about 3,451 identified cases in 2020-21 and 3,193 cases in 2019-20. In 2018-19, there were 3,869 cases identified, adding up to 10,513 cases over the last three years, as per a Deccan Herald report. https://www.outlookindia.com/national/truck-carrying-illegal-sand-mows-down-police-constable-in-karnataka-news-295186  (16 June 2023)

Odisha  Women protest sand transportation on village road The roadblock staged at Markandapur-Kamalpur square in Jajpur by women protesting against rampant sand lifting and transporting on an embankment road entered the second day on Saturday (Dec. 09) With the district administration turning a deaf ear to the demand to stop sand transportation on the road, the agitating women of Markandapur and Kamalpur villages continued their roadblock by erecting a fence in the middle of the road, affecting traffic on the stretch.

While hundreds of vehicles were stranded on both sides of the road, the agitators today allowed an ambulance van but stopped Speaker Pramila Mallik who was going to her Assembly constituency, Binjharpur. As she was not allowed to proceed further, she had to return.

According to the agitators, hundreds of trips of sand lifted from Budha and Kharasrota rivers are being transported on the embankment road. As a result, the newly constructed road-cum-embankment has become slushy, resulting in accidents.  “Hundreds of sand-loaded trucks are plying on the road. The number increases at night. Due to bad condition of the road and plying of trucks, accidents are occurring regularly. Five to six youths in our village have met with accidents and suffered injuries. Even students fear going to their school. What shall we do?” https://odishatv.in/news/odisha/women-protest-sand-transportation-on-village-road-in-odisha-s-jajpur-erect-fence-across-road–222206  (09 Dec. 2023)

NGT orders probe into illegal mining at Khurda stone quarry The NGT on Friday ordered a high-level probe into allegations of illegal mining operations at Damanbhuin laterite stone quarry at Tangi tehsil in Khurda district. Ajay Behera, a resident of Jankia area had filed a petition alleging that a lessee permitted to extract only 1,500 cum of laterite stone from around 0.37 acre, has been operating on an area of 10 acre for which no quarrying lease was granted.

Advocate Sankar Prasad Pani made submissions on behalf of the petitioner seeking direction to the director of Mines and Geology to assess the extent/quantum of minor minerals including morrum and laterite stone excavated illegally and its market value, cost of restitution and environmental compensation and recover the same from the lessee. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2023/sep/24/ngt-orders-probe-into-illegal-mining-at-khurda-stone-quarry-2617803.html  (24 Sept. 2023)

Tamil Nadu 16.04 lakh tonnes BSM transported illegally in 4 years The state govt on Monday (Dec. 11) informed the Madras High Court that 16.04 lakh tonnes of valuable beach sand minerals (BSM) had been transported illegally by the private miners in the State between 2018 and 2022 though there has been a ban on transportation of the minerals since 2013.

Filing a reasssessment report before Chief Justice Sanjay V. Gangapurwala and Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy, the government said, 6.62 lakh tonnes of additional stock of BSM too was found in possession of the miners, compared to the 2018 assessment, despite a ban on mining for the last 10 years.

The report was filed during the hearing of a suo motu public interest litigation petition taken up by the court in 2015 regarding allegations of large scale illegal mining in the coastal districts of Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari, along with a batch of individual writ petitions filed by the private miners.

After taking the report on file, the first Division Bench asked amicus curiae V. Suresh, Senior Counsel Srinath Sridevan representing V.V. Minerals and others to respond to it within two weeks. They also directed the High Court Registry to list the case on January 18, 2024 for further hearing.  https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/beach-sand-mining-1604-lakh-tonnes-have-been-transported-illegally-between-2018-and-2022-tamil-nadu-govt-tells-madras-high-court/article67626418.ece  (11 Dec. 2023)

Maharashtra Protest against mechanical sand dredgers Hundreds of villagers staying along the coastal belt and involved in manual sand dredging from Thane and Bhiwandi staged a protest mid-creek on Monday, against deployment of mechanical dredgers, which they claimed was depriving them of their livelihood. “Our generations have been earning their livelihood by manually dredging sand from the creek,” said Vijendra Tare, one of the protestors. A revenue official said they were unaware of the protest. — Manoj Badgeri.  https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thane/protest-against-mechanical-sand-dredgers/articleshow/105025568.cms  (07 Nov. 2023)

Goa Create action plan to tackle illegal sand mining: HC  The high court of Bombay at Goa has dire-cted the captain of ports, police, transport director, mines director and nodal officers to hold a joint meeting within a week to curb illegal sand mining. “At a joint meeting, the officials must come up with a coordinated action plan so that unauthorised sand mining is prevented and those engaged in it are dealt with firmly,” a division bench said. The court has called for the minutes of the meeting on November 8.

Advocate Norma Alvares, representing the Goa Rivers Sand Protectors Network, told the court that authorities are taking action against sand mining and added that a coordinated action of all authorities is necessary. She told the HC that there is no clarity on what is being done with the seized canoes and there are apprehensions that these go back to the sea. FIRs are filed and then the trucks are used to illegally transport mined sand, Alvares said and asked whether licences are cancelled. She submitted suggestions to curb illegal sand mining in Goa.

Despite court orders and police patrolling, illegal sand extraction continues in Chorao, Ugem, Maina, Navelim, Khandepar, old Banastarim bridge and St Estevam, Alvares told the court. Police said that they have booked cases against those found illegally extracting sand this year. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/create-action-plan-to-tackle-illegal-sand-mining-hc/articleshow/104952078.cms  (04 Nov. 2023)

Andhra Pradesh NGT stops sand mining pending eco-clearance NGT on Wednesday (Aug. 04) issued an order stopping sand mining operations unless fresh environment clearance is obtained by project proponents from the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA). In this regard, NGT’s Chennai bench has sent stop notices to all sand reaches to which state government had given 110 environmental clearances.  The issue came up after SEIAA had issued a stop mining order to Jai Prakash Power Ventures Limited on April 27, 2023.

The respondent’s counsel said after receipt of SEIAA’s notice, they had stopped mining. The counsel further submitted that based on NGT’s order, they had stopped mining in 1 to 18 ECs and not in the other 110 reaches. Following this, NGT has directed SEIAA to file a report whether after its stop notice of April 27, 2023, the respondents or other project proponents had continued to carry on any sand mining activity in disobedience of the order. The NGT also instructed the project proponent to file a detailed report on the issue. https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/040823/ngt-stops-sand-mining-in-ap-pending-eco-clearance.html  (04 Aug. 2023)

Jharkhand  NGT issues notice to mining department others  NGT has issued notice to the director of the govt’s mines department and others over alleged illegal sand mining in Gomia block of Bokaro district. The NGT was hearing a matter where it had taken suo motu (on its own) cognisance of a media report about scores of trucks transporting illegally mined sand and the administration having “shut its eye” despite being aware of the unlawful activity.

A bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava said, “The news item raises an important issue relating to compliance with the provisions of the scheduled act (regarding environment).”  The bench, also comprising judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A Senthil Vel, said in a recent order it was impleading the authorities concerned as respondents in the matter. The green tribunal listed the matter for further proceedings on January 15. https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2023/12/06/lgd12-green-jharkhand-illegal-mining.html  (06 Dec. 2023)

Gujarat Police bust chat groups ‘supplying’ crucial info  In what seems to be a well-oiled system to alert vehicles involved in illegal sand mining, wood smuggling and other activities in Panchmahal, WhatsApp groups were formed to relay information regarding the movement of officials. Three persons involved in the activity were held with five mobile phones by the Panchmahal police. Gangs involved in trade of sand and other material had been known to use a network of informers who used to give information regarding the movement of government officials and their vehicles.

The informers and those involved in mining and transportation of the material had for some time now graduated to using WhatsApp groups which had hundreds of members. Multiple such groups were created and voice recordings about government officials and vehicles were posted there. Those who needed information about a certain official could seek info on the group. “They have people at several places in the districts. They keep an eye even on our homes and offices. They drop a message whenever we leave or arrive at our homes and offices,” said geologist Niraj Gamit. He further said that if they (informers) came to know that an official was headed to a place where mining was being done, the material was removed immediately. Similarly, routes where the present of officials was there were not used to transport illegally mined material. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vadodara/police-bust-chat-groups-supplying-crucial-info/articleshow/106037763.cms  (16 Dec. 2023)

WETLANDS, LAKES, WATER BODIES

Madhya Pradesh NGT gives 3 more months to free Bhoj wetland area  The central bench of NGT gave three more months to the district administration and Bhopal municipal corporation (BMC) to remove all encroachments in Bhoj wetland area along the Upper Lake and also ensure that no untreated water is discharged into the water bodies of Bhopal. The petitioner in the case, Aarya Shrivastava, who was a student of National Law Institute University (NLIU) when she filed the petition, had sought removal of encroachments from the wetland in the Upper Lake in Bhadbhada area.

