MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a) to (d) The efforts towards conservation of rivers started with the launching of the
Ganga Action Plan (GAP) Phase-I in the year 1985. Subsequently, GAP Phase-II was initiated
which included the tributaries of the river Ganga, namely, Yamuna, Gomti and Damodar. The Plan
was expanded to cover other rivers under National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) in the year
1995. The Plan presently covers 38 rivers in 167 towns spread over 20 states. Pollution
abatement schemes undertaken include interception, diversion and treatment of sewage; low
cost sanitation works on river banks; electric/improved wood crematoria etc. An expenditure
of Rs.3955 crore has been incurred and Sewage treatment capacity of nearly 4000 million litres
per day (mld) has been created so far. The schemes are implemented on a cost sharing basis
between the Centre and State Governments through implementing agencies of the States.
The pollution load on rivers has increased over the years due to rapid urbanisation and
industrialization. Abstraction of water for irrigation, drinking, industrial use, power etc.
compounds the challenge. Based on independent monitoring undertaken by reputed institutions
on some of the major rivers under NRCP, the water quality in terms of BOD (Bio-chemical
Oxygen Demand) values has improved at most locations as compared to water quality before
taking up of pollution abatement schemes.
The details of fund allocation and actual expenditure by Govt. of India under the Plan during
the last three years and the current year, year-wise are as follows:
Financial Year Fund Allocation Actual Expenditure (Rs. In crore) (Rs. In crore)
2006–07 283.20 281.10
2007–08 267.70 252.99
2008–09 276.00 276.00
2009–10(Till date) 376.00 337.82
Conservation of rivers is an ongoing and collective effort of the Central and State
Governments. The Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Governments in river
conservation through the central plans. River conservation activities such as creation of
civic infrastructure for sewage management and disposal are also being implemented under other
central schemes, such as Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, Urban Infrastructure
Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns, as well as under state schemes.
The Government has initiated an exercise for revamping the river conservation strategy to
promote a holistic and integrated river basin approach. The Central Government has set up
the ‘National Ganga River Basin Authority’ (NGRBA) on 20.2.2009 as an empowered planning,
financing, monitoring and coordinating authority 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.
