Narmada Landscape Restoration Project [NLRP]

NTPC, India's top power company, inked an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the Bhopal-based Indian Institute of Forest Management for implementing the Narmada Landscape Restoration Project [NLRP] on 4th December 2020.

The four-year Narmada Landscape Restoration Project aims to maintain sustainable landscape practices in the Narmada basin. It will be implemented on the select tributaries of the Narmada River, between Omkareshwar and Maheshwar dams, in the Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh.

NTPC is a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Power, which became a Maharatna Company in May 2010.

Narmada Landscape Restoration Project Significance

• Almost 94% of the municipal water supply to Indore, Madhya Pradesh, is fulfilled by the Narmada River. The water is lifted from Maheshwar Dam on Jalud, some 80kms away. The water from the Narmada River provides for both domestic and commercial use.
• It is expected that the water demand from the Narmada water supply scheme will increase by 23% by 2024.
• However, the land-use pressures in the catchment of river Narmada are bound to adversely impact the availability and quality of water. It will create several water-related issues for Indore and Madhya Pradesh residents.
• The Narmada Landscape Restoration Project will open new vistas to manage watersheds and maintain water quality. It will also contribute to the smart city mission by introducing smarter urban water supply purification methods.

Narmada Landscape Restoration Project [NLRP] - Aims and Objectives

• The Narmada Landscape Restoration Project [NLRP] will demonstrate the interdependency between upstream land management activities and downstream water security on select Narmada tributaries- between Omkareshwar and Maheshwar Dams. The Omkareshwar and Maheshwar are two large dams based on the Narmada River.
• The project will establish an incentivization mechanism to provide continuous support to the Narmada basin's riparian forest and farm communities for sustainable landscape practices and water security in the region.
• The project also aims to increase the awareness of local communication towards ecological practices. It plans to implement nature-based solutions for enhancing ecosystem services and provide man-made buffers for natural water purification.

☛ Also Get: Today's Current Affairs PDF

Parties Involved in Narmada Landscape Restoration Project

• The Narmada Landscape Restoration Project [NLRP] is in partnership with NTPC and United States Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID is an independent agency of the US government responsible for providing foreign aid and development assistance.
• NTPC and USAID have provided a grant-in-aid for the Narmada Landscape Restoration Project in equal proportions. NTPC had extended the grant under its Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative.
• IIFM Bhopal and Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) will jointly implement the project.
• IIFM Bhopal is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
• On the other hand, GGGI is an international intergovernmental organization established in 2012 at the Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development. It promotes sustainable growth and inclusivity and supports its members in transforming into a green growth economic model.

The Narmada river is India's longest west flowing river and the largest flowing river in Madhya Pradesh. The Narmada Landscape Restoration Project [NLRP] is expected to greatly benefit the residents of Indore city and other communities dependent on the Narmada for water.

FAQs on Narmada Landscape Restoration Project [NLRP]

Q.1. Who are the partners in funding Narmada Landscape Restoration Project?

The Narmada Landscape Restoration Project is in partnership between NTPC and United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Q.2. Why was the Narmada Landscape Restoration Project initiated?

The four-year Narmada Landscape Restoration Project [NLRP] was initiated to maintain sustainable landscape practices in the Narmada basin.

Q.3. Where will the Narmada Landscape Restoration Project be implemented?

The project will be implemented on the select tributaries of the Narmada River, between Omkareshwar and Maheshwar dams, in the Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh.

Q.4. Who will implement the Narmada Landscape Restoration Project [NLRP]?

IIFM Bhopal and Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) will jointly implement the Narmada Landscape Restoration Project [NLRP].

Q.5. What is the aim of the Narmada Landscape Restoration Project [NLRP]?

The Narmada Landscape Restoration Project [NLRP] aims to establish an incentivization mechanism to provide continuous support to the Narmada basin's riparian forest and farm communities for sustainable landscape practices and water security in the region.