The Director General of the National Mission for Clean Ganga used the platform of World Water Week 2022 to discuss the Arth Ganga model. This innovative approach is designed for sustainable development with a primary focus on economic activities related to the Ganga river.
The Key Features of the Arth Ganga Project
Introduced by PM Modi during the first National Ganga Council meeting in Kanpur in 2019, the ‘Arth Ganga’ model represents a shift from the previous Namami Gange initiative. The government is implementing six main components under this project:
Firstly, it encourages Zero Budget Natural Farming which is chemical-free farming practised within10 km on either side of the river. The government promotes the use of cow dung as a fertilizer through the Gobardhan scheme.
Secondly, the project includes the Monetization and Reuse of Sludge & Wastewater as a means to reuse treated water for irrigation and industries, while also generating revenue for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
Thirdly, Arth Ganga aims to create Livelihood Generation Opportunities through local markets where people can sell their local products, medicinal plants and ayurveda related products.
Next, the project seeks to improve public participation by increasing synergies between the various stakeholders engaged with the river.
The fifth plank is to promote cultural heritage and tourism around Ganga and its vicinity by encouraging boat tourism, adventure sports and yoga activities.
Finally, the project looks forward to fostering institutional building by empowering local administration to better manage water resources.
World Water Week: An Overview
World Water Week is an annual global conference focusing on pressing water issues. It started in 1991 as part of a public water festival in Stockholm and is now organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI). Each year, it concentrates on water-related challenges such as the climate crisis, food security and energy. It also promotes discussions about achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6), that aims at ensuring clean water and sanitation for all. The theme for World Water Week 2022 is “Seeing the Unseen: The Value of Water,” focusing on the critical value of water for people, development, nature, climate change and economic/financial aspects.
Understanding the Namami Gange Programme
The Namami Gange Programme is an Integrated Conservation Mission launched by the Indian Union Government in June 2014. It is aimed at reducing pollution levels and conserving and rejuvenating the National River Ganga. Managed by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, the program operates under the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and its state counterpart organizations, State Program Management Groups (SPMGs). The programme is built on several key pillars including Sewage Treatment Infrastructure, River-Front Development, River-Surface Cleaning, Biodiversity protection, Afforestation, Public Awareness and Industrial Effluent Monitoring.
Clarifying the Role of National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)
The NGRBA was established by the Central Government under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, in February 2009. The Prime Minister serves as the ex-officio Chairperson of the Authority, which includes Union Ministers and the Chief Ministers of states through which the Ganga flows. The NGRBA acts as a planning, financing, monitoring and coordinating authority for the Ganga River. The organization manages river conservation efforts at the national level and is guided by internationally accepted strategies for integrated management of rivers. It also takes necessary measures to regulate water abstraction for maintaining ecological flows in the river.