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1. MMR Biodiversity report (2012) No specific information about different species with their natural habitat locations Report might be useful after identifying the existing species along Mithi river, then we can address it ( MMR COASTAL - CREEKS & ESTUARIES HABITATS DATABASE , page no. 18)

2. MMR Regional plan (2021) All the river Water Quality Monitoring Station (WQMS) indicated ‘Good to excellent’ water quality during post monsoon period except at Mithi River. During pre-monsoon period, WQMS on Mithi River indicated ‘Bad to Very Bad’ water quality. The water quality was largely affected due to the increase in the faecal count which may be due to direct discharge of domestic sewage, faecal waste of animals, agricultural and storm runoff. CETPs that exceed permissible limits for COD and BOD (2.9.2. Issues related to Water Quality in MMR , page no. 82) ensure a riverine buffer that would help propagate biodiversity in the riparian belt, check water pollution, act as a flood control measure, provide a major recreational space, enable riverfront tourism along the river and activate water transport. River Buffers and heritage buffer areas should have regulated development Recreational Feasibility studies are needed to determine watershed extent and aquifers, so that they can be adequately protected and water harvesting measures undertaken in future. (5.10 Environment, page no. 134)

3. CRZ notification (2019) Different zones for different specific water bodies CRZ-1A: Mangroves (in case mangrove area is more than 1000 square meters, a buffer of 50 meters along the mangroves shall be provided and such area shall also constitute CRZ–I A) Permitted activities: Eco-tourism activities such as mangrove walks, tree huts, nature trails, etc. The intertidal zone i.e. the area between Low Tide Line and High Tide Line shall constitute the CRZ-I B . CRZ-II shall constitute the developed land areas up to or close to the shoreline, within the existing municipal limits or in other existing legally designated urban areas, which are substantially built-up with a ratio of built-up plots to that of total plots being more than 50 per cent and have been provided with drainage and approach roads and other infrastructural facilities, such as water supply, sewerage mains, etc CRZ-III areas, where the population density is more than 2161 per square kilometre as per 2011 census base, shall be designated as CRZ–III A and in CRZ-III A, area up to 50 meters from the HTL on the landward side shall be earmarked as the ‘No Development Zone (NDZ) ( page no. 32 to 36)

4. State Water Policy 2019 13. Flood Management While every effort will be made to avert flood related disasters through structural and non-structural measures, emphasis should be on disaster management as an option. Flood forecasting methods will be modernized using setting up of a real time data acquisition system and forecasting models. Frequency-based flood inundation maps will be prepared to evolve flood management strategies and an emergency plan for the mitigation of floods and management for each flood-prone area. Habitation and economic activities shall be strictly prohibited in the food plain zones (prohibitive zones –with 25 year return period flood) by the local authorities. Concerned local authorities can implement The phase-wise program to remove existing encroachments. The State will develop a Decision Support System (DSS) for flood forecasting in flood prone areas addressing state/site specific issues. SMS-based flood alert system must be developed in flood prone areas. Emergency action plans/disaster management plans will be periodically reviewed and updated by involving people in flood prone area. To increase preparedness for sudden and unexpected flood related disasters, dam break analysis must be carried out . 8. ENVISAGED STRATEGIES : Views of water users, policy makers, experts in the field, non-governmental 2organisations shall be ensured in the decision making and reform process.

5. State Water Policy 2019 8.4 Water Resources Planning and Principles Thereof: The water resources of the State shall be used, conserved and managed to provide the maximum economic and social benefits for the people of the State and in a manner that minimizes regional imbalance and maintain important ecological values within river and adjoining lands. The water resources of the State must be planned, developed and managed with a river basin and/or sub-basin as the unit, adopting a multi-sectoral and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach. Integration in planning will be achieved between; (a) Soil moisture, direct precipitation, groundwater and surface water. MAHARASHTRA STATE WATER POLICY (2019) 8 (b) Small water harvesting structures and conventional reservoirs. 8.5.4 Water Quality Management The State shall establish a program, to control the discharge of any pollutants to the surface and groundwater including the sea and saltwater marshes of the State . The system of third-party periodic inspection shall be introduced and stringent punitive actions be taken against the persons or entities responsible for pollution. 9.3 Industrial Water Management: Accordingly, industries shall be encouraged to recycle and reuse water and follow the policy of ‘Zero effluent’ in the final stage . 9.4 Water Policy Regarding Other Uses: 9.4.1 Ecosystem: Rivers, water bodies, aquifers and wet lands will be recognized as ecological systems and must be protected from over exploitation, depletion, pollution or contamination and degradation. Rivers will be protected from any form of construction on their flood plains and from excessive sand mining.

6. National Water Policy 2012 3. Uses of water 3.3 Ecological needs of the river should be determined, through scientific study, recognizing that the natural river flows are characterized by low or no flows, small floods (freshets), large floods, etc., and should accommodate developmental needs. A portion of river flows should be kept aside to meet ecological needs ensuring that the low and high flow releases are proportional to the natural flow regime, including base flow contribution in the low flow season through regulated groundwater use. 3.4 Rivers and other water bodies should be considered for development for navigation as far as possible and all multipurpose projects over water bodies should keep navigation in mind right from the planning stage. 8. Conservation of river corridors, water bodies and infrastructure 8.2 Encroachments and diversion of water bodies (like rivers, lakes, tanks, ponds, etc .) and drainage channels (irrigated area as well as urban area drainage) must not be allowed, and wherever it has taken place, it should be restored to the extent feasible and maintained properly. 8.3 Urban settlements, encroachments and any developmental activities in the protected upstream areas of reservoirs/water bodies, key aquifer recharge areas that pose a potential threat of contamination, pollution, reduced recharge and those endanger wild and human life should be strictly regulated . 8.5 Sources of water and water bodies should not be allowed to get polluted. System of third party periodic inspection should be evolved and stringent punitive actions be taken against the persons responsible for pollution. 10. Management of flood & drought 10.6 Protecting all areas prone to floods and droughts may not be practicable; hence , methods for coping with floods and droughts have to be encouraged. Frequency based flood inundation maps should be prepared to evolve coping strategies , including preparedness to supply safe water during and immediately after flood events. Communities need to be involved in preparing an action plan for dealing with the flood/ drought situations

7. RIVER CENTRIC URBAN PLANNING GUIDELINE 19 . The National Water Policy, 2012 includes a section on conservation of rivers and 4 river corridors. It also mentions that encroachments and diversion of water bodies must not be allowed and restoration must be promoted to the extent feasible. 20. Maharashtra Pollution Control Board also framed a River Regulation Zone policy for the State in 2000 (revised in 2009) based on he designated best use as per water quality for rivers, high flood line and categorizing industry based on their pollution levels. However, this was later withdrawn based on a resolution passed by the state government dated 3 February, 2015. With floodplains, it is also important to look at relevant land use legislations which come under the ambit of States. State Town and Country Planning Acts were enacted by the States based on Model Town and Country Planning Laws in 1962 (later revised in 1985). 22. Draft RRZ notification intended to regulate developmental and industrial activities up to 5 kms from the banks of the river stretches having floodplains and an equivalent area for mountain/ hill stretches under three River Conservation Zones (RCZ) demarcated with reference to the Highest Flood Level (HFL) with a 100 year return period. The Prohibited Activity Zone (RCZ-PA) in the immediate vicinity of the river is offered the highest protection since existing activities and constructions within the zone should adhere to the notification. Attention has been paid to regulating new developments within three zones.