Namami Gange listed by UN amongst prime 10 World Restoration Flagships programmes

The National Mission for Clean Ganga initiative, additionally referred to as as Namami Gange initiative has been recognised by the United Nations (UN) as one of many Top 10 World Restoration Flagships programmes aimed toward reviving the pure world.

The award was acquired by G. Asok Kumar, the Director General of the Namami Gange mission throughout a operate on the fifteenth Conference of Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) in Montreal, Canada on World Restoration Day on Wednesday. “The recognition of Namami Gange as one of the top-10 ecosystem restoration initiatives in the world bears testimony to the concerted efforts being made by the National Mission for Clean Ganga, Government of India for the restoration of the riverine ecosystem. I hope that our endeavours provide a roadmap for other similar interventions across the globe,” G. Asok Kumar stated after receiving the award for initiative Namami Gange, which was chosen from over 150 such initiatives from 70 international locations throughout the globe.

These initiatives had been chosen beneath the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, a worldwide motion coordinated by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

It is designed to stop and reverse the degradation of pure areas throughout the planet. An official assertion stated that the acknowledged initiatives, together with Namami Gange, will now be eligible to obtain UN assist, funding or technical experience.

Asok Kumar had additionally participated in a session in Montreal, Canada, organised by the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration Youth Task Force through the event.

“This has come at a very opportune moment for us as India has taken over the Presidency of the G20 group of nations. While taking over the Presidency, our Prime Minister reinforced his commitment for the protection of environment ‘One Earth One Family One Future’ in the true spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” Asok Kumar stated whereas expressing his gratitude to the World Restoration Forum, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Food and Agriculture Organization for giving the honour to India by deciding on Namami Gange within the prime 10 restoration programmes.

He knowledgeable that Namami Gange Programme was began in 2014 after Prime Minister Narendra Modi took over because the Prime Minister after recognizing the necessity to rejuvenate River Ganga and dedicated over 5 billion {dollars} to make sure that the river will get clear.

“Ganga is important for India as it is home to 40 per cent of India’s population, 2500 species of flora and fauna and 8.61 billion sq. km. basin, which is home to over 520 million people. Ganga is also very important from spiritual point of view,” he stated, including that the river is intently related to India’s custom and civilization and symbolized the religion, sentiments and collective consciousness of the individuals right here.

He additional stated that the NMCG adopted a holistic and multi-sectoral strategy, which launched modern fashions for the great conservation of the riverine ecology and its well being.

“Our projects are designed to ensure that no untreated water- sewage or industrial effluent flows to the Ganga river. 176 STPs (Sewage Treatment Plants) with the capacity to treat over 5000 Million Litres per Day are being constructed. The concerted efforts of the Mission have resulted in significantly enhanced capacity for treatment of sewage and industrial effluents in the Ganga basin; improvement in river water quality and biodiversity, manifested as an increased population of Dolphins and their juveniles, Turtles, Otters, Gharials and fishes like Hilsa; and over 30000 hectares afforested among others,” he added.

Kumar additionally stated that an integral element of Namami Gange is Arth Ganga for strengthening the socio-economical- river individuals join. This has reworked the Mission right into a Jan- Andolan or individuals’s motion. With many modern mission administration practices like HAM and One City One Operator efficiently evolving, NMCG is getting ready the highway map for cleansing different rivers within the nation and the world.

He added that the Namami Gange programme is pushed by full dedication from the highest political executives. The unwavering dedication to the Namami Gange program is such that it’s intently monitored by the National Ganga Council chaired by PM Modi and is commonly reviewed by Union Minister for Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

“The gifts received by Hon’ble PM is annually put to public auction, all proceeds of which is given to the Clean Ganga Fund specially set up to encourage public contribution in Government’s endeavour to clean river Ganga,” Kumar stated.

Further talking in regards to the significance of connecting with youth for the programme, he stated: “India is the youngest country with the largest young population and we have to connect with the youth and women to ensure that the problem of bad water management is addressed.”

He stated that the youth and girls listed below are conscious of the water safety points and are being taught to respect the water. “If we can get the youth to respect water, it will automatically stop misuse and mismanagement of our water resources,” he stated mentioning that the recycling of water is being pushed very onerous as a part of the round financial system and steps are being taken preserve biodiversity and shield spring sheds and so on.

“The youth are engaged in diverse activities through trained volunteer cadres like Ganga Praharis, Ganga Doots, Ganga Quest etc. who through their sheer passion have joined us in protecting the biodiversity of River Ganga. The rescue of Dolphins by these volunteers in the Ganga Basin is a case in point which has resulted in the increased sighting of the aquatic species in the river,” he stated.

Kumar added that varied actions like rafting expeditions, cyclathons, hackathons, webinars on ‘Igniting Young Minds: Rejuvenating Rivers’ are additionally taken as much as rope within the youthful era and stated, “under Namami Gange we are aware of the necessities to involve people, particularly youth, in the process.”

He stated that Namami Gange is not only an inspiration for us but additionally a humble providing to Mother Ganga for setting safety and restoration in our endeavour to depart behind a greater world for the youth of right now and the subsequent era.

Meanwhile, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Inger Andersen stated: “The Namami Gange is an ambitious effort to rejuvenate the Ganga, a lifeline for millions of people in India. At a time when it is critical that we transform our exploitative relationship with nature, the positive impacts of this restoration cannot be underestimated.”

Qu Dongyu, Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN, stated: “FAO, together with UNEP, as co-lead of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, is pleased to award the 10 most ambitious, visionary and promising ecosystem restoration initiatives as 2022 World Restoration Flagships. Inspired by these flagships, we can learn to restore our ecosystems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life for all, leaving no one behind.”

The announcement was made as leaders from throughout the globe gathered in Montreal, Canada for the UN Biodiversity Conference, the place governments agreed to a brand new set of targets for nature over the subsequent decade.

The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has beforehand received the “Public Water Agency of the Year” within the Global Water Awards, 2019 by Global Water Intelligence 3.

The documentary ‘Ganga: River from the Skies’ co-produced with National Geographic India, has additionally acquired awards beneath three categories- Best Documentary, Best Current Affairs and Best Natural History or Wildlife Programme- within the Asian Academy Creative Awards, 2022.

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