indiawaterportal: NEWS LETTER

http://www.indiawaterportal.org/ The much debated Ken-Betwa river linking project that is estimated to cost Rs 18,000 crore was given the go-ahead from the investment clearance committee last week. The project is now waiting for the environment ministry's approval to get rolling. If realised, it will wipe out a portion of Panna Tiger Reserve. This week's newsletter brings you some crucial questions on river linking projects: what does river interlinking entail? Should wildlife suffer for our water needs? In parched lands like Bundelkhand, aren't traditional solutions like reviving water bodies better than mega river interlinking projects? Also, read an open debate on whether rivers should be linked or not, for a better understanding of this issue. Should wildlife suffer for water? Ken-Betwa river-linking project, if realised, will wipe out a portion of the Panna Tiger Reserve with its flora and fauna. The government, however, is adamant about its plan. - Read more Ken-Betwa river gets some respite Statutory clearance not given for the much touted Ken-Betwa model link project of the Interlinking of Rivers programme due to extreme social and environmental concerns. - Read more To link or not to link: A debate An open debate on interlinking of rivers moderated by Ramaswamy Iyer with Himanshu Thakkar and Brij Gopal as panelists was held as a part of the India Rivers Week at New Delhi. - Read more National River Linking Project: Dream or disaster? The project is back in the news now but how much do you know about it? We cover the basics including its history, aim, costs and impact on the environment and people in this comprehensive piece. - Read more Traditional ways to water security Reviving traditional water bodies, and not environmentally-unsustainable mega projects which are expensive, is the most viable solution to deal with water scarcity in parched lands like Bundelkhand. - Read more Weekly roundups News: Over 66 thousand habitations arsenic hit: Centre; TN and Punjab stand against the draft of National Water Framework Bill; Jal Satyagraha to save Mumbai’s rivers; World Bank to examine the feasibility of Himachal’s Kol dam project; Authorities promote construction of farm ponds in Mysuru. - Read more   Policy: Public money wasted in the name of Ganga revival: NGT; Frame policy to protect wetlands: SC to Centre; Financial nod granted to Ken-Betwa; Bombay high court takes note of the impact of water schemes and wetland encroachment; Narmada oustees get Rs 60 lakh as compensation and six months to vacate. - Read more   Sanitation news: Open defecation and exposed drains compound sanitation crisis in Delhi's unauthorised colonies; Health and sanitation indicators point south in Telangana and AP; Over 70 percent of anganwadis in Odisha lack toilet facilities; States face NGT ire for failing to file action plan on solid waste management rules; Aurangabad MC's experiment to tag garbage trucks with GPS devices pays rich dividends. - Read more       *************** *