States through which the Ganga flows will soon be given additional funding to operate and maintain projects to clean the river and restore its environmental health. However, States lobbied for more aid and free power to those affected by scrapping of hydel projects.
At a meeting of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, held on Monday, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal demanded that his State be granted 2,000 MW of free power in compensation for scrapped projects.
The NGRBA ratified the decision of the three-man Ministerial committee — comprising Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh — to abandon three major hydel projects along the Bhagirathi which runs through the State. The Loharinag Pala, Bhaironghati and Pala Maneri projects were shelved following protests by local communities, environmental activists and religious leaders.
The NGRBA also gave in principle approval to declare the 135-km stretch between Gaumukh and Uttarkashi an eco-sensitive zone. This means no hydel project will be allowed there, according to Mr. Ramesh. Much industrial and developmental activity will also be banned, while the rest will be governed by strictly monitored eco-management plans.
The NGRBA said the Central government would bear 70 per cent of the cost of operating and maintaining projects set up to prevent pollution, clean the river and improve its environmental status, for up to five years. The Centre already funds the cost of setting up these projects.
However, the affected States lobbied for a burden-sharing formula of 90 per cent by the Centre and 10 per cent by States. The Centre said it would consider this request, as well as Uttarakhand's demand for compensatory free power.
By April 2011, the government also expects to finalise a $ 1 billion line of credit from the World Bank for NGRBA projects. Last year the NGRBA approved Rs. 1,400 crore worth of projects.
The meeting also approved a Conservation Action Plan for the Gangetic dolphin, recently declared the national aquatic animal.
“There are less than 2,000 Gangetic dolphins left,” said Mr. Ramesh.
