15-Dec-2022: Ganga Utsav

National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), Ministry of Jal Shakti celebrated the sixth edition of ‘Ganga Utsav’ on 4th November 2022. This year, the event was dedicated to ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, which celebrates 75 years of independent India. As part of this initiative the National-level event was organized at New Delhi and over 75 special events was observed across 5 Ganga Basin States. Ganga Utsav shall be celebrated in Ganga Basin States till August 2023 as part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’

The celebration of River Ganga witnessed variety of cultural programs; folklores; displaying art forms; discussions; exchanges of many innovative ideas; engaging activities and soulful performances by renowned artists. The events at States have reached out to thousands of people, especially local communities and youth groups through a series of public outreach and engaging activities including- Maha Ganga Aarti, cultural performances, dance & drama, poetry recitals, Deepdaan etc. on the Ghats and other places around the river. It is one of its kind unprecedented public engagements leading to mass movement on creating awareness for Ganga Rejuvenation and to strengthen Public-River Connect.

Under Namami Gange Programme (NGP), a comprehensive set of interventions such as wastewater treatment, solid waste management, river front management (ghats and crematoria development), e-flow, afforestation, biodiversity conservation and Public Participation etc. have been taken up for rejuvenation of river Ganga and its tributaries. Under NGP, a total of 406 projects have been taken up at an estimated cost of Rs.32,897.83 crore. Out of these 224 projects have been completed while remaining are at different stages of implementation.

The projects taken up under Namami Gange Programme includes 176 sewerage infrastructure projects with a sanctioned cost of Rs. 26,263 Crore for creation & rehabilitation of 5,270 Million Litres per Day (MLD) of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) capacity and laying of 5,214 KM sewerage network. Out of these, 98 sewerage projects have been completed resulting in creation & rehabilitation of 1,858 MLD of STP capacity and laying of 4,204 KM sewerage network.

Cleaning of river is a continuous process and Government of India is supplementing the efforts of the State Government in addressing the challenges of pollution in river Ganga and its tributaries by providing financial and technical assistance under Namami Gange Programme.

As per CPCB report of 2018, there were four Polluted Stretches on main stem of river Ganga (one stretch in Priority Category III, two stretch in Priority Category IV and one stretch under Priority Category V, where Priority Category I being most polluted). Now, as per river water quality data of 2021, none of the Ganga Stretches are in Priority Category I to IV and only two stretches are in Priority Category V with Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) ranging between 3-6 mg/l, as per CPCB categorization of polluted stretch. With the various interventions taken up under the Namami Gange Programme, the water quality of river Ganga has remarkably improved across various erstwhile polluted stretches of river Ganga.

Under the Namami Gange Programme, inspection of Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs) located in Ganga basin is carried out on annual basis by joint team of technical institutes, concerned State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and State Mission for Clean Ganga (SMCG).

In the fifth round of GPIs inspections, total 2706 GPIs located in the seven Ganga and Yamuna river main stem states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal were inspected through 24 technical institutes. Actions have been taken against 2706 Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs). Out of 2706 GPIs, 298 GPIs were found temporary closed, 158 GPIs were found permanent closed and 2250 GPIs were found operational. Out of 2250 GPIs, 2032 GPIs were complying and 218 GPIs were non-complying. Concerned SPCBs/PCC issued show-cause notices to 160 non-complying GPIs and closure direction to 58 non-complying GPIs.

Stringent monitoring, regulation and enforcement towards compliance of Grossly Polluting Industries against regulatory framework mandated under Consent mechanism issued in respect of provisions of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 is undertaken through CPCB, State Pollution Control Board (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs).

Further, National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) is also engaged in joint surveillance for the industries located on the bank of river Ganga and its tributaries and taking appropriate action against the polluting industries such as show cause notices, closure directions under Section 5 of Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986.

Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI) was engaged as Third Party Agency (TPA) for appraisal of Namami Gange Mission (NGM). ASCI observed in its report that the NGM has led to considerable addition to wastewater treatment infrastructure in Ganga river basin balanced with investments in river front and ghat development, river surface cleaning processes, afforestation, biodiversity, organic agriculture etc. Capacity building of implementing agencies and other stakeholders along with community engagement to support the initiatives are the other key contributions. The decentralization and mainstreaming of program tasks within the basin states and local body establishments have been the hallmark of the program. ASCI in its appraisal stated that, NGM has shown good progress in achievement of its mandate of “Aviral Dhara” and “Nirmal Dhara”. It has demonstrated successful and replicable models for implementing a large-scale river rejuvenation program on a mission mode and gained global recognition In addition to other development initiatives such as setting up of Sewage treatment plants, effluent treatment plants, ghats, crematoria, river front development, biodiversity conservation, a number of activities for promoting livelihood opportunities for the people of Ganga basin have also been started. These activities covered under Arth Ganga include promotion of natural farming, setting up of Ganga Sahakar Grams, creating market linkage for the agricultural and handicrafts items under Jalaj, promoting tourism among others.

5-Nov-2022: National Mission for Clean Ganga Organizes Ganga Utsav - The River Festival

National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) organized Ganga Utsav - The River Festival 2022 on 4th November at New Delhi in two sessions. Shri G. Kishan Reddy, the Union Minister for Culture, Tourism & DoNER was the Chief Guest in the morning session in the gracious presence of Shri Bishweswar Tudu, the Minister for State, Jal Shakti and Tribal Affairs, H.E. Freddy Svan, Royal Danish Ambassador to India, Sh. Sriram Vedire, Advisor, Ministry of Jal Shakti and Sh. G. Asok Kumar, Director General, NMCG.

The evening session was presided over by Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the Union Minister for Jal Shakti in the presence of Shri Pankaj Kumar, Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti and Sh. G. Asok Kumar, DG, NMCG. Taking inspiration from the speech of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi on 26th September 2021, the central aim of the Ganga Utsav- The River Festival 2022 is to celebrate all the rivers of India (Nadi Utsav). NMCG has been celebrating Ganga Utsav since 2017 every year on 4th November, the day on which river Ganga was declared the National River of India in the year 2008.

• Ganga Utsav 2022 is dedicated to the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav
• 75 events will be organised as part of the Utsav over a period of AKAM in Ganga Basin states promoting local culture
• Activities under Arth Ganga such as Ghat Mein Haat, Ghat Par Yoga, Ganga Artis etc. will be organised

Ganga Utsav 2022 is dedicated to the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav that is being observed to commemorate the 75 years of Indian Independence. As Ganga Utsav 2022 is held in the 75th year of independence, it is planned to have 75 separate events in Ganga and its tributary basin cities and towns, by August 2023, 3-day events in 15 major cities like Haridwar, Mathura, Delhi, Kanpur, Varanasi, Patna, Bhagalpur, Kolkata etc., 1-day events in 60 smaller towns/cities, in which local and pan-India culture based events will be promoted.

Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, began his address by congratulating everyone who became the part of the Ganga Utsav 2022 and made it known on the national as well as international stage. “The expansion of civilization is not possible without rivers, they are the elixir of life, Ganga is not just our National River but is also our cultural heritage. Despite being a country imbibing different languages, religions, cultures and music, there are some elements that bind each one of us together and unite us. Ganga is one of them.”

Union Jal Shakti Minister said “The Indian civilization and culture can never be complete without mentioning Mother Ganga. Mokshadayini Maa Ganga is not just a river, but is the very basis of religion, philosophy, culture, civilization flowing through the ages in India. Its pure flow has assimilated every aspect of the land of India. It not just gives water, but also gives nutrition and employment opportunities.”

He mentioned Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech in Madison Square Garden in 2014 wherein he spoke about the dream of making Ganga pollution free. “Through the efforts of Namami Gange and volunteers, River Ganga has become Aviral and Nirmal. Any cause, no matter big or small, can be achieved when we combine all the individual efforts” He thanked everyone who has contributed to the Clean Ganga Fund, irrespective of the amount donated.

Shri Shekhawat noted how in the ancient times our sages imparted religious messages on Ganga so that people keep it clean. “Through Arth Ganga, we are generating economic opportunities for the individuals living near Ganga basin,” he said, adding, “Namami Gange is able to adopt a holistic and multi-sectoral approach for conservation, promotion and rejuvenation of Ganga and its tributaries. This program, run by the National Mission for Clean Ganga, is emerging as a river rejuvenation model across the country. He said that it is important to promote natural farming practices and incentivise farmers to shift to Natural Farming. Medicinal plantation should be done at a bigger scale as well.

