(Feature Image: Vehicles stuck in debris following a recent cloudburst at Saat Meel in Mandi, on August 20, 2023. (PTI Photo/Money Control)

World’s largest democratic exercise is now ongoing in India to elect the members of India’s Lok Sabha. Over 97 crores are eligible to vote in these elections. One of the biggest factors that is adversely affecting people across India currently is Climate Change. It is affecting almost every aspect of life and the adverse impacts are only increasing with every passing year. This is man-made disaster basically happening due to anthropogenic reasons, affecting air, water, climate, food, health, livelihoods, disasters and so on, affecting everyone. Currently, India is also a major contributor to the climate change causing green-house gas emissions, even though historically, the developed countries have contributed much more.

More importantly, the development options that the elected government choose will decide how the people will be impacted by climate change. The government has large number of options for pathways to development. Considering all this, one expected that climate change responses will be a major issue in these elections. But that is clearly not the case. BJP and Congress, two of the biggest parties fighting the elections, have mentioned climate change in their manifestos, but neither has dealt with this important issue with the detail and seriousness required. Nor are any of them making climate change a major election issue. One expects the ruling party to at least respond in greater detail and seriousness to this issue, but that is not the case.

It is worth asking, why this is the case? One clear answer is that even our politicians have neither thought, nor articulated this issue in any detail at any time. But this is also a failure of our media and civil society in not attempting to make this an important issue on which the candidates and parties seeking votes are answerable. This issue becomes even more important considering the poor track record of our governments, executive, legislators, judiciary and media on environment issues in general.

Report Climate change needs to be an election issue India features prominently in the list of countries impacted by climate change in Asia: from the heatwaves that swept across the country killing more than 100 people, to the bursting of the Teesta III dam in Sikkim. The report’s main take-aways therefore make the environmental election demands put forward recently by environmentalist, social and rights groups in the light of climate change even more pertinent. But even though climate change is directly impacting India and its people, it is still not an election issue. This needs to change, climate scientists say. https://thewire.in/environment/why-climate-change-needs-to-be-an-election-issue-in-india  (26 April 2024)

Study Climate change could become main driver biodiversity of decline -Studying changes in land-use patterns and their impacts on biodiversity, an international team of researchers found that biodiversity around the world could have declined by 2-11 per cent. “By including all world regions in our model, we were able to fill many blind spots and address criticism of other approaches working with fragmented and potentially biased data,” said Henrique Pereira, research group head at the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), and the first author of the study published in the journal ‘Science’. The researchers called for a “truly integrated approach” considering varied sustainability aspects to reduce conflicts between policies and safeguard biodiversity in the coming decades. https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/climate-change-could-become-main-driver-of-biodiversity-decline-study-124042700147_1.html  (27 April 2024)

Opinion Preparing India for water stress, climate resilience The climate is the economy now, and understanding the crucial intersections between land, food, energy and water will influence how the economy functions. (Arunabha Gosh, Nitin Bassi, CEEW) https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/world-earth-day-2024-preparing-india-for-water-stress-climate-resilience/article68091717.ece  (22 April 2024)

Climate crisis compass for water management -India’s critical water infrastructure must be built to withstand, respond to, and recover rapidly from climate disruptions Aparna Roy. https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/climate-crisis-compass-for-water-management-101713968674082.html  (24 April 2024)

The Hindu looks at how Indian voters perceive climate change, what climate agenda is centred in political campaigns and if this could be India’s year of voting for ‘green’ policies. https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/is-climate-change-an-election-issue-in-india/article67726742.ece  (09 Feb. 2024)

Himachal Pradesh Natural disasters overlooked in poll campaigns It has been more than a month since the elections were announced and all political parties are actively campaigning. However, no candidate has presented a clear vision or plan for addressing environmental and climate change issues. Kulbhushan Upmanyu, a former associate of Sunderlal Bahuguna in the Chipko Movement and president of Himalaya Niti Abhiyan, told Down To Earth (DTE) that including environmental issues in manifestos appears to be a mere formality for the political parties. Upmanyu noted that policymakers should be alerted by the natural disasters that have recently occurred in Himachal, Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir.

Youth from the Kinnaur region launched a ‘No Means No’ campaign against dams and hydropower projects, urging voters to press the ‘none of the above’ or NOTA button in the elections. This movement likely contributed to the ruling party candidate’s defeat by 6,000 votes, with 12,926 voters opting for NOTA. The youth opposing large-scale power projects in the Himalayan region, particularly in Kinnaur, have decided to raise questions about environmental issues again in the current elections. This time, Kinnaur’s youth launched a ‘No Means No’ campaign to raise awareness about environmental issues. https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/environment/environment-in-elections-natural-disasters-overlooked-in-himachal-pradesh-poll-campaigns-95856  (29 April 2024)

HYDRO POWER PROJECTS

Jammu & Kashmir REC inks Rs 1869 cr loan deal with CVPPPL for 624 Mw Kiru HEP REC Ltd, a Maharatna CPSE under the Ministry of Power and a prominent non-banking financial company (NBFC) has inked a significant agreement with Chenab Valley Power Project Private Limited (CVPPPL). The agreement entails financial assistance amounting to Rs 1869.265 crore in the form of a term loan. The purpose of this loan is earmarked for the development, construction, and operation of the Greenfield Kiru Hydro Electric Project, a venture envisaging four units of 156 MW each.   

CVPPPL a Joint Venture Company between NHPC (51 percent) and JKSPDC (49 percent) has been entrusted with the construction of the Kiru HE Project (624 MW), Pakal Dul HE Project (1000 MW), Kwar HE Project (540 MW), and Kirthai-II HE Project (930 MW) on Build, Own, Operate and Maintain (BOOM) basis with an aggregate installed capacity of 3094 MW. https://www.greaterkashmir.com/gk-top-news/rec-inks-rs-1869-cr-loan-deal-with-cvpppl-for-624-mw-kiru-hydro-project/  (25 April 2024)

ISRO Himalayan glaciers melting at unprecedented rates At least 89 per cent of 2,431 glacial lakes in the Himalayas that were identified in 2016-17 have notably expanded since 1984, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said in a report today. The results of the ISRO analysis is worrying as expanding glacial lakes due to warming can lead to cascading consequences in the lower regions, say experts. Satellite data archives spanning the past three to four decades provide valuable insights into changes occurring in glaciated environments, ISRO said. Long-term satellite imagery covering the catchments of Indian Himalayan river basins from 1984 to 2023 indicates significant changes in glacial lakes, ISRO said in the report.

The ISRO report said 601 glacial lakes, or 89 per cent, have expanded more than twice, and 10 lakes have grown between 1.5 times and double their size. Sixty-five lakes have expanded 1.5 times. Of the 2,431 glacial lakes larger than 10 hectares, 676 have significantly expanded, and at least 130 of these lakes are in India – 65 (Indus River basin), 7 (Ganga River basin), and 58 (Brahmaputra River basin). Elevation-based analysis shows 314 lakes are located in the 4,000 to 5,000 metres range, and 296 lakes are above 5,000 metres elevation, ISRO said in the report ‘Satellite Insights: Expanding Glacial Lakes in the Indian Himalayas’ released on Apr 22. https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/89-expanding-glacial-lakes-in-himalayas-grew-more-than-twice-in-38-years-isro-5499623  (22 April 2024)

“…This retreat leads to the formation of new lakes and the enlargement of existing ones in the Himalayan region. These bodies of water, created by the melting of glaciers, are known as glacial lakes and play a crucial role as freshwater sources for rivers in the Himalayan region. However, they also pose significant risks, such as Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), which can have devastating consequences for communities downstream,” Isro said in a statement on Monday (April 22). https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/glaciers-melting-at-unprecedented-rates-in-indian-himalayan-region-isro/articleshow/109505281.cms  (22 April 2024)

The ISRO study has given a lot of valuable data on the status of the glaciers. That should help us formulate plans to deal with glacier-related situations in future. https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/editorial/unwise-to-neglect-himalayan-crisis-2998773  (29 April 2024)

MoEF Relevant agenda of the FAC meeting to be held on Apr 30 2024:

1. Diversion of 315.74 ha forest land for ASOLAMENDHA RENOVATION irrigation PROJECT in Chandrapur dist of Mah.

2. 17 HA OF FOREST LAND FOR URI-I STAGE-II HE PROJECT, DISTRICT BARAMULA UT OF JAMMU & KASHMIR for NHPC LTD. https://forestsclearance.nic.in/AgendaDetail.aspx

DAMS

Kaleshwaram Project Ghose probe panel hearings from May 8 The Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose commission, which has been appointed to probe the Kaleshwaram barrages issue, is likely to begin public hearings from May 8. Justice Ghose, who was in Hyderabad for the last three days, left for Kolkata on Saturday and is likely to come back to Hyderabad in the first week of May. The former Supreme Court judge has said he would summon former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, if required. The one-man commission of inquiry wants to set up his own team of experts from IITs and NITs to help in completing the probe. Once the team is ready, he along with technical experts will visit Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages in the first week of May. Justice Ghose has issued a public notice seeking complaints, information and other details along with evidence and documents pertaining to the Kaleshwaram project till May 31. A box has been set up to receive complaints at his office in BRKR Bhavan. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/ghose-probe-panel-hearings-from-may-8/articleshow/109656401.cms  (28 April 2024) The former judge is expected to visit Medigadda, Sundilla and Annaram barrages Friday (April 26). https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/pc-ghose-commences-probe-into-kaleshwaram/articleshow/109607012.cms  (26 April 2024)

Medigadda: Probe panel to dig into KLIS contract The terms of reference of the probe said one-man commission would also look into award and execution of contract. The govt wanted the commission to look into negligence in operation and maintenance of barrages. “Quality control and other malpractices by the agencies and contractors and the irrigation department will be inquired,” terms of reference said. Govt asked commission to fix responsibilities on any official for extending undue favours to agencies, contractors in terms of allowing unjustified extension of time, premature release of bank guarantees, wrong completion work certificates. The commission, which has been asked to submit report by June, will probe financial implication on lapses. This will help govt collect penalties from agencies and take legal action. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/medigadda-probe-panel-to-dig-into-klis-contract/articleshow/109575125.cms  (25 April 2024)

KLIS panel open to summoning ‘anyone’ -Uncertainity looms over whether former CM KCR will be summoned by Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose, heading a judicial commission investigating the irregularities and corruption allegations in the KLIS. When TNIE posed the same question to Justice Ghose, who commenced his work at the BRKR Bhavan on Thursday (April 25), he shot back: “Do you want me to summon him?”

