61st Executive Committee Meeting of NMCG

• 17 Apr 2025

Source: PIB 

Why in News? 

At its 61st Executive Committee meeting, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) approved key projects aimed at cleaning the river, curbing pollution at the source, and promoting sustainable development while preserving the Ganga’s ecological and cultural value.

What are the Key Initiatives Approved at the Executive Committee Meeting? 

• Approved Projects: Sewerage Projects in Moradabad (UP), Arrah (Bihar), Kanpur (UP), and Pujali (WB) to prevent untreated waste from entering rivers. 
• Nature-Based Solution Pilot: CAMUS-SBT plant installation in Shahdara drain (Delhi) for Yamuna rejuvenation. 
• Research & Innovation: Launch of IND-RIVERS Collaboratory (NMCG–IIT Delhi–Netherlands) for intelligent river systems and urban river solutions. 
• Cultural Heritage: Approval for the study of traditional wooden boat-making craft in the Ganga basin. 
• Ecological Education: Development of DDA Biodiversity Parks as Knowledge cum Skill Development Centres for river conservation. 

National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) 

• About: It was registered as a society on 12th August 2011 under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. 
  • It plays a crucial role in the rejuvenation and protection of the Ganga River. 
• Legal Framework: It acted as the implementation arm of National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) which was constituted under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA),1986. 
  • After the dissolution of NGRBA in 2016, it is the implementation arm of National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection and Management of River Ganga (National Ganga Council). 
  • NGC ensures continuous adequate flow of water in the river and to prevent, control, and abate environmental pollution. 
• Management Structure of NMCG: NMCG operates with a two-tier management structure and both are headed by the Director General (DG) of NMCG. 
  • Governing Council: Oversees the general policies and direction of the NMCG. 
  • Executive Committee: Authorised to approve projects with a financial outlay of up to Rs 1,000 crore. 

What are the Other Government Initiatives Related to Ganga? 

• Namami Gange Programme: It is an Integrated Conservation Mission, approved as a ‘Flagship Programme’ by the Union Government in June 2014 to accomplish the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution and conservation and rejuvenation of National River Ganga. 
• Ganga Action Plan: It was the first River Action Plan that was taken up by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 1985, to improve the water quality by the interception, diversion, and treatment of domestic sewage. 
• Clean Ganga Fund: In 2014, it was formed for cleaning up of the Ganga, setting up of waste treatment plants, and conservation of biotic diversity of the river. 
• Bhuvan-Ganga Web App: It ensures involvement of the public in monitoring of pollution entering into the river Ganga. 
• Ban on Waste Disposal: In 2017, the National Green Tribunal banned the dumping of waste within 500 metres of a heavily polluted stretch of the Ganges river.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question: 

Q. Which of the following are the key features of ‘National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)’? (2016)

1. River basin is the unit of planning and management. 
2. It spearheads the river conservation efforts at the national level. 
3. One of the Chief Ministers of the States through which the Ganga flows becomes the Chairman of NGRBA on rotation basis. 

Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

(a) 1 and 2 only  

(b) 2 and 3 only 

(c) 1 and 3 only  

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (a)