Working for a healthy Ganga Basin

Context

The Ganga River plays a vital role in India’s ecology, economy, and culture. The Ganga Basin provides drinking water and supports the livelihood of around 500 million people. The basin contributes over one-third of India’s surface water and sustains the country’s largest cultivated land area.

Due to fragmented river governance and management of water resources, the Ganga and its tributaries are facing various challenges. Untreated or poorly treated domestic and industrial wastewater, along with pesticide- and insecticide-laden run-off, severely pollute the river, leading to environmental degradation and health risks. Additionally, the over-exploitation of natural resources and the growing effects of climate change worsen the situation.

Considering the significance of having a healthy river Ganga, the Government of India has launched the Namami Gange Programme that aims at implementing climate-friendly river basin approaches to promote intersectoral coordination for comprehensive planning and management.

Objective

Integrated river basin management of the Ganga is improved and applies international best practices.

Approach

The project advises the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) on improving the management of the Ganga Basin. It focuses on the following areas:

• Enhancing institutional expertise: The project supports leadership and technical teams within the NMCG, along with authorities at national, state, and district administrations to design and implement river-focused plans tailored to local priorities.
• Developing river management plans: Using a systemic and participatory approach, the project provides technical support to develop and implement river management plans at basin and district levels.
• Promoting knowledge sharing: The project improves water management practices by offering guidance on environmental flows, safe reuse of treated water, gender-inclusive engagement, and emergency response to pollution accidents. It also supports collaboration through training, coordination, and online learning modules.

Last update: December 2024