-When TNIE reminded that Justice BK Somasekhara, the one-man Commission of Inquiry that probed into the alleged scam in paying compensation for the land acquired for the Yeleru canal in combined Andhra Pradesh summoned former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Justice Ghose said that functioning and thinking of one judicial commission would be different from other. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2024/Apr/26/kaleshwaram-lift-irrigation-scheme-panel-open-to-summoning-anyone  (26 April 2024)

Telangana ACB nabs Irrigation official According to the law enforcement agency, the accused officer Yatha Pavan Kumar, Deputy Executive Engineer was caught red handed by ACB, Hyderabad City Unit 1 when he demanded five lakhs and accepted the bribe amount of four lakhs from the complainant, Gopagani Ramanamurthy. The accused was taken into custody from his office located in Buddha Bhavan at Secunderabad.

The complainant, who was a builder, approached the official for No Objection Certificate (NOC) for a commercial building he was constructing in Uppal. The ACB said, “To process and forward the NOC permission file for the construction of a commercial building situated at Shanthi Nagar, Uppal Bhagath Village, Uppal, Medchal-Malkajgiri Dist, the official demanded Five lakhs for the same.” https://hyderabadmail.com/acb-nabs-irrigation-official-for-accepting-bribe/ (26 Apr 2024)

Sardar Sarovar Project Saving the Hilsa by letting the flow! The paper titled ‘Assessment of optimal dam release for anadromous fish migration in estuary’ published in Ecological Indicators discusses the findings of a study that investigates the effects of Sardar Sarovar Dam (SSD) on downstream flow, and estimates the flow requirements necessary to support anadromous fish migration namely that of the hilsa fish in the Narmada River estuary. https://www.indiawaterportal.org/articles/saving-hilsa-letting-narmada-flow  (20 April 2024)

Mullaperiyar Dam SC fixes July 10 to finalise legal issues The controversial Mullaperiyar dam is again before SC for a slightly differently framed question. Kerala wants to construct a mega parking place next to the reservoir. TN claims it encroaches on its lease area. SC had last year asked Survey of India to give its opinion and SOI has said it does not encroach on the lease area. TN challenges SOI survey and now in July 2024 SC will decide the legal questions related to this. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/mullaperiyar-dam-case-tn-rejects-survey-of-india-report-on-mega-parking-project-sc-fixes-july-10-to-finalise-legal-issues/article68093743.ece (22 Apr 2024)

Jharkhand Ambitious Mandal dam project still hangs fire Since its inception in 1972, the project suffered several delays and hurdles owing to various reasons ranging from displacement-related unrest to land acquisition issues among others. In the early 90s, when Jharkhand was still part of Bihar, the work came to an abrupt halt after spending a huge chunk of the allocated funds because of the lack of an environmental clearance as the site falls inside the Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR).

The Modi govt revived this project in 2019, dubbing it one of its ambitious projects in the interest of the farmers in the parched areas and got the environmental clearance. In October last year, the cabinet committee on economic affairs chaired by the PM also approved a revised cost to the tune of Rs 1,622.2 crore for the completion of the project. The revised cost included rehabilitation and resettlement amounts for the displaced people. Work, however, has still stalled since 2019, local sources which were aware of the ground situation said.

Ashok Kumar, the chief engineer of the Medininagar division of the state water resources department under which jurisdiction the project is located, said the process of negotiations with the project-affected people was still on without any substantial headway. “The state govt had already paid compensation to the affected families several decades ago for the acquisition of their land. However, after the continued agitation, especially by those living in the forest areas, the Centre agreed to provide Rs 15 lakh more per family under the R&R policy from its coffers. The additional funds have been sanctioned but the distribution is yet to take place because of various reasons, including fresh demands from the locals,” he said.

According to the latest govt records, 780 families in at least eight villages in the dam submergence area need to be rehabilitated. Locals, however, have been claiming that the number of such families is over 1,000. While the administration offered compensation payments in three instalments, the villagers are steadfast in taking a one-time payment and they are demanding land for rehabilitation. “The displaced are demanding one-time money in advance and say that they will vacate the area once the gates of the dams are ready to store water,” Kumar added.

On the other hand, Pratap Tirkey, the president of the Kutku Doob Area Sangharsh Committee, said the villagers don’t want to be tagged as anti-development but are concerned about their livelihood and future after their displacement. “Since all are forest dwellers and the site falls under the reserve area, there is a provision of providing land for rehabilitation besides the compensation amount. We, too, want this project to see the light of the day but at the same time, the govt must ensure our future,” Tirkey said. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/mandal-dam-modis-ambitious-irrigation-project-still-hangs-fire/articleshow/109514832.cms  (23 April 2024)

Odisha Dams fueling coastal erosion Satabhaya village – whose displaced former residents have been officially recognised by the government as climate migrants – sits at the mouth of the mighty Mahanadi River Delta and its coasts were once replenished by earth carried by the currents from inland. But an upriver dam-building spree in the decades since India’s independence in 1947 drastically cut the amount of sediment deposited where the waterways met the sea. That left Odisha’s coasts vulnerable to erosion and lacking a critical defence against rising sea levels. https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/in-this-odisha-village-coastal-erosion-forces-people-to-abandon-homes-5525635  (26 April 2024)

INTERSTATE WATER DISPUTES

Krishna Water Disputes Karnataka holds back on water to Telangana amid polls As water levels dip in reservoirs across Telangana, the state govt is hoping Karnataka comes to its rescue. If Karnataka releases 5 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft) of water from Narayanpur dam on Krishna river, it would help fend off a looming water crisis over Hyderabad city. Chief minister A Revanth Reddy had a couple of weeks ago asked irrigation officials to approach the neighbouring state to release water given that both Karnataka and Telangana are governed by Congress. But there is a catch. Bengaluru too is facing a water crisis. Karnataka may consider releasing water to Telangana only after May 7 after the second phase of Lok Sabha polls ends there. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/polls-jam-flow-of-water-from-karnataka-to-telangana/articleshowprint/109654843.cms  (28 April 2024)

URBAN RIVERS

Pune Irrigation dept imposes fine of ₹93 cr on PMC The irrigation department has billed Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for ₹111 crore as water usage charge and at the same time imposed a fine of ₹93 crore for failing to treat sewage water. According to the irrigation department, PMC has been discharging untreated wastewater directly into the river, resulting in the action against the civic body.

-The city generates 835 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage, of which only 438 MLD is treated and released back into the Mutha river by PMC. PMC spends approximately ₹500 crore annually on sewage treatment but faces additional fines totaling ₹100 crore due to the non-utilization of purified water from the constructed jack well at Mundhwa, as per the decision of the irrigation department. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/pune-news/irrigation-dept-imposes-fine-of-93-cr-on-pune-civic-body-for-failing-to-treat-sewage-water-101713805223375.html  (22 April 2024)

Revive the rivers without waiting for the government: This has been the motto of Jeevitnadi, which has drawn people from various walks of life. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/against-all-odds-infuse-new-life-into-punes-rivers-9295030/  (28 April 2024)

MPCB to monitor defunct STPs in large housing societies As many housing societies with a built-up area of over 2 lakh square feet in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad have non-functional STP that are only adding to the water shortage problem, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has decided to monitor all such STPs. While the MPCB has started collecting information about such housing societies from local bodies like the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), the PMC does not have any real-time data on such societies and the status of their STPs. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/pune-news/mpcb-to-monitor-defunct-stps-in-large-housing-societies-101713984227068.html  (25 April 2024)

Musi; Hyderabad TCM announces Rs 1 lakh cr RFD plan CM A Revanth Reddy on Thursday, April 26, announced the state government’s ambitious plan to revitalise the Musi riverfront by allocating Rs 1 lakh crore for the project. https://www.siasat.com/telangana-cm-announces-rs-1-l-crore-musi-riverfront-development-plan-3015163/  (25 April 2024)

Shillong NGO flags illegal construction over city river Violating the Meghalaya Water Bodies Preservation and Conservation Guidelines of 2023, which clearly prohibit ‘construction or erection of any structure in the water bodies’, an illegal pavement is being constructed over the river Wah Thangsning, behind Goraline by the owner of the under-construction building just beside the river.  This was brought to the forefront by Green Tech Foundation, an environmental NGO. It may be mentioned that the illegal construction violates the High Court of Meghalaya’s order, which had earlier directed the state government to ensure that it does not allow any construction to come up within 50 meters of the high-water mark of the relevant water body, without the express previous leave of the Court.

Bapyntngen Mashli, a Member of the Green Tech Foundation, while addressing media persons, said that they have also written letters to the MPCB and the Shillong Municipal Board. However, they were yet to receive any response till the filing of this report. Informing that they will take a call on their further course of action if no response is received, the NGO said they were unaware of the owner of the under-construction building. They, however, felt that the owner appears to be somebody powerful. https://theshillongtimes.com/2024/04/28/ngo-flags-illegal-construction-over-city-river/  (28 April 2024)

• RIVERS

Report Plastic-choked rivers in Ecuador are being cleared with conveyor belts -Created by the tech start-up Ichthion, the Azure system’s simple design has the capacity to stop and collect around 80 tonnes of plastic per day. At this particular point in the San Pedro River, the most it’s collected in a day has been 1.5 tonnes of plastic and synthetic fabrics – that’s roughly the same weight as a female hippopotamus. “What you take out of rivers, what you find along the riverbanks… the majority of this will all end up in the ocean,” says Inty Grønneberg, founder and chief executive of Ichthion, a name derived from ichthyology, the study of fish. “Our idea is to prevent ocean-bound plastic.”

-But Ichthion doesn’t only pick up debris in the river, it also tries to stop it from arriving there in the first place by documenting and generating data about what is collected. This way they can better identify the source of the garbage, whether it be mounds of industrial waste from factories, or bags of household trash that indicates a problem with the municipal garbage system. The data allows them to work with municipalities, businesses and communities to stop the problem. “We know very little about the contamination problem,” says Grønneberg. “But if you only look at what you extract, it won’t stop. So that’s why extraction is important, but prevention based on data is more important.”

-Jordyn Wolfand, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Portland in the US, evaluated over 40 plastic clean-up systems for rivers. The most effective, she says, were the ones that understood the specific problems and needs of each site, not any one design in particular.  “Litter patterns and litter accumulation is so site-specific that there really isn’t a best approach,” she told BBC Future Planet. One way that technologies do tend to be more effective though, Wolfand adds, is when they’re implemented farther upstream, closer to the source of pollution.

