Govt steps in to protect Chambal river

THE Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife, under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has directed that no hydro or irrigation projects, except related to drinking water if no alternatives available, will be considered until the environmental flows of the Chambal river improve.

- JITENDRA CHOUBEY @ New Delhi

This newspaper first reported that the reduction in the environmental flows of the Chambal has reduced water depth in the upper reaches, forcing dolphins to shift their hotspot downstream toward the confluence with the Yamuna river. Even lowering of water level during the lean season exposes nests, belonging to the endangered fauna at river islands, to threats from jackals, stray dogs, and cattle.

During the 90th meeting of the Standing Committee under the chairmanship of the Union Minister of MoEFCC, it was decided that till environmental flows are improved, no projects will be considered, said sources aware of the matter.