National Ganga Council was established in 2016 under the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA) 1986. It is chaired by the Prime Minister of India. It is in charge of numerous government projects aimed at cleaning up the Ganga. The Ganga River Basin, comprising Ganga and its tributaries, has been entrusted to the Council with overarching responsibility for pollution control and rejuvenation.

This article explains the National Ganga Council (NGC) is important for UPSC IAS exam preparation.

National Ganga Council (NGC) - Background

• The National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection and Management of the River Ganga in short is called the National Ganga Council.
• NGC was established under the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986.
• It is registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860.
• The River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection, and Management) Authorities Order of 2016 governs the functions and details of the National Ganga Council.
• The National Ganga Council is led by the Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation, which is part of the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) is the National Ganga Council's implementation arm.
• This Council is in charge of preventing pollution and revitalising the Ganga River Basin, which includes the Ganga River and its tributaries.
• Jurisdiction: Its jurisdiction includes the Ganga River Basin states of Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Haryana, Jharkhand, and Delhi-NCR, as well as any additional states with large Ganga tributaries.

National Ganga Council (NGC) – Composition

• The Prime Minister is the ex-officio Chairperson for the NGC
• Vice Chairperson - Union Minister of Water Resources, RD & GR
• Members - The Union ministers of the Ministries of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ministry of Finance, Urban Development, Power, Science and Technology, Rural Development, Drinking Water and Sanitation, Shipping, and State and Tourism, Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, Secretary of Ministry of Water Resources, and the Director-General of National Mission for Clean Ganga, Chief Ministers of the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal

National Ganga Council (NGC) - Functions

• Implementation of the National Ganga River Basin Authority's programmes, which are also backed by the World Bank.
• Coordination and implementation of the government of India and Ministry of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation initiatives.
• It also has the responsibility of creating and modifying the regulations that govern the appropriate operation of NMCG.
• Accounts and distribution of grants, money, loan securities, or property must be managed and maintained.
• To take all appropriate actions that are consistent with the NMCG's goals.

Recent Updates

• In December 2019, the Prime Minister presided over the inaugural meeting of the National Ganga Council in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
• The purpose of the Council's inaugural meeting was to emphasise the necessity of a "Ganga-centric" approach in all departments of the affected states as well as relevant Central Ministries.

Key points of the Meeting

• The 'Namami Gange' should holistically grow into the 'Arth Ganga,' a sustainable development model centred on Ganga-related economic activity.
• NITI Ayog and the Ministry of Jal Shakti will set up a digital dashboard to monitor data from rural and urban entities on a regular basis.
• The necessity to improve the effectiveness of district Ganga committees in order to effectively implement the Namami Gange Program.
• In the future, the potential for religious and adventure tourism in the Ganga river basin area will be investigated. Because the revenue produced by tourist activities will assist to provide long-term revenue for cleaning the Ganga.

Conclusion

The revamped National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection and Management of the River Ganga is coordinating with different stakeholders for implementing the mandate of the National Mission for Clean Ganga Programme. Though many initiatives are taken to abet the pollution of river Ganga, the pace of Rejuvenation and cleaning has to pick up the pace to ensure a cleaner Ganga river.

FAQs

MCQs

1. When was the National Ganga Council (NGC) formed?

A) 2000
B) 2014
C) 2016
D) 2020

2. Which programme is the National Ganga Council primarily responsible for?

A) Clean Ganga Mission
B) Namami Gange Programme
C) Ganga Rejuvenation Project
D) National River Conservation Plan

3. What is the major challenge in the conservation of the Ganga river?

A) Overfishing
B) Untreated sewage and industrial waste
C) Excessive damming of the river
D) Lack of biodiversity

4. Which of the following is NOT a function of the National Ganga Council?

A) Approving projects for Ganga river rejuvenation
B) Monitoring the implementation of the Namami Gange Programme
C) Directly executing sewage treatment plans
D) Coordinating with state governments

5. What is the role of the Ganga Basin in India’s economy?

A) It is the main source of industrial production
B) It supports agriculture, industry, and drinking water supply
C) It is the main source of hydropower
D) It is primarily used for recreation

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the importance of the National Ganga Council in addressing the challenges of river pollution and conservation in India.

Answer: The National Ganga Council plays a critical role in addressing the challenges of river pollution and conservation by coordinating policies and actions at the national level. The Council monitors and evaluates various conservation projects under the Namami Gange Programme, which includes measures for sewage treatment, waste management, and riverfront development. The NGC also ensures that environmental policies are enforced and promotes the participation of local communities in conservation efforts. However, challenges such as industrial pollution, insufficient infrastructure, and political coordination remain obstacles that need to be tackled through more effective implementation and public awareness campaigns.

Q2: Discuss the role of the National Ganga Council in integrating the environmental, social, and economic aspects of Ganga rejuvenation.

Answer: The National Ganga Council integrates environmental, social, and economic aspects of Ganga rejuvenation by ensuring that policies balance ecological conservation with socio-economic development. The Council promotes eco-friendly measures like sewage treatment and afforestation, while also ensuring that the needs of the communities living along the river are met, including improving their livelihoods through sustainable practices. Economically, the Council works to boost tourism and sustainable agriculture in the Ganga Basin, thus ensuring that environmental and economic goals are achieved simultaneously.

Q3: How can the National Ganga Council strengthen its coordination with state governments to improve the implementation of river conservation projects?

Answer: To strengthen coordination with state governments, the National Ganga Council can focus on creating clear frameworks for inter-governmental cooperation and improving communication channels. The Council can facilitate the sharing of best practices among states, provide technical and financial support for local initiatives, and ensure the timely monitoring and evaluation of ongoing projects. Regular consultations with state authorities, along with ensuring local community participation, can help in better execution and enforcement of conservation policies.

Previous Year Questions on National Ganga Council (NGC)

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021:

Question: What is the role of the National Ganga Council (NGC)?

A) Formulate policies for river conservation
B) Oversee the implementation of the Namami Gange Programme
C) Coordinate with state governments for water management
D) All of the above

Answer: (D)

Explanation: The National Ganga Council is responsible for formulating policies for Ganga conservation, overseeing the Namami Gange Programme, and coordinating with state governments for water management and river rejuvenation projects.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020 (GS Paper 2):

Question: "Evaluate the role of the National Ganga Council in coordinating the efforts for the rejuvenation of the Ganga. How does it impact environmental and socio-economic factors?"

Answer: The National Ganga Council coordinates efforts across various ministries and state governments to rejuvenate the Ganga. It ensures that projects like sewage treatment, afforestation, and pollution control are effectively implemented. The Council’s impact on environmental factors is seen in improved water quality and biodiversity, while its socio-economic impact includes providing sustainable livelihoods to communities along the river and promoting eco-tourism.