-Even when you have a design that’s good at removing plastic from a river, there are more challenges ahead. But some say clean-up efforts come with their own drawbacks. In a 2023 comment paper, a group of academics outlined a number of concerns with these technologies. Win Cowger, one of the paper’s authors and a research scientist at the Moore Institute for Plastic Pollution Research in California, is concerned about the environmental impact of plastic-catching barriers in rivers in the long term, especially if their use becomes widespread. They could stop organisms, sediments and all sorts of natural organic matter from flowing downriver, which are all important for coastal marine environments to thrive and prevent coastal erosion, he says. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240419-ecuadors-conveyor-belt-to-clear-river-plastic  (22 April 2024)

Kerala 30 years on, eco-restoration of stream a success In the midst of a sweltering summer, a stream long dormant in a tribal settlement within the Marayur Sandal division in Idukki has sprung back to life after a hiatus of 30 years. This remarkable transformation is credited to an eco-restoration initiative spearheaded by the Forest department in the area during the 2021-2024 period. Forest department officials recount that the hills within the forest division of Kammalamkudi were once covered in grasslands with active water streams until 1990s. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/30-years-on-eco-restoration-of-stream-a-success/article68083817.ece  (20 April 2024)

Maharashtra Man worked to bring back river to life Hailing from Solapur district, 77-year-old Vaijinath Ghongade couldn’t bear to see the sorry state of the once thriving Manganga river. Here’s how he brought people together to revive it. https://www.thebetterindia.com/348157/manganga-river-solapur-rejuvenation-efforts-vaijinath-ghongade-awarded-book-parikrama-mangangechi/#google_vignette  (24 April 2024)

Chhattisgarh NGT calls for report on river waste dumping The NGT has directed the Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board (CECB) to furnish a detailed report on the dumping of solid wastes, particularly iron ore, along the Shankani-Dankini, riverbank a tributary of Indravati river. Additionally, the tribunal has sought information regarding the construction of an ongoing wall at the riverbed while hearing an application raising environmental concern. The tribunal has directed the CECB’s Member Secretary to submit a detailed reply within four weeks, with the matter scheduled for further hearing on July 4, 2024.

Applicant Nitin Singhvi’s grievance primarily revolves around the lack of adherence to the draft notification and guidelines issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. These guidelines delineate prohibited and restricted activities zones along the river embankment, with a specific emphasis on curtailing the dumping of solid waste along riverbanks. Despite the issuance of a “No Objection” certificate by the CECB in May 2021, under certain conditions, for the disposal of iron ore waste in a designated pit adjacent to the riverbank, the applicant contends that subsequent actions have led to environmental degradation. He points out that in 2021, the company deposited iron ore waste near the Shankani-Dankini riverbed, near the cremation ground in Dantewada.

Furthermore, a project to construct a retaining wall to contain the waste was initiated but halted after objections were raised. Subsequent floods in 2022 washed away a significant portion of the deposited waste. The applicant further highlighted the issuance of new “No Objection certificates” by the CECB and the Collector Dantewada in April and June 2023, respectively, for additional dumping of tailings at the same site. Despite interventions by environmental authorities, including the Chhattisgarh State Biodiversity Board, the dumped tailings remain uncleared, exacerbating ecological damage. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/raipur/ngt-calls-for-report-on-river-waste-dumping-in-chhattisgarh/articleshow/109521510.cms  (23 April 2024)

Jammu & Kashmir Govt okays 140cr action plan to clean Doodh Ganga The project, outlined in a status report submitted to the NGT by the Housing and Urban Department, will be taken-up in a phased manner and is expected to be completed by 2025. According to the report, the action plan for the implementation of sewage projects has been taken and the tenders will be floated on 30 April 2024. However, the tribunal, in an order dated April 3, 2024 said, in that action plan, the capacity of STP, number of household connections to the STP and the connection status have not been disclosed. https://kashmirobserver.net/2024/04/22/jk-govt-okays-140-cr-action-plan-to-clean-doodh-ganga/#google_vignette  (22 April 2024)

Punjab Reveal stand on pollution, greens ask candidates -Ludhiana, environmentalists asked the candidates to elucidate their agenda for the prevention of pollution in the Buddha Dariya (commonly known as the Buddha Nullah) and the Sutlej. Despite promises from politicians and officials, pollution in the nullah remains evident. At Walipur Kalan village, where the drain merges into the Sutlej, two distinct water shades persist — one black on the Walipur side and the other relatively clear.

-Notably, the Rejuvenation of Buddha Dariya project, worth Rs 650 crore, was launched in December 2020. Initially scheduled for completion by December 2022, with an extended deadline of March 2024, the pollution problem persists. Environmental activists raised questions over the alleged silence of most candidates on the issue. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ludhiana/where-do-you-stand-on-pollution-environmentalists-ask-candidates-613648  (23 April 2024)

Madhya Pradesh Rivers doomed to drown in pollution The cleanliness of key rivers like Narmada, Kshipra, and Betwa has been a recurring issue in Lok Sabha, Assembly, and urban body elections over the past 15 years. From Chief Ministers to Mayors, and from Members of Parliament to Members of Legislative Assembly, assurances have been made to prevent the entry of polluted city water into these rivers. However, post-elections, little progress has been made in this regard. Although sewage treatment plants have been installed in some areas, they have failed to effectively prevent the flow of contaminated water into the rivers.

-Despite the implementation of various schemes such as the Namami Gange Mission and National River Conservation, pollution levels continue to rise due to a lack of interest and commitment from regional public representatives and responsible officials. The condition of the Narmada River, considered the lifeline of Madhya Pradesh, is particularly dire in terms of pollution. In addition to the Narmada, other significant rivers like Mahi, Tapti, Kali Sindh, Chambal, Parbati, Dhasan, Ken, Sindh, Kuno, Shipra, Betwa, and the Son River – the largest tributary joining the Ganga from the south – are also experiencing increasing pollution levels. https://en.themooknayak.com/environment/are-madhya-pradesh-rivers-doomed-to-drown-in-pollution-while-election-discourses-ignore-their-revival  (16 April 2024)

GANGA Study Assessment of macro & microplastics from Ganga & Yamuna Abstract The current study aimed to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the seasonal and spatial distribution of macro to microplastics (MPs) in the surface water, water column, and sediments from the River Ganga and Yamuna. MP samples were collected from various points of these Rivers, including upstream, downstream, and drainage points around the vicinity of Haridwar, Agra, Prayagraj, and Patna cities. With a significant seasonal variation, the estimated MPs and plastic flux were higher during the wet season than during the dry season. MPs sized 300 µm-1 mm and fibre-shaped blue and black colored MPs were pre-dominant in both rivers. Polyacrylamide, polyamide, and polyvinyl chloride were the most ascertained polymers. MPs including hazardous polymers (hazard score >1000) may pose a risk to the population of Indo-Gangetic Plain via direct and indirect exposure to MPs. The information provided in this study could serve as a starting point for the action plan required by municipal corporations to mitigate plastic pollution and target the possible sources at each location. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304389424005053  (April 2024)

Uttarakhand Ganga not an electoral issue -Since 2014, the Centre had taken up 409 projects with a budget outlay of ₹32,912.4 crore to clean up the river, Union minister of state for Jal Shakti (water resources), Vishweshwar Tudu, told Parliament on Feb. 13, 2024. “The river is as polluted as it was before the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party ) came to power,” said Swami Shivanand Saraswati, head of Matre Sadan, an ashram on the banks of the Ganga in Haridwar, which has been fighting for a clean Ganga since 1986.

-What anguishes him is despite sacrifices made by Matre Sadan members was that the river was not an electoral issue for the people. “People have faith in Ganga but will not vote for its health. Beautification of river ghats with concrete is not cleaning the river,” he said, holding both the Congress and BJP responsible for the decay of the country’s most sacred river.

-Cleaning the Ganga has been a poll plank for the BJP, said Sunil Sharma, a journalist based in Haridwar. “The BJP had promised ‘nirmal and aviral dhara’ (clean and free flowing) Ganga. Both has not happened,” he said. An expert committee on Ganga set up by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in 2010 had recommended 50% ecological flow of river water for natural cleansing and supporting aquatic life.

-Cleaning the Ganga has been a political issue for decades. Leaders cutting across the political spectrum had promised to clean the river. After winning 2014 general election, Modi had said, “Mother Ganga needs someone to take her out of this dirt and she has chosen me for the job.” Despite spending crores, the faecal coliform in the river was above the permissible level at 70% of the locations in January 2023, according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) testing of samples of 59 of the 97 water quality monitoring stations along the river.

-Around three million litres of sewage is emptied into the Ganga everyday and only about half of that is treated, according to Jal Shakti ministry data. Apart from sewage, untreated waste from tanneries, chemical plants, textile mills and even hospitals is dumped into the river. In the holy city of Varanasi alone, it is estimated that 4,000 bodies are burnt on the banks of the river every day. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/dehradun-news/ganga-not-an-electoral-issue-in-uttarakhand-this-time-101713585431868.html  (20 April 2024)

Uttar Pradesh NGT directs officials to expedite demarcation of floodplain The NGT has directed the authorities concerned to expedite the demarcation of floodplain zones of the Ganga and the Ram Ganga in Moradabad district. The green panel was hearing a plea alleging a state-owned company in the energy sector is carrying out illegal construction in the rivers’ floodplains in the Milak Kharakpur Baaje village of the district’s Munda Pandey block.

-In February, a report by the Moradabad district magistrate and the UPPCB said a pipeline was being constructed by GAIL. The NGT bench said in pursuance of the tribunal’s earlier directions, the district magistrate filed another report, saying Rs 1.12 crore had been paid to the National Institute of Hydrology (NIH) in Roorkee for demarcation of the floodplain.

-According to the NIH, the determination of geo-coordinates for demarcating the floodplain would be completed within 12 months, following which the demarcation process would begin, the bench  said noting the report. In an order passed on April 12, the bench noted that according to the authorities concerned, it could be ascertained whether the construction work was within the floodplains only after the process of demarcation was completed. https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/ngt-directs-officials-to-expedite-demarcation-of-ganga-s-floodplain-in-up-124042200901_1.html  (22 April 2024)

HC grants bail to ex-MP Dhananjay Singh The MP-MLA court in Jaunpur on March 6, sentenced Singh and his associate Santosh Vikram to seven years of rigorous imprisonment in a 2020 case of the kidnapping and extortion of Namami Gange project manager Abhinav Singhal. After hearing the criminal appeal filed by the former MP and his associate on April 24, Justice Sanjay Kumar Singh had reserved the order. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/allahabad-hc-grants-bail-to-ex-mp-dhananjay-singh/articleshow/109644962.cms  (27 April 2024)

YAMUNA Haryana SC stays building of 4 dams in Kalesar sanctuary The Supreme Court on Apr 24 stayed the construction of four proposed dams inside Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary in Yamunanagar district of Haryana. Acting on a petition filed by advocate Gaurav Bansal, the Bench also issued notices to the Centre, Haryana Government and others, asking them to respond to the petition. Bansal has challenged the construction of four dams — Chikan, Kansli, Khillanwala and Ambawali — within Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary, saying it would have a negative impact on the flora and fauna in the area. “Issue notice. We further direct that no steps shall be taken for the construction of the dams unless an order is passed by this court,” a Bench led by Justice BR Gavai said, noting that the construction of dams would not only be detrimental to wildlife and population in Kalesar, but also to the ecosystem. Even the purpose for which the dams were proposed would not be achieved, said the Bench, which also included Justice Sandeep Mehta.

