Backgrounder
The Central Government, by a
notification dated 20.2.2009, as set up ‘National Ganga
River Basin Authority’ (NFRBA)as an empowered planning, financing, monitoring
and coordinating authority for the Ganga river,in exercise of the powers conferred under the
Environment (Protection) Act,1986. The Prime Minister is ex-officio Chairperson
of the Authority, and it has as its members, the Union Ministers Concerned and
the Chief Ministers of states through which Ganga
flows, viz., Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, among others. The objective of
the Authority is to ensure effective abatement of pollution and conservation of
the river Ganga by adopting a
holistic approach with the river basin as the unit of planning. The functions
of the Authority include all measures necessary for planning and execution of
programmes for abatement of pollution in the Ganga in keeping with
sustainable development
needs.
The Central Government by a
Notification dated 20.02.2009, has set up the ’National Ganga
River Basin Authority’ (NRGBA) as an empowered planning, financing, monitoring
and coordinating authority for the Ganga River, in exercise of
the powers conferred under the Environment (Protection)Act, 1986. The
Prime Minister is the ex-officio Chairperson of the Authority, and it
has as its members, the Union Ministers concerned, and the Chief Ministers of
the State thought which Ganga flows, viz., Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand
and West Bengal, among others, the objectives of the Authority is to take all
measures necessary for planning and execution of programmes for abatement of
pollution and conservation of their river Ganga is
keeping with sustainable development
needs.
Key Features of New Approach
·
River basin will be the unit of planning and management.
This is an internationally accepted strategy for integrated management of
rivers.
·
Accordingly, a new institutional mechanism in the form of
National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) will spearhead river
conservation efforts at the national level. Implementation will be by the State
Agencies and Urban Local Bodies
·
The new strategy will take into account the competing
demands on water and will seek t ensure minimum ecological flows. STPs minimise the pollution load up to discharge standard
of BOD of 30mg/litre requiring dilution to achieve river water quality of 3mg/ litre.
·
The minimum ecological flows or the entire Ganga will be determined
through modelling exercises. NGRBA
·
will
take appropriate measures to regulate water abstraction for maintaining
ecological flows in the river.
Functions of NGRBA
·
The NGRBA would be responsible for addressing the problem of pollution in Ganga in a holistic and
comprehensive manner. This will include water quality, minimum ecological
flows, sustainable access and other issues relevant to river ecology and
management.
·
The NGRBA will not only be regulatory body but will also
have developmental role in terms of planning & monitoring of the river
conservation activities and ensuring
that necessary resources are available.
·
The NRGBA would work for maintaining the water quality of
the river Ganga upto acceptable standards. The pollution abetment
activities will be taken through the existing implementation mechanisms in the
State and also through special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs0 at the pollution
hotspots.
·
The NGRBA will ensure
minimum ecological flow in the Ganga by regulating
water abstraction and by promoting water storage projects.
·
The NGRBA will plan
and monitor programmes for cleaning of Ganga and its
tributaries. To being with, it will concentrate on Ganga main stream.
·
The NGRBA would draw upon professional expertise within and
outside the Government for advice on techno-economic issues.
·
The technical and administrative support to NGRBA shall be
provided by the Ministry of Environment &
for advice on techno-economic issues.
·
The technical and administrative support to NGRBA shall be
provided by the Ministry of Environment & Forests.
KP