76 projects commissioned, 300 are being implemented

The Western Ghats, which has made it to the coveted list of World Heritage sites, is facing a serious threat from mini-hydel projects in Karnataka. According to K. Ramesh, a senior officer of Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd. (KREDL), 76 mini-hydel projects have already been commissioned and 300 are in various stages of implementation. Sources in KREDL disclosed that permission had been accorded for setting up 72 mini-hydel projects in the Western Ghats. Of these, 44 are coming up along the Netravati and its tributaries.

The recurrence of large-scale fish death in the Periyar river has left environmentalists and the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) officials a worried lot.

The situation assumes importance in the wake of the ongoing trawling ban when the demand for freshwater fish is at its peak. According to environmentalists, after May 3, there have been over 18 instances of large-scale fish death in the Periyar. “Fish death has become common in Eloor. Though the phenomenon is usually seen in summer and was expected to stop with the onset of monsoon, it has not.

In a development that may be considered a shot in the arm for environmentalists, the Additional Civil Judge (senior division) has ordered a permanent stop to iron ore mining at Kemmannugundi in the Chandradrona Hills of the Western Ghats.

Additional Civil Judge (senior division) Manjunath Nayak on Monday ordered a complete ban on mining and related activities, considering that the land is an eco-sensitive zone and located adjacent to the Bhadra Tiger Reserve.

Member of Parliament Maneka Gandhi has written to Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan alleging that a company has begun illegal construction near Karnala bird sanctuary in Panvel.

In the letter, Gandhi said a private company had sought permission to set up a factory within 10 kilometres of the sanctuary, which houses 147 species of Indian birds and 37 migratory bird species, including some endangered species. She said the company intended to dispose its effluent into the sea.

Sludge Has Toxins, Should Have Been Dumped At Safe Place, Say Experts

Shillong: The calculated silence on the issue of mining in forest areas and violation of Forest Act, 1980 by cement companies’ in Jaintia Hills or rather by official custodians of forests who have issued no objection certificates (NOC) in such forest lands till now, is being challenged vide a public interest litigation filed by the Jaintia Youth Federation (JYF).

The JYF filed their PIL against a set of respondents including the State Government, in the Supreme Court. Chief Justice of India who heard the case, in his ruling on April 20, this year disposed off the matter with liberty for JYF to file the petition in any other appropriate court first.

The move will have impact on Bhadra Reserve Forest

The project of pumping water from Hebbe reservoir to Madagakere and 36 other lakes is fuelling the possibility of water crisis arising in Bhadra Reserve Forest area. Various environmental organisations, talking about this possibility have said that the Government has given its nod to the said project of Rs 140 crore wherein 1.45 TMC water will be utilised. Out of the said quantity 0.75 TMC water will be pumped to Madagakere while the remaining 0.70 TMC will be supplied to 36 lakes in the taluk.

Lack of vigil by authorities has helped it prosper

In spite of ban, there is a rampant illegal sand mining in the taluk on the Chitravathi river bed. The taluk has no major water sources, hence, groundwater is precious here. With the increased dependency on groundwater, the water level has depleted and water is not available even at depths of 1,000 ft. As a result, water sources have dried up in the taluk.Besides, rampant sand mining has also affected the groundwater level.

India on Thursday said it is disappointed with the “weak” political will in developed countries to provide developing nations enhanced means of implementation of objectives of Green Economy, which will also be a “green-wash” if the process is not democratised.

As around 100 world leaders including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh gathered in Rio de Janeiro for the Rio+20 Summit, India also firmly rejected unilateral measures and trade barriers under the guise of Green Economy, which was the buzz ahead of the deliberations here.

India firmly rejects unilateral measures and trade barriers under the guise of Green Economy

India today said it is disappointed with the "weak" political will in developed countries to provide developing nations enhanced means of implementation of objectives of Green Economy, which will also be a "green-wash" if the process is not democratised. As around 100 world leaders including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh gathered here for the Rio+20 Summit, India also firmly rejected unilateral measures and trade barriers under the guise of Green Economy, which was the buzz ahead of the deliberations here.