The rivers of India are part of its cultural heritage. Over the years, the quality of the water has deteriorated due to the uncontrolled release of effluents by industries into the rivers.

A pioneering effort to control the pollution of Indian rivers was launched in 1985 by implementing the Ganga Action Plan Phase I (GAP), which has come to an end in March 2000.

The schemes implemented under the Plan are interception, river front development and provision of low-cost sanitation etc.

The pollution caused by industries was regulated by enforcement of existing acts and regulations. In the first phase of GAP, only about 35 per cent of the pollution generated in towns along the Ganga has been tackled.

The success of the GAP has led to the extension of this programme to the other polluted rivers of the countries in two steps, namely the GAP Phase II, covering rivers Yamuna, Gomati, Damodar and the main stem of Ganga. Yamuna Action Plan has already been launched and is likely to be completed by the end of Tenth Plan.

A National River Conservation Plan (NRCP), which includes second phase of GAP also, has been formulated which aims to control the pollution of grossly polluted rivers of the country.

A National River Conservation Authority has been setup to review the implementation of the programmes related to cleaning of rivers. The NRCP covers 141 towns located along 22 interstate rivers in 14 states. The total cost of the scheme is Rs.2013 crores.

A National Lake Conservation Plan envisaging the conservation of lakes by prevention of pollution by catchment area treatment, desilting, weed control, based on the integrated water shed development approach, is under implementation.

Pollution in Coastal Waters : The main cause of pollution of coastal waters of seas around the country is primarily due to the disposal of untreated domestic wastes. In this connection, the CPCB has directed all the SPCBs, and PCCs to issue show cause notices to the defaulting municipalities/civil authorities/industries or any such activities/processes if any responsible for discharge of untreated sewage/ effluent in to the coastal stretches and directed them for taking remedial measures in the matter.

Further, under National River Action Plan, the Central and State Pollution Control Boards have identified 26 coastal river stretches in the medium and minor rivers and their tributaries in the peninsular region for assessment of pollution load for restoration of the water quality as required for their designated best used. 

National River Conservation Plan

To oversee the implementation of the GAP and to lay down policies and programmes, Central Ganga Authority (CGA) in February 1985, renamed as the National River Conservation Authority (NRCA) in September 1995, under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister.

GAP, Phase II has been merged with the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP). So far a total of 38 rivers have been covered under the programme.

This phase was declared completed in March 2000.

National Ganga River Basin Authority: The Central Government has given Ganga the status of a ‘National River’ and has constituted a ‘National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) on February 20, 2009.

NATIONAL GANGA RIVER BASIN AUTHORITY’ (NGRBA)

The Central Government, by a notification dated 20.2.2009, as set up ‘National GangaRiver Basin Authority’ (NGRBA)as an empowered planning, financing, monitoring and coordinating authority for the Ganga River, in exercise of the powers conferred under the Environment (Protection) Act,1986. The Prime Minister is ex-officio Chairperson of the Authority, and it has as its members, the Union Ministers Concerned and the Chief Ministers of states through which Ganga flows, viz., Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, among others. The objective of the Authority is to ensure effective abatement of pollution and conservation of the river Ganga by adopting a holistic approach with the river basin as the unit of planning. The functions of the Authority include all measures necessary for planning and execution of programmes for abatement of pollution in the Ganga in keeping with sustainable development  needs.

The first meeting of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) was held on 5th October, 2009 under the Chairmanship of the Hon’ble Prime Minister. The meeting was attended by the Chief Ministers of Uttarkhand and Bihar, Union Ministers of Urban Development, Water Resources and the Union Minister for Environment and Forests, besides the Deputy Chairman Planning Commission.

Key Features of New Approach

River basin will be the unit of planning and management. This is an internationally accepted strategy for integrated management of rivers.

Accordingly, a new institutional mechanism in the form of National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) will spearhead river conservation efforts at the national level. Implementation will be by the State Agencies and Urban Local  Bodies

The new strategy will take into account the competing demands on water and will seek t ensure minimum ecological flows. STPs minimise the pollution load up to discharge standard of BOD of 30mg/litre requiring dilution to achieve river water quality of 3mg/ litre.

The minimum ecological flows or the entire Ganga will be determined through modelling exercises. NGRBA will take appropriate measures to regulate water abstraction for maintaining ecological flows in the river.

Functions of  NGRBA

The NGRBA would be responsible for addressing the problem of pollution in Ganga in a holistic and comprehensive manner. This will include water quality, minimum ecological flows, sustainable access and other issues relevant to river ecology and management.

The NGRBA will not only be regulatory body but will also have developmental role in terms of planning & monitoring of the river conservation   activities and ensuring that necessary resources are available.

The NRGBA would work for maintaining the water quality of the river Ganga uptoacceptable standards. The pollution abetment activities will be taken through the existing implementation mechanisms in the State and also through special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs0 at the pollution hotspots.

The NGRBA    will ensure minimum ecological flow in the Ganga by regulating water abstraction and by promoting water storage projects.

The NGRBA will plan and monitor programmes for cleaning of Ganga and its tributaries. To being with, it will concentrate on Ganga main stream.

The NGRBA would draw upon professional expertise within and outside the Government for advice on techno-economic issues.

The technical and administrative support to NGRBA shall be provided by the Ministry of Environment  &  for advice on techno-economic issues.

