Days ahead of the first meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Investment ( CCI), the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC), the statutory body for advising on forest clearances, rushed to clear a little over 20 projects, including those in mining and power.

The CCI, set up to hasten big-ticket infrastructure projects, had its first meeting on January 31. According to sources, as many as 30 projects came for hearing before the seven-member FAC on January 21-22. Of the seven members, only three were present.

After concentrating on thermal power for a long time, the West Bengal government has now decided to give priority to the development of hydro power projects in the 12th and 13th plan period.

In contrast to China’s unilateral move to construct dams on the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra, India has taken a different route with respect to dams on rivers it shares with Bangladesh.

India and Bangladesh have identified several projects including the controversial Tipaimukh hydel project in which Dhaka could have equity participation. Over time, some portion of the electricity generated by projects on common rivers could accrue to Bangladesh, said official sources.

Indian High Commissioner Pankaj Saran said his country is not obstructing water flow of the Teesta River.

The major rivers and tributaries have been drying up abnormally in the Brahmaputra basin much ahead of the seasonal dry season this year due to the adverse impacts of global climate change, reports

MAJOR international rivers like the Brahmaputra and the Teesta have dried up abnormally at their Bangladesh sections with the advent of dry season unlike other years.

The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC), under the ministry of forests and environment, has scheduled yet another meeting on Friday for clearing projects in violation of the Central Information Commiss

Hundreds of dead fish were found floating in the Teesta this morning, sparking a rush to catch them before experts warned that pesticides may have been sprinkled in the water, rendering the fish un

West Bengal Minister raises Teesta water sharing issue

Formation of River Basin Organisations (RBOs) between basin neighbouring countries is at the heart of an international conference here on Hydro-Diplomacy: A Tool for Sharing Waters Across Waters. “Good governance is required for establishment of strategies on sustainable management of international river basins,” said Thailand Minister for Natural Resources & Environment Preecha Rengsomboonsuk, opening the conference.