In September 2014, the Union Cabinet approved the establishment of the Clean Ganga Fund (GCF) with the goal of using the funds for various operations under the 'Namami Gange' program to clean the holy river. The Clean Ganga Fund (CGF) is part of its ambitious effort to clean up the Ganga river. This article will explain to you about the Clean Ganga Fund which will be helpful in Environment preparation for the UPSC Civil Service Exam.

What is the Clean Ganga Fund?

• The Clean Ganga fund was set up under the Indian Trust Act of 1882.
• It would enable residents of India, non-resident Indians (NRIs), and persons of Indian origin (PIOs), as well as corporations (public and commercial), to contribute to the river Ganga's conservation.
• Contributions to the Clean Ganga Fund are defined as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities under Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013.

Why Clean Ganga Fund?

• The goal of establishing the CGF is to raise private contributions from throughout the world in order to increase people's participation in this gigantic undertaking.
• CGF will also fulfill the Budget announcement in the Regular Budget 2014-15 because it would cover NRIs.
• The current methods are insufficient and a national effort is needed to mobilize resources to improve the river Ganga's state.
• The government has announced the creation of the "Namami Gange" Integrated Ganga Conservation Mission.
• The government also formed the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA), which is chaired by the Prime Minister, with the goal of ensuring effective pollution abatement and river protection by using a river basin approach to comprehensive planning and management.

Current Status of Ganga

• Since 2014, the Ganga's water quality has greatly improved, with dissolved oxygen levels exceeding the permitted minimum level along the entire length of the river.
• In 2014, 32 of 53 biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) monitoring locations met the primary water quality criteria for bathing, however by 2021, the total number of monitoring stations had expanded to 97, with 68 monitoring locations meeting the BOD criteria for bathing.

Clean Ganga Fund - Main Features

• The Fund's goal will be to contribute to the national effort to clean up the Ganga River.
• The Fund will establish defined, quantifiable goals that will serve as the foundation for planning, funding, and evaluation.
• CGF will be managed by a Trust through a bank account.The Fund would be overseen by a Trust, which would be led by the Finance Minister.
• Under the Mission Director, Clean Ganga, the Trust's secretariat will be established under the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation.
• The donors of the funds are citizens of the country, NRIs/PIOs, and others.
• The CGF will contribute to the national effort to improve the cleanliness of the Ganga.
• Domestic donors to the Fund will be eligible for tax incentives similar to those available to Swachh Bharat Kosh donors.
• CGF will investigate the feasibility of establishing daughter funds in other high-donor-interest jurisdictions/countries, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and others, to provide tax benefits to contributors in such jurisdictions.
• The CGF will be catalytic in nature, identifying and funding specific projects such as pilot projects, research and development projects, creative projects, and other specialized projects.

Clean Ganga Fund - Financed Activities

Clean ganga fund is used to finance the below activities,

a) Activities detailed as part of the 'Namami Gange' river-cleaning program.

b) Non-point pollution from agricultural runoff, human excrement, livestock wallowing, and other sources must be controlled.

c) Construction of waste treatment and disposal plants along the river's edge in the vicinity of cities.

d) The river's biological variety must be preserved.

e) Community-based actions to decrease the polluting human-river interaction.

f) Improvement of public facilities, such as the renovation of the Ghat.

g) Innovative projects and research and development.

h) River-cleaning research and development initiatives, as well as innovative projects for new technology and procedures.

I) Intense monitoring and real-time reporting provide independent oversight.

j) Any other action that the Trust approves.

Significance of Clean Ganga Fund

• It is a program to harness people's excitement for Ganga, bringing them closer to the river and instilling a sense of ownership in them.
• It involves significant organizations as well as the general public coming forward to contribute to the Ganga fund, which helps the Mission realize its goal of a clean and healthy Ganga.

Related Initiatives

Ganga Action Plan

• In 1985, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change launched the first River Action Plan to improve water quality by intercepting, diverting, and treating residential sewage.
• The Ganga Action Plan is supplemented by the National River Conservation Plan. As part of the Ganga Action Plan phase 2, it attempts to clean up the Ganga river.

NRGBA (National River Ganga Basin Authority):

• It was established by the Indian government in 2009 under Section 3 of the 1986 Environment Protection Act.
• It designated the Ganga as India's "National River."

The Bhuvan-Ganga Web App: Bhuvan-Ganga Web App ensures public participation in the monitoring of pollutants entering the river Ganga.

Ban on Waste Disposal: The National Green Tribunal prohibited the disposal of any waste in the Ganga in 2017.

