The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) recently hosted a unique event named IDEAthon. This event revolved around the theme “The Future of River Management”. The primary objective was to delve into how the Covid-19 crisis could redefine river management strategies going forward.
IDEAthon: A comprehensive approach to River Management
The IDEAthon was a platform that encouraged brainstorming about the learnings from the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown, with a focus on its impact on river management. The event invited conversations about how we could put to use the social aspects of rivers to tackle other forthcoming crises.
One of its main pursuits was to establish a framework called River Management in urban river management plans of cities. The importance of this framework is to draw more awareness towards river management, highlighting the interconnectedness of cities with their surrounding river bodies.
Namami Gange, which is implemented by NMCG together with NIUA, has decided to create a policy paper shaped by the discussions held at the IDEAthon to strategize future river management actions.
National Mission for Clean Ganga: An Overview
The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) functions as the execution branch of the National Ganga Council. It got its foundation in 2011 as a registered society under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. It operates under a two-tier management structure comprising the Governing Council and Executive Committee.
Its primary endeavors include assuring effective pollution control and rejuvenation of the Ganga river by adopting a river basin-centric approach. This approach encourages inter-sectoral coordination to allow comprehensive planning and management. Another significant objective of NMCG involves maintaining minimum ecological flows in the river Ganga, aiming to ensure water quality and maintain environmentally sustainable development.
National Institute of Urban Affairs: An Introduction
The National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) is a renowned institute focused on research, training, and spreading information in urban development and management. Its headquarters are situated in New Delhi, India, and it was established in 1976 as an autonomous body under the Societies Registration Act.
The institute receives support from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, State Governments, urban and regional development authorities, and several other agencies engaged with urban issues.
The IDEAthon by NMCG and NIUA served as an innovative platform to redesign river management strategies. It advanced the concept of using lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic for better river management. Additionally, it emphasized the critical role that rivers play in urban planning, shedding light on the interconnectivity between cities and their surrounding river bodies.