Namami Gange Programme

Namami Gange Programme is an Integrated Conservation Mission, approved as a Flagship Programme by the Union Government of India in June 2014 with a budget outlay of ₹22,500 crore from 2023–26 to accomplish the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution, conservation and rejuvenation of National River Ganga.^[1] It aimed at engaging with the community which will connect various interest groups including Scientists, Technology companies, Investors and community members.^[2] NMCG (National Mission For Clean Ganga) has decided to declare Chacha Chaudhary the popular comic book character, as the mascot of the Namami Gange Programme a statement issued by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.^[3] Under the Namami Gange Programme, all the drains falling into the river Saryu in the religious and historical city of Ayodhya are being tapped and contaminated water is being transported to the sewerage treatment plant.^[4] The research division of Namami Gange is led by CGanga, established under the aegis of IIT Kanpur.

Clean Ganga roadshow, which was inaugurated on the sidelines of COP26 in Glasgow resulted in forming four chapters in Scotland, Wales, Midlands and London to connect various interest groups with the Namami Gange Programme.^[5] Over 30,000 seeds of India's major carps which are declining in the entire Ganga River like catla, rohu, and mrigal fishes were released on the confluence of the Ganga and the Yamuna in Prayagraj Sangam.^[6] National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) show that out of 341 projects, 147 (or 43 per cent) are completed in which majority of projects are related to sewage infrastructure and 61 out of 157 sewage projects (39 per cent) have been completed.^[7] During the flag-off of the MV Ganga Vilas cruise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Ganga ji is not just a river and we are taking a twin approach through Namami Gange and Arth Ganga to serve this holy river.”^[8]

The efforts made for the conservation of the Ganges River and the restoration of its ecological recognized by UNESCO.The National Mission for Clean Ganga, led by the Indian government has been included in the world's top ten campaigns for the restoration of the natural ecological balance.^[9]

References

1. "Restoring the Ganga's purity and biodiversity". The Indian Express. 17 April 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
2. "Ganga Connect concludes in London after high level of engagement, tangible outcomes". ANI News. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
3. "Chacha Chaudhary is now mascot of Namami Gange programme". The Indian Express. 2 October 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
4. Network, Elets News (14 December 2021). "Centre's Namami Gange Programme helps revive key rivers in UP". eGov Magazine. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
5. Naomi Canton (28 November 2021). "ganga: Clean Ganga roadshow gets enthusiastic response from investors, universities in Britain - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
6. "ICAR-CIFRI Released Fish Seeds in Prayagraj Sangam under Namami Ganga Programme". krishijagran.com. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
7. Jadhav, Radheshyam. "147 projects under Namami Gange completed". @businessline. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
8. "PM flags off World's Longest River Cruise - MV Ganga Vilas in Varanasi via video conferencing". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
9. "Namami Gange Programme has been included in the world's top ten campaigns for the restoration of natural ecological". Prabhat Khabar. 10 March 2024.