**Policy Summary: Community Participation and River Restoration Efforts in India**
The Ministry of Jal Shakti is actively supporting river restoration efforts across India through various schemes and initiatives, recognizing that the primary responsibility for maintaining river health rests with States, Union Territories (UTs), and Urban Local Bodies in ensuring proper treatment of sewage and industrial effluents. Key programs include the Namami Gange Programme, the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP), and the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), all aimed at reducing river pollution.
A central component of the strategy involves engaging local authorities, communities, and NGOs in conservation efforts, as demonstrated in Karnataka and Maharashtra, and other states. Specific initiatives undertaken to foster stakeholder involvement include public awareness campaigns featuring cultural programs, Aarti ceremonies on riverbanks, river cleaning drives, yatras, and competitions held across multiple states in February 2025.
The National Mission for Clean Ganga has established Jalaj Centers, promoting community participation and conservation awareness through Dolphin Safaris, Home Stays, Livelihood Centers, and Awareness & Sale Points. Additionally, local community members ("Ganga Paharis") are being trained as volunteers to protect biodiversity and maintain cleanliness within the Ganga basin.
The Namami Gange Programme has received international recognition as a top ten World Restoration Flagship initiative by the UN Decade for its work in halting and reversing riverine environmental degradation through active public participation. The annual Ganga Utsav celebrates the Ganges, promoting river rejuvenation and environmental awareness.
Furthermore, the Swachh Bharat Mission supports river cleanliness through sanitation and solid waste management initiatives. The Ministry of Jal Shakti's Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain, an annual campaign, promotes water conservation and management, reviving water bodies (including rivers), raising public awareness, involving local bodies and communities, and promoting efficient water use.
This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on August 11, 2025. (Release ID: 2155018)
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The Indian government ministry responsible for water resources.
Namami Gange Programme: An integrated conservation mission to accomplish the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution, conservation and rejuvenation of the National River Ganga.
National River Conservation Plan NRCP: A scheme to reduce the pollution load on rivers.
Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation AMRUT: A mission to provide basic services to households and build amenities in cities.
Karnataka: A state in India where efforts are being made to reduce river pollution.
Maharashtra: A state in India where efforts are being made to reduce river pollution.
Ganga Utsav: Celebration as a tribute to the holy Ganges, emphasizing river rejuvenation and environmental awareness.
Swachh Bharat Mission: A nationwide campaign in India for cleanliness and sanitation.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND RIVER
RESTORATION EFFORTS
Posted On: 11 AUG 2025 3:19PM by PIB Delhi
Cleaning/ Rejuvenation of rivers is a continuous process. It is the primary responsibility of States/Union
Territories (UTs) and Urban Local Bodies to ensure the required treatment of sewage and industrial effluents
to the prescribed norms before discharging into the rivers and other water bodies. Government of India is
supporting the efforts of States/ UTs through schemes like Namami Gange programme, National River
Conservation Plan (NRCP) and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) for
pollution abatement of rivers in the country.
The local authorities, communities and NGOs are involved in the efforts for reduction in river pollution across
the country, including the States of Karnataka and Maharashtra. Some of the initiatives taken for the
involvement of stakeholders in river conservation are as below:
In February 2025, under the public awareness campaign, various activities, such as cultural programme,
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Aarti on the banks of rivers, river cleaning drives, yatras, slogans/drawing/essay competitions etc. were
carried out at various places in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala,
Manipur, Maharashtra, Nagaland Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, etc. for
awareness/participation of public in conservation of rivers.
Jalaj Centers have been established by National Mission for Clean Ganga on various models such as
(cid:108)
Dolphin Safaris, Home Stays, Livelihood Centers, Awareness and Sale Points etc. to promote community
participation and conservation awareness. Further, Ganga Paharis have been deployed as local
community members trained as volunteers to protect and conserve biodiversity and cleanliness of rivers
in Ganga basin.
Namami Gange Program has been recognized as one of the top ten World Restoration Flagship initiatives
(cid:108)
during United Nations (UN) Conference on Biological Diversity by UN Decade, primarily for halting
and reversing riverine environmental degradation, with peoples’ active participation.
The Ganga Utsav is celebrated as a tribute to the holy Ganges, emphasizing river rejuvenation and
(cid:108)
environmental awareness. Nation-wide exercise was conducted to raise public awareness about the
importance of rivers and their conservation.
Nation-wide, various initiatives have been taken to promote the cleanliness of the rivers, sanitation, and
(cid:108)
solid waste management under the Swachh Bharat Mission.
Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain has been launched by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, as an annual feature,
(cid:108)
for water conservation and management, reviving water bodies including rivers, public awareness,
involvement of local bodies and communities and promoting water use efficiency.
This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN
CHOUDHARY in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
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MAM/SMP/NM
(Rajya Sabha US Q2482)(Release ID: 2155018)