Counsel for the petitioner Dharamvir Sharma also referred to discharge of untreated water in the Upper Lake. The matter of control on the discharge of the untreated water into the water body and remedial action with provision of imposing environmental compensation was also taken up by the tribunal, he said. The tribunal, while asking the MPPCB to calculate the amount of environmental damage according to parameters laid down and realise the same from the agencies/departments concerned, said “The environmental compensation may be on the basis of either per month rate or on the basis of per drain or on the basis of per MLD discharge of untreated water, which is quoted above and notified by the CPCB.”

The tribunal comprising judicial member Justice Sheo Kumar Singh and expert member Dr Afroz Ahmad said that in the previous hearing on July 24, 2023, the tribunal had given 4 months for removal of encroachments to the district administration and the BMC but when the matter is being taken up after 4 months, it has not been done yet. The case has now been fixed for hearing on March 21, 2024. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/ngt-gives-3-more-months-to-free-bhoj-wetland-area/articleshow/105852859.cms  (09 Dec. 2023)

Ramsar wetland site Sirpur gets ₹6cr for interpretation centre  Indore district administration, which has generated over Rs 70 crore by selling as many as eight ‘unused’ government property through Public Assets Management Department, has got a sanction of its 25% of incentive that has been diverted to build an interpretation centre in Sirpur wetland, boundary wall of a government land along with developing an approach road for MGM Medical College’s hospitals.

“While a STP is being constructed to ensure only treated water would be released into the lake, the work of removing water hyacinth will also be completed soon” the collector said, adding that efforts are also being made to ensure further development of Gulawat that is situated in backwater of Sirpur lake. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/indore/ramsar-wetland-site-sirpur-6-crore-interpretation-centre/articleshow/106056297.cms  (17 Dec. 2023)

Tamil Nadu Disappearing Kandal wetlands of Ooty Over the past decade, the Kandal wetlands of Ooty municipality have been wasting away slowly, steadily, stealthily. While researchers have been monitoring the degradation with concern – attributing it to a combination of pollution and urbanisation – local authorities appear to be mute spectators to the unfolding environmental decline.

A recently released report from ATREE says the water spread of the wetlands in Ooty has shrunk from 2012 onwards. What used to be 10 hectares now ranges between one and five hectares through the year depending on rainfall. The report details the changes over the past 38 years and reveals that while the wetlands’ median satellite-detected water spread showed little fluctuation until the mid-1990s, there have been dramatic variations since 2006. The wetlands with survey number F/2/84 and F/2/95 falls under the Ooty municipality and have been encroached gradually.

The wetlands need urgent protection, stresses the report by Siddhartha Krishnan of the ecosystems and human well-being programme, and Milind Bunyan of the Ecoinformatics Lab, who were the lead researchers for the ATREE report. “Several of the wetlands lying within the municipality limits are subject to pollution, reclamation for construction and cultivation. Some are even being designated wastelands because of the level of degradation, says Siddhartha. “An immediate biodiversity assessment is necessary to make informed and evidence-based policy decisions, since the changes can impact native flora and fauna that thrive on the wetlands,” says Milind. ATREE’s report has been sent to the TN state department of environment, climate change and forest, for inspection.

Environmentalists say several wetlands in and around Ooty have been lost because of sheer neglect by officials. For example, a huge wetland area in Pudhumund near the Annikorai road junction in Ooty disappeared over two decades. Several houses have now sprung up in the area. “While municipal officials are clearly aware of the encroachments, they have not acted on it,” says an environmentalist. Bhandishola and Kodappamund areas are also marsh lands, which have been converted into residential areas.

Another example of a wetland lost is the Ooty Race Course. The core area of the Race Course is marshland and migratory birds are seen here every season. “The administration should take some steps to conserve the land for posterity,” says an environmentalist. “Ooty Race Course is on land leased from the government. It is used only for 45 days during the summer season for racing by the Madras Race Club. The middle area is still a wetland and attracts migratory birds. But during the racing season the area is used to train horses and mud is dumped to reduce the wetness of the land, damaging it.”  https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/disappearing-kandal-wetlands-of-ooty/articleshow/105820450.cms  (08 Dec. 2023)

Kerala Conolly canal harmful to Kottooli wetland ecosystem: Study  A research study by a husband-wife duo, both professors, one at the Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode (IIM-K) and the other at the National Institute of Technology, Calicut (NIT-C), has revealed that rapid urbanisation in Kozhikode city has led to the extensive destruction of the Kottooli wetlands, a proposed Ramsar site, a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention of 1971.

Deepak Dayanithy, a professor in strategic management at IIM-K, and Anjana Bhagyanathan, a professor in landscape architecture at NIT-C, have published their study in the journal Area of the Royal Geographical Society. They pointed out that contrary to popular belief, the Conolly Canal was not beneficial to the ecosystem of the Kottooli wetlands. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/conolly-canal-harmful-to-kottooli-wetland-ecosystem-finds-study/article67466856.ece  (27 Oct. 2023)

Jammu & Kashmir  Dying Khushalsar Lake calls for lease of life  Known for crystal clear water, Khushalsar Lake in Srinagar has been reduced to a cesspool due to constant flow of drains from human habitations. Khushalsar forms one of the outflow channels of Dal Lake via the Nallah Amir Khan canal and Gilsar lake. Till a few decades ago, the lake was a favourite haunt of tourists. The lake hosted many species of fish and migratory birds. It was also famous for the Lotus stem popularly known as Nadru, which is one of major sources of livelihoods for local farmers.

Gradually, due to unabated encroachments, growth of obnoxious vegetation propelled by sewage of the catchments, waters of Khushalsar become stagnant and stinking. Last remnants of the lake are being extensively encroached upon, mainly on its side facing Ali Jan Road. The lake has been facing an onslaught of encroachments as no department has officially owned it so far. With departments passing the buck, the land mafia has received free hand to gradually bury the lake and undertake constructions. More than a lake now, it has been turned into a concrete jungle and cesspool. Interiors of the lake are also being encroached upon by extension of agricultural land mainly by filling. The lake is vanishing with each passing second.

Conservation of the lake has never been taken seriously by successive regimes. In the mid sixties, the Housing and Urban Department started a peripheral sewerage scheme with STP to arrest the sewage ingress in Khushalsar and scientifically treat it. Ironically, the project was left partially executed.

Govt had formulated a comprehensive plan of Rs.61 crores for preservation of Khushalsar in 2002. The plan, approved by the Central Government, envisaged protecting and developing the lake by removal of encroachments by way of earth filling, illegal plantations and constructions. The project also aimed to demarcate and fence the lake and deploy Forest Protection Force personnel to keep strict vigil in Khushalsar to stop further encroachment. But the plan too was buried. https://www.greaterkashmir.com/editorial-page-2/dying-khushalsar-lake-calls-for-lease-of-life/  (18 Dec. 2023)

Delhi SWA submits report on wetland in Kapashera  State Wetland Authority has submitted a report to the NGT regarding the alleged encroachment of a large waterbody in Kapashera. The wetland authority’s member secretary has stated that the large wetland is being assessed, but the process is taking time because multiple agencies are involved. Earlier this year, a resident had moved the NGT, claiming that the wetland was being encroached upon. In August 2021, the Delhi government had given unique identification numbers to 1,040 wetlands, which were to be notified. However, due to several reasons, no wetland has been notified or given legal protection so far.  https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/delhi-wetland-authority-submits-report-on-wetland-in-kapashera/articleshow/106005780.cms  (15 Dec. 2023)

Uttar Pradesh 17000 wetlands identified through satellite in UP. https://www.livehindustan.com/uttar-pradesh/story-17-thousand-wetlands-discovered-through-satellite-for-the-first-time-in-up-preparations-to-increase-groundwater-9061463.html  (13 Dec. 2023)

WATER OPTIONS

Study Scientists identify new method of extracting chemicals from wastewater  Chinese scientists have proposed a new method of transforming wastewater contaminants into valuable chemicals using sunlight, paving the way for sustainable and eco-friendly chemical manufacturing. The study, conducted by researchers from the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Harbin Institute of Technology and other institutes, was recently published in the journal Nature Sustainability.

In the study, the researchers set out to convert pollutants from wastewater into semiconductor biohybrids directly in the wastewater environment. The concept involves utilizing the organic carbon, heavy metals and sulfate compounds present in wastewater as the raw materials for constructing these biohybrids, and subsequently converting them into valuable chemicals using sunlight.  https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-12-16/Scientists-identify-new-method-of-extracting-chemicals-from-wastewater-1pzD6p8Q2hq/index.html  (16 Dec. 2023)

GROUNDWATER

PIB Report Extraction of groundwater As on 07.12.2023, more than 2 lakh villages have become ‘Har Ghar Jal’ i.e. villages with 100% households with tap water supply and out of these, as on 07.12.2023, 90,272 villages have been Har Ghar Jal certified by the respective Gram Sabhas. This information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Bishweswar Tudu in a written reply in Lok Sabha on Dec 14 2023.

