Latest news with #MinistryofEnvironmentandForests
The Hindu
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
SC sets timelines to facilitate repair of Mullaperiyar dam, tree-felling near site
The Supreme Court on Monday (May 19, 2025) gave positive directions facilitating Tamil Nadu and Kerala to address and resolve long-contentious issues such as cutting trees that block access to the 125-year-old Mullaperiyar dam, transportation of materials to repair the approach roads and even grouting of the main super-structure of the dam. A Bench headed by Justice Surya Kant gave Kerala to forward an application submitted by Tamil Nadu to cut the trees, to the Ministry of Environment and Forests in two weeks. The Centre was asked to accord sanction within three weeks thereafter, subject to appropriate conditions. On noting that Kerala had consented to the transportation of materials required for six of the nine repair works pointed out by Tamil Nadu, the apex court said there was hardly any 'justification' to not allow the transportation of material required for the remaining three works. The court allowed an Executive Engineer with the Kerala government to be present when the repair works are done by the Tamil Nadu government. To Kerala's objections that materials for repairing a dam-access-road running through the forest was harmful to the environment, the apex court directed the State to conduct the road repair itself using materials which were eco-friendly. Tamil Nadu could post a civil engineer with its department to monitor the work. 'Finish repair of dormitory' The court directed Tamil Nadu to complete the repair of a dormitory and asked it to comply with the statutory requirements under the Inland Vessels Act and the Wildlife Act while plying an extra boat. On the issue of grouting, the court asked the States to meet with the Supervisory Committee, which would make expert recommendations. In the previous hearing, the apex court had made it clear that the prolonged inter-State dispute could only be resolved with the intervention of experts with specialised knowledge. 'The Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu and Kerala and our Prime Minister may be very respected persons. But in this particular field, they may not have the in-depth knowledge. That is why we wanted experts… Our interest is the safety and security of the dams,' Justice Dipankar Datta, a member of the three-judge Bench headed by Justice Kant, had remarked.
The Hindu
17-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Rajasthan finalises action plan for M-sand plot auctions to curb illegal mining
In a significant policy move aimed at streamlining construction material supply and curbing illegal mining, the Rajasthan government has finalised an action plan for delineating and auctioning plots designated for manufactured sand (M-sand) units. The decision follows the State's recognition of M-sand units as an industry, extending them official status to encourage investment and development. Principal Secretary (Mines) T. Ravikanth announced on Saturday (May 17, 2025) that 109 plots have been identified under the plan. Of these, 77 plots spanning a total of 158 hectares are earmarked for M-sand units, while 32 overburden dumping plots covering 131 hectares will also be prepared for e-auction. Notably, 26 plots have already been successfully auctioned, aimed at increasing the supply of M-sand for the construction sector. The initiative marks a strategic shift in response to a 2017 Supreme Court directive that imposed a ban on riverbed sand (commonly known as bajri) mining in Rajasthan. The top court had ordered a scientific replenishment study and subsequent clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests before any resumption of mining activities. A Central Empowered Committee (CEC) was subsequently constituted to examine the issue of illegal sand extraction. The court's intervention had led to a sharp decline in the availability of legally mined riverbed sand, resulting in a spike in prices and the emergence of a sand mining mafia operating in defiance of environmental norms. Though environmental clearance was eventually granted to 60 mining zones in 2022, the lag in supply had already hampered several infrastructure projects across the State. The new policy on M-sand, which seeks to reduce reliance on riverbed resources, is expected to ease supply bottlenecks and bolster environmental safeguards. It enables investors to establish M-sand units while availing themselves of State-backed incentives and infrastructural support. Officials say the move is also expected to instil public confidence in the quality and utility of M-sand for construction. Addressing officials at a departmental review meeting held at Khanij Bhawan, Mr. Ravikanth emphasised that promotion of legal mining is key to checking illegal extraction activities. He directed the Mines Department to expedite the delineation and auction of mineral plots, including both major and minor categories. In addition, Mr. Ravikanth said that efforts are under way to identify new revenue sources for the department and plug existing leakages. He noted that the auction process for 22 major mineral blocks had already commenced at the beginning of the current financial year.
The Hindu
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Abandon mini harbour-cum-port project in Puducherry: Water users and farmers' collective urges govt.
