The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has launched a pioneering mobile application, “Ganga Data Collector”, under the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) initiative by the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti. The application serves as a comprehensive data entry solution for field researchers looking to monitor the aquatic population in the river. With this innovative application, we are stepping into an era where technology and conservation efforts meet.
The Ganga Data Collector Application
The Ganga Data Collector app is a revolutionary tool designed to streamline the monitoring process of the condition of the Ganga River. The app is engineered to provide data related to the quality of water, the diversity of aquatic species including fishes, amphibians and reptiles, crocodiles and turtles, dolphins, birds, as well as the water level and weather.
This application will be used by Ganga Prahari volunteers and the forest department staff across 11 states in the Ganga Basin. It aims not only to enhance data visualization but also to strengthen data security, laying a path for better management and conservation strategies.
States Covered by The Ganga Basin
The Ganga Basin trails across 11 states namely, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Delhi. Each state plays a significant role in maintaining the health and biodiversity of the Ganga River.
| States | Role in Ganga Basin |
|---|---|
| Uttarakhand | Source of the Ganga River |
| Uttar Pradesh | Largest stretch of the Ganga River |
| West Bengal | Estuary of the Ganga River |
National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)
The NMCG is the executive arm of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA), a society established by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) on 12th August 2011. The society was formed under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. Today, both the NGRBA and NMCG operate under the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.
Their modus operandi relies on several key aspects including sewerage treatment infrastructure, river-front development, river-surface cleaning, bio-diversity preservation, afforestation, public awareness, industrial effluent monitoring, and Ganga gram.
Ganga Guardians: The Ganga Prahari
Ganga Praharis are dedicated volunteers from local communities who work tirelessly for the conservation and cleanliness of the Ganga River. Their objectives span across creating awareness about the clean Ganga initiative, involving people in their activities and connecting local communities’ livelihood with the cleanliness and well-being of the Ganga River.
About Wildlife Institute of India
Founded in 1982, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) operates as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate change. Based in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, it offers training programs, academic courses, and advisory in wildlife research and management.