– Out of 19.24 Crore rural households in the country, approximately 13.76 Crore (71.51%) households are reported to have tap water supply in their homes as on 07.12.2023. The remaining 5.48 Crore rural households are planned to be covered within the Mission period. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1986272  (14 Dec. 2023)

Punjab Morcha against more pollution checks around Zira distillery The Zira Sanjha Morcha has opposed any further inspection of the spread of pollution from the distillery and ethanol project at Mansoorwal Kalan in Zira tehsil of Ferozepur district. The morcha stated that the Central Pollution Control Board and the Punjab government appointed committees had already conducted tests on soil and water samples collected from the area and confirmed presence of toxic elements, and no further tests, by any other agency, were required.

The Morcha members through a counsel appeared before a bench of the NGT on Monday (Dec. 11) after it impleaded the front as a party in the petition of pro-environment organisation Public Action Committee (PAC). Kanwal Preet Kaur, counsel for the morcha, told TOI that Malbros International wanted fresh inspection by some central agency which the PAC opposed. It submitted that the CPCB and the state committees had already tested Zira water and found unsafe limits of heavy metals in the samples. They said environmentalist and Rajya Sabha member Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal should stand by the morcha in demanding action against those spreading pollution.  https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/morcha-against-more-pollution-checks-around-zira-distillery/articleshow/105918706.cms  (12 Dec. 2023)

Telangana Pink water from borewell alarms residents In a very shocking and unusual occurrence, a borewell in Mancherial District released pink-coloured water, raising questions about its safety for consumption and other uses. The suspicious decolouration of water to a pink shade came to light when Katta Srinivasachari attempted to fill water from the borewell to take a shower at his home in Chennur Town, Telangana.

After noticing that the water was pink, Srinivasachari decided to let the water flow, hoping that it would eventually return to its normal colour. However, after letting the water run for over half an hour, he was taken aback to find that the water’s colour had only gotten darker, causing him great concern. https://www.siasat.com/watch-pink-water-from-borewell-in-telangana-town-alarms-residents-2933684/  (13 Dec. 2023)

Karnataka Borewell census to be held in 2024 As part of the all India borewell census undertaken by the Central Groundwater Board in coordination with the groundwater boards of all states in 2024, the Karnataka State Government is working to find out the total number of authorised and unauthorised borewells in the state. In the previous census held in 2019, Karnataka registered 14 lakh authorised borewells, but there was no conclusive report on the unauthorised borewells.

The census gains importance as the NGT has taken note of the rapidly depleting groundwater levels across India. Taking note of this, the MoEFCC has asked all State governments to submit a report on the groundwater levels and the measures taken to address the issue. https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2023/dec/15/declining-groundwater-level-borewell-census-to-be-held-in-2024-2641691.html  (15 Dec. 2023)

Study Unmasking fluoride  A recent paper ‘Recent advancements in fluoride impact on human health: A critical review’ in the journal Environmental and Sustainability Indicators delves into the complex landscape of fluoride exposure, offering insights into its intricate effects on human health, groundwater composition, and innovative removal techniques. With a focus on global implications, the study covers diverse aspects, from geological factors influencing fluoride concentrations to the intricacies of skeletal fluorosis and the broader spectrum of health impacts. https://www.indiawaterportal.org/articles/unmasking-fluoride-global-examination-health-complexities-and-groundwater-dynamics  (09 Dec. 2023)

URBAN WATER

SANDRP Blog Shades of Blue: An odyssey through waterbodies Guest Article by: Abhilash Khandekar  The book is divided into 24 informative chapters, some of which deal with cities such as Bengaluru, Guwahati, Udaipur, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata—highlighting their respective past and issues faced by the people today due to mismanagement. Starting off from Yamuna and its pathetic state, despite which as authors point out, many boatmen make money from the dirty waters of the Ganga tributary. The book also takes stock of step wells in various cities. ‘Few of Bengaluru’s wells now remain. Most are polluted, crumbling and no longer in use. They lost their importance when piped water began to be provided to the city in the 1890’, aver authors. https://sandrp.in/2023/12/13/book-review-an-odyssey-through-waterbodies/  (13 Dec. 2023)

Bengaluru RWH, lakes protection can help meet water demand An Urban Water Balance Report released earlier this year by WELL Labs, which focuses on establishing water resilience ecosystems, pegs current total freshwater demand in Bengaluru at 2,632 MLD. With Cauvery Water Supply Scheme (CWSS) Stage 1-4, BWSSB pumps in 1440 MLD of river water every day, while the rest of the demand is met by underground water. CWSS Stage V, likely to be commissioned next year, is expected to bring in another 775MLD of water to more areas of the city, yet there’ll be a shortfall of 450MLD.

A meticulous analysis of Bengaluru’s rainfall for the last 100-years by the scientific community has revealed that about 73% of Bengaluru’s total water requirement can be met through its surface runoff or annual rainfall and the remaining can be adjusted with the recycling and treatment of sewage water. “Had we stored all our rainwater and treated water in these lakes, Bengaluru would be left with surplus water every year,” argues Ramachandra.

Veena Sreenivasan, who heads the WELL Labs in Bengaluru, says that “these lakes were interlinked in such a way that their annual storage, with regular maintenance, was supposed to cater to the demand for the next 200 years” — an edge the city no longer enjoys. The WELL Labs report, in fact, calls out a very important data gap — essential data regarding the lakes’ physical attributes such as depth, volume, and connecting drains are currently unavailable. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/water-security-can-bluru-learn-from-singapore/articleshow/105890800.cms  (11 Dec. 2023)

BBMP needs more staff to survery SWDs  The city’s civic body has decided to write to the Department of Survey, Settlement and Land Records to deploy more staff to carry out surveys of encroachment of storm-water drains and lakes in the city. Chief Civic Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath held a review meeting on clearing encroachments of storm-water drains and lakes.

“BBMP is in need of more staff to survey SWDs and mark encroachments. After identification of encroachments, tahsildars have to issue orders to clear the encroachment immediately. He also directed officials to work expeditiously to vacate stay secured by property owners in the High Court in connection to encroachment,” Mr. Giri Nath said. He also directed officials to prioritise the anti-encroachment drive. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/bbmp-to-write-to-land-records-department-to-deploy-more-staff-for-swd-encroachment-survey/article67641503.ece  (15 Dec. 2023)

Chennai Polluted tap water adds to woes of residents   The contamination of water supplied by the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) has added to the woes of residents in Chennai city after cyclone Michaung caused heavy rainfall and flooding. The issue was raised by residents from zones such as Tondiarpet (Zone 4), Ambattur (Zone 7), and Thiru-Vi-Ka-Nagar (Zone 6). Most residents from Thiruvotriyur (Zone 1) and Manali (Zone 2) have been forced to use water from tanker lorries due to damaged pipelines and the issue of oil spilling.

TNM visited Korattur, where the issue of contamination has been raised by people residing in Tamil Nadu Housing Board Colony. Ranjini, a resident of 40th Street, pumped water from the metro water line to show us a bucketful of yellow-coloured water that gave off a strong odour as a testament. “This has been the case for more than a week. We rely on this water for our cleaning needs but because of contamination, we are forced to buy water cans and water from tanker lorries to tend to our needs,” Ranjini told TNM.  https://www.thenewsminute.com/tamil-nadu/yellowish-smelly-tap-water-adds-to-woes-of-chennai-residents-after-cyclone-michaung  (16 Dec. 2023)

Pollution of Red Hills Lake Residents complain about encroachments and waste pollution at rear bund of Red Hills lakeThe rear portions of Red Hills lake, which is one of the major sources of drinking water to Chennai, needs much attention, as the waterbody continues to face the challenges of sewage pollution and dumping of garbage along its boundary. Residents and activists noted that sewage continued to flow freely on the rear side of the lake in five locations falling under both the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) and the Avadi Municipal Corporation (AMC) limits. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/residents-complain-about-encroachments-and-waste-pollution-at-rear-bund-of-red-hills-lake/article67634671.ece  (13 Dec. 2023)

Kochi Corp to take up water tax issue with min  Kochi corporation has decided to hold a meeting with the water resources department minister K Krishnankutty over the mismatch in the water tax bill and number of public water taps in the local body. The corporation is staring at a whopping Rs 100 crore in water tax.

As per the letter of the superintending engineer of the KWA, there are 5,445 public water taps across divisions in the corporation. Tax was collected for 6,259 taps between January and April in 2009. It came down to 5,928 taps between May 2009 and October 2012. It again came down to 5,909 taps between November 2012 and April 2022. As per the water bill till November 2023, including fine and opening balance, the corporation has to give Rs 109 crore to the KWA.

However, it has been noted that despite the number of taps coming down, the monthly water charge is increasing. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/corp-to-take-up-water-tax-issue-with-min/articleshow/106037679.cms  (16 Dec. 2023)

Hyderabad GO 111 Repeal Put on Hold by Revanth After putting the Airport Metro corridor on the back burner, CM A Revanth Reddy is said to have decided to keep on hold the repeal of the contentious GO 111 which was meant to prevent pollution in a 10-km zone around the Osmansagar and Himayatsagar by restricting growth. The K. Chandrasekhar Rao-led government had repealed the GO last year but did not give effect to its replacement, Government Order 63, which talked of framing guidelines for allowing change of land use from conservation zone to residential and commercial or multipurpose and subsequently permit structures. https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/161223/go-111-repeal-put-on-hold-by-revanth.html  (16 Dec. 2023)

HC summons collectors, GHMC chief for ‘inaction’ Expressing dismay at the lack of action by authorities to curb encroachments on lake beds in Hyderabad and Rangareddy districts, a bench of the Telangana High Court on Tuesday (Dec. 12) directed the collectors of Rangareddy and Hyderabad districts, along with the GHMC commissioner, to appear before it on December 27, and provide an explanation on the measures taken to safeguard the water bodies.