The Bangaaru Vaickal Neeraadhara Koottamaippu, a water users and farmers' collective, has urged the Puducherry government to drop the move to revive the mini harbour-cum-port project at Moorthikuppam-Pudukuppam in the Union Territory (UT). In a letter addressed to Lt. Governor K. Kailashnathan, the president of the association V. Chandrasekhar said the Puducherry government had entered into an agreement with IIT, Madras, to a conduct a feasibility study for the creation of a fishing harbour at Moorthikuppam-Pudukuppam in Bahour commune at a cost of ₹93.22 lakh. 'We are completely at a loss to understand why the government is spending huge amounts for a project feasibility study, when already two such proposals — one by the Ministry of Environment and Forests and the second by the World Bank — have been rejected. The project is completely unviable and would result in severe environmental damage to the entire coast of Puducherry, including the artisanal fishermen in the area,' Mr. Chandrasekhar said. The proposed project is in complete violation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules and will result in irreversible destruction of agricultural lands upstream of the Mullodai channel. No Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) had been carried out so far, and the government should not go ahead with the project, he said. 'Disastrous' According to the collective, the project would turn out to be disastrous. If the fishing harbour is built at the southern tip of Puducherry's coast, then the entire stretch of the remaining coastline would be completely eroded, destroying the livelihoods of fishermen living to the north of the proposed harbour. It will completely wipe out all tourism-related development, including the Blue Flag beach at Puducherry and the archaeological site of Arikamedu. Stating that there was no natural connection between the Mullodai lagoon and the sea, Mr. Chandrasekhar said that cutting open the lagoon to the coast would be a disastrous move. The naturally occurring sand dunes in Nallavadu, Panithittu, Narambai, and Manapet coastal villages will be destroyed, resulting in sea water intrusion into the deep aquifers and thus reaching upstream upto Bahour. The collective demanded that the government abandon the project with immediate effect. The government should also seek an explanation from the Public Works Department and concerned authorities for 'hiding' the facts related to the project, it said.
The Hindu
06-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
KSEB's hydel push stirs fresh concerns
Tourism sells. But should it be used to sell the idea of a contentious hydroelectric project that has, for decades, aroused deep misgivings and resentment is the question now doing the rounds in Kerala. A little over a week ago, State-run power utility Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) sprang a surprise when it announced plans to examine whether the Athirappilly hydroelectric project can be developed as an 'Integrated tourism-cum-power generation project.' Proposed on the west-flowing Chalakudy river in Kerala's Thrissur district, the 163-megawatt (MW) hydel project, first mooted in 1979, has come to symbolise the perpetual war against mindless development and destruction of nature in the southern State. After a long gap, what has abruptly turned the spotlight on it is an April 24 order stating that a meeting of the full-time directors of the KSEB has given its approval 'for remodelling the Athirappilly HEP as a tourism-friendly project.' Despite winning environmental sanction in 1998 from the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the Athirappilly hydel project has failed to get off the ground on account of environmental concerns. Greens have long opposed it, citing the irreversible consequences it entails for an exceptionally biodiversity-rich region located within the Western Ghats. Since it involves the construction of a dam, concerns have been raised over the potential destruction of large tracts of riparian forest land, an abundant wealth of flora and fauna, and the displacement of Kadars, a Scheduled Tribe that calls the region home. Furthermore, greens argue that the project would alter the very character of the Chalakudy river and sound the death knell for the scenic Athirappilly and Vazhachal waterfalls. The protests have prompted successive State governments to declare that the project would only be implemented with consensus. As a result, it has lain in such a state of dormancy that it was expected to die a natural death. This impression had gained currency especially in recent years, even though all were aware that the KSEB, which handles power generation, transmission, and distribution in power-deficit Kerala, had not fully given up on its pet project. On April 28, the KSEB followed up its order with a press statement explaining its intention to see whether the hydel project can be developed in tandem with tourist amenities and present the concept for public debate. The announcement was quickly met with the criticism that the KSEB was merely trying to repackage the project in the glossy wrappings of tourism. State government sources responded to the renewed outrage among environmentalists and local communities by denying that the plan has the backing of a political decision. Nevertheless, it is interesting to note that the Athirappilly hydel project is back in the news at a time when Kerala's power sector is witnessing dramatic changes. Hydropower has traditionally dominated the power-deficit State's internal electricity generation. Yet, internal production has served to meet only about 30% of the requirement, leaving the State heavily dependent on allocations from central generating stations and power purchases from outside. But of late, Kerala has been witnessing a surge in the use of other forms of renewable energy, especially solar power. It aspires to become a 100% renewable energy-based State by 2040 and net carbon neutral by 2050. In the immediate future, the State hopes to add 3,000 MW through solar and wind energy projects and 1,500 MW through hydro projects. (The plans for hydropower, it must be noted, do not include the Athirappilly.) Besides these, pumped storage projects, battery energy storage systems, and green hydrogen initiatives are also being actively pursued. The question arises whether the Athirappilly hydel project, conceived decades ago in a different context, holds relevance anymore in this rapidly changing landscape that offers accessible, less-expensive options. Furthermore, one cannot dismiss the fact that Kerala has witnessed a string of natural disasters in recent years. Such a sombre backdrop demands that development projects, especially ones in fragile locations, undergo hard and prudent scrutiny through the lens of environmental sustainability, safety, and long-term public good.
