A team of international researchers reported that some of the world's most important freshwater sources lost water at a cumulative rate of around 22 gigatonnes per year for nearly three decades.
Most of these water bodies are in West Bengal, followed by UP, Andhra, Odisha & Assam. While 1.6% have been encroached upon, 16.3% are 'not in use', according to report released by Modi govt.
Initial talks held on the possibility of India entering the programme that was started in 2017 between France, Germany and Spain to ensure European sovereignty in defence and security.
This proposal would further contaminate & degrade Maharashtra’s already critically stressed & limited Drinking Water sources well beyond existing, unacceptible contamination levels ,
It will completely degrade ecosystems within the floodpain , its catchment, hills & forests .
It further takes no responsibility for & the safety of campers , tourists, water sport participants in these floodplain areas.
As recommended by the Environment Ministry, the government should prohibit any development within 500 meters of the blue flood line along the upstream floodplains of these Reservoirs not just 300 meters from their dams.
Prior any promulgation:
1)The upstream floodplains , blue & red lines hills, forests, and catchment areas of these Drinking Water Reservoirs should be clearly marked, published, and uploaded online for public scrutiny & the recently introduced clauses permitting development within 100 meters of the blue floodline or of 10 meter high embankments should be removed.
2)The responsibility for & implementing mechanisms of a 24 x 7 drinking water quality monitoring & reporting system at all sites along the upstream Floodplains & Catchments must be assigned to a single agency & abundant smart sensors, cameras & monitoring systems ,infrastructure & manpower must be put in place prior the implementation of this policy.
3)Mechanisms for immediate cancellation of leases & permissions & cancellation of No Objection certificates on account of water or flood plain contamination or loss of biodiversity /ecosystems or accidents during water sports,camping etc must be established & included in the contract.
The Water Resources Department must take full responsibility for all the above.
The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, which has limited resources should focus on Air Pollution & the charge of drinking water contamination should be entrusted to the
Water Resources Department .
If any pollution is found in or due to approved development projects in these flood zones & Reservoirs , the WRD must cancel the permissions and leases immediately, for which guidelines will need to be established & circulated for public scrutiny.
This proposal would further contaminate & degrade Maharashtra’s already critically stressed & limited Drinking Water sources well beyond existing, unacceptible contamination levels ,
It will completely degrade ecosystems within the floodpain , its catchment, hills & forests .
It further takes no responsibility for & the safety of campers , tourists, water sport participants in these floodplain areas.
As recommended by the Environment Ministry, the government should prohibit any development within 500 meters of the blue flood line along the upstream floodplains of these Reservoirs not just 300 meters from their dams.
Prior any promulgation:
1)The upstream floodplains , blue & red lines hills, forests, and catchment areas of these Drinking Water Reservoirs should be clearly marked, published, and uploaded online for public scrutiny & the recently introduced clauses permitting development within 100 meters of the blue floodline or of 10 meter high embankments should be removed.
2)The responsibility for & implementing mechanisms of a 24 x 7 drinking water quality monitoring & reporting system at all sites along the upstream Floodplains & Catchments must be assigned to a single agency & abundant smart sensors, cameras & monitoring systems ,infrastructure & manpower must be put in place prior the implementation of this policy.
3)Mechanisms for immediate cancellation of leases & permissions & cancellation of No Objection certificates on account of water or flood plain contamination or loss of biodiversity /ecosystems or accidents during water sports,camping etc must be established & included in the contract.
The Water Resources Department must take full responsibility for all the above.
The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, which has limited resources should focus on Air Pollution & the charge of drinking water contamination should be entrusted to the
Water Resources Department .
If any pollution is found in or due to approved development projects in these flood zones & Reservoirs , the WRD must cancel the permissions and leases immediately, for which guidelines will need to be established & circulated for public scrutiny.