– Notified on December 13, 1996, Situated in Shivalik foothills, Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary spread over 13,209 acres and shares its boundary with Uttar Pradesh in the east and Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal in the north. The entire area is full of biodiversity, having dense sal and khair forests and patches of grasslands. Plea filed in SC after National Board for Wildlife gave nod to build four dams in sanctuary. The NBWL okayed without taking cognisance of a report of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). “The WII has categorically stated in its report, ‘Feasibility Study of Proposed Small Dams in Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary, Haryana’ that the dams are under the protected area boundary of the sanctuary and as such would significantly affect the terrestrial as well as aquatic biodiversity of the protected area,” Bansal submitted. Referring to a letter by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden of Haryana, Bansal said he had stated the dam sites in the notified boundary of the sanctuary would affect the existing pattern of habitat use of various species. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/threat-to-wildlife-supreme-court-stays-building-of-4-dams-in-haryanas-kalesar-sanctuary-614240  (25 April 2024)

Delhi Govt failed to see worst flood coming An analysis by The Hindu of forecasts issued by the Central Water Commission, the agency which monitors floods in India, shows that not only did it not predict that Delhi might see the worst flood in its history, but the agency, kept saying that the water level will “remain steady”, even as it continued to rise through July 12 to reach the highest ever level on July 13.

The forecasts of the CWC were being used officials of the Delhi government to take decisions and it affected decision making, multiple officers confirmed. “The only prediction of water level we have is from the CWC and if the prediction was better, it could have led to better decision making,” a senior official of the irrigation department of the Delhi government, which ran a flood control room in Delhi said.

“We have been monitoring floods in India for over a decade and the CWC has gotten the prediction wrong on many occasions,” said Himanshu Thakkar, coordinator of South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP), who has been working on issues related to rivers for the past three decades. Mr. Thakkar highlighted that lack of accurate predictions of water level of rivers have many times led to improper management of dams/barrages, leading to floods in downstream areas, which could have been avoided. The CWC did not respond to an email seeking comments. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/2023-delhi-floods-how-govt-did-not-see-delhis-worst-flood-coming-even-24-hours-before-it/article68105240.ece  (27 April 2024)

Broken ITO drain gate that worsened flooding to be fixed Delhi government officials will repair by April 30 an iron gate — installed on a drain to control the flow of water from the Yamuna — that collapsed and allowed water from the river to course into parts of central Delhi during last year’s record floods, said people aware of the matter. The new gate, known as a regulator, will also be designed to hold back more water, added the officials. The regulator is usually left open and is closed only when the Yamuna’s waters swell, officials said.

-Officials from the irrigation and flood control department said that they will install the iron gate at ITO’s drain number 12 by April 30 and complete repair work at the site. Officials said that the new design received the final financial approval from the irrigation department in January, after which tenders were floated to forge the new gate at an estimated cost of ₹43 lakh. Following the sudden release of water towards Delhi last year, the design capacity of the new gate has been increased to handle the Yamuna water level up to 210 metres, which earlier was at 206 metres, they added.

-Officials said that the new design received the final financial approval from the irrigation department in January, after which tenders were floated to forge the new gate at an estimated cost of ₹43 lakh. Following the sudden release of water towards Delhi last year, the design capacity of the new gate has been increased to handle the Yamuna water level up to 210 metres, which earlier was at 206 metres, they added. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/broken-drain-gate-that-worsened-flooding-at-ito-in-delhi-to-be-fixed-at-last-101713896125212.html  (24 April 2024)

NGT orders action against illegal dairies on floodplain -A petition filed by a resident last year pointed out that at least 60 illegal dairies were operating on the Yamuna floodplain, polluting the area and the river. Consequently, NGT formed a joint committee, which made certain recommendations. The tribunal has asked the authorities to implement the recommendations without any delay. The joint committee had stated in its submission that the dairies were being operated illegally by encroaching upon the floodplain area at Chak Chilla village, rechristened as Mayur Nature Park, on DDA land.

-For Delhi, this authority is DPCC. “DPCC shall publish a public note for dairy farms to obtain CTE,” the recommendation added. “Recommendations are required to be implemented by DDA,” stated a bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava while also pointing out that a separate reply on behalf of DDA has been filed disclosing certain matters that are pending before Delhi High Court against the action relating to the removal of slums and jhuggies in the area. But the DDA counsel “does not dispute that these pending matters are not relating to the removal of dairies”, NGT observed. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/ngt-orders-action-against-illegal-dairies-on-river-floodplain/articleshow/109546789.cms  (2 April 2024)

Report 5 districts outside Delhi also to blame for dirty Yamuna -The order came after National Mission for Clean Ganga submitted a report, which revealed a gap of 37 million gallons per day (MGD) in sewage treatment in Baghpat, a city upstream of Wazirabad, and pointed out that gaps were also found in treating the sewage flowing into the river in many other cities in the state.

-According to the data of 23 districts, listed in the order dated April 16, five districts’ sewage was falling into the Yamuna. The data stated that in Baghpat, about 37.7MGD sewage was being discharged into the river while Mathura was unable to treat 42.2MGD of sewage flowing into the Yamuna. Other cities included Saharanpur with 100MGD falling into the Yamuna, Kali, Krishna, Hindon and Muskara. In Hamirpur, 33.1MGD was being released into the Yamuna and Betwa; 113MGD into the Yamuna and Kali in Aligarh; and 28.8MGD into the Yamuna and Karvan in Hathras.

-The other polluted tributaries of the Ganga in 23 districts are Kali, Krishna, Hindon, Betwa, Sehjwal, Bishui, Manaharan, Ramganga, Aril, West and East Begul, Kichha, Karvan, Pahuj, Tamsa, Saryu, Garrah, Sai, Khannaut and Gomati. There are also ponds/talabs. “These waterbodies have high BOD and fecal coliform,” NGT added. Emphasising that the local bodies and authorities need to take preventive action expeditiously, the order stated that each of the district magistrates would prepare an action plan and ensure the objective of zero discharge of sewage/effluent into the Ganga and its tributaries.

-In Delhi, the most polluted stretch of the Yamuna, there exists a gap of 28.7% in treating sewage, and only 15 out of its 37 sewage treatment plants are complying with norms. According to a report, while the city generates around 792MGD of sewage, 80% of its total water supply — 990MGD, the gap in treatment continues to be high at 227MGD or 28.7% of all the sewage generated. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/5-districts-outside-delhi-also-to-blame-for-dirty-yamuna/articleshow/109543111.cms  (24 April 2024)

Agra SC orders desilting of riverbed A bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan was hearing the application moved by an NGO seeking directions for the restoration of the river bed to its natural state and removal of the silt, sludge, and garbage up to a depth of 5-6 metres. The Bench has asked the Centre, the Uttar Pradesh government, and the Agra Development Authority to file compliance affidavits by the end of June 2024.

-“The three authorities, while filing the affidavits, shall take a clear stand setting out the name of the authority which is under an obligation to undertake continuous work of removal of silt, sludge, and garbage from the bed of river Yamuna,” it said. The top court said that if the authorities concerned need advice from an expert agency to ensure the cleaning of the river bed, the Union government will take an appropriate decision in such a case. -“Needless to add that removal of the slit, sludge, and garbage from the bed of river Yamuna has to be a continuous activity,” the SC order said. The matter will be taken up for further hearing on July 11. https://weather.com/en-IN/india/pollution/news/2024-04-25-supreme-court-orders-immediate-cleaning-of-yamuna-river-bed-in-agra  (25 April 2024)

RIVERS BIODIVERSITY

BRAHMAPUTRA Saving tropical riverine grasslands of floodplains This study on the riverine alluvial grasslands of Kaziranga Tiger Reserve (KTR) in the Brahmaputra floodplains aimed at generating baseline information to aid the management authorities in formulating and upgrading management practices in the grasslands.

– The study aimed at answering the following questions: Does the duration of inundation influence short grassland (SG) and tall grassland (TG) extent in KTR? What are the vegetation characteristics and soil nutrient content (C, N, P and K) of SG and TG? Is there any similarity between species composition of SG and TG in the selected sites? How do environmental variables such as rainfall (RF), maximum temperature (MAXT), minimum temperature (MINT) and soil nutrient content (C, N, P and K) influence plant species distribution in SG and TG? https://www.indiawaterportal.org/articles/saving-tropical-riverine-grasslands-brahmaputra-floodplains  (25 April 2024)

FISH, FISHERIES, FISHERFOLKS

Agra Hundreds of fish die overnight in Keetham Lake due to pollutants Hundreds of fish died overnight at Agra’s Keetham Lake due to an unknown pollutant in the water. People who had come to visit the lake on the occasion of ‘World Wetland Day’ on Friday (Feb. 02) to look at the migratory birds nesting there saw hundreds of dead fish floating on the water. The forest department has filed a complaint with the irrigation and pollution control departments after the dead fishes were found.

-Meanwhile, a senior official told India Today that the Supreme Court hearing on the desilting of the Yamuna will be held on March 12. The hearing will decide on a plea to allow the desilting of the Yamuna by up to five to six metres, so pollutants in the riverbed can be removed, and the riverbed can return to its natural state. This will improve the ecosystem of the river and give more room for the storage of more water. The petition was filed by the Agra Development Foundation which requested a study of increasing the water level in the Yamuna near the riverside monuments in Agra. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/hundreds-of-fish-die-overnight-in-agra-keetham-lake-due-to-pollutants-2497283-2024-02-04  (04 April 2024)

Jammu & Kashmir Thousands of fish found dead in Mansar lake The Wildlife department attributed the cause of the huge number of fishes to the consumption of hailstones during recent rains, they said. “They have died within a few days during rains. They probably mistook hail for flour balls and consumed them. People feed them with flour balls on a daily basis for religious purposes,” said Dheeraj Rampal, block officer, Wildlife department, Mansar.