Namami Ganga Program

• The Union Government authorized the 'Namami Gange Programme' as a 'Flagship Programme' in June 2014, with a budget allocation of Rs.20,000 Crore, to achieve the twin objectives of effective pollution abatement, conservation, and restoration of the National River Ganga.
• Its execution has been separated into Entry-Level Activities (for immediate observable impact), Medium-Term Activities (to be implemented within a 5-year time frame), and Long-Term Activities (to be implemented within a 10-year time frame) (to be implemented within 10 years).

Conclusion

A strategic blueprint is required to properly implement the plan, which involves stringent monitoring, mass awareness campaigns, the use of digital media, and biodiversity conservation in the Ganga. The world bank has also loaned crucial sewage infrastructure projects along the river.It would also assist the government in strengthening the institutions required to manage a river basin the size of the Ganga.

FAQs

MCQs

1. What is the main objective of the Clean Ganga Fund (CGF)?

A) To provide financial assistance to river tourism projects

B) To support the cleaning and restoration of the Ganga River

C) To promote irrigation projects along the Ganga

D) To develop commercial infrastructure along the river

2. Which body is responsible for managing the Clean Ganga Fund (CGF)?

A) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

B) National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)

C) Ministry of Water Resources

D) Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

3. What is a major challenge in the implementation of the Clean Ganga Fund initiatives?

A) Lack of funds

B) Inadequate sewage treatment facilities

C) Lack of political support

D) Over-emphasis on riverfront development

4. What is the role of public participation in the success of the Clean Ganga Fund?

A) To build large-scale infrastructure

B) To contribute financially through donations

C) To regulate industries along the river

D) To implement sewage treatment plants

5. How does the Clean Ganga Fund address the issue of encroachments along the riverbanks?

A) By relocating people living along the river

B) Through eviction drives by the government

C) By promoting alternative livelihoods for encroachers

D) By providing legal support for riverfront development

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the challenges and opportunities in cleaning the Ganga River through the Clean Ganga Fund.

Answer: The Clean Ganga Fund faces several challenges, including inadequate sewage treatment infrastructure, pollution from industrial and domestic sources, encroachments along the riverbanks, and the complexities of coordinating multiple stakeholders. Additionally, the socio-economic fabric of the Ganga basin poses challenges in implementing effective policy measures. However, the opportunities for the fund are significant, as it can enhance water quality, restore biodiversity, and ensure the long-term sustainability of water resources. Strategic partnerships, public participation, and technological innovation in wastewater management offer potential solutions to these challenges. Successful implementation can position India as a global leader in environmental conservation and sustainable water management.

Q2: What are the key components of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and its role in river rejuvenation?

Answer: The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) focuses on a multi-pronged approach to cleaning the Ganga, including wastewater treatment, riverfront development, and afforestation along riverbanks. NMCG also works to strengthen the capacity of states and local bodies to manage water resources sustainably. By setting up sewage treatment plants, developing solid waste management systems, and promoting eco-friendly alternatives, NMCG plays a vital role in improving the river’s ecological health. It ensures the efficient utilization of the Clean Ganga Fund and promotes coordinated efforts among central and state governments.

Q3: Analyze the importance of public-private partnerships in the success of the Clean Ganga Mission.

Answer: Public-private partnerships (PPP) play a crucial role in the success of the Clean Ganga Mission by mobilizing additional resources and technical expertise. Private sector involvement in wastewater management, infrastructure development, and waste treatment technology can provide innovative solutions that are both cost-effective and efficient. PPPs can also drive awareness campaigns and foster community participation. By combining the strengths of both public policies and private initiatives, these partnerships can accelerate the implementation of the Clean Ganga Fund’s objectives.

Previous Year Questions on Clean Ganga Fund

1. UPSC CSE 2021:

Question: Analyze the role of the National Mission for Clean Ganga in addressing water pollution and improving the health of the Ganga River.

Answer: The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) plays a pivotal role in tackling the pollution of the Ganga by implementing key projects for sewage treatment, wastewater management, and riverfront development. Through schemes like Namami Gange, NMCG has reduced untreated sewage flowing into the river and has promoted better management of industrial waste. It has also focused on afforestation along riverbanks to combat soil erosion and has engaged communities in river conservation efforts.

2. UPSC CSE 2020:

Question: Discuss the challenges associated with cleaning the Ganga River and the role of the Clean Ganga Fund in overcoming them.

Answer: The cleaning of the Ganga is hindered by issues like industrial pollution, inadequate sewage treatment infrastructure, and overpopulation in the basin. The Clean Ganga Fund addresses these by financing projects that focus on improving wastewater treatment, building sewage treatment plants, and developing solid waste management systems. Despite these efforts, challenges such as political will, inter-state coordination, and lack of awareness still need to be tackled for the fund's success.