The bench, comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Anil Kumar Jukanti, was hearing a PIL based on a letter by social worker Anil C Dayakar in July 2007. Following court directions in September 2007, the commissioner/district judge of Rangareddy district inspected the sites and submitted a report on October 4, 2007, detailing illegal constructions in lake bed areas. However, no action was taken by the Revenue department to remove the encroachments mentioned in the report.

In response, the court directed the Revenue department to prepare a fresh report on the status of the tank beds and encroachments, marking the full tank level and fixing boundaries and contours with stones. The collectors of Rangareddy and Hyderabad, along with the GHMC commissioner, were instructed to prepare a joint report on the lakes’ status. Despite these directives, the orders were not complied with even after 10 years, with no joint report on record. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2023/dec/13/telangana-hc-summons-collectors-ghmc-chief-for-inaction-2641013.html  (13 Dec. 2023)

Durgam Cheruvu chokes on sewage  The deteriorating health of Hyderabad’s iconic Durgam Cheruvu is evident as hundreds of fish were found floating on the lake’s surface, gasping for air due to water pollution. And some of them were spotted lifeless along its periphery. While civic authorities admit to the crisis, they attribute it solely to flushing of sewage from surrounding homes. Environmentalists, however, argue that the problem extends beyond that. “There are two STPs located at the full tank level of the lake. When it rains, the STPs get inundated with rainwater and mud, disrupting their functionality. The old STP ceased operations long ago, and the new one also failed after the rains,” said an activist working on the issue for a while. According to her, the lack of surveillance around the lakeside has made matters worse.

Incidentally, a recent study, ‘Organic Micropollutants in Durgam Cheruvu Lake’ by Mahindra University and IIT-Hyderabad uncovered the presence of 183 compounds, including pharmaceuticals, herbicides, fungicides, pesticides, hormones, steroids, UV filters, plasticizers, cyanotoxins, and metabolites in the water. The research pointed to the potential harm these pollutants pose to both humans and aquatic life, particularly when combined. “The rapid urbanisation that took place around the lake, that was once pristine, has left it crying for attention,” said S B Reddy Nakka, another environmentalist. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/durgam-cheruvu-chokes-on-sewage-will-hyderabad-rescue-its-iconic-lake/articleshow/105924242.cms  (12 Dec. 2023)

HC initiates Suo Motu PIL against ‘Deteriorating Conditions’ Of Duragam Cheruvu Lake. https://www.livelaw.in/high-court/telangana-high-court/telangana-high-court-suo-motu-action-durgam-cheruvu-lake-deterioration-244693  (16 Dec. 2023)

“We will monitor the issue to ensure that the lake is brought back to a healthy stage,” said a bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice J Anil Kumar while expressing doubts about the veracity of claims of GHMC, revenue and irrigation departments which came forward to furnish status reports and promised to rejuvenate the lake.

The bench appointed senior counsel Vedula Srinivas as amicus curiae to assist the court in the ‘Mission Durgam Cheruvu’. It asked him to identify experts in the field who will not be influenced by officials. “This is the first hearing of this case after we took up the cause. We have not issued you (government departments) a notice. We did not even ask you to do anything. But you are ready to come out with status reports,” the bench said. The bench directed the high court registry to supply a copy of STOI report to experts and officials and posted the case to December 22. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/high-court-converts-toi-report-on-durgam-cheruvu-stink-into-pil/articleshow/106055089.cms  (17 Dec. 2023)

The iconic Durgam Cheruvu is in the limelight yet again, thanks to the hundreds of fish which showed up dead or dying in its waters, leading to suo motu cognisance by the High Court of Telangana.  A few months earlier, dead fish were found floating in large numbers in the Lotus Pond in Jubilee Hills, reasons for which have not been revealed. Sewage being let into the Chiran Kunta of KBR National Park is a perpetual topic for the environmentalists to agitate about. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/durgam-cheruvu-on-the-throes-of-death/article67645571.ece  (17 Dec. 2023)

Residents living around Lotus Pond in Jubilee Hills have been waking up to nauseating stench this past week, with hundreds of dead fish filling the water body, which was previously considered to be among the cleanest lakes of Hyderabad. While the cause behind the death of fish is yet to be ascertained, experts suspect it is owing to depleting oxygen levels with sewage waste flowing into the water body.

In fact, less than a week ago some regulars visiting the Durgam Cheruvu noticed several dead fish floating towards the shore. The lake is currently covered with several patches of water hyacinth indicating depletion in oxygen levels. Both lakes Durgam Cheruvu and Lotus Pond have been struggling with the problem of sewage flowing downstream, said environmentalists recommending immediate precautionary measures. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/sewage-chokes-durgam-cheruvu-lotus-pond-as-fish-turn-up-dead/articleshow/100146834.cms  (11 May 2023)

Mumbai BMC plans to clear Deonar landfill  As per CPCB, the introduction of plastic items in the 1970s changed the composition of urban waste. The inorganic waste material along with hazardous metal waste, were dumped haphazardly in the landfills and with decades of unmonitored dumping, the landfill became the point source of pollution. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/clearing-the-mountain-of-garbage-at-deonar-9062676/  (14 Dec. 2023)

Shillong Poor water quality in 44 of 46 localities  More than 95 per cent of drinking water supplied to 46 localities of Shillong is harmful for consumption due to the presence of bacteria, high iron content and low pH value, a report of the State Food Testing Laboratory has stated.  Concerned over the quality of drinking water supplied to residents of Shillong, the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People, a social organisation, collected water samples from the 46 localities of the city and sent those for testing on August 22.

Acidic water causes corrosion of pipes while high iron content has health implications and the presence of faecal coliforms in water indicate faecal contamination, according to experts in public health. The Shillong Municipal Board and the Public Health Engineering Department are responsible for distributing piped water in the localities. Reacting to the report, a senior government official said that Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has called for an immediate review of the situation. Water is sourced from Mawphlang reservoir, Umshyrpi River, besides underground sources to meet the requirements of the city.  https://www.deccanherald.com/india/meghalaya/meghalaya-poor-water-quality-in-44-of-46-localities-of-shillong-govt-to-launch-probe-2711085   (03 Oct. 2023)

Gurugram  CBI blames untreated water for Chintels’ mishap Using untreated water for construction, high levels of chloride in the concrete that was of inferior quality and poor workmanship have been cited as main reasons by the CBI for the partial collapse of Chintels Paradiso housing project’s Tower-D in Gurugram on February 10 last year.

A portion of the sixth floor had collapsed down to the first floor, leading to the death of two residents, Ekta Bhardwaj and Sunita Srivastava, and injuries to Arun Kumar Srivastava. In its supplementary chargesheet, the CBI said Gurugram fell under “overexploitation stage” of groundwater extraction. The groundwater had a high concentration of salts, making it unfit for construction, it said. The source of water was a borewell until September 2012 when the Punjab and Haryana High Court banned the use of groundwater for construction and only STP water was allowed.

An RO plant was installed at the site in August 2011 and a chemical dosing plant in September 2012 for treating STP water. “The RO plant was not used regularly during daytime construction and was never used at night…. After the chemical dosing plant was installed, the RO was never used to treat water,” said the CBI. The probe agency said sodium hypochlorite was used in the chemical dosing plant to remove odour and reduce PH/TDS levels, but it led to an increase in the chloride content in water. During a joint inspection by the project owner and the contractor in 2015 when cracks had appeared in the basement of towers, sample-testing led to the discovery of high levels of chloride in the concrete.

The CBI said IIT-Delhi experts had deployed ‘ultrasonic pulse velocity of concrete’ test, which confirmed poor quality of concrete and workmanship. The concrete samples failed core density test too. The chloride content was found to be 200 per cent higher than the permissible limit. The excessive chloride caused steel corrosion, which reduced the load-bearing capacity of the building and a portion of the tower collapsed.  https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/cbi-blames-untreated-water-for-chintels-mishap-572708  (17 Dec. 2023)

Plot filled with sewage  A vacant plot in Sector 94 has turned into a cesspool as sewage generated from the nearby Hayatpur village has been dumped here for the past eight months, leading to a major cause for concern for residents due to health hazards it poses. The Municipal Corporation of Manesar (MCM) had laid down the sewer network in Hayatpur earlier this year, but due to the non-functional master sewer line in the vicinity water started backflowing into the village, triggering massive protests from the locals. As a result, the MCM laid a pipeline to dispose of the wastewater in the vacant plot. Initially, provisions had been made for a mobile STP at the site, but it has now been removed.