-There was a hailstorm in the Mansar area on February 1, he said. The officials put the figures of dead fish at 2,500 to 3,000. In the past years too, fish have died of cold or oxygen deficiency, he said. Hundreds of dead fish were found floating on the surface of Mansar, the largest freshwater lake in the Shivalik mountain range. Protected under the Ramsar Convention, shocked locals and tourists have been witnessing dead carp fish floating on the water surface and near the lake banks for the past one week. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/j-k/thousands-of-fish-found-dead-in-mansar-lake-589672  (20 April 2024)

SAND MINING

Tamil Nadu 5 DCs appear before ED in illegal sand mining case The five District Collectors who appeared before the ED are Anne Mary Swarn (Ariyalur), Thangavel (Karur), Deepak Jacob (Thanjavur), Pradeep Kumar (Trichy) and Subbulakshmi (Vellore). The ED will question the officials over the permits provided to various companies. The raids by the probe agency were initiated following FIRs filed in several police stations across the state over illegal sand mining. The agency used drones during the raids to take aerial surveys. It also confiscated several documents which pointed to a sand mining syndicate involving a group. The probe agency attached assets worth Rs 130 crore in the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). https://www.indiatoday.in/india/tamil-nadu/story/tamil-nadu-district-collectors-appear-before-ed-illegal-sand-mining-case-2531799-2024-04-25  (25 April 2024)

The Tamil Nadu govt will soon constitute a separate department for sand quarry operations, official sources said on Sunday (April 28). In the wake of serious irregularities in the sale of sand, and illegal sand mining to the tune of ₹4,730 crore, as alleged by the Enforcement Directorate, the Water Resources Department (WRD) has proposed to constitute a separate department to handle sand mining operations. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tn-to-form-exclusive-wing-for-sand-quarry-operations/article68118171.ece  (28 April 2024)

Chhattisgarh 8 killed, 23 injured as goods vehicle collides with truck The truck seems carrying sand but the report does not mention it. Eight people, including five women and three children, were killed, and 23 people were injured after a goods vehicle collided with a truck Bemetara district. According to the police, the incident took place on Sunday (April 28) night when the victims were returning in the good vehicle after attending a family function. The vehicle collided with a mini truck that was parked by the roadside, the police said. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/8-killed-23-injured-as-goods-vehicle-collides-with-truck-in-chhattisgarhs-bemetara-101714355038655.html  (29 April 2024) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOlLnTy8u9U  (29 April 2024)

Uttar Pradesh 8 dead as speeding truck rips through bus in Unnao It could be a case of accident involving sand laden truck. Eight persons were killed and over 20 others were injured when a speeding truck collided head-on with a bus, ripping through one of its sides, in Unnao disrict on Sunday (April 28) afternoon, police said. The accident took place near Jamaldipur village on Hardoi-Unnao Road in Safipur. The injured were admitted to the Unnao district hospital and LLR Hospital in Kanpur. While the bus driver fled after the accident, the truck driver was arrested, they added. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/lucknow-news/eight-dead-as-speeding-truck-rips-through-bus-in-unnao-101714332560092.html  (29 April 2024)

बदायूं जिले में बड़ा हादसा हुआ है। यहां एक ट्रक और डबल डेकर बस की टक्कर हो गई। हादसे में दो यात्रियों की मौत हो गई। घटना के बाद चीख-पुकार मच गई। मौके पर पहुंची पुलिस ने शवों को कब्जे में लेकर घायलों को अस्पताल में भर्ती कराया।  जानकारी के अनुसार, बदायूं के उझानी कोतवाली इलाके में बसोमा मोड़ के पास शनिवार (April 27) रात एक डबल डेकर बस और ट्रक में आमने-सामने की भिड़ंत हो गई, जिसमें दो यात्रियों की मौत हो गई और करीब 27 लोग घायल हो गए।  हादसा देर रात करीब 1:00 बजे हुआ। डबल डेकर बस बरेली से जयपुर जा रही थी। यह बस उझानी कोतवाली इलाके में बसोमा मोड़ के नजदीक पहुंची थी कि तभी अचानक गलत दिशा से आ रहा ट्रक बस से टकरा गया। https://www.amarujala.com/uttar-pradesh/bareilly/truck-and-a-double-decker-bus-collided-in-badaun-two-passengers-died-in-the-accident-27-injured-2024-04-28  (28 April 2024)

Kerala Dispute between sand mafias: Thiruvalla youth attacked It is learned the incident was an outcome of a dispute between the sand mafias in the area. https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/youngster-abducted-and-left-injured-in-thiruvalla-1.9506550  (23 April 2024)

Andhra Pradesh ‘NewsToday’ contributor assaulted by sand mafia In a shocking case of attack on a journalist, members of the sand mafia believed to be affiliated with the ruling YSRCP on Wednesday (Feb. 14) allegedly assaulted and attempted to kill Telaprolu Parameshwara Rao, a contributor working with ‘NewsToday’ by trying to set him on fire while he was on professional duty in Amaravati Mandal of Palnadu district. Rao said that on Wednesday morning, he was on a story on illegal sand mining in Malladi sand reach where he took pictures for the story. While on his way back, goons affiliated with the ruling YSRCP led by Vempa Srinu and his followers including Tulsi Tirupathi Rao, Bhavirishetti Sunil, Bhavirishetti and Nageswara Rao chased him and attacked him without any provocation, Rao said. https://www.etvbharat.com/en/!state/newstoday-contributor-parameshwara-rao-assault-sand-mafia-andhra-pradesh-amaravati-enn24021501658  (15 Feb. 2024)

Maharashtra Cleaner dies as sand-laden dumper topples into drain A 40-year-old cleaner lost his life in a freak mishap, after the sand-laden dumper reversed into him in Kashimira during the early morning hours on Wednesday (March 13). According to the police and fire brigade personnel, the incident was reported from Mangal Nagar located in the Hatkesh area of Kashimira at around 4 am.

The deceased cleaner who has been identified as- Vijay Shankar Rathod (40)- a resident of Naigaon was signalling the driver to help him move the vehicle in reverse direction in order to unload the sand. However, the driver-Ramesh Hemlu Rathod (45) apparently failed to judge the distance while reversing and rammed the vehicle into Rathod. After hitting Rathod, the driver lost total control and the vehicle toppled into a drain as the cover-slab over it caved-in. https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-cleaner-dies-after-dumper-reverses-into-him-in-kashimira-sand-laden-vehicle-topples-into-drain  13 March 2024)

Odisha Illegal sand mining concerns Gajapati villages Rampant and illegal excavation of sand from the bed of Ram Nadi that courses through several villages in R Udayagiri block of Gajapati district has raised apprehensions of erosion. The sand mafia carries out mining in broad daylight without any fear of administrative enforcement. Local administration turns a blind eye taking plea that such enforcement is under the ambit of those administering minor minerals. With no penalty imposed on illegal lifting and transportation, the sand mafia has been emboldened while the state exchequer loses lakhs of rupees in royalty every day.

The villagers allege that despite repeated appeals, little action has been initiated by the administration. Interestingly, some local youths even collect Rs 500 to Rs 800 per tractor to provide safe escort to the vehicles. Some contractors entrusted with government projects also lift sand without any permission, locals said. Ironically, the tractors engaged in sand lifting carry no registration number plate to avoid action. The youths who provide safe passage to sand tractors in lieu of money argue that similar mining continues near Kumulasingh village under Jirnag panchayat where locals use similar tactic.  https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2024/Feb/11/illegal-sand-mining-in-broad-daylight-concerns-gajapati-villages-in-odisha  (11 Feb. 2024)

WETLANDS, LAKES, WATER BODIES

Tamil Nadu Madras HC orders mapping of all wetlands from June -The Madras High Court has ordered the Tamil Nadu government to carry out mapping of wetlands in all districts of the state from June this year on the lines of the exercise carried out in Tiruvallur district. The court has also directed the state to submit reports on the progress of the exercise periodically to the court in order to preserve these natural resources. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2024/Apr/27/madras-hc-orders-mapping-of-all-wetlands-in-tn-from-june  (27 April 2024)

WATER OPTIONS

Himachal Pradesh Baoris  & call for restoration Baoris deterioration is not a thing of the past. The degradation has been induced by development near that area and deforestation of vehicular activity over the baori catchment zones. Water quality has deteriorated significantly in recent years. Baoris have become seasonal or have dried up. Due to the unsuitable and unthoughful plans and repairs initiated by authorities, the state of baoris have worsened. The cementing of area near the baoris have caused the water to degrade. The natural stones which helped in the water filtration process were replaced by cemented repairs which worsened the state of baoris. These natural springs are drying up or losing their purity as global warming rises and infrastructure development increases. Many Boris have become contaminated due to development in the surrounding areas.

-We have lost the workers having the required skill for locating and construction of baoris. That is for sure that baoris are difficult to construct now. Now, baoris act like heritage tresures which depict the stories of the past. Although the use of baoris has decreased dramatically, People still yearn for “Baori k pani ka swad” and are interested in having them revived. Few people still use baoris as a compulsive practice, which can be hazardous to them if water quality keeps degrading. We still have time to revive these natural resources and work towards a sustainable development approach. These resources must be considered and thoroughly documented before any construction that can contribute to their degradation. (Swati Bhardwaj) https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/stories-undiscovered/sacred-waters-baoris-of-himachal-and-the-call-for-restoration/  (22 April 2024)

GROUNDWATER

Study Groundwater recharge is sensitive to changing long-term aridity Abstract Sustainable groundwater use relies on adequate rates of groundwater recharge, which are expected to change with climate change. However, climate impacts on recharge remain uncertain due to a paucity of measurements of recharge trends globally. Here we leverage the relationship between climatic aridity and long-term recharge measurements at 5,237 locations globally to identify regions where recharge is most sensitive to changes in climatic aridity. Recharge is most sensitive to climate changes in regions where potential evapotranspiration slightly exceeds precipitation, meaning even modest aridification can substantially decrease groundwater recharge.

-Future climate-induced recharge changes are expected to be dominated by precipitation changes, whereby changes in groundwater recharge will be amplified relative to precipitation changes. Recharge is more sensitive to changes in aridity than global hydrological models suggest. Consequently, the effects of climatic changes on groundwater replenishment and their impacts on the sustainability of groundwater use by humans and ecosystems probably exceed previous predictions. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-024-01953-z  (12 March 2024)

Australian researchers develop model to estimate GW recharge more accurately A study published in the Hydrology and Earth System Sciences journal of European Geoscience Union (EGU) in April 2024 talked about the estimation of groundwater recharge at a country level. The study was led by Stephen Lee from the Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia. The study has used 200,000 groundwater chloride measurements to estimate groundwater recharge rates using chloride mass balance (CMB) method across Australia.

– CMB is used to quantify the recharge rates for groundwater wells in a dry environment using the chloride content of both precipitation and groundwater. Researchers clearly indicate that the factors which influence the groundwater recharge rate are both climate and vegetation related. The climate-related variable include the rainfall distribution, evapo-transpiration and, whereas, the vegetation-related factors include the health and density of the vegetation.

– Soil properties and the geographic variation also influence the rate of groundwater recharge but can be ranked as low influencers, according to the researchers. The study established that it is very important for any modelling of groundwater recharge rates to consider the change in land-use pattern. https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/water/australian-researchers-develop-model-to-estimate-groundwater-recharge-more-accurately-95766  (24 April 2024)

Punjab Moving away from PUSA-44 helped save Rs 477 cr: CM CM Mann said in 2023, he had requested the farming community not to sow PUSA-44, which takes 150+ days to mature. After his request, the area under PUSA-44 decreased by 50 per cent. Due to lesser area under PUSA-44, electricity worth Rs 477 crore and 5 billion cubic metres (BCM) of groundwater had been saved, said the CM. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/moving-away-from-pusa-44-helped-punjab-save-rs-477crore-cm-614982  (27 April 2024)

URBAN LAKES, WETLANDS

Mumbai ‘Debris dumping not stopped at Ulwe despite complaints’ Despite complains of debris dumping in Ulwe sector 22 being checked by authorities exactly a month after activist Sunil Agarwal filed it, the dumping has restarted. Dumping was reported in the same area in May 2023.

