A three-day long Ganga Utsav 2020 from November 2-4, 2020 was virtually organized by National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) amid COVID-19 to spread awareness about river Ganga and the need to keep the river clean and rejuvenated.
- The 2020 edition marks the 12th anniversary of Ganga being accorded the status of National River, on 4th November 2008.
- The event was attended by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Ministry of Jal Shakti.
- It should be noted that an association was made between the Namami Gange and India Science Channel during the fest under which the former will release all its informative and educational movies on the latter.
–GIZ collaborated with NMCG for project, ‘Support to Ganga Rejuvenation’
German development agency (GIZ) has collaborated with NMCG for a project, ‘Support to Ganga Rejuvenation’, in which transformational learning resources are designed for the Indian schools to bring behavioural change in the school children towards conservation and rejuvenation of the Ganga river.
- In this regard, Ganga Box, an innovative learning tool, was launched by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
–Launch of Urban River Management Plan
A joint project titled “Urban River Management Plan” between NMCG and National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs was also launched during the fest. It is a unique first of its kind strategic framework for managing urban river stretches in the Ganga River Basin.
About National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA):
Director– Hitesh Vaidya
Location– New Delhi
–Chacha Chaudhary becomes the Brand Ambassador for Namami Gange Project
The iconic Indian comic character, Chacha Chaudhary, whose brain works faster than a computer has been named as the brand ambassador of Namami Gange Programme.
- In this regard, Diamond Toons will conceptualize and publish this new ‘Talking Comics’ with Chacha Chaudhary spreading awareness on the cultural and spiritual significance of River Ganga. The teaser for the same was released during the fest.
Other Key Programmes Held/Launched
— Mini Ganga Quest: A pan India Mini Ganga Quest was organised by NMCG in association with Tree Craze Foundation to make youth and students aware of environmental issues and to increase public participation in Namami Gange program.
- Tree Craze Foundation is led by Bhawna Sharma.
—Ganga film festival: In order to use films as a medium to evoke critical thinking a film fest was also organized which showcased the following notable films:
- “The Miracle Water Village” directed by Rintu Thomas, and Sushmit Ghosh
- “Locals Become Geohydrologists in Rapar” directed by Usha Dewani and Nilutpal Das
- “Thirstv by Sivanageswara Rao,
- “Angioplasty Of Dreams” by Aditya Seth,
- “Water Warriors” by Nutan Manmohan
- “Revival Of AharPynes Systems” by Soumitra Dey
—Ganga Aerial Movie Launch– “Ganga Aerial Movie” was launched by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat which covers the journey of Ganga from the origin to the end in breath-taking aerial view. It is produced by National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).
—Ganga Dialoges: It was a series of discussions with eminent personalities.
–Apart from the above, Ganga Task Force (GTF) conducted an afforestation drive with National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets and educational tour for youth.
Recent Related News:
i.On the occasion of Ganga River Dolphin Day i.e. on October 5, 2020, NMCG, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the Forest Department launched a 1st of its kind Dolphin-based ecotourism programme namely “My Ganga My Dolphin campaign”.
ii.In September 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first-of-its-kind “Ganga Avalokan” Museum on River Ganga at Chandi Ghat, Haridwar. It has been established by the NMCG along with WII to showcase the culture, biodiversity and rejuvenation activities in River Ganga.
Static Points:
–NMCG is the implementation wing of National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection and Management of River Ganga (referred as National Ganga Council). The council was set up in 2016, replacing the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NRGBA).
- NMCG Director General– Rajiv Ranjan Mishra
–In 2014, Namami Gange Programme was launched with an outlay of Rs 20,000 crore to accomplish the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution and conservation, and rejuvenation of Ganga. Its nodal body for implementation is NMCG.
