National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)

Source- This post on National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has been created based on the article “Clean Ganga mission head flags ‘extremely slow’ pace of project expenditures” published in “The Hindu” on 20 August 2024.

Why in News?

The head of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has expressed concern over the slow spending on river-cleaning projects. The delay has been attributed to the high costs of sewage management, slow fund disbursement, and lengthy project timelines.

About National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)

1. National Mission for Clean Ganga(NMCG) was registered as a society on 12th August 2011 under the Societies Registration Act 1860. It acted as the implementation arm of the National Ganga River Basin Authority(NGRBA) which was constituted under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA),1986. The aim of the mission is cleaning and conserving the Ganga River.

2. It is the key agency responsible for implementing the Namami Gange Programme, which was launched in 2014 to coordinate efforts for restoring the health of the Ganga.

Key Objectives of NMCG

1. Reducing Pollution: NMCG focuses on reducing pollution in the Ganga by setting up sewage treatment plants, managing solid waste, and controlling industrial discharge into the river.

2. Developing Riverfronts: The mission works on improving riverfronts and building crematoria to prevent the direct flow of pollutants into the Ganga.

3. Conserving Biodiversity: NMCG promotes tree planting along the riverbanks and works to protect the river’s biodiversity, including species like the Ganga Dolphin.

4. Raising Awareness: The mission engages communities and raises public awareness about the importance of keeping the Ganga clean, involving people in conservation efforts.

5. Monitoring Progress: NMCG uses modern technology to monitor water quality and track the progress of its projects, ensuring transparency and effectiveness.

Institutional Structure for Cleaning Ganga

The Environmental Protection Act envisages five tier structure at national, state, and district level to take measures for prevention, control, and abatement of environmental pollution in river Ganga and to ensure continuous adequate flow of water in river Ganga-

1. National Ganga Council under chairmanship of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India.

2. Empowered Task Force (ETF) on river Ganga under chairmanship of Hon’ble Union Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.

3. National Mission for Clean Ganga(NMCG).

4. State Ganga Committees

5. District Ganga Committees in every specified district abutting river Ganga and its tributaries in the states.

UPSC Syllabus: Environment