Revitalization of Rivers in India Draft Policy - Isha Guru Jaggi Vasudev

Revitalization of Rivers In India
Draft Policy Recommendation
• the biological, hydrological and geomorphological processes in those
parts of the catchment with which the river is intimately linked, have
not been significantly altered since European settlement.”
The Australian Government recognized the importance of wild rivers
across the country in 1992 and launched the Wild Rivers Project. It was
undertaken by the Australian Heritage Commission and Environment
Australia with the assistance of State and Territory agencies and a broad
range of stakeholders. The Project set out to identify rivers, encourage
protection, engage in voluntary management of the whole catchment
and promote the values of wild rivers. It was guided by water resource
management and nature conservation agencies, local government, farmers,
conservation groups, indigenous people and the scientific community.
Montana, USA 18
Montana’s 1991 Streamside Management Zone (SMZ) law restricts the
following activities:
• Clear cutting (removing all or most trees) within 50 feet of a stream,
lake, or water body.
• Allowing slash (tree tops, branches) to enter streams, lakes or other
water bodies.
• Constructing roads in the SMZ except when necessary to cross a stream
or wetland.
• Side-casting soil or gravel into a stream, wetland or watercourse during
road construction, grading, and maintenance.
• Operating wheeled or tracked equipment in the SMZ except on
established roads.
• Handling, storing, applying or disposing of hazardous or toxic materials
in a manner that pollutes streams lakes, or wetlands or causes damage
or injury to humans, lands, animals or plants.
• Broadcasting burn in the SMZ (allowing fire to spread through
riparian areas).
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