Namami Gange, affectionately known as the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), stands as a beacon of hope launched by the compassionate hearts within the Government of India. This initiative is committed to the noble cause of purifying and revitalizing the Ganga River, which millions across the nation cherish as a cherished lifeline.
About Namami Gange Programme
- Approved as a ‘Flagship Programme‘ in June 2014.
- Aims to achieve two-fold goals of abating pollution effectively and conserving/rejuvenating the National River Ganga.
- Administered by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Implementation
- The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and State Program Management Groups (SPMGs) execute the program, with oversight provided by the National Ganga Council (NGC).
- NMCG serves as the operational arm of the NGC, established in 2016, replacing the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NRGBA).
- The Prime Minister led the formation of the NGC in October 2016 through the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection, and Management) Authorities Order, 2016.
- It supersedes the NGRBA and includes key stakeholders such as the Chief Ministers of five Ganga basin states: Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, along with several Union ministers.
- The NGC must meet annually to ensure that efforts to rejuvenate, protect, and manage the Ganga river basin are coordinated effectively.
Funding
This corpus, amounting to Rs. 20,000 crore, is centrally funded and non-lapsable. It encompasses approximately 288 projects.
Main Pillars of the Namami Gange Programme are:
- Sewerage Treatment Infrastructure
- River-Surface Cleaning
- Afforestation
- Industrial Effluent Monitoring
- River-Front Development
- Bio-Diversity
- Public Awareness
- Ganga Gram
Why we need “Namami Gange” programme?
- The Ganga, originating in the Himalayas and spanning over 2,500 km through northern and eastern India, holds immense economic, environmental, and cultural significance.
- Covering 26% of India’s landmass, the Ganga basin extends into Nepal, China, and Bangladesh, making it a crucial geographical region.
- Beyond its physical expanse, the Ganga is revered as one of India’s most sacred rivers, with cultural and spiritual importance transcending its basin’s boundaries.
- Cleaning the Ganga would provide substantial assistance to approximately 40% of India’s population, offering not only environmental benefits but also addressing various economic and social challenges.
What are the pollution threats to Ganga?
- Escalating population, elevated living standards, and rapid industrialization and urbanization have led to the degradation of water resources.
- During dry seasons, when the Ganga’s water quality drops, locals can’t bathe in it, impacting them right away.
- The exponential growth of infrastructure projects in the upper reaches of the Ganga raises concerns about their impact on the river’s ecosystem and water quality.
Challenges ahead
- Sewage treatment
- Restoring the flow
- Sludge control
- Cost overruns
- Governance glitches
Read also: Ganga Prahari