During a visit to the spot, TOI found that a sewer chamber of the master sewer line along with the surface stormwater drain has been damaged and water is being disposed of through a pipe. Garbage has also been dumped at the site. While the portion of road under which the pipeline crossed over has developed a depression, another patch near the stormwater drain that needed repair has been lying open for some time, increasing the risk of accidents. Residents said many of the housing societies in the area are reliant on groundwater and warned of a severe health crisis arising due to the dumping of sewage. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/concerns-mount-as-sewage-dumping-turns-vacant-plot-in-sector-94-into-cesspool/articleshow/106036507.cms  (16 Dec. 2023)

WATER

UN Report 1 in every 5 murders in India due to conflict over water  The Global Study on Homicide Report 2023 added that disputes over access to water in India are a prominent driver of interpersonal homicide outside the family. Population growth, economic expansion and climate change have been cited as reasons. Moreover, data from the Pacific Institute showed that the number of incidents of violence associated with water resources has risen substantially since 2015 — mostly in South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and Central America. https://www.cnbctv18.com/environment/unodc-global-study-on-homiside-report-2023-water-fight-18549801.htm  (12 Dec. 2023)

Water needs to be central to India’s efforts to tackle floods, pollution and urbanization by Gautam I. Menon.  https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-03909-3  (13 Dec. 2023)

MONSOON

PIB Doppler weather radar network Currently, there are 39 Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs) well distributed across the country to monitor severe weather events. This information was given by the Union Minister of Earth Sciences, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today (Dec. 13). https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1985771  (13 Dec. 2023)

HFL BREACH

Tamil Nadu River Thambraparani at Murappanadu site in Tuticorin district has crossed HIGHEST FLOOD LEVEL (21.35 meter dated 14.11.1992) AFTER 31 YEARS. River gained 6.75 meter rise in 13 hours from 16.275 meter at 19:00 hour 17.12.2023 to 23.025 meter at 08:00 hour 18.12.2023 & flowing 1.675 meter above the old HFL.

River Vaippar at Irrukkunkadi site in Virudhunagar district has crossed old HFL 51.1 meter dated 15.12.1998 at 16:00 hour on 18.12.2023 and continues to flow in extreme flood situation with rising trend.

URBAN FLOODS

Chennai CPCL Oil Leak Disaster Oil spill throws life out of gear in Ennore   Oil spill from a near-by refinery which was reportedly let into the flood water now spread to about 20 square kilometers, has wrecked their lives. While people are spending days together cleaning the oil stains from their homes besides losing electronic appliances and documents, thousands of fishermen have not been able to venture into fishing even after rains have stopped as fish catch smells of oil.  

-Hundreds of fish, prawns, and crabs have been found dead in the Kosasthalaiyar River due to the impact of oil mixing with flood water on December 4 and 5 when extremely heavy rains drenched Chennai. Vehicles parked in the area have also been affected with oil stains visible on them even as streets still bearing the traces of oil, despite flood water receding.

-Prabhakaran Veeraarasu, Environmental Engineer, Poovulagin Nanbargal, an NGO, said the environmental impact of the oil spill could be huge as Ennore Creek is an ecologically sensitive zone which is home to about 100 species of fish. “The oil spill appears thick and is floating on the surface of the flowing water. If the breeding ground (of fish) is affected, what’ll happen to the fishermen who depend on fish to make a living? The impact of the oil spill could be seen in the sea if it is not controlled,” he told DH. A recce undertaken by an ICG helicopter found that the oil spill has extended at sea from Kosasthalaiyar river mouth till Kasimedu harbour, extending to about 20 square kilometers.

-R L Srinivasan, President, Kattukuppam Fishermen Co-operative, said heavy rains and release of excess water from Poondi reservoir led to overflow of water in the Buckingham canal since December 4. “That’s when, we believe, CPCL released oil into the flood water and the oily sludge entered houses in Ernavur, and near-by areas. If not controlled immediately, the oil spill will damage the fragile environment in the Ennore creek. The petroleum stench from the oil will drive away fish and prawns in the area,” Srinivasan, who has filed a petition on the issue in NGT, told DH.

-Prabhakar of Poovulagin Nanbargal also said an Oil Spill Contingency Plan prepared by the Tamil Nadu government after the 2017 oil spill has been pending with the Union Government for the past four years. “In a way, the Union Government is also to be blamed. If the plan was approved, maybe, this would not have occurred,” he added.

The Southern Bench of the NGT has taken suo motu cognizance of the spill and constituted a committee of government officials to arrest the spillage on the Buckingham Canal and ensure that it doesn’t spread to the sea. On Monday (Dec. 11), the state government appointed a high-level team to study the impact of the oil spill and submit a report to a SOS team headed by Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena. Additionally, Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) Commissioner J Radhakrishnan visited the affected areas and saw for himself the havoc created by the oil spill. https://www.deccanherald.com/india/tamil-nadu/cyclone-michaung-oil-spill-throws-life-out-of-gear-in-ennore-2806366  (11 Dec. 2023)

The oil spill in north Chennai is yet another reminder to the State to finalise an SOP for an ecological disaster that happens on shore. Geetha Srimathi and Deepa H. Ramakrishnan learn that the costs of not doing so, on lives and livelihoods, are immense. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/oil-on-water-chennais-mega-cleaning-challenge/article67645096.ece  (17 Dec. 2023)

Fishers from Ennore said that CPCL deployed the fishers to expose themselves to the harsh situation to remove the oil but there was no contract to ensure the medical assistance to them if any emergency arises. Fishers from Ennore locality have been deployed to manually remove the oil that spread across the Buckingham Canal, Ennore Creek, and Kosasthalaiyar River in North Chennai.  However, they did not have enough safety gear or technical assistance to clean the spill and are trying to remove the spill using mugs and industrial drums. Their livelihoods have been affected due to the spill from Chennai the Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) refinery in Manali locality. They began removing the oil spill on December 12.  https://www.thenewsminute.com/tamil-nadu/ennore-spill-fishers-who-lost-livelihood-now-remove-oil-using-mugs-and-drums   (16 Dec. 2023)

NGT gives 3-day ultimatum to remove oil spill  Irked at the slow progress in clearing the December 4 oil spill at Ennore Creek, the NGT has set a three-day ultimatum for CPCL and SPCB. They have been asked to complete cleaning of the spill by December 17 and submit a report. A bench comprising justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and Satyagopal Korlapati issued the direction on Thursday (Dec. 14), and adjourned the case to December 18. While both CPCL and SPCB submitted that 7,260 litres of oil slick has been collected from the creek and that booms, skimmers and absorbing pads are used to collect the oil, the bench said it was not satisfied with the numbers.

“The oil spill happened on December 4, and the exercise to control the spread started on December 7 and it is already December 14,” said the bench. The golden period is missed because of delay on the part of authorities, NGT said and questioned whether CPCL had really understood the gravity of the situation.

Fishermen have been deployed to clear oil spill though trained professional with better equipment are required for the work, said fishermen’s counsel. Booms have not been placed on the river mouth yet to prevent the oil slick slipping into the sea, he submitted. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/chennai-ngt-gives-3-day-ultimatum-to-remove-oil-spill/articleshow/106006076.cms  (15 Dec. 2023)

The CPCL and TNPCB missed the deadline set by the NGT to complete the oil spill clean-up by Sunday (Dec. 17), as tonnes of thick waste oil continue to flow in the water bodies in Ennore and eventually drain into sea. The NGT is scheduled to hear the case again on Monday (Dec. 18). Worse, TNIE caught workers in the act of attempting to dump bags of toxic oil waste in the sensitive mangrove vegetation. Already, a large patch of mangroves in Kosasthalaiyar river in Sadayankuppam and in Buckingham Canal flowing adjacent to it are loaded with oil. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2023/dec/18/deadline-ends-but-oil-cleanup-far-from-over-in-tn-2642504.html  (18 Dec. 2023)

Photographs from the Ennore oil spill show how fisherfolk struggle as they are forced to find new fishing locations that are not contaminated by oil. https://www.thenewsminute.com/tamil-nadu/ennore-oil-spill-in-pictures-fisherfolk-plagued-by-contamination-loss-of-livelihood  (13 Dec. 2023)

Environmental activists said the response system has been too slow. “Immediate steps have not been taken in such a big disaster. The cleaning process started today,” said Prabhakaran Veeraarasu, environment engineer of NGO, Poovulagin Nanbargal. “First, they should have shifted the affected people to another locality. They have been exposed for seven days to a hazardous substance. But we still do not know if it is unprocessed crude oil, spent fuel, if some other chemical has mixed with the oil and what its harmful effects can be.”

President of the Kattukuppam Fishermen Cooperative, R L Srinivasan filed a petition in the NGT armed with photos of dead fish and animals. “It’s a big loss,” Srinivasan said. He claimed that the CPCL deliberately let out waste oil while pumping out excessive storm water from their premises. “Because it’s not the first time that oil has leaked from their premises. We have conducted several protests about this problem over the years,” says Srinivasan. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/take-remedial-steps-on-oil-spill-in-tamil-nadu-pollution-body-tells-cpcl-101702409097216.html  (13 Dec. 2023)

Environmental activists say this man-made disaster would have a long-term and far-reaching impact on the lives and livelihoods of fishers, their surrounding ecosystems, and microhabitats that are endemic to Ennore Creek.

