Taking strong exception to Kerala’s reported “unilateral” action in ordering real time monitoring of Mullaperiyar Dam along with the Centre without Tamil Nadu’s consent, the Chief Minister, Ms J. Jayalalithaa, today slammed it as a “blatant violation” of the principle of federalism and constitutional framework.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, she referred to reports of Kerala deciding “unilaterally” to install real time monitoring system for water build up, calling it yet another attempt to exacerbate fears in Kerala about its safety.

Fishermen held a demonstration in the city on Tuesday against India’s controversial Tipaimukh dam saying it would adversely affect livelihoods and life of over three lakh fishermen in Bangladesh’s north-eastern districts.

Speaking at a rally in front of the National Press Club fishermen’s leaders said that at least 10 rivers in Bangladesh including the Surma, Kushiyara and Meghna would dry up causing gradual desertification in the northeastern districts of lower riparian Bangladesh.

They said it would directly affect the life and livelihood of the country’s fishermen.

Shimla: In an initiative backed by World Bank, the Mid-Himalayan Watershed Development Project has tied up with the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, for the standardisation of the silt-monitoring technology to help quantify the impact of watershed treatment interventions. World Bank is keen on developing a scientific model to evaluate the outcome of the programmes and projects being implemented for the rehabilitation of degraded watersheds.

The throb of the Subansiri valley will stop on the day when practically no water will be released by NHPC except in the peak period of the evening, and for all the winter months to come, the river, which is entwined in the lives of the people, which gives them sustenance, their rich culture and lifestyle, will die on that day for ever, along with the dolphins, fish and ecology of the river. This certainly is one of the most disturbing and important aspects of the Lower Subansiri Hydro-electric Project (LSHP)in the present form.

New Delhi In a breather for GVK group company Alaknanda Hydro Power Co (AHPC), the Supreme Court has allowed the construction of the R3,675-crore Srinagar hydel project in Uttarakhand without any hindrance.

A bench headed by justice Dalveer Bhandari, while seeking reply from Anuj Joshi and Bharat Jhunjhunwala, the petitioners before the Uttarakhand High Court, said: “We make it clear that the construction of the dam may go on without any hindrance. However, during the interregnum period, public hearing by the ministry of environment and forest (MoEF) as directed by the high Court, shall remain stayed.”

A delegation comprising judge of International Court of Arbitration (ICA) and Indian Secretary Water Resources, are to inspect 969 MW Neelum Jhehlum Hydroelectric Project to weigh Pakistan's arguments against construction of 330 MW Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project in held Kashmir, well informed sources told Business Recorder.

The sources said one member of the delegation has already reached Islamabad whereas others are expected on Friday evening or Saturday.

The delegation will stay in Pakistan for two days.

JAIPUR: The state government will receive Rs 630 crore as loan from French Development Agency (AFD) for Jodhpur water supply project, which is estimated to cost Rs 740 crore. The project aims to augment and extend the present system for meeting the water demand of Jodhpur city till 2029.

An MoU regarding this was signed between joint secretary, economic affairs, ministry of finance Prabodh Saxena and additional chief secretary PHED, government of Rajasthan in the presence of French Ambassador Francois Richier on Thursday in New Delhi.

The Punjab government has approved construction of 18 new small dams under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) to bring a large area of Pothohar under cultivation, said Punjab Irrigation Secretary Irfan Elahi on Wednesday. Out of the 18 dams approved for the construction, he specially mentioned Swera Dam due to its geographical importance. The dam would be constructed on Canal Surag Kas, which links River Indus and River Sawan and is situated 13 km west of Tahseel Pindi Gaib, District Attock. The total area of the dam is 32 km, with a water storage capacity of 2680 acre feet.