Ganga Praharis Initiative: Guardians of the Ganga: task force keeps a watchful eye on the river

Source: The post is based on the article “Guardians of the Ganga: task force keeps a watchful eye on the river” published in The Hindu on 22nd May 2023

What is the News?

Over 4,000 Ganga Praharis under the Namami Gange initiative have been keeping a check on littering and poaching in the Ganga River to make sure that its flora, fauna are intact. In return, the Wildlife Institute of India has helped them with livelihood training.

What is Ganga Praharis Initiative?

Ganga Praharis are motivated and trained volunteers from among the local communities working for biodiversity conservation and cleanliness of the Ganga River with the ultimate objectives of restoring the Nirmal and Aviral Dhara.

These volunteers have been constituted by the National Mission for Clean Ganga and the Wildlife Institute of India (NMCG-WII) under the Namami Gange programme.

Aim of the initiative: To establish a motivated cadre of “Ganga Prahari” to support the local level institutions and monitor the quality of the natural resources of the river by mobilizing local communities at the grassroots level. 

Eligibility: Ganga Praharis have been identified through a series of site level consultative meetings and workshops held in villages located on the bank of the Ganga River and its select tributaries. 

– The primary criterion for identification is their passion and zeal to serve the river and to maintain its integrity in terms of cleanliness and biodiversity value. 

– These ‘Praharis’ have to be above 18 years of age on the date of joining the project and preferably from the riverside villages. Children below 18 years of age are enrolled under the Bal Ganga Praharis programme.