Environmentalist Nityanand Jayaraman says the government should look beyond the oil spill to revive the microhabitats and biodiversity of the canal, river, and Ennore Creek, which lost its natural ecosystem over the period due to the excessive ash dumping exercise from the Ennore Thermal Power Station (ETPS). He also pointed out the government’s inaction towards the direction given by the NGT in 2022. “The NGT directed the state government to notify the full extent of the un-encroached portion of the Ennore wetlands under the Tamil Nadu Wetland Mission, to protect the ecosystem from being violated further. It also directed the ECC&F to submit the detailed project report (DPR) in 9 months. But we have not seen any progress since then,” he says. https://www.thenewsminute.com/tamil-nadu/oil-spill-in-chennais-ennore-creek-destroys-livelihoods-of-fishers-in-eight-villages  (13 Dec. 2023)

The oil spill that has occurred near CPCL in the Manali region has now reached the Kotralai (Kosasthalai) River via Buckingham Canal and is entering into the sea through the Ennore Creek. Our team has done a field study from its potential origin near CPCL (13.1550972, 80.2848757-Google Map coordinates) to the end at Ennore Creek. We feel it has originated here as the inflow of oil sludge along with water is high in volume here.

The oil spill smells like petrol and we observed that it causes eye irritation and difficulty in breathing. Our study found that the oil spill hasn’t stopped at the source and we couldn’t see any effort made by concerned authorities to contain the oil sludge at any place from CPCL to Ennore Creek. We urge the concerned authorities to act swiftly to contain the oil spill on a war footing. https://citizenmatters.in/oil-spill-chennai-manali-damage-ennore-creek-wetland-environment-hazard-37431  (12 Dec. 2023)

An oil spill from the CPCL refinery has hit the fishing community in Ennore hard. Their boats and fishing nets have been damaged, the fish in Ennore Creek and beyond are dead. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Er3NMU93Ww  (12 Dec. 2023)

TNPCB stated that it inspected the site where oil had mixed into the water in Buckingham Canal in Chennai and directed the authorities of the CPCL to remove the floating oil using gully suckers. The TNPCB said that due to inundation from the recent spell of rain, the Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited was not accessible. “However, even today, the stagnant water flows by gravity. Therefore, when the water was pumped, the oily matter that is found in the ground of the industry premises could have come out along with rainwater and get collected in the storm water pond,” stated the report. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/tamil-nadu-pollution-board-asks-chennai-petroleum-oil-spill-buckingham-canal-2474103-2023-12-10  (10 Dec. 2023)

NGT orders high-level committee to submit report The Southern Bench of the NGT has ordered a six-member committee to inspect the areas in Ennore-Manali region where there were oil spills. Hearing a suo motu case on the oil spill in Ernavoor from CPCL and Indian Oil Corporation Limited, the Bench ordered the committee to directly inspect the site on December 11, collect samples of the oil film in the residential area, submit a detailed report on the chemicals found on December 12.

Inquiring about the steps taken by the Collector and Revenue Department about the issue, the Bench asked: “Why has the Tamil Nadu government not yet set up an Expert Committee to find out the real situation?” The Bench also asked the counsel appearing for the CPCB: “If the oil companies came to know about this information only after 5 km of oil spillage, what disaster prevention plan did the companies have?” The matter has been adjourned to December 12. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/national-green-tribunal-orders-high-level-committee-to-submit-report-on-oil-spill-in-ennore-manali-area/article67621875.ece  (09 Dec. 2023)

Oil mixed with rainwater flowed through storm water drain of CPCL: TNPCB  The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) on Thursday (Dec. 07) inspected the area of oil leak in Ennore creek and has submitted that when water was pumped out of the inundated premises of Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL), the oily matter found in the ground of its premises mixed with rainwater flowing through the storm water drain.

During the inspection, the team observed traces of oil in the Buckingham canal mainly on the banks. “It is observed that the ingress of oil mainly occurred from the storm water drain from the Manali industrial area confluencing with Buckingham canal,” the TNPCB said in a release.

The inspecting team also found a second trace, from the upstream of the CPCL from Kodungaiyur and Tondiarpet areas from Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Tondiarpet terminal and container terminal located along the Buckingham Canal at Korukkupet and Kodungaiyur areas. The TNPCB has suggested that the removal of the stagnated water containing oil, through Gully Sucker near the South gate of CPCL, would eliminate the oil traces reaching Buckingham Canal. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/ennore-oil-leak-oil-mixed-with-rainwater-flowed-through-storm-water-drain-of-cpcl-says-tnpcb/article67615765.ece  (08 Dec. 2023)

On January 14, 2017, Ennore fisherfolk and the Save Ennore Creek campaign released a song called “ Chennai Poromboke Paadal ” spotlighting Ennore as an environmental crime scene (disclosure: this writer was involved in the production of the song). Poromboke is an ancient Tamil revenue term describing areas reserved for communal use such as the seashore, grazing grounds, and the margins of wetlands. Sung by Carnatic vocalist T.M. Krishna, the song decries the degradation of the word and the devaluation of the geographies it denotes. It uses the pollution and encroachment of the Ennore Creek to make the case for reclaiming the word and healing the creek. https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/Return-to-a-dangerous-normal/article17198042.ece/amp/  (06 Feb. 2023)

Reports on Chennai Floods Lesson learnt from 2015 deluge One key lesson the Tamil Nadu government learnt following the 2015 Chennai floods was with regard to water release at the Chembarambakkam Lake. With a total capacity of  3645.00 mcft and a full tank of 85.4 ft, Chembarambakkam Lake is one of the biggest reservoirs near Chennai. In 2015, the ‘indiscriminate discharge of water from Chembarambakkam Lake’ burdened the Adyar River, leading to floods in Chennai, found a Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) report.

In 2023, the lessons from the 2015 floods were put to practice. By November 30, Chennai and its neighbouring districts received  618 mm of rainfall since October 2023. Chembarambakkam Lake was 89% full with storage capacity at 3256 mcft on November 30.  The next day, the India Meteorological Department issued a red alert for December 4 in Thiruvallur district and an orange alert for Chennai, Chengalpattu, and Kancheepuram.

The Water Resources Department ordered water to be released from Chembarambakkam, increasing the discharge from 200 cusecs to 10,000 cusecs. This brought down water levels from 89% on November 30 to 83% on December 1. It dropped to  80% on December 2, and came down further to 76% on December 3, the day before Cyclone Michaung brought widespread rainfall to Chennai and other districts. Chennai received about 530mm of rainfall over two days. https://www.thenewsminute.com/tamil-nadu/flood-management-at-chembarambakkam-an-important-lesson-learnt-from-2015-deluge  (12 Dec. 2023)

The article explains how 2023’s rainfall pattern was unique and reservoirs were managed better this time. https://www.thehindu.com/data/making-sense-of-the-2023-chennai-floods-a-comparison-with-2020-2021-and-2015-data/article67624274.ece  (11 Dec. 2023)

WRD’s river restoration: high cost, low yield With several hundred crore of rupees at its disposal, the water resources department (WRD) has a singular mandate – to restore the city’s major rivers: Adyar and Cooum. The agency is supposed to assess and maintain the original water-carrying capacity of these two rivers by identifying and removing encroachments, but it has failed to live up to its billing. About 20 slums along both the rivers have earned notoriety for going under water year after year but the WRD continues to drag its feet, that too after spending `788 crores to ‘restore’ the rivers. Despite identifying about 250 encroachments in 2022 in Krishna water catchment area in Puzhal, they have not been removed, and encroachments keep cropping up.

More than 6,000 encroachments, including 4,700 on the Adyar, have not been removed. Despite having an action plan in place to restore the rivers, the department failed to even minimise cyclone Michaung’s impact. Poor implementation of its mandate meant the Adyar drowned 441 encroached houses at Thideer Nagar in Saidapet, apart from the encroachments blocking water flow in T Nagar, Saidapet and Ashok Nagar.

Raj Bhagat, a geo-analytics expert with World Resources Institute, said scientific demarcation of boundaries must happen first. “The extent of water spread must be recorded during floods, followed by surveys of settlements there. This should be followed by a 15- year rehabilitation plan, and the flood buffers must be reclaimed,” he said. Chief engineer for water resources department S Asokan said they are surveying the flooded areas along rivers and waterbodies https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/wrds-river-restoration-high-cost-low-yield/articleshow/105986347.cms  (14 Dec. 2023)

3 agencies make a mess The Chennai Metropolitan Development Agency (CMDA) that draws ‘master plans’ for the city is the same agency that also permits conversion of waterbodies and farmlands for residential and commercial development under the guise of ‘reclassification’. Experts also blame the CMDA for shrinking water bodies through Eri schemes that led to the 2015 floods. The 2017 CAG report on performance audit of flood management in Chennai and its suburbs said that the built-up area in CMA increased from 90.88sqkm in 1979 to 541.14sqkm in 2016, while for water bodies it came down from 100.98sqkm to 91.31sqkm. Activists oppose the lack of transparency in the reclassification process and urge CDMA to prioritize floodplains, wetlands, catchment and buffer zones in the upcoming third master plan. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/three-agencies-make-a-mess-of-one-city/articleshow/105986227.cms  (15 Dec. 2023)

Solid Waste clogging drains Justices S. Vaidyanathan and P.T. Asha of the Madras High Court on Monday (Dec. 11) expressed displeasure over poor implementation of waste segregation at source in Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) limits. They said clogging of waterways due to plastics and other wastes was also one of the reasons for flooding during the recent rains in the city due to Cyclone Michaung. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/clogging-of-waterways-due-to-plastics-and-other-wastes-one-of-the-reasons-for-flooding-in-chennai-say-madras-high-court-judges/article67627342.ece  (11 Dec. 2023)

GCC to study flooded localities Stung by widespread inundation of areas despite storm water drain networks, the Greater Chennai Corporation is set to study inundation patterns and do course-corrections in 363 localities where water did not recede by itself for two or more days. “Everything from gradients, blockages in drains, canals, and rivers, size of canals, its depth, will be looked into and the issues will be addressed,” said S Rajendiran, Chief engineer of GCC.

