The 5th edition of Ganga Utsav, the River Festival 2021, is underway, commemorating the splendor of India’s National river, the Ganga. It was on 4th November 2008 that the Ganga was declared the National River of India. This festival encompasses a variety of activities such as the launch of the Ganga Tarang Portal, a curtain-raiser on the Ganga Knowledge Portal, and much more.
The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)
The NMCG organizes the Ganga Utsav each year to fortify the connection between the public and the river. The NMCG, established in 2016, acts as the implementation arm of the National Ganga Council, replacing the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NRGBA). In 2021, the NMCG earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for uploading the most photos of handwritten notes on Facebook within an hour. The festival celebrates the mystical and cultural significance of the Ganga through storytelling, dialogues with celebrities, quizzes, traditional art, dance and music performances by famous artists, photo galleries, exhibitions, etc.
Significance of Jan Bhagidari (People’s Participation)
The festival accentuates the importance of Jan Bhagidari in the revival of the Ganga. It aims to stimulate stakeholder engagement and public participation towards the rejuvenation of this critical river.
Programmes Held During the Festival
The Ganga Utsav includes numerous initiatives such as the Continuous Learning and Activity Portal (CLAP), a year-round learning portal packed with activities, quizzes, crosswords, discussion forums aimed at engaging children. Another significant program is Ganga Mashal, an expedition led by the Ganga Task Force (GTF) covering 23 stations along the Ganga. Its objective is to raise awareness among local people and bodies like the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, and voluntary groups such as Ganga Mitras, Ganga Praharis, and Ganga Doots. The Ganga Quest, a national online quiz about the Ganga, rivers, and environment, also forms part of the activities.
Government Initiatives on River Ganga
The government has taken various steps towards preserving the Ganga, such as the Ganga Action Plan and the creation of the National River Ganga Basin Authority in 2009 under Section-3 of the Environment Protection Act 1986. The Clean Ganga Fund was formed in 2014 for cleaning up the Ganga, establishing waste treatment plants, and conserving the river’s biotic diversity.
Bhuvan-Ganga Web App and Ban on Waste Disposal
The government launched the Bhuvan-Ganga Web App to involve the public in monitoring pollution in the Ganga. Additionally, in 2017, the National Green Tribunal banned the disposal of any waste into the Ganga.
River Ganga – A Brief Overview
The Ganga, India’s longest river, flows over 2,510 km of mountains, valleys, and plains and is considered the most sacred river by Hindus. It originates from the snowfields of the Gangotri Glacier in the Himalayas and is joined by other rivers such as the Alaknanda, Yamuna, Son, Gumti, Kosi, and Ghagra. The Ganga river basin is incredibly fertile and densely populated, covering an area of 1,000,000 sq. km. The endangered Ganges River Dolphin specifically inhabits this river. The Ganga eventually widens out into the Ganges Delta in the Sundarbans swamp of Bangladesh before it discharges into the Bay of Bengal.
Last Modified: February 13, 2024