Namami Gange Programme

Namami Gange Programme is an integrated river management initiative, approved as a Major Programme by the Union Government of India in June 2014 with a budget of ₹22,500 million from 2023–26 to address pollution, conservation, and rejuvenation of the National River Ganga.^[1] It aims to engage with the community and connect various interest groups including scientists, technology companies, investors, and community members.^[2] NMCG (National Mission For Clean Ganga) has declared Chacha Chaudhary, a well-known Indian comic book character, as the mascot of the Namami Gange Programme, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.^[3] Under the Namami Gange Programme, all drains falling into the Saryu River in Ayodhya are intercepted and wastewater is being transported to a sewage treatment plant.^[4] The research division of Namami Gange is led by CGanga, established under IIT Kanpur.

A Clean Ganga roadshow, inaugurated on the sidelines of COP26 in Glasgow, contributed to the formation of four chapters in Scotland, Wales, the Midlands, and London to connect various interest groups with the Namami Gange Programme.^[5] Over 30,000 seeds of economically important fish species, which are declining in the Ganges, such as Catla, Rohu, and Mrigal fishes, were released at the confluence of the Ganges and the Yamuna in Prayagraj Sangam.^[6] Data from the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) indicates that out of 341 projects, 147 (43%) have been completed, with a majority of these projects related to sewage infrastructure. 61 out of 157 sewage projects (39%) have been completed.^[7] During the flag-off of the MV Ganga Vilas cruise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated, “Ganga ji is not just a river, and we are taking a twin approach through Namami Gange and Arth Ganga to serve this important water resource.”^[8]

The efforts towards conservation of the Ganges River and restoration of its ecology have been recognized by UNESCO, which included the National Mission for Clean Ganga, led by the Indian government, in the world's several global campaigns recognized for contributions to ecological restoration.^[9]