The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) is accelerating the implementation of the Arth Ganga scheme, a people-centric model aimed at sustainable and inclusive growth across the Ganga basin.
Built on five core pillars—Natural Farming, Treated Water Reuse, Livelihood Generation, Cultural Heritage Promotion, and Eco-Tourism—the initiative links river rejuvenation with economic upliftment. The scheme is being operationalized through several innovative interventions and partnerships.
Key Highlights:
- Jalaj Centres, established across the basin, serve as hubs for community awareness and income generation through dolphin safaris, homestays, and eco-tourism activities. These centres also support Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and NGOs in the region.
- Natural Farming workshops have been conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, encouraging water-efficient practices. A study on the benefits of natural farming is underway by WALAMTARI in Andhra Pradesh.
- A biodiversity study, sanctioned to Patanjali, focuses on documenting floral diversity along the riverbanks from Gaumukh (Uttarakhand) to Ganga Sagar (West Bengal) to support conservation and training.
- In collaboration with HESCO, a “Capacity Building Programme” is training over 8,000 community members across Dehradun, Prayagraj, Digwara, and Sahebganj.
- The NMCG has released a National Framework for the Safe Reuse of Treated Water, enabling state-level reuse policies. MoUs have been signed with key ministries including Power, Railways, and Agriculture.
- INTACH has mapped cultural and architectural heritage along the Ganga and commissioned a similar documentation project for the Yamuna basin.
Despite media speculation, no current proposal exists for a new ghat development in Kairana, Shamli District (Uttar Pradesh) under NMCG, as clarified in a written reply in Lok Sabha by Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary.
Community Engagement and Outreach:
The Arth Ganga model actively promotes citizen involvement through events like Ganga Utsav, Nadi Utsav, Ghat Par Yoga, and plantation drives. Initiatives such as Ganga Aarti and cleanathons reinforce the emotional and ecological bond with rivers.
Additionally, platforms like the CLAP portal (Continuous Learning and Activity Portal) offer interactive learning on environmental issues, while Ganga Praharis—trained local volunteers—support ongoing conservation at the grassroots level.