The Union Minister further said “we need to move beyond Ganga cleanliness and Nirmalta and also look into it river-people connect and prevent it from getting polluted”. He also mentioned the significance of promoting tourism along River Ganga and how Ganga model can be applied to other rivers of the country for their rejuvenation. Thanking everyone associated with Ganga, he said that through Ganga Utsav 2022 people are able to connect with River Ganga and hoped for continued success.

Congratulating the NMCG on celebrating the 6th edition of Ganga Utsav, Shri G Kishan Reddy said “through this festival, the social, cultural and historical heritage of India is showcased. Jan Bhagidari is very important in the rejuvenation of rivers across the country and the relation between people and rivers is so strong that rivers are revered as Mothers in India. Ganga Utsav 2022 is also representing the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav that is being celebrated across the country”. Giving the example of Southern India, Shri Reddy said “the people across the country have immense faith in Ganga, which is a symbol of our culture and civilization. Conservation of rivers is the biggest responsibility which we have to fulfill together, especially River Ganga which selflessly provides livelihood to more than 40% of the population and constitutes more than 20% of the country’s landmass”.

Shri Reddy also said “various initiatives taken by the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the National Mission for Clean Ganga to promote tourism in the areas of Ganga Basin. These initiatives will generate employment opportunities for the local communities giving impetus to Arth Ganga, the concept espoused by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. Ganga and tourism are related to each other in such a way that they cannot be separated. Today, tourists from all over the world are coming to these tourist places on the banks of the Ganges. For the first time in the history of independent India, a new National Tourism Policy is being finalized by the Government of India. Ganga Utsav is a unique and one-of-its-kind event and engaging young children with river conservation is a commendable step. Cleaning our rivers is not the job of government bodies alone, but of every single individual whose lives have been touched by the rivers of the country, irrespective of caste, class, gender and religion. It is the responsibility of every individual to work towards Ganga conservation. The government’s initiative in this regard has been of complete commitment and determination towards the cause”.

Shri Bishweswar Tudu, Minister of State, Jal Shakti said “Ganga is not just a river but a focal point of our civilization. Ganga river is one of the oldest rivers in the world, and is revered in every family of the country. The importance of rivers in Indian culture can be known from the fact that there are many such areas like religious, social, economic, commercial, agriculture, tourism and medicine which are directly connected with our rivers. Rivers are the basis of the life of the Indian people not only as a source of water, but they have been the center of faith. When we talk about rivers, it cannot be complete unless we talk about Ganga. Among the rivers, the Ganges has a special place, which is an integral part of our Indian heritage. Ongoing projects have been tirelessly working towards Ganga rejuvenation. The main objective of this festival is to bring about a change in the behavior of people towards water and ecology with public awareness, participation, engagement among the people of the Ganga basin. The festival has acted as an important platform to strengthen ties with people from all walks of life. At the same time, it has helped in promoting development in and around the Ganga basin.”

Shri G. Asok Kumar, DG- NMCG, welcomed the Union Ministers and other dignitaries to the event. He proclaimed the event to be of the people and not of one single body. He welcomed everyone present at the event and expressed his gratitude towards all the performers, children, stakeholders and participants of Ganga Utsav 2022. The 6th edition of Ganga Utsav 2022 is significant, he noted, as Ganga represents not just our National River, but also, our cultural heritage and traditions associated with it.

Morning Session

The morning session of the event commenced with Ganga Kalash that conveyed different sources of water and the need for water conservation followed by Namami Gange Anthem sung by Trichur Brothers. The event also saw captivating performance of Siddha Veena by Pandit Siddhartha Banerjee. The dance performance by Megha Nair and team also enthralled the audience.  The team performed a mix of Mohiniyattam and Bharatanatyam dance forms to an engrossed audience. A folk dance group from Uttarakhand also performed in the morning session.

Sh. G. Asok Kumar, DG-NMCG introduced the panel discussion on Women and Water by discussing how traditionally women have been responsible for fetching water. This makes women at the core of water and sanitation as they are the most affected. He noted that with women at the head of the initiative concerning clean water ensured that they are not only benefited from it, but also are the driving force in bringing about change within the society at a local level. He mentioned that Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s initiatives Swachh Bharat Mission and Jal Jeevan Mission has been a boon to the women of the country. He thanked GIZ for initiating the dialogue and doing such wonderful work in the field. He further expressed gratitude towards women who are the driving force in the water conservation from different walks of life, be it technology, academics, administration and media on the panel. Ms. Anupama Madhok, moderated the session that included Ms. Archana Verma, MD, National Water Mission, Dr. Nupur Bahadur, TERI Dr. Lata Pandey, Music Teacher, Uttarakhand, Ms. Kanchan Rajput, Jeevan Dhara Namami Gange Foundation. The panel discussion on Women and Water initiated a dialogue on the achievements of women in the area of Ganga rejuvenation. The discussion aimed at giving leadership opportunities to women towards social transformation and its need in the water sector. The discussion concluded with the hope for a long series of dialogue of women and their fight for Ganga rejuvenation.

