Photo: © Arun Beeman/UNEP
In India, the River Ganga (National River of India) holds special significance, as it is not just a river but embodies the collective sentiments, consciousness, and faith of the people. In 2015, the Namami Gange mission, under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India was launched for the protection, conservation, and rejuvenation of the Ganga River basin.
The program has been allocated a total budget of USD 4.25 billion, (including Namami Gange 2.0). The National Mission for Clean Ganga is the implementing body of the mission and was given special powers in the 2016 Authority notification under Environment Protection Act’ 1986. Spread across a quarter of India’s landmass, approximately 520 million citizens reside in the Ganga basin and contribute over 40% to the nation’s GDP. Guided by a holistic approach, the focus of the mission has been on the riverine ecosystem, including components such as pollution abatement, solid and liquid waste management, biodiversity, afforestation, wetland conservation, agribusiness, groundwater management, etc.
The model is based on the symbiotic relationship between nature-society and aims to strengthen the people-river connect. Several multi-sectoral interventions ranging from promotion of natural farming to livelihood interventions, are to be achieved through synergies at different institutional levels, coupled with adoption of decentralized governance practices. The model strives to improve the quality of life of people in Ganga Basin through sustainable economic development and strengthened people-river connect.
Biophysical activities: Promotion of sustainable forest management practices; Assisted natural regeneration; Tree planting; Control of point and non-point pollution sources; Improved irrigation and water use efficiency; Wetland construction and rehabilitation; Agroforestry; Increased diversity and vegetative cover in production system.
Enabling activities: Social and environmental impact assessment; Private and community-based conservation; Promotion of indigenous and local knowledge-based traditional use; Participatory natural resource management and governance; Community consultation; Online training; Onsite training; Development of guidance and course materials; Training of trainers
IUCN Ecosystem biomes: Tropical-subtropical forests biome; Shrublands and shrubby woodlands biome; Intensive land use systems biome; Palustrine wetlands biome (including peatlands), Rivers and streams biome, Lakes biome, Artificial wetlands biome