The technical and administrative support to NGRBA shall be provided by the Ministry of Environment & Forests.

Namami Gange Project

Namami Gange Project is an ambitious Union Government Project which integrates the efforts to clean and protect the Ganga River in a comprehensive manner. The project is officially known as Integrated Ganga Conservation Mission project or ‘Namami Ganga Yojana’.This project aims at Ganga Rejuvenation by combining the existing ongoing efforts and planning under it to create a concrete action plan for future. Several ministries are working with nodal Water Resources Ministry for this project includes – Environment, Urban Development , Shipping, Tourism & Rural Development Ministries.

Highlights:

Over Rs. 20,000 crore has been sanctioned in 2014-2015 budget for the next 5 years. Will cover 8 states, 47 towns & 12 rivers under the project.

Over 1,632 gram panchayats on the banks of Ganga to be made open defecation-free by 2022.

Prime focus will be on involving people living on the river’s banks in this project.

Under the aegis of National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) & State Programme Management Groups (SPMGs) States and Urban Local Bodies and Panchayati Raj institutions will be involved in this project.

Setting river centric urban planning process to facilitate better citizen connects, through interventions at Ghats and River fronts.

Expansion of coverage of sewerage infrastructure in 118 urban habitations on banks of Ganga.

Enforcement of Ganga specific River Regulatory Zones.

Development of rational agricultural practices & efficient irrigation methods.

Setting Ganga Knowledge Centre.

Pollution control strategy measures:

Treatment of waste water in drains by applying bio-remediation method.

Treatment of waste water through in-situ treatment.

Treatment of waste water by the use of innovative technologies.

Treatment of waste water through municipal sewage & effluent treatment plants.

Introducing immediate measures to arrest inflow of sewage.

Introducing PPP approach for pollution control.

Introduction of 4-battalion of Territorial Army Ganga Eco-Task Force.

The River Ganga is important not only for its cultural and spiritual significance but also because it hosts more than 40% of the country’s population.Recognizing the multi-sectoral, multi-dimensional and multi-stakeholder nature of the Ganga Rejuvenation challenge, efforts have been made to improve the inter-ministerial and centre-state coordination with increased involvement in preparation of action plan and increased monitoring at central and state levels.The implementation of the program has been divided into entry-level activities (for immediate visible impact), medium term activities (to be implemented within 5 years of time frame), and, long-term activities (to be implemented within 10 years).It is worth mentioning that cleaning river Ganga is extremely complex due to its socio-economic & cultural importance and yet, exploitation for various uses. Never in the world such a complex program has been implemented and will require participation across sectors and each and every citizen of the country. 

Yamuna Action Plan

Under Yamuna Action Plan Phase – I, assisted by the Japan bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), a total of 753 mld. Sewage treatment capacity was created and this Phase was declared completed in March, 2003.

A National Lake Conservation Plan envisaging the conservation of lakes by prevention of pollution by catchment area treatment, desilting, weed control, based on the integrated watershed development approach, is under implementation.

Pollution in Coastal Waters: The main cause of pollution of coastal waters of seas around the country is primarily due to the disposal of untreated domestic wastes. In this connection, the CPCB has directed all the SPCBs, and PCCs to issue show cause notices to the defaulting municipalities/civil authorities/industries or any such activities/processes if any responsible for discharge of untreated sewage/ effluent in to the coastal stretches and directed them for taking remedial measures in the matter.

Further, under National River Action Plan, the Central and State Pollution Control Boards have identified 26 coastal river stretches in the medium and minor rivers and their tributaries in the peninsular region for assessment of pollution load for restoration of the water quality as required for their designated best used. 

Ground Water Pollution

The Central Ground Water Board has monitored ground water in some of the industrial areas in the States

What is Aquifer Mapping?

Aquifer mapping is a multidisciplinary holistic scientific approach for aquifer characterization. It leads to aquifer-based groundwater management.

Mapping of aquifers helps determine the quantity and the quality of groundwater in a particular area, including:

Vertical and lateral extent of aquifers

Depth to water level/ piezometric surface in the aquifers

Productivity of the aquifers

Concentration of various chemical constituents in groundwater in different aquifers

Current stage of groundwater development in various aquifers

Identification of recharge and discharge areas of the aquifer

Delineation of vulnerable areas with regard to exploitation and contamination

All such information is required to develop a strategy of sustainable groundwater management. The benefits of aquifer mapping include the following:

Identifying zones for drilling productive wells;

Understanding of aquifer vulnerability;

Identification of streams at risk for reduced base flows as a result of heavy groundwater use;

Formulation of effective aquifer management plans;

Identification of areas for groundwater development, rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge;

Information sharing with stakeholders.

National Project on Aquifer Mapping

The National Project on Aquifer Management is a flagship programme of the Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India, for mapping and managing aquifer systems in India. The objective is to identify and map aquifers at the micro level, to quantify the available groundwater resources, and to propose plans appropriate to the scale of demand and aquifer characteristics, and institutional arrangements for participatory management. The project involves central and state agencies, researchers, and the local people.

To establish a methodology for the National Project on Aquifer Management, the Central Ground Water Board has undertaken a pilot study of 6 areas in different hydrogeological terrains. The methodology integrates multiple disciplines and scientific approaches, including remote sensing, hydrogeology, geophysics, hydrochemistry, drilling, groundwater modeling, and management approaches.