PIB Summary- 3rd October, 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

National Mission for Clean Ganga Advances Conservation Efforts

Context

In its 57th Executive Committee meeting, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) approved several pivotal projects across various states, focusing on the conservation and cleanliness of the Ganga River. These initiatives are particularly geared towards supporting Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities planned for the upcoming Mahakumbh in 2025.

Key Projects Approved in the Meeting:

• Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs): The EC has sanctioned STPs for Katihar and Supaul in Bihar, as well as Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh. These plants are intended to treat water by removing sewage and pollutants, ensuring it is safe to release into natural water bodies.
• Online Continuous Effluent Monitoring System (OCEMS): Part of the initiative includes the deployment of OCEMS for enhanced monitoring of STPs within the Ganga River Basin.
• Mahakumbh 2025 IEC Activities: A project aimed at promoting cleanliness and public awareness during the Mahakumbh 2025 has been approved. This project focuses on Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities, such as decorating the event area through the ‘Paint My City’ initiative and mural art.
• Pollution Inventory, Assessment, and Surveillance (PIAS) Project: Manpower restructuring was approved to improve the effectiveness of this project, which is overseen by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and focuses on industrial pollution monitoring.
• Smart Laboratory for Clean River (SLCR) Project: Key components were approved to accelerate the rejuvenation of small rivers across the nation.
• Freshwater Turtle and Gharial Conservation Program: Approval was given for the conservation breeding program for freshwater turtles and gharials at the Kukrail Gharial Rehabilitation Center in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG):

• NMCG was officially registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, on August 12, 2011.
• Initially, it functioned as the implementation body of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA), which was established under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA), 1986.
• In 2016, NGRBA was dissolved and replaced by the National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection, and Management of River Ganga.

Objective:

• The primary objective of NMCG is to combat pollution and facilitate the restoration of the Ganga River to its pristine state.
• The “Namami Gange” program is a flagship initiative of NMCG, aimed at the comprehensive cleaning and restoration of the Ganga.
• Achieving this objective involves promoting intersectoral coordination, comprehensive planning and management, and maintaining a minimum ecological flow in the river to ensure water quality and environmentally sustainable development.

Organizational Structure:
The Act envisages a five-tier structure at the national, state, and district levels to take measures for prevention, control, and abatement of environmental pollution in river Ganga as below:

• National Ganga Council: Chaired by the Prime Minister of India, it serves as the highest-level decision-making body.
• Empowered Task Force (ETF): Headed by the Union Minister of Jal Shakti (Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation), ETF plays a crucial role in the mission’s execution.
• National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)
• State Ganga Committees: These committees operate at the state level, contributing to pollution control and river management efforts.
• District Ganga Committees: Operational at the district level, these committees play a role in managing pollution and river conservation efforts within their respective districts, particularly those adjoining the Ganga River and its tributaries.

Challenges Faced by NMCG

• Delayed Commissioning of Treatment Plants: The commissioning of sewage treatment plants has been delayed due to issues with land acquisition, which has hindered the timely execution of projects.
• Revisions in Detailed Project Reports: Many projects have required revisions in their Detailed Project Reports, which outline project execution steps and agency roles, causing delays and administrative challenges.
• Misconception Regarding Responsibilities: State governments have sometimes assumed that building treatment plants is solely the responsibility of the central government, leading to coordination challenges.
• Waste Management at the Source: Effective waste management, particularly the segregation and recycling of municipal solid waste (MSW), is most efficient when handled at the source. Implementing this approach has been challenging.
• Volunteer Cadre Implementation: Plans to create a cadre of volunteers at the village and town levels to monitor water quality and support local bodies have faced challenges in effective implementation.
• Funding Allocation: While NMCG is a ₹20,000 crore mission, in-principle approval has been given for projects worth ₹37,396 crore, with only ₹14,745 crore released to states for infrastructure work as of June 2023, indicating challenges in fund allocation.
• Municipal Solid Waste Management: The mission has faced criticism for not adequately addressing the issue of municipal solid waste entering the Ganga. Many towns and cities along the river lack proper waste treatment infrastructure, allowing untreated waste to enter the river.
• Limited Sewerage Network: A substantial portion of India’s urban population resides outside sewerage networks, leading to a significant amount of waste not reaching sewage treatment plants (STPs).
• Improper Waste Disposal: Studies have revealed that rubbish heaps are commonly found near ghats in numerous towns along the river, indicating improper waste disposal practices that threaten the cleanliness of the Ganga.

Cruise Bharat Mission

Context

Recently, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) launched the ‘Cruise Bharat Mission’ from the Mumbai port.

Cruise Bharat Mission Overview:

• Objective: The Cruise Bharat Mission aims to tap into the vast potential of India’s cruise tourism sector, with the goal of doubling the cruise passenger traffic by 2029.
• Nodal Ministry: The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways will be the nodal ministry overseeing the project.

Implementation Phases:

• Phase 1 (01.10.2024 – 30.09.2025): This phase will focus on research, master planning, and establishing cruise partnerships with neighboring countries. It will also work on modernizing existing cruise terminals, marinas, and destinations.
• Phase 2 (01.10.2025 – 31.03.2027): In this phase, the emphasis will shift to developing new cruise terminals, marinas, and high-potential destinations for enhancing cruise circuits.
• Phase 3 (01.04.2027 – 31.03.2029): The final phase will integrate all cruise circuits across the Indian Subcontinent, highlighting the cruise ecosystem’s maturity while continuing with the development of new infrastructure.

Strategic Pillars:

• Sustainable Infrastructure & Capital: This focuses on developing modern infrastructure, including cruise terminals, marinas, and water aerodromes. It emphasizes decarbonization efforts, such as shore power and digitalization through facial recognition systems. It also includes the creation of a National Cruise Infrastructure Masterplan 2047 and setting up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under the Indian Ports Association (IPA).
• Operations and Technology-Enabled Systems: This will streamline operations, improve digital clearance systems, and facilitate e-visa systems to ensure smooth boarding and disembarkation.
• Cruise Promotion & Circuit Integration: This focuses on promoting international investments and marketing, linking cruise circuits, and organizing events like the “Cruise India Summit” while creating alliances with neighboring countries.
• Regulatory, Fiscal & Financial Policies: The mission will develop customized fiscal and financial policies, focusing on tax policies, cruise regulations, and launching a National Cruise Tourism Policy.
• Capacity Building & Economic Research: This will establish skill-building initiatives and create a Centre of Excellence for cruise-related economic research. It will also set National Occupational Standards to promote youth employment.