 Meeting of the National Mission for Clean Ganga){kind=link}
MAY 06: In a decisive move to strengthen ecosystem-based river and environmental rejuvenation, the 62nd Executive Committee (EC) Meeting of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) was held under the chairmanship of Shri Rajeev Kumar Mital, Director-General, NMCG. The meeting placed strong emphasis on sustainability, ecosystem restoration, and the integration of biodiversity in conservation efforts across the Ganga basin.
A key highlight of the meeting was the approval of new projects that align with the long-term objectives of the Namami Gange Programme. Notably, the program has received global recognition and was named one of the “Top Ten World Restoration Flagship” initiatives by the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, led by UNEP and FAO.
Among the approved projects is the initiative titled “Conserving and Sustainably Managing Nathmalpur Bhagad Wetland in Bhojpur District, Bihar”, with a sanctioned budget of ₹3.51 crore. This project marks the fifth wetland conservation initiative under the Namami Gange framework. Previously sanctioned wetlands include Kalewada Jheel in Muzaffarnagar, Namiya Dah Jheel in Prayagraj, Reoti Dah Wetland in Ballia (all in Uttar Pradesh), and Udhwa Lake (a Ramsar site) in Sahibganj, Jharkhand.
The Nathmalpur Bhagad project aims to enhance ecological health and sustainability through a multi-level strategy involving hydrological restoration, species and habitat conservation, delineation of wetland boundaries, ecological assessments, and community capacity building. The intervention will be carried out at both the sub-basin level (Ghaghara, Gomti, and Sone confluences) and the wetland site.
In another important development, the EC approved funding of ₹34.50 lakh for “Capacity Building Initiatives for Making Water-Sensitive Cities in the Ganga Basin”. This project will focus on preparing reuse plans for treated wastewater in Agra and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, in line with the National Framework for Safe Reuse of Treated Water (SRTW) developed by NMCG.
These decisions reflect NMCG’s continued commitment to integrated water resource management, environmental sustainability, and community involvement in conservation efforts.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from various ministries and departments including the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Ministry of Power, and representatives from state Ganga committees and forest departments of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.