In recent news, the Prime Minister led the first meeting of the National Ganga Council. This major event took place at Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The key purpose of this gathering was to underline the significance of adopting a ‘Ganga-centric’ approach across all departments of the involved states as well as applicable Central Ministries.
The National Ganga Council, otherwise known as the National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection, and Management of River Ganga, came into being in 2016, supplanting the National River Ganga Basin Authority (NRGBA).
Making Waves: Key Points from the Meeting
Several critical ideas emerged from the council’s initial meeting. The ‘Namami Gange’ scheme should evolve comprehensively into ‘Arth Ganga’. This essentially means developing a sustainable model that emphasizes economic activities related to Ganga.
The council proposed the creation of a digital dashboard. This online platform would enable NITI Ayog and Ministry of Jal Shakti to monitor data from villages and urban bodies daily.
A significant focus was given to the need for improving the efficiency of district Ganga committees. Improved efficiency is crucial for effectively implementing the Namami Gange Programme.
The council identified the potential of religious and adventure tourism in the Ganga river basin area, suggesting it should be explored in the future. The funds generated from such tourism activities could provide a sustainable source of income for cleaning the Ganga.
About the National Ganga Council
The National Ganga Council operates under the guidance of the Prime Minister.
It was established under the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA), 1986 and has been entrusted with the overarching responsibility for the supervision of pollution prevention and rejuvenation of the River Ganga Basin, including Ganga and its tributaries.
The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), acts as the implementation arm of the National Ganga Council. Established in 2011 as a registered society, the NMCG features a two-tier management structure composed of a Governing Council and Executive Committee.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chairperson of National Ganga Council | The Prime Minister |
| Establishment of National Ganga Council | 2016 |
| Legislation under which National Ganga Council was formed | Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 |
| Previous body before National Ganga Council | National River Ganga Basin Authority (NRGBA) |
| Purpose of National Ganga Council | Supervision of pollution prevention and rejuvenation of the River Ganga Basin |
Objectives and Goals of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)
The NMCG aims to ensure effective control of pollution and rejuvenation of the river Ganga through a river basin approach to promote inter-sectoral coordination for comprehensive planning and management.
Additionally, the NMCG is tasked with maintaining minimum ecological flows in the river Ganga. This goal is aligned with the mission of ensuring water quality and fostering environmentally sustainable development.