Changing Course of Namami Gange Programme

Highlights of Namami Gange Programme Meeting

It marks a shift in emphasis under flagship Namami Gange Programme, towards conservation, tourism and providing economic livelihoods.

According to National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), out of 408 projects sanctioned under the programme, 228 have been completed, 132 are ‘in progress,’ with the rest in various stages of tendering.

Steps Taken for Holistic Rejuvenation of River Ganga

Ministry of Tourism working on a comprehensive plan for development of tourism circuits along Ganga in line with Arth Ganga.

• Exhibitions & Fairs across 75 towns along Ganga River have been planned as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.

Ministry of Power to reuse treated wastewater of thermal power plants by adopting cluster approach.

Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW) undertaking various steps to build organic farming and natural farming corridors along River Ganga.

• Eco-agriculture being promoted besides efforts to improve water-use efficiency in Ganga villages by MoA&FW.

Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs focusing on mapping of urban drains and management of solid and liquid waste in Ganga towns under SBM 2.0 and AMRUT 2.0.

Ministry of Environment and Forests mulling scaling up of afforestation activities in the Ganga belt and a detailed plan to take ‘Project Dolphin’ forward is underway.

About Arth Ganga

It focuses on the sustainable development of the Ganga and its surrounding areas, by focusing on economic activities related to the river.

It seeks to use economics to bridge people with the river.

Thrust areas under Arth Ganga:

• Zero Budget Natural Farming that includes chemical-free farming generating “more Net income, per drop”, ‘Gobar Dhan’ for farmers.
• Monetization and Reuse of Sludge & Wastewater that envisages reuse of treated water for irrigation and industrial purposes and revenue generation for ULBs.
• Livelihood Generation Opportunities such as ‘Ghat Mein Haat’, promotion of local products, medicinal plants, capacity building of volunteers like Ganga Praharis, Ganga Doots.
• Public Participation to ensure increased synergies between stakeholders.
• Cultural Heritage & Tourism that looks to introduce boat tourism through community jettis, promotion of yoga, adventure tourism etc.
• Institutional Building by enhancing the local capacities for better decentralized water governance.

Namami Gange Programme

It is a flagship initiative of the Union Government and was implemented by NMCG

• It is an integrated mission for pollution abatement as well as improvement in ecology and flow of Ganga and its tributaries.

Objectives: Conservation and rejuvenation of Ganga.

Main Pillars: Treating sewerage infrastructure, achieving biodiversity, developing riverfronts, cleaning river surfaces, enabling afforestation, monitoring industrial effluents and increasing awareness among the public.

About National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)

• It is the empowered nodal agency for implementation of Namami Gange program nationwide.
• NMCG releases funds to State Governments /State Missions for Executing Agencies.

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