The merger of Ganga Action Plan with the National River Conservation Plan:

The Ganga Action Plan (GAP) was launched in 1985 by the Indian government with the aim of cleaning and rejuvenating the River Ganga, which is considered sacred by millions of people in India. However, over the years, it became evident that the efforts under the GAP were not yielding the desired results. Therefore, in order to streamline and enhance the conservation efforts, the activities of the Ganga Action Plan were merged with the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) in 1996.

The merger was done for several reasons:

1. Consolidation of efforts: By merging the activities of the Ganga Action Plan with the National River Conservation Plan, the government aimed to consolidate the efforts and resources dedicated to the conservation of rivers across the country. This ensured a more coordinated and efficient approach to river conservation.

2. Expanding the scope: The Ganga Action Plan was limited to the River Ganga and its tributaries, while the National River Conservation Plan covered multiple rivers across various states. By merging the two, the scope of conservation efforts was expanded to include other important rivers as well.

3. Sharing of best practices: The merger allowed for the sharing of best practices and lessons learned between different river conservation projects. This facilitated the adoption of successful strategies and techniques in similar projects, leading to improved outcomes.

4. Optimization of resources: The merger helped in optimizing the allocation and utilization of resources for river conservation. It eliminated duplication of efforts and ensured that funds, manpower, and technologies were effectively utilized for the benefit of multiple rivers.

Achievements of the merger:

1. Improved water quality: The merger of the Ganga Action Plan with the National River Conservation Plan has led to significant improvements in the water quality of rivers across the country. Efforts such as sewage treatment, solid waste management, and industrial pollution control have contributed to reducing the pollution levels in rivers.

2. Biodiversity conservation: The merger has also resulted in the conservation of aquatic biodiversity in rivers. Various measures such as the establishment of eco-sensitive zones, conservation of wetlands, and afforestation along riverbanks have helped in preserving the natural habitats of diverse flora and fauna.

3. Community participation: The merger has encouraged greater community participation in river conservation activities. Awareness campaigns, capacity-building programs, and the involvement of local communities in decision-making processes have fostered a sense of ownership and responsibility among the people towards the conservation of rivers.

4. Policy and governance: The merger has led to the formulation of better policies and governance frameworks for river conservation. It has brought together various stakeholders, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and experts, to collaborate and develop effective strategies for sustainable river management.

In conclusion, the merger of the Ganga Action Plan with the National River Conservation Plan was a significant step towards improving the conservation and management of rivers in India. It has resulted in notable achievements in terms of water quality improvement, biodiversity conservation, community participation, and policy development. However, ongoing efforts and continuous monitoring are necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of these achievements and the preservation of our rivers.