The news this week that the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, not known for any concern for rivers, has set up the National River Research Centre (NRRC) is welcome with usual caveats. The fact that NRRC has been set up under the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), a body under Union Environment Ministry is not necessarily as positive sign since MoEF too is not known for any concern for rivers. Moreover, setting up of NRRC through NMCG and NRCD also does not provide any hopeful sign for the same reason. WII, where the NRRC has been situated for now itself has had at best mixed track record as far as rivers are concerned.
Continue reading “DRP 160226: National River Research Centre Welcome, will it help the cause of rivers?”Tag: Flood
Complaint against damage to Yamuna floodplain forested patch by dumping of concrete debris & rocks at ITO Chhath Ghat, Delhi
Date 12 Feb. 2026
To,
1 Sh. Tanmay Kumar,
Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC)
2 Sh. Rajeev Kumar Mital,
Director General, National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)
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DRP 090226: NGT Critiques Shoddy CGWA report
The criticisms of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on January 30 about the report of the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), set up under the Environment Protection Act 1986 in late 1990s is rather mild and seems symbolic, but it has the potential of open up a pandora’s box since CGWA has essentially totally failed in doing anything effective about groundwater regulation in India.
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DRP 020226: Karnataka High Court Monitored Probe into sand mining menace?
An interesting sequence of events in Karnataka has led to the High Court Chief Justice taking up a suo moto case and suggesting a court monitored probe into the illegal sand mining menace in the state. One hopes this leads to a proper independent investigation, monitored by the High Court, culminating in ensuring community have the key role in monitoring and compliance of sand mining in their respective area, since that is the most important missing link in governance of sand mining.
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Gaddis: Storytellers of the Ravi Basin
As we stood on a ridge near the Lakke Wali Mata shrine, a tributary of the Ravi roared below in a deep gorge. Across it rose a shaded, Devdar (Himalayan Cedar)-covered mountain slope, etched by a steep brown trail. As we stood there observing the headwaters of Ravi, we noticed that the trail was moving.
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DRP 291225: Looking back on 2025, Looking forward to 2026
(Feature Image: Ramganga river at Marchula on Nov. 03, 2025. SANDRP)
As the year 2025 ends, reflecting on the DRP related developments over the year and even in this last DRP of 2025, one cannot but see largely pessimistic situation for India’s Rivers, Water Bodies, Hills and Mountains, Floodplains, and for the environment in general. As we saw during South West Monsoon 2025, the flood disasters have been so severe that the number of deaths in South Ais are the highest among all climate disasters of 2025 according to the just released Christian Aid report. The spread, intensity and frequency of the disasters are only going to increase, but we, including the government and the society seems to show little sincerity in dealing with this.
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DRP 221225: Is it so difficult to understand the importance of Aravalli Mountains?
(Feature Image: Aravalli mountain ranges along the Bewar-Jaipur stretch. Credit.)
Why is it so difficult, for the Union Govt, MoEF, its experts, but most shockingly, for the Supreme Court to understand the importance of Aravalli Mountains – India’s most ancient and ecologically sensitive range? What exactly is driving the unacceptable decision of the apex court? According to the Forest Survey of India, applying the new definition would result in only around 8.7% of the mapped Aravalli landforms being eligible for protection, leaving a substantial portion unregulated.
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DRP 151225: Hydro Projects continue to provide troubling news
(Feature Image: Ongoing work at Ratle HEP in June 2025. Source)
There are troubling news reports about a number of hydropower projects, even as the hydro industry tries its best to present a positive picture. NHPC tries to say that one of its 250 MW units at the Subansiri Lower HEP is good news. However, the fact that WII’s several years old recommendation that project should not be used for peaking power generation till studies about its impact on elephant corridor are complete. But the WII recommendation presented at the National Wildlife Board over 22 months ago is yet to be implemented. The serious financial trouble that the project is in, is also apparent from its desperate attempt to use the forest land as collateral, rejected by MoEF. The closing down of the NHPC office for the Subansisi Upper HEP in Upper Subansiri district came following agitation by the students Union and others there opposing the project.
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2025: Govts, Judiciary Actions on Dam Safety in India
(Feature Image: Experts visit Srisailam dam to assess its structural safety in May 2025. Source)
At national level, the NDSA has carried safety audit of 1853 large dams out of 6545 as of Nov. 25, 2025. In July 2025, the Central govt announced to reconstitute NCDS for a period of three years. Before this the NDSA in April 2025 organized a symposium on Dam Safety Act 2021. It has also released the updated version of National Register on Specified Dams 2025. At state level, the Tamil Nadu govt in July 2025 has planned to set up separate dam safety wing. The Punjab govt in May 2025 moved resolution in state assembly to annul Dam Safety Act and planned to enact its own dam safety bill.
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2025: Dam Safety Issues in India
(Feature Image: A worn out portion of Singur dam embankment. Source)
This annual overview presents top ten reports highlighting the dam safety issues in India. Worryingly, the central govt in Oct. 2025 itself has revealed that safety audit of about 5000 large dams is pending. Before this, the NHRC in Feb. 2025 sought a report on safety of the dams across the country. The plea rightly demanded a transparent, accountable and participatory dam safety mechanism to prevent disasters. Indeed, the aging infrastructure, inadequate maintenance, slow progress of rehabilitation and fast changing climate are among the key issues putting our dams under threats.
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SANDRP 