Introduction
The River Ganga is one of the most important rivers of India, revered culturally, spiritually, and economically. It supports the livelihood and water needs of over 400 million people.
However, the Ganga became one of the most polluted rivers due to:
- Discharge of untreated municipal sewage.
- Industrial effluents.
- Agricultural runoff and dumping of solid waste.
- Religious and cultural activities (immersion of idols, cremations).
Ganga Action Plan (GAP)
- Launched: 14 January 1986.
- Objective: Pollution abatement of the Ganga.
- Improve water quality by intercepting and diverting domestic sewage.
- Treat toxic and industrial chemical wastes from polluting units.
- Major activities:
- Construction of sewage treatment plants (STPs).
- Upgradation of existing drains and pumping stations.
- Riverfront development and public awareness campaigns.
Challenges & Limitations of GAP
- Poor implementation and monitoring.
- Delays in project completion.
- Rapid population growth and urbanization outpaced efforts.
- Lack of coordination between central and state agencies.
Mission Clean Ganga
- Recognizing the limited success of GAP, the Government launched Mission Clean Ganga on 31 December 2009.
- Objective: By 2020, ensure that no untreated municipal sewage or industrial waste enters the river.
- Budget: ₹15,000 crore.
National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)
- Established as the apex authority to plan, implement, and monitor conservation efforts.
- Chaired by the Prime Minister of India.
- Adopts a river basin-based approach, which is comprehensive and addresses the entire Ganga ecosystem instead of fragmented sections.
Significance of Mission Clean Ganga
- Aims for zero discharge of untreated waste into the river.
- Promotes sustainable practices and public participation.
- Focuses on institutional strengthening and capacity building.
- Integrates conservation efforts with urban sanitation and planning.