Prelims: Environment | Current events of national and international importance
Why in News?
Recently, in 62nd Executive Committee (EC) Meeting of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), key projects for Ganga rejuvenation were approved.
Ecosystem restoration for Ganga– Conservation of critical wetlands and promoting the reuse of treated wastewater through city specific reuse plans.
Focus – Integrating biodiversity and ecosystem service values into river basin conservation and developmental planning.
Dual approach - Interventions at the sub-basin (Ghaghara, Gomti & Sone confluence) and site levels (NathmalpurBhagad Wetland).
Activities to be undertaken
Wetland delineation
Hydrological regime enhancement
Species and habitat conservation
Ecological assessment, risk evaluation & monitoring mechanisms
Capacity building, communication and outreach
Coverage - So, far 5 wetlands have been sanctioned Namami Gange conservation of wetlands.
|
Wetland |
Location |
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KalewadaJheel |
Uttar Pradesh
|
|
Namiya Dah Jheel |
|
|
Reoti Dah Wetland |
|
|
Udhwa Lake |
Jharkhand |
|
NathmalpurBhagad |
Bihar |
Significance – It is a significant push towards holistic river and environmental rejuvenation to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of the wetland ecosystem.
It aligns with the NMCG’s objectives of ecosystem restoration across the Ganga basin.
Quick Facts
National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) - It was registered as a society to act as implementation arm of National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA), which was constituted under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA),1986.
NGRBA has since been dissolved in 2016, consequent to constitution of National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection and Management of River Ganga (referred as National Ganga Council).
Namami Ganga Programme – It is an Integrated Conservation Mission, approved as ‘Flagship Programme’ in 2014 to accomplish the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution, conservation and rejuvenation of National River Ganga.
It is recognized as one of the Top 10, World Restoration Flagship initiatives by UN Decade (UNEP&FAO).
UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration - It is a rallying call by UNEP and FAO to halt the degradation of ecosystems, and restore them to achieve global goals.
The UN Decade runs from 2021 through 2030.
Reference
