Ganga Rejuvenation: Task Force Meeting Charts New Course
River cruise on Ganga River (Image X.com)
Protection of Falgu River in Bihar and IIT Report on Sand Mining impact on the Ganga gained spotlight in the 17th empowered task force meeting.
By TRH News Desk
NEW DELHI, September 29, 2025 — The Ganga is more than a river—it is faith, culture, and the lifeline for millions. At the 16th meeting of the Empowered Task Force (ETF) on Ganga Rejuvenation chaired by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil, the government reaffirmed its commitment to making the river “Aviral and Nirmal”.
The Minister lauded the resolution of nearly 80% of issues taken up last year, crediting collective efforts of central ministries and Ganga basin states. He underscored that Ganga rejuvenation is not merely an environmental exercise but a mission that intertwines ecology with heritage.
Key focus areas included wetlands, with 59 high-priority sites in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar urged for immediate legal protection. The ETF also reviewed sewage management, noting that while major cities have treatment capacity, smaller towns must accelerate City Sanitation Action Plans.
The “Namami Niranjana Campaign” for revival of the Falgu River in Bihar—a river sacred to Lord Buddha—was highlighted as both an ecological and cultural imperative.
A major step was the release of IIT Kanpur’s report on sand mining impacts, offering strategies for regulation and mitigation. Floodplain demarcation and stricter regulatory frameworks were also discussed to protect sensitive zones.
Paatil concluded with a call for urgency: “The Ganga is not just a river. It is our culture, our faith, and our lifeline. We must achieve its rejuvenation in a time-bound manner.”
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