New river regulatory zone rules to be launched soon: Prakash Javadekar

NEW DELHI: Against the backdrop of recent floods in Tamil Nadu and Jammu and Kashmir, the Centre today said it was preparing new river regulatory zone rules to check encroachments along riverbeds and introduce waste management mechanisms in Himalayan states.

Noting that management of solid waste, e-waste and construction waste management are a big concern in Himalayan states, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said the government will put in place proper waste management mechanism even in small hamlets of hill states.

"New rules for River Regulatory Zones are being prepared and will be launched soon," Javadekar said while referring to to the recent floods in Chennai, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand.

Javadekar was addressing the concluding session of the second meet of Parliamentarians from Himalayan states where more than 12 MPs participated.

Referring to the encroachments along river beds, Javadekar said that there is a need for taking up stern measures on this and his ministry will do so.

Javadekar said that unless representatives of the people are involved, the desired results will not be achieved.

He said that similar meetings with Members of Legislative Assemblies, members of Panchayats and Members of Zila Panchayats will also be held on similar lines.

"We want to put in place proper waste management mechanism even in small hamlets of hill states," he said, adding that the gap in enforcement can be overcome through technological support.

Union minister Jitendra Singh, MP Anurag Thakur and other MPs were also present in the meeting and talked about the issues, which were faced by the Himalayan states.

Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Shanta Kumar said urbanisation and population burst was the biggest issue in the hill state that needs to be addressed.

MPs also spoke about the monkey menace and other stray animals which destroy crops.

Javadekar pointed out that he had written two letters to all the states on the issue and told them that they should send proposals to the Centre.