The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal, for the implementation of the Narmada Landscape Restoration Project (NLRP). As a prominent Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Power, NTPC earned Maharatna status in May 2010.
Key Features of the Narmada Landscape Restoration Project (NLRP)
The NLRP initiative proposes a joint and participatory method that showcases how sustainably managed upstream forest and farming practices can have an impact on downstream water resources. The project’s underlying objective is to devise incentivisation strategies to encourage continued sustainable landscape practices within the Narmada basin.
The concept of landscape management entails action geared towards the regular maintenance of a landscape from a sustainability standpoint to guide and harmonise changes induced by social, economic, and environmental processes.
Funding Protocol and Partnerships
The project will be funded through a grant from NTPC Ltd under its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), each contributing equal proportions. USAID plays a crucial role as a global leader in international development, promoting US national security, economic prosperity, demonstrating American generosity, and supporting recipient resilience and self-reliance.
Project Implementation
Over the course of four years, the NLRP will be carried out in the Khargone District of Madhya Pradesh, specifically in the catchment areas of selected tributaries of the River Narmada between the Omkareshwar and Maheshwar dams.
Omkareshwar and Maheshwar Dams
The Omkareshwar Dam, a primary downstream dam of the Indira Sagar Project, is located on the riverbanks of Narmada and Kaveri. The project incorporates multiple dams on the Narmada river, near the Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas situated at the confluence of the Narmada and Kaveri rivers.
The Maheshwar Dam, another large dam planned on the Narmada Valley, will provide 400 MW of electricity upon completion.
Implementing Agencies
The implementation of the project is a joint effort between IIFM, Bhopal (an Autonomous Institute under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change), and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI).
Project Benefits
The NLRP will demonstrate nature-based solutions for enhancing ecosystem services, promoting a clean and sustainable environment in relation to land, water, and air. The project is also expected to witness an improvement in water quality and quantity.
Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)
Established as an international intergovernmental organisation in 2012 at the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, GGGI’s vision encompasses a low-carbon, resilient world marked by strong, inclusive, and sustainable growth.
Narmada River
As the largest westward flowing river in the peninsular region, the Narmada River passes through a rift valley between the Vindhya Range to the north and the Satpura Range to the south. The river originates from the Maikala range near Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh and drains into a large area in Madhya Pradesh as well as parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat. The DhuanDhar Falls is a notable landmark formed by the river in Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh).
Last Modified: February 9, 2024