Experts said the corporation must look into uniformity in gravity from topmost part of the drain to the disposal points. S Janakarajan, water management expert, said the top parts of drains are big but the bottom parts in narrow roads are small. “This would lead to overflow and inundation of such areas. In low-lying areas, motors are the only solution,” he added. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/gcc-to-study-363-flooded-localities/articleshow/105946151.cms  (13 Dec. 2023)

2000 km modern SWD required Greater Chennai Corporation said the city needs to add at least 2,000 km more of modern stormwater drains with a higher capacity to handle showers of this magnitude. The city currently has around 2,950 km of drains, most of which have an inadequate handling capacity of 2-5 cm per hour, S Rajendiran, GCC chief engineer for stormwater drains (SWD), told PTI. “Chennai has a road length of 5,500 km. At least 5,000 km of drains with higher capacity are required for the city to handle such heavy rains. New drains coming up in the northern, western and southern parts of the city are being built to handle rain precipitation of 7-8 cm/hour,” he said.

The official was referring to the 767 km of drains being constructed at a cost of Rs 3,520 crore in Kosasthalaiyar river basin (North and West Chennai) and 360 km of drains built in Kovalam river basin (South Chennai) at Rs 1,715 crore. Since 2021, the GCC has demolished around 100 km of older drains to improve their carrying capacity from 2-5 cm/hour to 8 cm/hour based on inputs by the Thirupugazh committee and the IIT-Madras, Rajendiran said. The committee was appointed by the DMK government in 2021 to advise on mitigation and flood management in Chennai. https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/chennai-needs-at-least-2-000-km-more-of-modern-stormwater-drains-official-123121500169_1.html  (15 Dec. 2023)

Residents blame “unscientific” SWDs for floods https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yh8oOrxwNM  (12 Dec. 2023)

Work to clean or restore flood affected stretches of waterways has started in parts of the city. However, it was a challenge since many contractors, who had bills pending for the last three years, hesitated to carry out repairs. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/water-resources-department-begins-repairing-flood-affected-stretches-of-waterways/article67627906.ece  (11 Dec. 2023)

Articles & Opinions Make room for reservoirs Chennai floods call for radical transformation of urban governance, restoration of floodplains and affordable housing program. The city’s loose housing growth on incompatible lands needs to be addressed through the buyback of private land.  Climate change need and risk for the traditional and modern water management methodologies are inevitable. The Thiruppugazh committee is tasked with flood-proofing strategies. The government should identify floodplains, remove obstructions and declare no go areas for housing development. The Dutch model of clear demarcation and deeper flow areas may be useful.  https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/how-to-flood-proof-chennai-step-one-make-room-for-reservoirs/articleshow/105896209.cms  (11 Dec. 2023)

Opportune moment to rediscover hydrology After repeated flooding in the city, the key issue now is to decode Chennai’s urban and peri-urban hydrology, its ecosystem in its totality, and make meaningful and scientific interventions S. Janaka Rajan

Are we hiding behind climate change for all the blunders made so far? Chennai suffered the serious impacts of floods in 2005, 2015 and, again, in 2023. Although each one of these floods is unique in their own way, the impact has been devastating, increasing year after year. The flood in 2023 is considered the worst in the past 47 years. But the main concern is whether we have learned any lessons from past flood events. Have we resorted to corrective measures? https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/opportune-moment-to-rediscover-chennais-hydrology/article67642874.ece  (16 Dec. 2023)

Stick to updated guidelines to minimise urban flooding Nikhil Ali: -This article aims to shed light on the shortcomings of our drainage planning systems and policymaking.

To address the issue of urban waterlogging, we must adopt a more sustainable and forward-thinking approach to urban/rural planning and drainage systems. Policymakers and planners should recognise that minimising runoff from built-up areas onto roads is the best method to decrease city waterlogging. Water should move from one location to another, replicating a natural drainage system; therefore, converting all rainwater into stormwater and directing it into the drainage system is not ideal. City stormwater management should begin with individual residences; each building/plot should constitute a rainwater harvesting system, regardless of the plot’s scale. Retrofitting programmes are to be hosted for the existing buildings by providing incentives for incorporating a rainwater harvesting system.

The reconstruction of existing drainages, traffic islands and open spaces along the roadways, aligning with the principles outlined in Indian Roads Congress’ IRC:SP:50-2013 is necessary. The effectiveness of the practises endorsed in the revised code can only be analysed through practical implementation. A change is required at an administrative level too, aiming to improve transparency among government bodies and ensure that officials are well-versed in the importance of complying with updated codes while designing physical infrastructure. (Nikhil Ali). https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/stick-to-updated-guidelines-to-minimise-urban-flooding-in-india-2813907  (16 Dec. 2023)

EPW: -While climate scientists and environmentalists strongly argue that the crisis in Chennai is a direct consequence of global warming, others attribute the massive devastation to unplanned urban development and uncontrolled growth without proper hydrological planning. https://www.epw.in/journal/2023/50/letters/cities-standstill.html  (16 Dec. 2023)

M Rajeevan Nair: –Surge in urban floods represents a complex challenge stemming from the interplay of urbanisation, inadequate planning and the climate crisis. https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/cyclone-michaung-points-to-a-looming-urban-crisis-101702301914685.html  (11 Dec. 2023)

Cyclone Michaung Mayhem: El Nino, climate change multiplies storm’s impact manifold. https://citizenmatters.in/cyclone-michaung-el-nino-effect-climate-change-storms-impact-37133  (14 Dec. 2023)

LANDSLIDES

Study A landslide susceptibility map for India A study just published in the journal Catena (Sharma et al. 2024) has generated a new landslide susceptibility map for India with a resolution of about 100 m. In terms of lives lost from rainfall triggered landslides, India is the worst affected on Earth. The combination of areas of steep topography, high uplift rates, monsoon rainfall and environmental degradation yields multiple fatal landslides every year, with a high cost.

– As expected, at the country scale the map shows high landslide susceptibility in the mountains of the Himalayas and associated upland areas, and high susceptibility in the southwest of the country, again associated with areas of high topography and intense monsoon rainfall. However, Sharma et al. (2024) have also identified some areas not previously considered to have high landslide susceptibility, for example in the Eastern Ghats. https://eos.org/thelandslideblog/india-landslide-susceptibility  (13 Dec. 2023)

ENVIRONMENT GOVERNANCE

Report Wildlife conservation at risk as govt funding dries up  Over the past five years, the Union government has significantly cut major wildlife conservation funds, raising concerns about the state of wildlife conservation. The Wildlife Habitat Development Fund has been reduced by two-thirds, and Project Tiger funds have seen a 50% reduction. Curiously, the decrease in tiger conservation funds coincides with a surge in tiger deaths in the country. https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2023/dec/11/indias-wildlife-conservation-at-risk-as-government-funding-dries-up-2640624.html  (11 Dec. 2023)

CLIMATE CHANGE

Another COP out so DIY Roxy Mathew Koll: Another COP has ended without any break from the past. Need to work to climate proof every village, town and state. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/toi-edit-page/another-cop-out-so-diy/  (15 Dec. 2023)

While a few announcements on financial commitments were made at the summit with much fanfare, the UNFCCC notes that such “financial pledges are far short of the trillions eventually needed to support developing countries with clean energy transitions, implementing their national climate plans and adaptation efforts.”

“Floods, cyclones, and heatwaves have intensified, affecting the food, water, and energy security, resulting in the loss of lives and livelihoods. Domestic migration is happening from agriculture dominated areas of northern states that are facing rainfall deficits to the megacities like Mumbai that are facing increasing climate risks due to heavy rains, cyclones and a rising sea level,” says Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune.

