About: Namami Gange Programme

  • It is an Integrated Conservation Mission, approved as ‘Flagship Programme’ by the Union Government in June 2014.

  • Objectives- It has twin objectives of
    • effective abatement of pollution; and

    • conservation and rejuvenation of National River Ganga.



  • Vision-
    • Its vision is to restore the wholesomeness of the Ganga River by ensuring 'Aviral Dhara' and 'Nirmal Dhara', and maintaining geological and ecological integrity of the river.



  • Implementation-
    • It is Implemented by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), and its state counterparts—State Programme Management Groups.



Main Pillars of Namami Gange Programme

  • Sewerage Treatment Infrastructure

  • River Front Development

  • River Surface Cleaning

  • Biodiversity

  • Afforestation

  • Public Awareness

  • Industrial Effluent Monitoring

  • Ganga Gram

 

About: National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) 

  • It was registered as a society in 2011 under the Societies Registration Act 1860.

  • Earlier, it acted as implementation arm of National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) which was constituted under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA),1986.

  • NGRBA was dissolved with effect from the 7th October 2016, consequent to constitution of National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection and Management of River Ganga (referred as National Ganga Council).

  • National Ganga Council is under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister.

  • Now, NMCG is the implementation arm of Namami Gange Programme.

Aims & Objectives of National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)

  • The aims and objectives of NMCG are-
    • To accomplish the mandate of National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) of ensuring effective abatement of pollution and rejuvenation of the river Ganga by adopting a river basin approach.

    • To maintain minimum ecological flows in the river Ganga with the aim of ensuring water quality and environmentally sustainable development.




Past Efforts at Cleaning Ganga

  • Ganga Action Plan
    • Its first phase was launched in 1985 and second phase was launched after a gap of eight years in 1993.

    • The primary objective of the GAP is to protect the river from the urban wastes.



  • National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)
    • It was formed in 2008. Same year, Ganga was also declared as a national river.

    • It was headed by the Prime Minister.

    • Besides the pollution control, the NGRBA was responsible for flood management and sustainable use of the river water.

    • Later, NGBRA was dissolved and replaced by National Ganga Council in 2016.



 Environment & Ecology