Latest news with #MinistryofEnvironmentandForests
The Hindu
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Environment Ministry defends new coal-plant norms as ‘cost effective, climate coherent'
The Ministry of Environment and Forests said in a note on Monday (July 14, 2025) that its recent decision to exempt a majority of thermal power plants from installing flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) units was a 'scientifically justified shift towards more targeted, cost-effective and climate-coherent regulation' and not a rollback of environmental safeguards. FGD units are used to cut sulphur dioxide emissions from coal plants and in 2015, the Ministry had made the systems mandatory for all thermal plants. However, only 8% of India's roughly 180 coal plants have done so. The other plants have received multiple extensions from the Ministry for reasons such as limited availability of these units and high cost. The latest order, however, says only a minority of plants – 22% -- located in major cities with a history of poor air quality need to install these units. The revised policy, its note says, reflects India's '...declining ambient sulphur dioxide levels, the limited role of sulphur dioxide levels in driving PM2.5 health impacts and... the disproportionate resource and environmental costs of indiscriminate FGD mandates'. The Ministry's note was in response to 'media reports'. According to the Ministry, India's annual sulphur dioxide concentration standard of 50 microgram/cubic metre is more stringent than Japan (66), European Union (52.4) and Australia (66). A 2023 measurement in 492 cities, the Ministry said, found that all but two -- Dehradun and Kolar – were compliant. Indian coal was naturally low in sulphur (0.5% of weight) but had high ash content and therefore led to low sulphur dioxide concentrations. Studies had shown that cities with thermal power plants that have FGD technology and those without FGD technology didn't show any 'significant difference' in sulphur dioxide concentrations, it said. 'Eliminating all sulphur dioxide emissions would only result in a marginal improvement of particulate matter concentrations... At ₹1.2 crore per MW [megawatt], the capital expense of installing FGD would be ₹2.54 lakh crore and would only bring about a marginal benefit,' it said. Under new rules, only about 11% of India's 600 thermal power units – a single plant can have multiple units – have to mandatorily install FGD systems. These plants, called 'Category A' units, are located within a 10-km radius of the National Capital Region or cities with a population of at least one million (2011 Census). Originally, these plants were to have FGD systems in place by 2017 but have been given multiple extensions. The latest – as per a gazette notification this week – is December 30, 2027. Another 11% of units, falling under Category B, located within 10-km radius of Critically Polluted Areas (CPAs) or Non-Attainment Cities (NACs) may or may not have to install FGD systems. This would depend upon a decision by an Expert Appraisal Committee, an existing body constituted by the Ministry to decide on according environment clearance to proposed coal plant projects. Those that must install FGD systems have a deadline of December 30, 2028. CPAs are regions or industrial clusters that are extremely polluted and deemed so according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) criteria. NACs are those that have the worst air quality and haven't met National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for at least five years, and there are 131 of these. The remaining 'Category C' thermal power plants, or 78% of the total plants, are now exempt from installing FGD systems.
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.
