NATIONAL MISSION FOR CLEAN GANGA (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt Policy)

Context: The head of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) recently expressed concern over the slow progress of river-cleaning projects across various states under the Centre’s flagship initiative to clean the Ganga and its tributaries.

National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)

• About: It was registered as a society on 12th August 2011 under the Societies Registration Act 1860.
• Formation: It was formed to act as the implementation arm of National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) which was constituted under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA),1986, and was established to address pollution challenges in the Ganga River.
• Objective: To reduce pollution and rejuvenate the Ganga by fostering intersectoral coordination for comprehensive planning and management.
• Ecological Focus: Ensures minimum ecological flow in the river to maintain water quality and promote environmentally sustainable development.
• Organization Structure: Governing Council and Executive Committee.

Need for the Policy

• Significant River System: The Ganga flows over 2,500 kilometers from Uttarakhand to West Bengal, covering 26% of India’s landmass.
• Historical Pollution: In 2010, approximately 1.4 billion liters of untreated sewage were discharged into the river, prompting the government to take action.
• Previous Efforts: Initial engineering-based approaches in 2011, though significant, failed due to limited community involvement.