GANGA ACTION PLAN
Ganga Action Plan I (GAP I)
Ganga
Action Plan I (GAP I) was the first major initiative
taken by the Government of India to clean and restore the Ganga River, one of
the most important and sacred rivers in the country. Launched in 1985, this
plan was a response to the alarming levels of pollution affecting the Ganga due
to untreated sewage, industrial effluents, and other waste discharges from
various sources along its course.
Key Aspects of Ganga Action Plan I:
Objective:
The primary objective of GAP I was to improve the water quality of the Ganga River to acceptable standards by preventing pollution from entering the river. Initially, the goal was to reduce pollution levels, but in a 1987 meeting led by Prof. M. G. K. Menon, the objective was revised to restoring the river's water quality to the "Bathing Class" standard. The Bathing Class standard includes the following criteria:
Bio-Chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD): Maximum of 3 mg/l.
Dissolved Oxygen (DO): Minimum of 5 mg/l.
Total Coliform: 10,000 per 100 ml.
Faecal Coliform: 2,500 per 100 ml.
Ganga River's Significance:
The Ganga River originates from the Gangotri Glacier in the Garhwal Himalayas at an elevation of about 4,100 meters. Known initially as the Bhagirathi, it becomes the Ganga proper after the confluence of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers at Devprayag.
The Ganga Basin, the largest river basin in India, supports about 40% of the country's population. The river traverses 2,525 kilometers from its source to its mouth in the Bay of Bengal at Ganga Sagar in West Bengal.
Challenges:
The Ganga faced significant pollution from municipal sewage, industrial effluents, and non-point sources like agricultural runoff, leading to deteriorating water quality. The plan was designed to address these issues through various pollution control measures.
States and Towns Covered:
GAP I primarily focused on three states—Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal—where the river Ganga flows through several major towns. These towns were identified as critical points for intervention due to the high levels of pollution they contributed to the river.
Uttar Pradesh: Haridwar, Rishikesh, Faridabad & Fatehgarh, Allahabad, Kanpur, Varanasi, Mirzapur.
Bihar: Chapra, Bhagalpur, Munger, Patna.
West Bengal: Baharampore, Nabadwip, Hugli Chinsura, Chandan Nagar, Serampore, Bally, Kalyani, Bhatpara, Titagarh, Panihati, Howrah, Calcutta Corporation Area, Baranagar, Kamarhati, Naihati.
Achievements and Limitations:
Infrastructure Development: GAP I led to the construction of sewage treatment plants (STPs), interception and diversion structures, and crematoria modernization to reduce pollution entering the Ganga.
Public Awareness: The plan also played a role in raising public awareness about the importance of river conservation.
Limitations: Despite these efforts, the plan faced several challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, delays in project implementation, and lack of effective monitoring, leading to limited success in achieving the desired water quality standards.
Legacy:
Ganga Action Plan I laid the foundation for future river conservation efforts in India. It was followed by Ganga Action Plan II, which expanded the scope and geographical coverage of river cleaning efforts. Although GAP I had its shortcomings, it marked the beginning of a concerted effort by the Indian government to address the complex issue of river pollution.
Ganga Action Plan II (GAP II)
The
Ganga Action Plan II (GAP II) was an extension of the original Ganga
Action Plan, aimed at cleaning and conserving the Ganga River and its major
tributaries. This initiative was a comprehensive effort by the Government of
India to improve the water quality of the Ganga River, along with other
significant rivers in the country.
Key Aspects of Ganga Action Plan II:
Objective:
The primary objective of GAP II was to improve the water quality of the Ganga River and its major tributaries, such as Yamuna, Gomati, and Damodar, which are heavily polluted. The plan also aimed to demonstrate a model methodology for improving the water quality of other polluted rivers across India.
Implementation Timeline:
The second phase of the Ganga Action Plan was initiated in stages between 1993 and 1996. Initially, both the Central and State Governments shared the financial responsibility equally (50:50). However, after April 1997, the Central Government took over full responsibility for the project and sanctioned the total cost under the Ganga Action Plan.
Merger with NRCP:
The Ganga Action Plan Phase II was later merged with the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) on December 5, 1996, to streamline efforts and resources in conserving and cleaning rivers across India.
Funding and Projects:
The government sanctioned Rs.
2,285.48 crore to support 441 projects across 95 cities under GAP II. The funding
pattern was later revised to 70:30 between the Central and State Governments.
The implementation of these projects commenced on April 1, 2001.
States and Towns Covered:
GAP II covered several states and numerous towns along the Ganga River and its tributaries. The states and selected towns included:
Uttarakhand: Haridwar-Rishikesh, Ranipur, Joshimath, Gopeshwar, Karan Prayag, Rudra Prayag, Badrinath, Srinagar, Deo Prayag, Uttar Kashi.
Uttar Pradesh: Agra, Etawah, Ghaziabad, Mathura, Muzaffarnagar, Noida, Saharanpur, Vrindavan, Lucknow, Sultanpur, Jaunpur, Ghazipur, Allahabad, Kanpur, Varanasi, Mirzapur, Farrukhabad, Mughalsarai, Saidpur, Garhmukteshwar, Bijnor, Chunar, Anupshahar.
Bihar: Arrah, Chapra, Bhagalpur, Munger, Patna, Fatwah, Barh, Sultanganj, Barahya, Buxar, Mokamah, Kahalgaon, Hajipur.
Jharkhand: Ramgarh, Dugdha, Jharia, Chirkunda, Sindri, Telmichu, Sudamdih, Bokaro-Kargali, Sahebganj.
West Bengal: Raniganj, Asansol, Andal, Durgapur, Barrackpore, Bansberia, Rishra, Baidyabati, Circular Canal, Tolly’s Nallah, Budge Budge, Bhadreswar, Champdani, CETP-Calcutta, Naihati, Khardah (Extended), Gayespur, Halishahar & Kanchrapara, Konnagar, Uttarpara Kotrung, North Barrackpore, Jiaganj Azimganj, Diamond Harbour, Garulia, Katwa, Dhulian, Jangipur, Mahestala, Chakdah, Murshidabad, Siliguri.
Delhi: Entire Delhi.
Haryana: Chhachhrauli, Faridabad, Gharaunda, Gohana, Gurgaon, Indri, Karnal, Panipat, Palwal, Radaur, Sonepat, Yamunanagar-Jagadhri.
Significance:
The
Ganga Action Plan II played a crucial role in laying the groundwork for
subsequent river conservation efforts in India. Despite facing challenges in
implementation, it set the stage for future initiatives aimed at reviving and
maintaining the health of India's rivers, including the National Mission for
Clean Ganga (NMCG) launched later.
This
extensive program reflects the ongoing commitment to addressing the
environmental challenges faced by one of India's most vital natural resources.
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