Question

What is Ganga Action Plan?

Answer 1

The Ganga Action Plan (GAP) is one of the most comprehensive government initiatives that has had a considerable impact on India's water pollution policy.

1. The Ganga Action Plan was launched on 14th January 1986 with the goal of reducing pollution in the Ganga River.
2. Because of development along river banks, open defecation, and other difficulties, the problem of water pollution, particularly of river water, has been steadily increasing.
3. This issue is exemplified by the dreadful status of the Ganga river.
4. It is a scheme that is entirely funded by the government.
5. Rajiv Gandhi directed the establishment of the National River Ganga Basin Authority and the declaration of Ganga as a national river of India under this strategy.
6. The authority is led by the Prime Minister of India and the chief ministers of all the states along the Ganga's course.
7. GAP was split into two sections. Phase I began in 1985, and it covered the three states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal at the time.
   Phase II began in 1993 and covers seven states: Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Delhi, and Haryana.

The main objectives of this plan are -

1. To improve the river Ganga's water quality.
2. Treatment of sewage, industrial waste, toxic chemicals, and other pollutants that are dumped into the river.
3. Pollution control, such as agricultural waste, and human excrement, and preventing the dumping of unburned and half-burned bodies into rivers.
4. Building awareness among government agencies and civil society actors.