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Union Minister for Jal Shakti Chairs 10th Empowered Task Force Meeting of NMCG

The Union Minister reviewed the progress of various components under Namami Gange Programme as central ministries and states provided an update on the recent developments that have taken place and mapped out their future plans. The Union Minister directed the states and central ministries/departments to expedite the work being done for the holistic rejuvenation of River Ganga.

• Ministry of Power to reuse treated wastewater of thermal power plants by adopting cluster approach.
• Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs focusing on mapping of urban drains and management of solid and liquid waste in Ganga towns under SBM 2.0 and AMRUT 2.0.
• Eco-agriculture being promoted besides efforts to improve water-use efficiency in Ganga villages by MoA&FW.
• Ministry of Environment and Forests mulling scaling up of afforestation activities in the Ganga belt and a detailed plan to take ‘Project Dolphin’ forward is also underway.
• Ministry of Tourism working on a comprehensive plan for development of tourism circuits along Ganga in line with Arth Ganga.
• Exhibitions and fairs across 75 towns along Ganga River planned as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
• Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare undertaking various steps to build organic farming and natural farming corridors along River Ganga.

WD News: The Union Minister for Jal Shakti Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat recently chaired the 10th meeting of the Empowered Task Force (ETF) of National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) including central ministries, departments and state governments. He reviewed the progress of various components under Namami Gange Programme as central ministries and states provided an update on the recent developments that have taken place and mapped out their future plans. The Union Minister directed the states and central ministries/departments to expedite the work being done for the holistic rejuvenation of River Ganga.

Union Minister for Jal Shakti Chairs the 10th Empowered Task Force Meeting of NMCG

Shri G. Asok Kumar gave a presentation on the thrust areas under Arth Ganga and the activities that have been undertaken in the past few months in the six verticals of Arth Ganga including:

a) Zero budget natural farming that includes chemical-free farming generating “More Net Income, Per Drop”, ‘Gobar Dhan’ for farmers.
b) Monetisation and reuse of sludge and wastewater that envisages reuse of treated water for irrigation and industrial purposes and revenue generation for ULBs.
c) Livelihood generation opportunities such as ‘Ghat Mein Haat’, promotion of local products, Ayurveda, medicinal plants, capacity building of volunteers like Ganga Praharis, Ganga Doots.
d) Public participation to ensure increased synergies between stakeholders.
e) Cultural heritage and tourism that looks to introduce boat tourism through community jettis, promotion of yoga, adventure tourism, etc.
f) Institutional building by enhancing the local capacities for better decentralised water governance.

Among the central ministries, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare informed that various steps are being taken to build organic farming and natural farming corridors along River Ganga and eco-agriculture is being promoted besides efforts to improve water-use efficiency in Ganga villages.

The Ministry of Tourism informed that a comprehensive plan is being worked out for the development of tourism circuits along Ganga in line with Arth Ganga. Also, exhibitions and fairs across 75 towns along Ganga are being planned as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. The Ministry of Culture, on the other hand, is planning Sanskriti Yatras along with dedicated Ganga galleries in Museums.

The Ministry of Power is taking steps in the direction of reuse of treated wastewater of thermal power plants by adopting cluster approach whereas the Ministry of Rural Development is actively looking for convergence of activities under MGNREGA for rejuvenation of small rivers and protection of traditional water bodies.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests informed that it is mulling scaling up of afforestation activities in the Ganga belt and a detailed plan to take ‘Project Dolphin’ forward is also underway. A comprehensive list of wetlands is also being developed among other efforts. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs said that focus is on mapping of urban drains and management of sloid and liquid waste in Ganga towns under SBM 2.0 and AMRUT 2.0 besides operationalising of planning framework for river cities.

Source & image courtesy: PIB

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