The trailer of the movie - Ek Ank – was also screened in the morning session showing how individuals can be a part of river conservation. A folk musical performance- Dhariya Chaufila Nritya- by the Uttarakhand group made the atmosphere even more enthralling. Another special segment began with Ms. Seema Wahi Mukherjee wherein she did a mesmerizing storytelling on Gangetic Dolphins. She gave a message on protection of water bodies and living organisms within them. Ms. Megha Nair and her team gave another performance on the fusion of Mohiniyattam, Bharatanatyam, Odissi, and Kathak. Nukkad Natak was also performed to raise awareness on keeping the Ganga clean and encouraging individuals to their part in this cause.

Evening Session

The main event of the evening session was the performance by Padma Shri, Ms. G. Padmaja Reddy and her group on the journey of Ganga.  The evening session commenced with Ganga Arti and Namami Gange Anthem. Shri Pankaj Kumar, Secretary, Do WR, RD & GR, Ministry of Jal Shakti and Sh. G. Asok Kumar, DG- NMCG felicitated partner NGOs who are doing Yamuna River Ghat Clean ups, a Namami Gange initiative, on a regular basis. These involved Yuva Sangharsh Social Foundation, Swachh Yamuna Abhiyan, Swami Dayanand Hospital and National Nurses Organisation, Tree Craze Organisation, and Say Earth. Dr. Chitra Roy from Art of Living gave a beautiful Satsang that created a mesmerizing atmosphere of the evening. Jal Tarang was performed by Bimal Jain and invoked the strength of water through a musical performance. Rajasthani Dance Performance filled the crowd with vigour and added new energy to the event. Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat felicitated 17 major contributors to the Clean Ganga Fund.

The other attractions of the event were Puppet Show, Film Screening, Painting, Pottery & Nest Making Workshop, Book Stall, and Food Stalls offering scrumptious food roped in the younger crowd to the Ganga Utsav 2022. The film screening and the storytelling session by Ms. Rituparna Ghosh offered new insights on the river rejuvenation and opened dialogue on inventive ways to counter waste management. The event highlighted the significance of river- people- connect in the mission of Ganga revival and brought focus on stakeholder engagement and public participation towards Ganga rejuvenation.

21-Mar-2022: Ganga Utsav

Yes Sir. National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) organises Ganga Utsav in first week of November. The Utsav is held to celebrate 4th November, the day on which Ganga was declared as the National River. In the year 2021, Ganga Utsav was observed at more than 100 locations in Ganga & Non – Ganga Basin area and more than 75 different types of events were held across the country.

As a part of this celebration, various public connect activities like dialogues, storytelling, cultural programmes, literature festival, painting competition, photo exhibitions, marathons, afforestation activities etc. were organised. Ganga Mashaal Yatra with ‘Meri Ganga Meri Shaan’ Campaign was taken out by Ganga Task Force personnel from Rishikesh to West Bengal touching upon 25 locations in the Ganga Basin ensuring public participation of people in the journey.

The Utsav highlights the significance of ‘People’s Connect’ in the revival of Ganga, with focus on encouraging stakeholder engagement and public participation towards the rejuvenation of river Ganga.

The objective of rejuvenating river Ganga is being achieved through National Mission for Clean Ganga. Government of India has approved “Namami Gange” programme for rejuvenation of river Ganga and its tributaries and NMCG is implementing this programme by adopting a river basin approach.

NMCG has taken up a comprehensive set of interventions in the areas of wastewater treatment, solid waste management, river front management (ghats and crematoria development), e-flow, afforestation, biodiversity conservation and Public Participation etc.

Under Namami Gange Programme, so far, a total of 364 projects have been sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs 30,853 Cr and 183 projects have been completed and made operational.