The Navi Mumbai International Airport is connected with the Atal Setu via a coastal road in the Ulwe node. The locals are not clear whether the dumping is done for the road work or for some other purpose. However, the massive dumping and levelling work is done during the day time. The area has dense mangroves. Over the last two years the debris dumping has resulted in killing of a large number of mangroves and reclamation of over acres of coastal regulatory zone land.

Referring to the complaint filed by Sunil Agarwal, the board has asked Cidco to take appropriate action against those dumping debris in the area to prevent any damage to the mangroves. Local resident Dr Amar Satpute alleged, “The dumping of debris and ongoing work is never monitored by any agency. Even if the coastal road work is underway there is no need to have massive dumping on a large scale beyond the limits of the road size.” https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/navi-mumbai/debris-dumping-not-stopped-at-ulwe-despite-complaints/articleshow/109656079.cms  (28 April 2024)

Bengaluru Madiwala lake restoration comes to a standstill With no takers for the tenders called for the preparation of a detailed project report to maintain the Madiwala Lake, the rejuvenation plan at the lake has come to a standstill. Officials from the BBMP noted that despite it being several months since the lake was handed over to them by the Karnataka Forest Department, they haven’t received the amount the department collected via boating activities in the lake. One of the senior officials pegs this amount to be above Rs 2 crore. “It is a 15-crore development proposal for the rejuvenation of the Madiwala Lake. Tenders were called long before the model code of conduct was announced but there weren’t any takers for it,” a senior official from the BBMP lakes department said. https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/with-no-takers-for-tenders-rejuvenation-of-madiwala-lake-comes-to-a-standstill-2998139  (28 April 2024)

Lake revival stalled, monsoon chaos feared Residents surrounding Hosakerehalli Lake celebrated when the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) initiated the rejuvenation of the water body a year ago. The lake had deteriorated to a deplorable state, causing residents to endure a mosquito infestation and unpleasant odours. However, just as the work commenced in March 2023, it abruptly came to a halt amidst protests from locals who alleged that the BBMP’s contractor was attempting to construct a road through the lake. With the onset of the monsoon season, residents report no further activity on the ground since then. https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/civic/lake-revival-stalled-monsoon-chaos-feared/articleshow/109633513.cms  (27 April 2024)

Govt to install aeration systems in 20 lakes Up to 20 lakes in Bengaluru might soon receive advanced aeration systems to improve water quality. According to the Lake Department of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), water bodies from different zones have been handpicked to install submerged diffused aeration systems that will help oxygenate the lower depths of the water columns. The idea is to improve overall water quality and thus prevent fish kills, reduce the growth of algae, and speed up the decomposition process of organic matter.

Subject to approval, BBMP will soon call for tenders to install new aerators, each costing Rs 20 lakh. The total budget for the project is Rs 35 crores. Officials say these advanced aerators are expected to impede the growth of algae by creating a non-stagnant environment. The system leads to continuous vertical mixing of water, thus increasing dissolved oxygen levels even at the bottom of the water bodies and improving the natural decomposition of organic matter. Apart from aerators, the department will also create floating wetlands, bring in technologies such as Jal Dost, and build sluice gates and fencing wherever required. However, city-based lake experts and activists say the fund would have been better spent if used for maintenance of existing infrastructure and technologies to improve lake water quality. https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/civic/20-lakes-in-bengaluru-to-receive-aeration-systems/articleshow/109654566.cms  (28 April 2024)

URBAN WATER

Bengaluru 100 RWH pits to be desilted in Whitefield Whitefield citizens collaborate to restore rainwater harvesting systems for sustainable water management. The programme aims to remove silt from rainwater pits that were dug up but forgotten. If successful, around 100 rainwater pits are expected to be silt-free by the end of next month. https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/around-100-rainwater-pits-to-be-desilted-by-end-of-may-in-whitefield/articleshow/109572343.cms  (25 April 2024)

Chennai An unconventional solution to water woes In a few years, Chennai will emerge as the desalination capital of India, with three operational plants in Minjur and Nemmeli and Southeast Asia’s largest plant, with a capacity to treat 400 million litres of seawater a day (mld), coming up at Perur along the East Coast Road. Once the Perur facility is up and running, these plants will together meet nearly half of the daily needs of the growing metropolis. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/an-unconventional-solution-to-water-woes-of-chennai/article68113842.ece  (28 April 2024)

Hyderabad Emergency pumping begins at NSP With the water level plummeting in the Nagarjuna Sagar Project (NSP), the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) has begun emergency pumping. Ten emergency pumps were inaugurated by HMWS&SB managing director C Sudarshan Reddy on Saturday (April 20).

– Instructions were also issued to senior HMWS&SB officials to make preparations for the second stage pumping, if necessary. Meanwhile, arrangements are being made to install emergency pumping motors to draw water from the Yellampalli reservoir (Godavari) from May 15. Compared to last year, an additional 175 MLD of water is being supplied to the consumers in the light of borewells drying up in the city due to the drop in the groundwater table.

– The Water Board has installed five pumps of 60 cusecs capacity each (300 cusecs) and another five pumps of 120 cusecs capacity each (600 cusecs). As against the full reservoir level of NSP of 590 feet, it stands at 508 feet. With the water level reaching dead storage, emergency pumping was started after seven years. The last pumping was done in 2017. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2024/Apr/21/emergency-pumping-begins-at-nsp-in-telangana  (21 April 2024)

Gurugram Bandhwari fire: NGT asks for report from 6 govt agencies While HSPCB, the Gurgaon DC and MCG sought four weeks’ time to file their reports, the others will be served notices to submit their responses at least one week before the next hearing on July 18. In an order issued on Friday (April 26) , the tribunal highlighted the lack of precautionary measures to stop waste burning. TOI had reported that the blaze on Tuesday (April 23) was the fourth fire incident at the landfill in April. The site had earlier witnessed fires on April 6, 7, and 17. Around 16.4 lakh metric tonnes of garbage are dumped there.

“The news item also discloses that this is the fourth fire incident. The report mentions that a thick haze has engulfed the villages around Bandhwari, especially Mangar, and such fire in the landfill site is a threat to biodiversity and poses a health hazard to citizens of NCR. It also discloses that leftovers, after processing of the legacy waste, are indiscriminately dumped in surrounding villages, which is contaminating the soil,” read the order. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/bandhwari-fire-ngt-asks-for-report-from-6-govt-agencies/articleshow/109655838.cms  (28 April 2024)

Delhi The Supreme Court recently expressed shock over the problems surrounding solid waste management in Delhi, noting that the city was producing around 3,000 tonnes of solid waste everyday in excess of its processing capacity. https://www.barandbench.com/news/supreme-court-solid-waste-processing-problem-delhi  (25 April 2024)

JJM/ RURAL WATER SUPPLY

Bundelkhand JJM data do not match with ground realities Bundelkhand’s remote villages’ on-ground realities contradict the information available on the Jal Jeevan Mission dashboard. A school teacher in Hanuman Sagar village of Bundelkhand region while preparing for voting day on 26th April, said the school has had no water since its inception around 1975. However, the Jal Jeevan Mission dashboard indicates functional tap connectivity in the schools. But, when we visited the tanks remained dry and the taps were broken. Hanumansagar is a village in Bori gram panchayat of Tikamgarh district in Madhya Pradesh. The village has a population of 1243 of which 662 are males while 581 are females as per Population Census 2011. The village’s primary school, with only three classrooms, is till 8th standard and has 200 students. “I have a daughter in 4th standard, she runs back home if she has to use the washroom. The washroom in school is shut with no water,” said Mamta, a resident of Hanumansagar village in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh.

– Ram Chandra Yadav, 50, a headmaster in a primary government school in Bauri village in the same district was disheartened at the condition of the school and low student turnout in summer. “This happens every year, due to this hot weather students stay at home. We have 121 students here, but only 10-15 are coming to school these days,” Yadav informed. Yadav took us to look at the toilets constructed last year in the school premises but remained locked with no water facility, let alone a hand washing facility.

– In Bauri village of the same gram panchayat in Tikamgarh, the situation is worse. The people receive water for only half an hour under Har Ghar Jal Yojna in a day. But, there is no trace of water connection in primary school. Not just schools, despite Har Ghar Jal Yojna, the implementation failure still forces women to walk up to 1 km to fetch water from a pond, when the hand pumps dry down. https://groundreport.in/states/madhya-pradesh/jal-jeevan-mission-bundelkhand-ground-reality-4519418  (26 April 2024)

MONSOON 2024

Report Rainfall distribution matters However, as environmental activist and water expert, Himanshu Thakkar from SANDRP puts it, “distribution is what matters”. “Although the forecast predicts a below average rainfall for the period of June to July, the months of August and September will witness heavy showers due to activation of La Nina,” he says. According to him, the showers will not only be above normal but may also compensate for the deficit that will be experienced in the first half (June-July).

– “Last year’s experience doesn’t really inspire much confidence,” says Thakkar. According to Thakkar, rainfall in the first half usually saturates the dry soil. “However, with heavy rainfall prediction in the second half, much preparedness is needed,” he says. Thakkar points out that lessons still need to be learnt from Delhi’s experience last year. https://thepatriot.in/environment/imd-predicts-above-normal-monsoon-government-is-prepared-feel-experts-48215  (26 April 2024)

Study Indian Ocean basin to see accelerated warming The Indian Ocean basin, the fastest warming basin in the world, will see accelerated warming at a rate of 1.7°C-3.8°C per century during 2020-2100, a new research paper has projected, warning that this will lead to an increase in severe weather events, prolonged marine heatwaves and extreme Indian Ocean Dipole events that will influence the monsoon and cyclone development.

