02-October-2024-Special-Article

NATIONAL MISSION FOR CLEAN GANGA (NMCG)

The Ganga River holds immense cultural, religious, and environmental importance for India. It is not only a vital water source for millions of people but also central to India’s spiritual and social heritage.

However, rapid urbanization, industrialization, and population growth have severely polluted the river.

To address this, the government launched various initiatives under the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and the flagship Namami Gange Programme.

Recently, the 57th Executive Committee (EC) meeting of NMCG approved several projects focusing on the Ganga’s cleanliness, conservation, and Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities during Mahakumbh 2025.

Key Projects Approved during the Meeting

Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs)

• Locations: Katihar and Supaul in Bihar, and Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.
• Purpose: These plants treat sewage water by removing contaminants, ensuring that clean water is discharged into natural water sources like rivers and lakes.
• Significance: Reducing pollution in the Ganga River, a key element in cleaning the river and improving its ecological balance.

Monitoring of STPs

• System Installed: An Online Continuous Effluent Monitoring System (OCEMS) was approved for continuous surveillance of existing STPs in the Ganga River Basin.
• Objective: Strengthening the monitoring framework to ensure that the treated water released into the river complies with environmental norms.

Mahakumbh 2025 IEC Activities

• Project Focus: IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) activities to raise awareness and ensure cleanliness during Mahakumbh 2025.
• Initiatives: The project involves “Paint My City” activities and mural art decorations to engage the public in cleanliness efforts and promote a pollution-free Mahakumbh.

Pollution Inventory, Assessment, and Surveillance (PIAS) Project

• Purpose: Approved the restructuring of manpower under the PIAS project, piloted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
• Objective: Enhanced monitoring of industrial pollution in the Ganga Basin.

Smart Laboratory for Clean River (SLCR) Project

• Approval: Key components of the SLCR project were approved to rejuvenate small rivers and enhance their ecological health.
• Focus: Targeting smaller rivers that contribute to the Ganga, ensuring comprehensive cleanup efforts beyond the main river.

Turtle and Gharial Conservation

• Program Approved: A freshwater turtle and gharial conservation breeding program at Kukrail Gharial Rehabilitation Center in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
• Objective: To protect and breed these species, which are vital for maintaining the ecological balance of the river.

About the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)

• Background: NMCG was registered as a society on 12th August 2011 under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. It plays a key role in implementing projects for cleaning and rejuvenating the Ganga.
• Legal Framework: Initially, NMCG acted as the implementation arm of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) constituted under the Environment Protection Act (EPA), 1986. After the NGRBA was dissolved in 2016, NMCG became the implementing arm of the National Ganga Council (NGC).
• Five-Tier Structure:

• National Ganga Council (NGC): Chaired by the Prime Minister of India, the council is the apex body overseeing river rejuvenation.
• Empowered Task Force (ETF): Chaired by the Union Minister of Jal Shakti, it ensures focused actions.
• National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG): Responsible for implementing cleanup and rejuvenation projects.
• State Ganga Committees: Manage state-level initiatives.
• District Ganga Committees: Work at the district level to ensure project execution on the ground.

Namami Gange Programme

Launched in 2014, the Namami Gange Programme is an integrated conservation initiative aimed at reducing pollution and rejuvenating the Ganga River. With a budget of ₹20,000 crores, it is one of the government’s flagship programmes.

Key Components:

• Sewage Treatment Infrastructure: Establishing and upgrading sewage treatment plants to ensure that waste entering the river is properly treated.
• River-Surface Cleaning: Removing solid waste and pollutants from the surface of the river.
• Afforestation: Increasing green cover along the Ganga’s banks to promote biodiversity and control soil erosion.
• Industrial Effluent Monitoring: Regulating industrial discharge and ensuring that pollutants are not released into the river.
• River-Front Development: Developing public spaces along the river, enhancing community engagement and boosting tourism.
• Biodiversity Conservation: Protecting and restoring the Ganga’s aquatic biodiversity.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating citizens about the importance of river conservation.
• Ganga Gram: Developing model villages along the river to set an example of sustainable living.
• Integrated Mission Approach: Namami Gange integrates ecological improvement with economic development. It focuses on clean energy, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable practices.

Challenges in the Namami Gange Programme

• Lack of Effective Monitoring: Although many sewage treatment plants (STPs) have been constructed, there is insufficient data to confirm if they are functioning properly.
• Neglect of Tributaries: The programme has largely focused on the Ganga, neglecting its smaller tributaries. Rivers like the Gomti suffer from severe pollution, hampering overall cleanup efforts.
• Industrial Pollution: Some industries, particularly tanneries in Kanpur, continue to discharge untreated effluents into the river, contributing to high levels of contamination.
• Cost Overruns: Poor financial management has led to underutilization of funds. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) noted that only 8–63% of the funds were used from 2014 to 2017. Additionally, excessive spending on media campaigns has raised concerns.
• Ongoing Environmental Threats: Illegal sand mining and riverfront development projects often interfere with the natural flow of the river, further exacerbating its degradation.

Way Forward

• Improve Financial Management: Implementing transparent financial practices and strict auditing to ensure effective utilization of funds.
• Strengthen Regulations: Encouraging industries to adopt eco-friendly technologies and promoting waste management practices through incentives.
• Revitalize Tributary Restoration: Focused efforts on cleaning and restoring tributaries that contribute to the Ganga’s health are crucial.
• Enhance Data Systems: Establishing a centralized database to monitor project progress and address gaps more effectively.

Conclusion

The Namami Gange Programme and associated efforts under NMCG are significant steps towards cleaning the Ganga River and protecting its biodiversity.

While there have been notable achievements, challenges like inadequate monitoring, industrial pollution, and underutilized funds hinder progress.

A comprehensive approach focusing on transparency, stronger regulations, and tributary rejuvenation is essential for ensuring the long-term success of Ganga’s conservation.

Mains question:

1. “Discuss the key initiatives and challenges of the Namami Gange Programme in ensuring the conservation and rejuvenation of the Ganga River and suggest measures for its effective implementation.”(150 WORDS).