As against the estimated sewage generation of 2953 Million Liters Per Day (MLD) (year 2016) from towns along Ganga Main Stem, only 1305 MLD STP capacity existed prior to the implementation of the Namami Gange Programme (year 2014) which has now increased to 2407 MLD. In addition, another 934 MLD STP capacity has been sanctioned and is at various stages of implementation.

Apart from river Ganga main stem, sewage treatment interventions have also been taken in towns along polluting tributaries of river Ganga. So far 42 projects have been taken up in towns located along river Yamuna, Hindon, Kali (East and West), Ramganga, Saryu, Gomti, Chambal, Rispana-Bindal, Dhela, Kharkai, Son, Kosi, Damodar, Banka and Barakar.

For Industrial Pollution abatement, around 2,740 Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs) have been inspected out of which 2,124 GPIs are found to be compliant, 128 non-compliant and 488 non-operational. Among the non-complaint, 106 GPIs have been issued notice for closure and 22 GPIs have been issued show cause notice.

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) are working along with National Mission for Clean Ganga for monitoring the river water quality to determine the health of the river. 

Due to various interventions under the Namami Gange Programme since its inception in 2015-16, the river water quality of the various erstwhile polluted stretches has improved. As per CPCB data as on 2021, none of the Ganga Stretches are in priority category I to IV and only two stretches are in Category V. Water Quality Median data for 2021 (January to May), of river Ganga shows that the major indicator- Dissolved Oxygen (DO), has been found to be within acceptable limits for primary bathing quality across all 84 monitoring locations in the main stem of river Ganga. Similarly, other important river health indicators i.e., Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Faecal Coliform (FC) have also been found to be within acceptable limits across 68 monitoring locations (out of 84 locations) and 33 monitoring locations (out of 80 locations) respectively.

The definition of various priority categories is given below:

Cleaning of river is a continuous process and Government of India is supplementing the efforts of the State Government in addressing the challenges of pollution in river Ganga and its tributaries by providing financial and technical assistance under Namami Gange Programme. 

(c) & (d): The final estimates and funds released  by Government of India and subsequently disbursed/released by National Mission for Clean Ganga  during the last three financial years i.e. FY 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21 and  for the financial year 2021-22 till 31 January 2022 are tabulated below:-

 (* up-to 31 January 2022)

From the table above, it may be seen that there is no underutilization of funds under Namami Gange Programme.

As per the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (refer to as Act), the Court of competent jurisdiction can take cognizance, under Section 19, for the offence against those who fail to comply with or contravenes any of the provisions of the Act or rules or orders or directions issued under the said Act. NMCG itself cannot impose fine, however empowered to file complaint against those who are polluting the river, in accordance with the provision of Section 19 of the above said Act. The offenders are liable for punishment with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years or with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees or with both. The complaints against the person polluting the river and water bodies are also being filed by the concerned State Pollution Control Board, constituted under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

The Government of India has been assessing the working on NMCG through performance audit of NMCG by CAG and through third party evaluation of Namami Gange Program carried out by Administrative Staff College of India in 2020.

Performance Audit of NMCG by CAG

An Audit Team of Principal Director (Audit), Scientific Department, New Delhi under the C&AG conducted Performance Audit of rejuvenation of river Ganga from 30thJanuary 2017 till 30th June 2017 covering the period from 2014-15 to 31.03.2017. The audit was conducted at NMCG headquarter and at the various Central and State Government and other agencies offices, in the five river Ganga basin states. The Report No 39 of 2017 of the C&AG on Rejuvenation of River Ganga (Namami Gange) was presented to Lok Sabha on 19 December 2017. The said report was selected for examination by Public Accounts Committee (2017-18).

NMCG has been regularly apprising the Public Account Committee on the various actions taken on the observation points as noted by the CAG.

Third Party evaluation of Namami Gange Program by Administrative Staff College of India

A third-party evaluation of Namami Gange Program was carried out in 2020 by Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), Hyderabad covering the programme period from 2014 to 2020 and having a dialogue with multiple institutions, entities, partners and authorities at different levels. ASCI assessed the program on the outputs achieved on various parameters.

The evaluation report recommends that the Namami Gange Program needs horizontal extension to cover tributaries of river Ganga. The report also recommended for extension of the programme for the next 10-year time frame from 2021 to 2030.

The key learnings from the third-party evaluation report have been incorporated as part of the Namami Gange Mission – II (NGM-II).