Biodiversity & Environment
Narmada Landscape Restoration Project
- 08 Dec 2020
- 5 min read
Why in News
National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal, to implement the Narmada Landscape Restoration Project (NLRP).
- NTPC Ltd. is a central Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Power. It became a Maharatna company in May 2010.
Key Points
- About NLRP:
- It is a collaborative and participatory approach that will demonstrate the interdependence of the upstream sustainably managed forest and farm practices on downstream water resources.
- The project aims to establish an incentivisation mechanism to maintain sustainable landscape practices in Narmada basin.
- Landscape management means action, from a perspective of sustainable development, to ensure the regular upkeep of a landscape, so as to guide and harmonise changes which are brought about by social, economic and environmental processes.
- Funding Mechanism:
- The program is in partnership with a grant in aid from NTPC Ltd (under its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in equal proportions.
- USAID is the world’s premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results.
- USAID’s work advances U.S. national security and economic prosperity, demonstrates American generosity, and promotes a path to recipient self-reliance and resilience.
- The program is in partnership with a grant in aid from NTPC Ltd (under its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in equal proportions.
- Implementation:
- The 4-year project will be implemented in Khargone District of Madhya Pradesh, in the catchments of selected tributaries of the River Narmada between Omkareshwar and Maheshwar dams.
- Omkareshwar Dam:
- The Omkareshwar Dam is one of the major downstream dams of Indira Sagar Project, lies along the bank for the Narmada and Kaveri.
- Indira Sagar is a multipurpose project consisting of various dams on Narmada river.
- Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga, one of the 12 Jyotirlinga is situated on the confluence of river Narmada and Kaveri.
- Maheshwar Dam:
- Maheshwar is one of the planned large dams on the Narmada Valley to provide 400 MW electricity.
- Omkareshwar Dam:
- The 4-year project will be implemented in Khargone District of Madhya Pradesh, in the catchments of selected tributaries of the River Narmada between Omkareshwar and Maheshwar dams.
- Implementing Agencies:
- IIFM, Bhopal, an Autonomous Institute under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) will be jointly implementing this project with Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI).
- Benefits of the Project:
- Will demonstrate nature-based solutions for enhancing ecosystem services.
- It will promote a clean and sustainable environment concerning land, water and air.
- Improvement in water quality and quantity.
Global Green Growth Institute
- GGGI was established as an international intergovernmental organization in 2012 at the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development.
- Its vision is a low-carbon, resilient world of strong, inclusive, and sustainable growth and its mission to support Members in the transformation of their economies into a green growth economic model.
- India is not a member country but a partner country.
- Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea
Narmada River
- Narmada is the largest west flowing river of the peninsular region flowing through a rift valley between the Vindhya Range on the north and the Satpura Range on the south.
- It rises from Maikala range near Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh.
- It drains a large area in Madhya Pradesh besides some areas in the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat.
- The river near Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh) forms the DhuanDhar Falls.
- There are several islands in the estuary of the Narmada of which Aliabet is the largest.
- Major Tributaries: Hiran, Orsang, the Barna and the Kolar.
- The major Hydro Power Projects in the basin are Indira Sagar, Sardar Sarovar etc.
- Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA):
- It is an Indian social movement spearheaded by native tribes (adivasis), farmers, environmentalists and human rights activists against a number of large dam projects across the Narmada River.
- Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat is one of the biggest dams on the river and was one of the first focal points of the movement.