Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil chaired the 13th meeting of the Empowered Task Force on Ganga conservation

10 December 2024, Delhi: Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri C.R. Paatil, conducted a comprehensive review of all ongoing projects under the Namami Gange Mission, emphasizing the importance of adhering to timelines and maintaining quality standards. He highlighted the mission as a profound symbol of environmental, cultural, and social upliftment for the nation, stressing that the conservation of the Ganga is not merely a project but a national duty. The Minister issued clear directives for the completion of projects within stipulated time frame, underscoring the need for seamless coordination between state governments, local bodies, and other stakeholders.

Calling the Ganga "not just a river but the foundation of our civilization, faith, and livelihood," Shri Paatil stressed on need for reuse of treated water and directed all the stakeholders to adopt an approach where the cost of freshwater use is adequately taken into account in working out economics of reuse projects. Addressing delays and obstacles in project implementation, the Minister advocated for the adoption of innovative technologies and modern management systems to ensure timely execution. He reiterated the need for collaborative approach from all the stakeholders in timely completion of projects and emphasized that the mission would not only restore the cleanliness and uninterrupted flow of the Ganga but also act as a catalyst for positive transformation in the lives of millions across the country.

The meeting reviewed the significant progress made under the Namami Gange Mission, highlighting completed projects, ongoing initiatives, and future action plans for holistic river rejuvenation. Discussions focused on critical areas, including pollution abatement, reuse of treated water, biodiversity restoration, and new developments in Ganga Knowledge Centre.

In the meeting, steps taken to preserve the ecology of the Ganga and promote sustainable development, emphasizing wetlands and biodiversity conservation, were discussed. Under the Namami Gange Programme (NGP), in collaboration with Wetlands International India, WWF-India, and state authorities, wetland surveys were conducted in 27 districts of Uttar Pradesh, conservation plans for three wetlands were prepared, and management plans for 387 wetlands in Bihar were developed. A model toolkit and monitoring framework were also developed for Jharkhand's Udhwa Lake Bird Sanctuary and urban wetlands. Along with this, efforts are being made to restore ecological balance in the Ganga river basin and increase public participation through the biodiversity park initiative. The purpose of these parks is to restore local species, create green buffers, and improve air and water quality. Seven biodiversity park projects in Uttar Pradesh have been approved, which are emerging as successful models of community engagement and ecological restoration.

To restore biodiversity of the Ganga river basin, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has emphasized the conservation of species such as dolphins, turtles, gharials, hilsa, and mahseer. With the collaboration of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), the Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI), and the Turtle Survival Alliance India (TSAFI), 1,428 gharials and 1,899 turtles have been reintroduced into the Ganga and its tributaries, leading to an improvement in water quality.

Additionally, under the Namami Gange Programme, a target has been set to undertake afforestation on 1,34,104 hectares of land to strengthen the ecology of the Ganga basin, of which plantation on 33,024 hectares has been completed so far. Covering natural, agricultural, and urban areas in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, this effort marks a significant step toward preserving the Ganga's ecology and achieving sustainable development goals. Plantation on 59,850 hectares of land through CAMPA funding has further strengthened this initiative.

The progress of the Ganga Knowledge Centre was discussed in the meeting, wherein the Ganga Knowledge Portal was described as an innovative and centralized platform for water resource management. This portal, equipped with 606 curated documents and AI-enabled modules, provides users with personalized experience and instant information, marking the pioneering use of AI under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. High-resolution mapping of the Ganga basin and GIS-ready data have been prepared using LiDAR technology, aiding in the mapping and monitoring of waste discharge. These initiatives are milestones toward the sustainable management of the Ganga ecosystem and the formulation of improved policies.

On the occasion, Hon’ble Minister Jal Shakti, Shri. C.R. Paatil launched four knowledge products developed under aegis of National Mission for Clean Ganga as under:

1.The First release is a repository of the ‘District maps of River Ganga and its Tributaries’ in the 5 main stem States, that is, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, which is an In-house development of Ganga Knowledge Centre.

2. The Second release is a policy document titled, “Ganges River Dolphin Stranding Mitigation Plan”, for rescuing the Gangetic dolphins stranded in the small canals/rivers during the dry season.

3.The Third Book titled, “Eternal Waters: R2R - A Visual Journey from Religion to Resource”: The book paints a vivid picture of how our collective journey from religion to resource is an awe-inspiring testament to our capacity to honor the divine in both the spiritual and the material aspects of life.

4.The Fourth Book titled, “The Elusive Ganga” documents the mighty River as an adventure from Gomukh to its merging point Bay of Bengal in Ganga Sagar. The visual travelogue captures the tapestry of Cultures and civilizations that has thrived along the banks of the river.

During the meeting, the Director General of NMCG, Shri Rajeev Kumar Mital, delivered a comprehensive presentation highlighting the progress made in Ganga conservation and rejuvenation since the last meeting. The deliberations centred around an action plan for the river's rejuvenation, with focus on pollution abatement projects and biodiversity conservation and Ganga Knowledge Centre under the Namami Gange Mission.

The meeting witnessed participation from representatives of various ministries and states. Prominent attendees included Secretary (DoWR), Ms. Debashree Mukherjee, Director General of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) Shri Rajeev Kumar Mital, Joint Secretary & Financial Advisor, Ms. Richa Mishra, Executive Directors of Namami Gange Mission, and representatives from the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Power, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, and the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.

State-level officers included Dr Raj Shekhar Project Director SMCG Uttar Pradesh; Shri Shailesh Bagauli, Secretary Peyjal Uttarakhand Government, Ms. Nandini Ghosh Project Director SPMG West Bengal and MD BUIDCO Shri Yogesh Kumar Sagar.

Encouraging reports were also presented on the progress in the preparation of District Ganga Plans (DGPs). It was mentioned that to ensure pollution-free and clean rivers, all District Ganga Committees (DGCs) are mandated to prepare DGPs. To streamline the process, a handbook and a standardized DGP template have been prepared, which are the result of extensive consultations with DGCs and collaborative effort between NMCG, GIZ and IIPA. Presently preparation of around 60 District Ganga Plans is underway which would be a quantum jump from presently prepared four plans.