In a first of its kind initiative, a meeting of an inter-State high level Joint Task Force (JTF) comprising of representatives from Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh was held at Singrauli on July 10, to stipulate the standards for measuring the impact of coal mining and power plants on siltation and water quality of the Rihand reservoir, the largest manmade lake in India, near Pipri in Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh bordering Madhya Pradesh.
The JTF will ensure that all mining and environmental measures are implemented on the basis of scientific studies in an impartial manner taking into account the interests of all stakeholders.
The JTF will monitor the impact of mining on the Rihand reservoir and stipulate standards for measuring the impacts of coal mining and power plants on siltation and water quality of the Rihand reservoir. The catchment area of this dam is spread over Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
The first meeting of the JTF was held at Hotel Satya International, Waidhan, in Singrauli. CCF Rewa Circle PK Singh chaired this meeting.
The JTF members discussed various environmental issues, including the impact of mining on Rihand reservoir and also reviewed study of NEERI and NIH on the environmental impact of the mining activity and power plants in the region.
PK Singh said, "Constituting the JTF is a progressive step to ensure that environmental issues are addressed in a scientific manner by mining companies. This task force will monitor the usage of water from Rihand dam and siltation on the dam from mining and other industrial activities and will work towards its control."