The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) endeavors to rejuvenate and preserve the iconic River Ganga. Established on 12th August 2011 under the Societies Registration Act of 1860, it is supervised by the National Ganga Council, earlier known as the National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection, and Management of River Ganga.
The NMCG has multiple objectives revolving mainly around rehabilitating existing Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and implementing measures to reduce pollution at river exits. Its other goals involve restoring and retaining the natural flow of the river, surface water, and groundwater, regenerating the native vegetation and both riparian and aquatic biodiversity of the River Ganga basin, and encouraging public participation in the conservation process.
Recently, the NMCG hosted the 6th edition of its monthly ‘Webinar with Universities’ series titled ‘Igniting Young Minds, Rejuvenating Rivers’, shedding light on ‘Waste Water Management.’
Revitalizing River Ganga: Key Initiatives
Several projects have been launched to achieve the goal of cleaning the Ganga, among which the most prominent are the Namami Gange Programme and the Ganga Action Plan. The former was approved in June 2014 as a flagship programme by the Union Government for efficient pollution control and rejuvenation of the national river.
On the other hand, the Ganga Action Plan, initiated in 1985, aimed at enhancing water quality through interception, diversion, and treatment of domestic sewage. Its extension, the National River Conservation Plan, strives to cleanse the Ganga under Ganga Action Plan phase-2.
In 2009, the National River Ganga Basin Authority (NRGBA) was established under the Environment Protection Act of 1986, a year after the Ganga was declared as the ‘National River’ of India. Later in 2014, the Clean Ganga Fund was set up to finance the river clean-up, construction of waste treatment plants and conserve the river’s biotic variety.
Technological Solutions & Legislative Measures
The Bhuvan-Ganga Web App is a recent initiative that invites public involvement in monitoring pollution entering River Ganga. Moreover, legislative measures like the ban on waste disposal in the Ganga by the National Green Tribunal in 2017 have been instrumental in conserving the river.
The Ganga River System
Originating from the Gangotri Glacier, the Ganga, known as Bhagirathi in its early course, is joined by Alaknanda at Devprayag in Uttarakhand. The river, after emerging from the mountain at Haridwar, flows through the plains, combining with significant tributaries such as the Yamuna, the Ghaghara, the Gandak, and the Kosi.
Progress and Future Plans
The focus of the Namami Gange Programme under ‘Arth Ganga’ or ‘Bridge of Economic Links’ is on the monetization of sludge and treated water. This involves raising awareness, igniting community-led efforts, and implementing social and behavioral changes among the younger generation.
With sound communication and dissemination of information, the aim is to create a cleanliness-conscious generation that will contribute significantly to the rejuvenation and preservation of the River Ganga.