The Hindu
01-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Vizhinjam seaport set to boost South Asia's maritime trade
The Vizhinjam International Seaport, an all-weather port which is poised to be a pivotal hub for India's maritime transshipment, will script a new history in the annals of Indian maritime trade on Friday (May 2, 2025) with Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicating the ambitious port project to the country by 11 a.m. Leveraging cutting-edge technology, Vizhinjam Port is expected to be a game-changer in South Asia's maritime trade. Mr. Modi arrived at Thiruvananthapuram International Port on Thursday evening (May 1, 2025) to officially commission the project. Also Read | Tight security in Thiruvananthapuram ahead of PM's visit The first semi-automated port in the country, Vizhinjam seaport positions itself as one of the most technologically sophisticated transshipment ports globally, reducing vessel turnaround times and enhancing India's capacity to handle large container ships. Armed with an AI-driven control room and Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) developed by IIT-M and Maritime Technology Pvt Ltd., the first Indigenous vessel management system implemented at an Indian port, the port could track ships approaching the port using radar and sensors, providing real-time location and movement updates to nearby vessels and optimising port traffic flow and berthing assignments. The port is also expected to reduce the dependence of the country on other international ports. Around 75% of the country's transshipment cargo is being handled at international ports, resulting in a loss of up to $200-220 million of potential revenue each year, rendering the Indian industries vulnerable to an increase in costs, potential inefficiencies and congestion issues, and creating long-term risks for India's trade competitiveness. The all-weather port has weathered many challenges in its way. Among the challenges, the stiff protest raised against the construction of the breakwater by fishermen backed by a prominent church outfit was the main issue the Kerala government had to deal with, although the location of the port offers several advantages, such as natural depth and lack of littoral movement, making it an ideal location for an international-scale seaport. However, the rubble-mounded breakwater constructed, surviving the challenges put up by a section, is an engineering marvel in the country. A 2,960-meter-long breakwater has been constructed in water at a depth of 18 to 20 meters with an overall height of 28 meters, which is equivalent to a 9-storey building, making it the deepest breakwater ever constructed in the country. Now the port, which is 10 nautical miles away from the international shipping routes connecting Europe, the Persian Gulf and the Far East, the east-west shipping axis, can berth new generation vessels of capacity around 18,000 TEU as the site is endowed with a natural water depth of 18 to 20 meters within a kilometre from the coast, suitable to accommodate very large mother vessels. The Ministry of Environment and Forests has already granted environmental clearance for the second and third phases of development of the port, which will attract an investment of ₹9,560 crore by Adani Port as per the concession agreement, which will enhance the current capacity of the port from 1 million TEUs / annum to 3 million TEUs / annum by 2028. According to Kerala Port Minister V.N. Vasavan, the first phase cost of the project is ₹8,867 crore. Of this, the State government's contribution is pegged at about ₹5,595 crore (63%), while the Adani Group, concessionaire of the project, spends ₹2,454 crore (28%). The Centre should have avoided the controversy of providing the assured viability gap funding of ₹818 crore (9%) as a 'loan' to the project. However, with the formal commissioning, Vizhinjam will grow to a level that can compete with any major port in the world, and it's a proud moment for Kerala, said Mr. Vasavan. The formal commissioning of the port will be attended by Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Ministers of State George Kurien and Suresh Gopi, State Ministers, Opposition Leader and others.
