Page 9 - Namami gange 31st edition-16 printing

Jalaj are being promoted through
which local NGOs are motivated
in taking up innovative activities
like providing tourist guides, small
river cruises, selling local products,
rescuing dolphins etc. which is not
only fostering river-people connect,
but also improving the economic
situation of the local communities
involved.
Ganga (unrestricted flow), Jan Mr. Kumar noted that the Jal DG, NMCG concluded his address
Ganga (People’s Participation), Andolan became Jan Andolan with by mentioning the initiative of
Gyan Ganga (knowledge and the involvement of individuals, River City Alliance signed up by 107
research based interventions) and community stakeholders, NGOs, cities situated on the banks of the
Arth Ganga (people-river connect international NGOs, panchayati rivers and now trying to expand to
through the bridge of economy). raj institutions, local body international audience for twinning
Mr. Kumar informed the gathering institutions, startups and faith based of rivers as well as twinning of
that in the last 8 years, 183 sewerage organisations, which were essential cities. He said that international
infrastructure projects have been since Ganga is an important river partnerships have helped India in
sanctioned to create treatment in the Indian tradition. He also a huge manner in achieving which
capacity of 5658 Million Litres mentioned that District Ganga seemed impossible and now NMCG
per Day (MLD) and lay 5206 km Committees have been formulated plans to sustain it through people’s
of sewer network, out of which to hold regular meetings under participation.
105 projects have been completed the chairmanship of the District
creating a treatment capacity of Magistrates. Mr. Saroj Jha, Global Head, Global
2175 MLD and laying down 4336 Mr. Kumar said that under Namami Water Practice, World Bank outlined
km of sewer network. Besides, Gange Programme, efforts are World Bank’s vision for massive
India adopted innovations like being made to build the capacity challenge of river basin management
Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) and of the vendors, improve working and reviving the ecosystems
One City One Operator (OCOP), conditions of labours on sites and around the world. He said that
India provided a comprehensive
which are being appreciated by develop national capacity of the institutional framework and
the world. Mr. Kumar said that finances of each project. NMCG brought all the components of
under Namami Gange Programme encouraged transparency, ensured government together, leading to
good environment was created for closer monitoring and quick success of the Namami Gange
the biodiversity to thrive which is completion of projects. Mission. Innovations have been
manifested in increased sightings of seen in terms of financing as seen
Gangetic Dolphins at much cleaner DG, NMCG noted that in the last in the Hybrid Annuity Model which
stretches of the river. about 12-18 months, a paradigm attracts long-term financing.
shift has taken place from pipe-and-
Mr. Kumar said that one of the pumps approach to soft connect He said that most of the river
most important factor in achieving with people living on the banks systems, particularly in developing
success was whole-of-the- of the river under Arth Ganga countries, are polluted and have
government approach insisted by campaign. Natural farming and disappeared due to lack of ecosystem
the Hon’ble Prime Minister which Millet farming are being promoted planning. He added that the World
requires cooperation among various and fisheries and river ranching is Bank is looking to incorporate
Departments through convergence being done to increase the number their learnings from India into
of funds, resources - financial, of aquatic species ultimately other countries to provide better
technical, experience, wisdom, resulting in generating livelihood for solutions. As part of the focus on
manpower, and much more. local people. Livelihood models like water resource management for

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