NATIONAL MISSION FOR CLEAN GANGA (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 - Gov. Initiative)

Context: The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), which implements Centre’s flagship Namami Gange scheme, has signed a Memorandum of Common Purpose (MoCP) with the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative (MRCTI).

National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG):

• About: It is a society under the Societies Registration Act 1860.
• Formation: It was formed to act as 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.

oNGRBA has since been 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).

• NMCG - Organizational Structure:

oNational level: Two-tier management structure and consists of: The Governing Council and Executive Committee.

oAt the state level: State Programme Management Groups (SPMGs): Act as the implementing arm.

• Implementation: It is undertaken across three phases: Entry level, medium term and long term activities.

Namami gange programme

• Aim: It is an integrated umbrella programme, aimed to ensure effective abatement of pollution and conservation of river Ganga and its tributaries by adopting a river basin approach.
• Implementation: It was inaugurated in June 2014.
• Two objectives: Conservation and rejuvenation of Ganga.