World Bank approves fresh funds for Ganga cleaning mission

News: The World Bank has approved a five-year loan to the Namami Ganga or the National Mission for Clean Ganga(NMCG) under its second National Ganga River Basin project.

Facts:

• National Ganga River Basin project: It is a World Bank assisted project approved in the year 2011.
• Aim: To help rejuvenate the Ganga River by helping stem river pollution, and strengthening the management of the river basin. 

Additional Facts:

• Namami Gange: It was launched in 2014.It is an Integrated Conservation Mission under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
  • Aim: To achieve effective abatement of pollution, conservation and rejuvenation of National River Ganga.
  • Main Pillars: a) Sewerage Treatment Infrastructure b) River surface Cleaning c) Afforestation d) Industrial Effluent Monitoring, e) River-Front Development f) Biodiversity g) Ganga Gram and h) Public Awareness.
• National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG): It has been established as an Authority under National Council for River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Act, 2016.
  • It is the implementing agency of the Namami Gange Programme at the national level.