The authors used observed data for the historical period and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s simulations under low-to-high emission scenarios to simulate future conditions in the Indian Ocean. Based on the current trajectory of emissions, the ocean will be somewhere between these two scenarios, said Roxy Mathew Koll, climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology who led the research. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indian-ocean-basin-to-see-accelerated-warming-says-study-101714242183107.html  (28 April 2024)

“While the Indian Ocean warmed by 1.2°C per century from 1950-2020, our latest research predicts that this rate will skyrocket to 1.7°C-3.8°C per century by 2100 under current the CO2 emission trajectories,” said senior climate scientist Dr Roxy Mathew Koll, who led the study from IITM. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/indian-ocean-warming-at-alarming-rate-study/articleshow/109657238.cms  (28 Feb. 2024)

FLOOD 2024

Gujarat ‘Victims of PM’s birthday celebrations’ struggle to regain footing Eight months ago, on September 17, 2023, as celebrations of the birthday of PM Narendra Modi took place, Prabhu Ahir saw waves of water reducing his home to debris in Borbhatha, a remote village in southern Gujarat’s Bharuch district. “We didn’t even get time to pack up and move to a safer place, we were sitting on the floor and our plates started floating away because of the water,” Ahir said. Thousands of people in various districts of Gujarat were flooded by water which flowed in from the Sardar Sarovar dam. Locals and opposition leaders alleged that the Gujarat government had opened the floodgates of the dam in a delayed manner, despite rain. https://thewire.in/rights/gujarat-floods-modi-birthday-victims-struggle-life-back-on-track (22 Apr 2024)

Arunachal Pradesh Roing-Anini NH washed away In a major setback for the remote Dibang Valley district, a portion of the vital Roing-Anini Highway (National Highway 313) has been washed away due to incessant rainfall, severing the only road connectivity between the district and the rest of the country. The incident highlighted the vulnerability of the region’s infrastructure and the challenges remote areas face in maintaining crucial transportation links. Due to the rugged terrain and ongoing inclement weather, repair and restoration efforts are expected to be arduous. https://hubnetwork.in/arunachal-pradesh-roing-anini-national-highway-washed-away-advisory-issued/  (25 April 2024)

DROUGHT

Karnataka Centre releases Rs 3,454 cr drought relief fund after court orders Karnataka govt had sought Rs 18,174 crore from the Centre to take up drought relief works including Rs 5,662 crore as compensation to farmers who lost their crops due to failure of rain. https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/centre-releases-rs-3454-crore-drought-relief-fund-to-karnataka-2997595  (27 April 2024)

Centre tells SC that ECI has allowed it to deal with demand for drought relief funds The Central government on Monday (April 29) told the Supreme Court that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has allowed it to render assistance to Karnataka to help certain areas of the State tide over the ongoing drought situation. A Bench of Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta adjourned the matter after Attorney General of India R Venkataramani said that the issue would be dealt with expeditiously. “No argument needed now,” the AG said, adding that some development would take place in the matter by Monday (May 6).

-The Union government had not yet acted upon an Inter-Ministerial Central Team report on the disaster for nearly six months now, and the situation has worsened due to the withholding of NDRF benefits to the State, the top court was told. In the previous hearing in the matter, the Court had remarked that there should not be any contest between the Union and State governments. https://www.barandbench.com/news/karnataka-demand-drought-relief-funds-centre-supreme-court-eci  (22 April 2024)

Tamil Nadu Farmers advised to cultivate drought resistant crops The district administrations in Vellore, Ranipet, Tirupattur and Tiruvannamalai have advised farmers to cultivate crops like maize, rye and ragi that are drought tolerant as these districts are experiencing extreme heatwave conditions, that have even caused many waterbodies like the Palar river to dry up. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/farmers-advised-to-cultivate-drought-resistant-crops-in-vellore-nearby-districts-to-conserve-water/article68110085.ece  (27 April 2024)

Report Reservoir levels in South India plunge to mere 17% -The reduced storage levels in the southern region are indicative of worsening water scarcity and potential challenges for irrigation, drinking water supply and hydroelectric power generation in these states. In contrast, the eastern region, comprising states like Assam, Odisha and West Bengal, has shown a positive improvement in water storage levels compared to last year and the ten-year average. The situation is less optimistic in other regions. https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/south-india-stares-at-severe-water-crisis-as-reservoir-levels-plunge-to-mere-17-5528772  (27 April 2024)

-River basins such as Brahmaputra, Narmada, and Tapi are labelled with better-than-normal storage levels. While basins like Cauvery and east-flowing rivers between Mahanadi and Pennar are categorised as highly deficient. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/south-india-grapples-with-water-scarcity-as-reservoir-levels-dip-to-10-year-low-101714201155780.html  (27 April 2024)

Maharashtra Section 144 imposed in Sangli, Satara districts As the water scarcity has worsened in Maharashtra, section 144 was on Monday (April 29) imposed in Sangli and Satara districts along the canals to stop water theft and to avoid transporting cattle fodder outside the areas. https://www.india.com/maharashtra/maharashtra-water-crisis-section-144-imposed-in-sangli-satara-districts-to-stop-water-theft-check-full-list-of-restrictions-6877103/  (23 April 2024)

DISASTERS

WMO Asia was most disaster-hit region in 2023 -Despite the rain deficit, said the State of the Climate in Asia 2023 report, widespread floods and landslides took place in several states of India, including Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The events resulted in the deaths of 25 people and caused extensive damage to infrastructure and agriculture.

-The report also spoke about the flash floods in Sikkim in October due to a glacial lake outburst in the Lachen valley. Citing data from the National Emergency Response Centre of India, it said over 100 deaths were reported due to the disaster and over 70 individuals went missing. Nearly 4,500 people had to be evacuated and around 90,000 people were affected. The flash floods also damaged 2,000 houses. https://scroll.in/latest/1066998/asia-was-most-disaster-hit-region-last-year-extreme-weather-events-left-over-2000-dead-report  (24 April 2024)

9 million Asians were hit by 79 climate-related disasters in 2023 -Though country-wise precise numbers in terms of fatalities is missing from the report, IMD in Jan flagged that India alone witnessed 2,376 casualties due to extreme weather events, including highest 1,276 due to lightning & thunderstorms followed by floods & heavy rains (862) and heat waves (166). The WMO report, State of the Climate in Asia 2023, said floods and storms caused highest number of casualties and economic losses in Asia whereas impact of heatwaves became more severe in terms of health risks in 2023. It said over 50 years of data in Asia confirms need for greater disaster risk reduction intervention. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/9-million-asians-were-hit-by-79-climate-related-disasters-in-2023-wmo/articleshow/109545035.cms  (24 April 2024)

Uttarakhand IAF chopper takes water from Bhimtal to douse forest fires On IAF chopper dousing the forest fires, Nainital Municipal Corporation Executive Officer Rahul Anand said, “Fire is reported in Nainital in many places, including very close to the Air Force Station in the district. The main purpose of bringing in helicopters to douse the fire was to keep the Air Force Station safe… The situation is under control now. Efforts are continuing.” The district administration has banned boating in Naini Lake because of the blaze. Yesterday, forest fires became more severe with the flames reaching the High Court Colony in Nainital.

-According to the daily bulletin issued by the Forest Department here, 26 incidents of forest fire occurred in the state’s Kumaon region in the last 24 hours, while five incidents occurred in Garhwal region, where 33.34 hectares of forest area was affected. From November 1 last year till now, a total of 575 incidents of forest fire have been reported in the state, affecting 689.89 hectares of forest area and costing the state than ₹14 lakh. https://www.livemint.com/news/india/uttarakhand-iaf-chopper-takes-water-from-bhimtal-lake-to-douse-forest-fires-nainital-cm-dhami-meeting-in-haldwani-11714196430948.html  (27 April 2024)

Scanty of winter rains key reason for surge in forest fires January ended with an overall rain deficiency of 58%, with 91% rain deficiency over northwest India. The deficiency improved in February which saw a high number of western disturbances bring rainfall to northwest India, which still fell short of replenishing the water sparse region. HT reported on January 23 that six states and two Union territories in northwest India recorded nearly 100% rain deficiency in the peak winter month. This meant that there was no rain or snow in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir; while the hill states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh recorded a 99% rain deficiency. Since March 1, Uttarakhand has recorded a 17% rain deficiency. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/scanty-winter-rain-a-key-reason-for-surge-in-uttarakhand-forest-fires-101714244402644.html  (28 April 2024)

Fires that have been raging in the forests of Nainital and Pauri Garhwal in Uttarakhand were mostly man-made, the state forest department said Sunday (April 28) even as the firefighting operation with the help of an IAF helicopter continued for the second day. https://indianexpress.com/article/india/uttarakhand-forest-fires-fires-raging-in-nainital-pauri-garhwal-mostly-man-made-forest-dept-9295979/  (29 April 2024)

LANDSLIDES

Himachal Pradesh Chamba: No for Holi as hillside begins to slip There are no signs of relief for residents of the tribal Holi region as the hillside on the Chamba-Holi road has started collapsing, hampering the restoration work. The Chamba-Holi road is blocked for traffic for over last one week, disrupting the essential supplies in the remote valley. The situation has become perilous near Khadamukh, as a section of the hillside, nearly 100-m wide, has started to collapse. This has made travel even on foot challenging in the area. With a significant portion of the hillside destabilising, there may be further delays in restoring the road.

-If the hillside continues to collapse, it could obliterate a section of not only the main road, but also a link road constructed by a hydropower company, exacerbating the difficulties for residents of the Holi area. Four buses, including two Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses, along with several heavy vehicles carrying, essential goods and construction materials, are stranded near Khadamukh. The efforts by the Public Works Department to reopen the road have yielded no results due to unrelenting landslide and shooting rocks. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/week-on-no-immediate-relief-for-holi-as-hillside-begins-to-slip-614358  (25 April 2024)

Jammu & Kashmir 500 persons relocated amid land sinking in Ramban More than 500 people have been relocated to safer places after over 58 houses were completely damaged due to land sinking in a village in Ramban district, officials said on Saturday (April 27). An official said the assessment of damages due to the land subsidence in Pernote village over the past three days has also started on war-footing to facilitate speedy release of compensation to affected families under the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) norms.The natural calamity hit the village on Thursday (April 25) evening, also damaging four transmission towers, a power receiving station and a section of the road connecting the Gool sub-division with Ramban district headquarters. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jammu/over-500-persons-relocated-to-safer-places-amid-land-sinking-in-jks-ramban/articleshow/109653580.cms  (27 April 2024)

The recent rains that led to stagnant water seeping into the vegetable and paddy fields above the road with the Chenab River below this area is being attributed to this natural calamity. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/landslides-houses-damaged-people-relocated-as-sudden-sinking-of-land-wreaks-havoc-in-jks-ramban-climate-change/photostory/109669024.cms  (28 April 2024) 

The Jammu-Srinagar national highway was closed Monday (April 29) following multiple landslides triggered by rains that lashed wide parts of Jammu and Kashmir overnight, officials said. The highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with rest of the country, was blocked by landslides at Mehar, Gangroo, Mom Passi and Kishtwari Pather in Ramban district. The rains are continuing, hampering restoration works, they said, advising commuters to avoid journey on the highway till it is cleared of the debris. https://www.deccanherald.com/india/jammu-and-kashmir/landslides-blocks-jammu-srinagar-national-highway-2999187  (29 April 2024)

ENERGY OPTIONS

Himachal Pradesh Floating solar plant at Bhakra suffers damage  The largest floating solar plant of North India being installed at Bhakra Nangal area has been damaged leading to a huge loss to the construction company. The foundation stone of the plant valued at Rs 90 crore was laid by PM Narendra Modi virtually on March 4. The state-owned SJVN in agreement with the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) had started setting up country’s first downstream solar installation on the Bhakra-Nangal reservoir. A Mohali-based private company has been awarded the work of installing the plant.