“Climate models indicate that a changed monsoon pattern will be more common in the future, particularly the extreme rains that cause floods. The COP28 does not show a global political will to act on that. As a two degrees Celsius global change is closing in, India needs to urgently disaster-proof every village and city,” Koll notes. https://www.deccanherald.com/india/weathering-the-storm-india-grapples-with-climate-change-2814503  (17 Dec. 2023)

SOUTH ASIA

Nepal Saving a lifeline & a majestic fish Bijay Bashyal: -Unlike bird migration, fish migration is intricately tied to the availability of free-flowing waters. This crucial journey is being jeopardized by a rapid development of hydropower projects and river modifications. These engineering feats, while harnessing energy and water resources, are disrupting the natural flow of the river, obstructing the Mahseer’s migration cycle and driving them toward extinction.

-Nepal rivers flow through varied ecological realms, hosting many indigenous, rare and endangered fish species. Unfortunately, the migration behavior of these species remains understudied and misunderstood. This knowledge gap has contributed to overlooking the impact of hydropower and irrigation projects. Recent reports from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) reveal that dam locations are selected without considering the cumulative impact on fish migration routes.

-Most of Nepal’s river systems are already obstructed by dams, restricting seasonal fish migration to the upper reaches for spawning and feeding and returning. The consequences extend beyond the blockage of migratory paths, affecting water discharge downstream, breeding grounds, limnological parameters, nutrient flows and the overall ecological balance. It is widely observed that the barrier effect is responsible for a sharp decline in fish populations in rivers with dams.

-The implementation of mitigation measures such as fish passages, environmental flow, restriction on fishing and sand mining from rivers is crucial for the conservation of fish species. Unfortunately, their effectiveness has been compromised by poor implementation and lack of monitoring.  https://theannapurnaexpress.com/story/46875/  (13 Dec. 2023)

No respite from illegal mineral mining  Unclear laws, overlapping jurisdictions, and a government with limited means to monitor the sector has left victims with nowhere to turn. https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/livelihoods/no-respite-from-illegal-mineral-mining-for-nepalis/  (11 Dec. 2023)

Bhutan Nikachhu HEP nearly completed Commissioning is scheduled to begin in January 2024 on the 118 MW Nikachhu Hydropower Project in Trongsa district, Bhutan. According to project management, all the major works required for electricity generation have been completed. Druk Green Power Corporation said that 98% of the overall work on the project was completed as of October 2023.

– It is anticipated that water will reach the turbines inside the powerhouse for wet commissioning on or before Dec. 17. Work on the Nikachhu Hydropower Project began in 2016. The project was initially planned to be completed in 2019. The 118 MW project was estimated to cost nearly BTN12 billion (US$143.9 million). It is being constructed using loans from the Asian Development Bank (over BTN4 billion or $48.0 million) and commercial banks in India (more than BTN3 billion or $36.0 million). https://www.hydroreview.com/hydro-industry-news/new-development/druk-green-power-reports-118-mw-nikachhu-hydropower-project-nearly-completed/  (11 Dec. 2023)

Bangladesh The role of rivers in making of a nation Bangladesh’s physiography characterises her as a riverine country, and this unique geographical landscape played a part in the region’s glorious history, politics and spatial dynamics.

The River and Delta Research Centre (RDRC) conducted studies and prepared several maps that help us understand the geographical features of the rivers and water bodies of Bangladesh in 1971 and how they influenced the birth of the country.

The key features of this map have geopolitical and geostrategic implications as it highlights Bangladesh through the frame of her canals, streams and more than 1,200 rivers. 1971 can be used as the baseline or reference point to compare the current situation of rivers and water bodies. https://www.tbsnews.net/supplement/role-rivers-making-bangladesh-344392  (16 Dec. 2023)

Pakistan  Artificial rain used for the first time to fight pollution  Artificial rain has been used for the first time in Pakistan in a bid to combat hazardous levels of pollution in the megacity of Lahore, says the provincial government. Planes equipped with cloud-seeding equipment flew on Saturday (Dec. 16) over the eastern city, often ranked one of the worst places globally for air pollution.

“It drizzled in at least 10 areas of Lahore,” caretaker chief minister of Punjab, Mohsin Naqvi, told reporters, adding that the authorities were monitoring the impact of artificial rain in a radius of 15km (nine miles). The “gift” was provided by the United Arab Emirates, Naqvi said. “Teams from the UAE, along with two planes, arrived here about 10 to 12 days ago. They used 48 flares to create the rain,” he said.

The UAE has increasingly used cloud seeding, sometimes referred to as artificial rain or blueskying, to create rain in the arid expanse of the country. Naqvi reassured the public of the safety of the artificial rain, citing more than 1,000 annual missions by the UAE and similar technologies used in dozens of countries, including the United States, China and India.  https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/16/pakistan-uses-artificial-rain-for-the-first-time-to-fight-pollution  (16 Dec. 2023)

ASIA

MEKONG Loas  Locals protest against Pak Beng HEP  Communities along the Mekong River in four districts of Chiang Rai have expressed concern that their houses will eventually be inundated due to the construction of the Pak Beng Hydropower Project in Laos. They are urging the government to halt a 29-year power purchase agreement inked by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) and the dam developer until their concerns are addressed.

This message was raised at a forum titled “Mekong Fair for Faith in Justice” held on Dec 9 in Chiang Rai. The event was attended by villagers, academics, local politicians and representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Thailand. “We oppose the construction of the dam because, based on our research, our communities will be inundated. Our farmlands, our houses and our fishing livelihoods will be gone,” said Thongsuk Inthawong, former Ban Huai Luek village head in Wiang Kaen district. He said Ban Huai Luek is about 315 metres above sea level.

The Department of Water Resources reported the water level will reach 340m above sea level when the dam discharges water, so the village will end up submerged, he said. Based on research from Chiang Mai University, the ecosystem will change as islets will disappear and fewer fish will populate the river, he said. “Our fishing tools won’t be of any use in the future because there won’t be enough fish for us to catch,” he said. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/special-reports/2707124/power-deal-in-north-upsets   (17 Dec. 2023)

EUROPE

UNEP Rapid EIA of Kakhovka Dam Breach Ukraine, 2023  Much of the damage caused by the breach of Ukraine’s Kakhovka dam in June 2023 is irreversible, with likely changes to the environment that could have impacts on ecosystems and human health. These findings are part of an assessment published by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), which calls for specific immediate and long-term remediation measures.

The Rapid Environmental Assessment of the Kakhovka Dam Breach, carried out at the request of the Ukrainian Government, concluded that consequences will be felt for decades, reaching far beyond Ukraine’s borders. The assessment was led by experts from 13 institutions in Kyiv and abroad, and leveraged official data, satellite imagery and remote sensing, while noting challenges in accessing the site that is in a war zone.

The assessment encompasses damage caused both upstream and downstream, including hydrological and geomorphic impacts, chemical contamination, waste, and ecological damage, including to protected areas. The assessment does not address the full impacts on irrigation, drinking water and supply of water to industry – including the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant – and associated human health impacts. https://www.unep.org/resources/report/rapid-environmental-assessment-kakhovka-dam-breach-ukraine-2023  (25 Oct. 2023)

THE REST OF THE WORLD

USA Biden admin supports removal of 4 dams on Snake River The Biden administration today (Dec. 14) announced its intention to move forward with the removal of four controversial dams on Washington’s Lower Snake River. The long-hoped-for dam removal is necessary to the survival of 13 endangered salmon and steelhead runs, multiple scientific reports and court cases have determined.  Native American nations and environmental groups that for decades have advocated for the dam removal applauded the White House move as an essential first step toward restoring salmon and steelhead populations.

-“These dams impact not only our sustenance, but our health, our ability to interact with the land, in order to realize our treaty rights,” said Chairman Shannon Wheeler of the Nez Perce Tribes.  “The science has become increasingly clear that you aren’t going to be able to avoid extinction if you don’t breach the dams,” said Bill Arthur, the chair of the Sierra Club’s Snake/Columbia River Salmon campaign.

-Removal of the Lower Snake River dams isn’t just about following the Endangered Species Act—decommissioning the dams would also honor Native treaty rights. The Treaty of 1859 between the US government and Nez Perce Tribe guarantees the tribe “exclusive taking” of fish running through or bordering its reservation—including in the Snake River and its tributaries.

-“We believe that the [Biden] administration, congressional leaders, law enforcement, and the courts are all subject to the rule of law,” Wheeler said. “And the rule of law speaks to what must be done here.”  If the dam removal proceeds—the proposed agreement still must be approved by Congress—it will be at least several years before the river washes out sediment buildup behind the dams, exposing the riverbed, Garrity said. The Biden administration’s recent agreement also recommends restoration along the main stem and tributaries of the Snake River. “All those actions give the species a real shot,” Garrity said. https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/snake-river-dams-biden-administration-supports-removal  (14 Dec. 2023)

Africa Mozambique signs $5 bln hydro-project accord with EDF-led consortium Govt of Mozambique has signed a USD 5 B accord with a consortium led by French company EDF to set up Mphanda Nkuwa hydro project on Zambezi, one of biggest rivers of Africa. Mozambique already has the Cahora Bassa project on the same river, exporting power to S Africa. https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/mozambique-signs-5-bln-hydro-project-accord-with-edf-led-consortium/105962858  (13 Dec. 2023)

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

Also see: DRP News Bulletin 11 Dec. 2023 & DRP News Bulletin 04 Dec. 2023  

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