Trash Skimmer Machine

• 14 Feb 2025

Why in News?  

To realise the dream of a clean India and to keep the Triveni Sangam clean and pure , trash skimmer machines have been installed in Prayagraj , which are removing 10 to 15 tonnes of garbage from the Ganga and Yamuna rivers every day. 

Key Points  

• Trash skimmer machines have been installed in 2021 before the Maha Kumbh to keep the Triveni Sangam clean and pure. 
• Trash Skimmer Machine: 
  • It is a machine that collects floating debris from the surface of water. 
  • This machine picks up all the items like flowers, leaves, floating garbage, plastic, bottles etc. from the river in various ways and brings them to the shore, which are later disposed of in proper ways. 
  • This machine is used to clean rivers, ports and seas . 
  • It also helps in removing aquatic weeds (water hyacinth). 

Water Hyacinth 

 

• Water hyacinth, scientifically known as Eichhornia crassipes Mart. (Pontederiaceae), is an aquatic weed common in waterbodies across South Asia, including India. 
• This is not an indigenous species but was introduced to India during the British colonial rule as an ornamental aquatic plant from South America. 
• The plant produces beautiful purple flowers that have high aesthetic value. 

Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) 

• The Government of India laid the foundation of the Swachh Bharat Mission on 2 October 2014 (Gandhi Jayanti) . This mission covers all rural and urban areas. 
• The urban component of this mission is implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the rural component is implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.