The officials concerned said nearly 7 per cent of the work of installing the plant had already been completed and it was to be commissioned in August 2024. Yesterday (April 27) around 7.30 pm, they came to know that a large number of solar panels installed on the reservoir were washed away. SJVN deputy general manager Pushkar Verma said they were busy in recovering the washed away solar panels and could comment only after ascertaining the reasons behind it and the quantum of loss. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/floating-solar-plant-at-bhakra-suffers-damage-615466  (28 April 2024)

Study ‘Decreasing trend’ in solar radiation for electricity Aerosols absorb the sunlight and deflect it away from the ground and they can also precipitate the formation of dense clouds, that again block sunlight The quantity of solar radiation available that can be economically converted by solar panels to electricity is showing an “alarming decreasing trend” in several locations in India, says an analysis by scientists at the IMD and published this month in the organisation’s in-house scientific journal Mausam. While increased aerosol load — fine particles from carbon emissions, fossil fuel burning and dust — and clouding are said to be causative factors, installing more efficient solar panels could help counter this, the scientists say in their paper. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/study-warns-of-decreasing-trend-in-solar-radiation-for-electricity-in-india/article68110685.ece  (27 April 2024)

ENVIRONMENT GOVERNANCE

Press Release: 100+ environmental and human rights organisations and 400+ individuals have issued a letter today to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change demanding the roll back of the Green Credit Rules 2023 and the methodology introduced under the Notification dated 22nd February 2024, which in effect provides incentive for forest diversion activities through green credit earnings, at huge cost to the environment, forest and climate and to the rights of forest dwelling communities. (Apr 26 2024)

– These include People’s Union for Civil Liberties, Let India Breathe, Fridays For Future, Karnataka, Centre for Financial Accountability, Himdhara Collective, Dhaatri Trust, Vikalp Sangam General Assembly, Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti, Living Labs Network & Forum, Aruvu Collaboratory.

Flagging concerns on the Green Credit Programme (GCP), over 100 environmental and human rights organisations and 400 citizens have demanded that the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change rollback the scheme which they said dilutes forest conservation laws and incentivises more forest diversion for industries. Introduced in October 2023, the GCP incentivises environmental positive actions such as afforestation and water conservation, among others, through a market-based mechanism. Industries, communities, or individuals voluntarily engaging in such activities will earn green credits in return, which can be traded in the future, as per the green credit rules notified under the GCP. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/environmental-rights-groups-want-rollback-of-green-credits-programme-9293911/  (28 April 2024)

The organisations have alleged that the methodology introduced under the notification, which provides incentive for forest diversion activities through green credit earnings, will result as costly to the environment, forest and climate and to the rights of forest dwelling communities. https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-over-500-activists-and-ngos-write-joint-petition-against-green-credit-rules-2023  (26 April 2024)

Some of the 101 signatory organisations (full list in the accompanying petition) – https://www.newsclick.in/over-100-environment-forest-rights-groups-write-moefcc-seek-roll-back-green-credit-rules  (27 April 2024)

Report SC orders Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, UP to fill SPCBs vacancies As 6,092 posts in Statutory Pollution Control Boards in various states remain vacant, the Supreme Court has directed Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh — four states with highest vacancies — to take immediate measures to fill the vacant posts.

“We direct the aforesaid four states to respond immediately by filing an affidavit setting out the number of vacant posts, as of today, and the steps taken for filling in the vacant posts,” a Bench of Justice Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan said in its April 22 order.

“We also direct the state of Punjab represented by its Advocate General to do the same thing. Needful shall be done by the states within two months from today,” the Bench said, posting the matter for further hearing on July 10.

A report submitted to the Bench by an Amicus Curiae to the top court stated that 51 per cent of the total posts in various Statutory Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees across India were vacant.

Against a sanctioned strength of 11,969 posts in various Statutory Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees, there were only 5,877 persons working; leaving the rest 6,092 posts vacant.

In Haryana, almost 65% of the posts in the state Pollution Control Board remained vacant as there were only 165 persons working against a sanctioned strength of 450. The remaining 285 posts were vacant.

In Delhi, the vacancy stood at 68% as 233 of the total 344 posts remained vacant, with only 111 persons working in the state pollution control body. Similarly, Rajasthan had almost 60% vacancy in the state Pollution Control Board. There were only 332 persons working against a sanctioned strength of 808 while the rest 476 posts remained vacant. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/6-092-posts-in-pollution-control-boards-vacant-sc-orders-haryana-punjab-delhi-and-up-to-fill-vacancies-614544  (25 April 2024)

ED inaction has encouraged violation of environmental laws: NGT The Tribunal observed that ED’s action under PMLA was in a narrow sphere without noting that the scope of the Act was widened after the amendment Act of 2012. The National Green Tribunal on Wednesday said that the inaction of Enforcement Directorate (ED) against violations of environmental statutes included in Schedule of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) has encouraged polluters to continue violation with impunity. [Sanjay Kulshresthra and Anr. v Government of Uttar Pradesh and Ors.] https://www.barandbench.com/news/ed-inaction-encouraged-continued-violation-environmental-laws-ngt  (25 April 2024)

Opinion Empower the guardians of the earth, do not rob them  Ajay Saini, Manish Chandi In the southern expanse of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, off the shores of Little Nicobar, lie seven tiny islands. Classified as “uninhabited” in the government’s records, these islets are nonetheless integral to the indigenous communities of the region. Two, officially called Meroë and Menchal, are known as Piruii and Pingaeyak, respectively, to the Payuh, the indigenous southern Nicobarese peoples, who hold traditional rights over these and other islets.

For millennia, these historically isolated indigenes have relied on these islands as resource reservoirs for sustenance and protected them. Menchal is revered, used, and protected under the spiritual realm called Pingaeyak (a spirit that is believed to reside on the island), prohibiting the overexploitation of resources or any undue harm to its ecosystem. Similarly, Meroë is believed to be the abode of a legendary islander community. Here, too, spiritual belief systems influence how the islanders use and protect natural resources. https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/empower-the-guardians-of-the-earth-do-not-rob-them/article68091771.ece  (22 April 2024)

Chhattisgarh Hasdeo activist to receive Goldman Prize The 2024 Goldman Environmental Prize, also known as the Green Nobel will be awarded to Alok Shukla, convener of Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan (CBA) on Monday (April 29), for his work to protect Hasdeo Arand, one of the largest contiguous stretches of very dense forest in central India spanning 170,000 hectares, with 23 coal blocks. 

“Alok Shukla led a successful community campaign that saved 445,000 acres of biodiversity-rich forests from 21 planned coal mines in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh. In July 2022, the government cancelled the 21 proposed coal mines in Hasdeo Aranya, whose pristine forests—popularly known as the lungs of Chhattisgarh—are one of the largest intact forest areas in India,” said a statement from the Goldman Environmental Prize on Monday. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/chhattisgarh-activist-alok-shukla-to-receive-goldman-prize-for-hasdeo-arand-movement-101714379555166.html  (29 April 2024)

SOUTH ASIA

Nepal Avalanche sets off GLOFs The Birendra Tal, which is located at 4500 m above sea level in the Manaslu region, burst its banks Sunday (April 21) morning due to an avalanche dumping ice into it, spilling water over. It is currently reported to be “returning to normal”.

Another GLOF event in Nepal #Birendra Lake in Gorkha district; @planet image shows a bright patch near the glacier terminus; a probable avalanche; hope no damge caused downstream @NDRRMA_Nepal @basanta58_raj @DHM_FloodEWS pic.twitter.com/N7auOmKrC2

— Dr. Ashim Sattar (@GlacierHazards) April 21, 2024

-There have been no report of casualties despite downstream regions being on high alert. Satellite images have indicated that bridges and yaks were swept up in the water. The images also show a new chunk of ice and snow at the southwestern part of the lake, indicating an avalanche and deposition of ice into the lake.

-Early warning systems play a key role in minimising damage and casualties, but are lacking conspicuously in regions of high risk. Sattar explained that implementation of GLOF regulations are also necessary, such that future building of infrastructure and settlements depend on the potential risk posed by upstream lakes. https://theprint.in/science/avalanche-sets-off-glacial-lake-outburst-in-nepal-why-glofs-recur-in-himalayas-how-to-prevent-them/2051617/  (22 April 2024)

Bangladesh Livelihood is at a standstill in the waterless Teesta Teesta river is now sandy. The locals are crossing on foot as the Teesta River, which overflows two banks during the rainy season, has dried up in Falgun. Currently, not only boats, Teesta road, Railway Bridge are also standing like a farce. Asfafddawla, the executive engineer of Dalia Point of Teesta Barrage, the country’s largest irrigation project, said that there is only 2,000 cusecs of water in the river. With which 45 thousand hectares of land is being cultivated. Due to low water, all water taps in the main streams are closed as per rules. As a result, the main river is dry. https://barta24.com/details/national-en/214115/livelihood-standstill-waterless-teesta  (29 Feb. 2024)

THE REST OF ASIA

Dubai The storm was far too big to be man-made The interesting thing is that humans have a hard time coming to terms with the fact that 2,400 gigatonnes of carbon (our total emissions since pre-industrial times) might make a difference to climate, but very readily get behind the idea of a few hygroscopic flares making 18 months worth of rain fall in a day. (Richard Washington, Professor of Climate Science, University of Oxford) https://thewire.in/environment/dont-blame-dubais-freak-rain-on-cloud-seeding-the-storm-was-far-too-big-to-be-human-made  (24 April 2024)

THE REST OF THE WORLD

Kenya Dam bursts: More than 40 killed in Kamuchiri village -Homes were swept away and roads were cut off after the dam burst in Kamuchiri village in western Kenya. “Forty-two dead, it’s a conservative estimate. There are still more in the mud,” Nakuru county governor Susan Kihika told AFP news agency. “The water came at high speed from Old Kijabe Dam and washed away many houses and vehicles. We have never seen such devastating floods since we were born here in Mai Mahiu. Very many people are still missing,” resident David Kamau tod the BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-68896456  (29 April 2024)

UK Thames Water sank into crisis -Thames Water, the UK’s largest water supplier, has been ravaged since privatisation by soaring debts and chronic underinvestment, sinking into a deep financial crisis which has sparked bailout speculation. In a controversial move, the group this week proposed a massive hike in water bills that would worsen Britain’s cost-of-living crisis and prove unpopular ahead of a general election. In the event of bankruptcy, the UK government could place Thames Water into “special administration” that would switch it back to public ownership, with taxpayers footing the cost and shareholders wiped out. https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/explained-how-uks-biggest-water-supplier-thames-water-sank-into-crisis-5508240  (23 April 2024)

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

Also see: DRP News Bulletin 22 April 2024 & DRP News Bulletin 15 April 2024  

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