Narmada Landscape Restoration Project | 08 Dec 2020

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.
• 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.
• 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.

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.

Source:PIB