**Executive Summary**
This document reports on the major decisions taken at the 68th Executive Committee Meeting of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG). The meeting focused on ecological restoration, biodiversity conservation, and infrastructure projects to ensure the uninterrupted and unpolluted flow of the Ganga and its tributaries. Approvals were given for various projects across multiple states to advance river conservation and environmental improvements.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Ganga River Conservation Objectives:**
* Ensuring uninterrupted (aviral) and unpolluted (nirmal) flow of the Ganga and its tributaries.
* Ecological restoration of the river.
* Biodiversity conservation.
* Conservation of rich cultural heritage.
* Facilitating prompt execution of infrastructure projects.
* **Avifauna Conservation Project:**
* New project approved to protect breeding habitats of sandbar-nesting birds, including the Indian Skimmer, in the Ganga basin.
* Project focuses on long-term monitoring, community participation, and evidence-based conservation.
* Nest monitoring to continue in Chambal and Lower Ganga, and initiated in Bijnor, Narora, and Prayagraj.
* Trained local communities will protect sandbars, reduce human disturbance, and support awareness.
* **Project Approvals and Revisions:**
* Revised administrative and expenditure approvals granted for various projects to ensure successful implementation.
* Projects include:
* 10 KLD Faecal Sludge and Septage Treatment Plant in Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh.
* Rehabilitation of sewerage infrastructure and renovation of the main sub-station in Kanpur.
* Trash skimmer project for maintaining cleanliness in Varanasi.
* Interception, diversion, and STP projects in Bihar (Danapur, Phulwari Sharif, Fatuha) and Jharkhand (Phusro).
* Modifications in Ganga pollution abatement projects in West Bengal (Garden Reach and Kooraapukur).
* **Nature-Based Solutions for Pollution Abatement:**
* Project approved for in-situ treatment and rejuvenation of drains in Delhi (Shastri Park, Gaushala, and Kailash Nagar/Ramesh Nagar) falling in Yamuna.
* Eco-friendly and effective initiative using rock filters, stone masonry, and aquatic plants.
* **Cultural Heritage Preservation:**
* A master plan prepared to restore the Gomti River's origin site at Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh.
* Includes infrastructure development, catchment area treatment, rejuvenation of water sources, and nature-based sewage treatment.
* Development of ghats, aarti platforms, rejuvenation of lakes, and conservation of turtle habitats.
**Impact Analysis**
**Local Communities**
* **Impact:** Protection of sensitive sandbars and reduction of human disturbance to preserve Avifauna.
* **Action Required:** Participate in monitoring and conservation efforts; support awareness and capacity-building initiatives.
**State Governments (West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand)**
* **Impact:** Implementation of approved projects and adherence to revised administrative and expenditure guidelines.
* **Action Required:** Execute the projects as per the approvals to ensure timely completion and achievement of intended outcomes.
**Residents of Delhi**
* **Impact:** Cleaner river due to Nature based solutions.
* **Action Required:** Support and participate in eco-friendly initiatives.
Key Entities Referenced
National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG): The primary organization responsible for the rejuvenation of the Ganga River and its tributaries, overseeing the initiatives and projects discussed.
Namami Gange Mission–II: The overarching mission under which the bird conservation project and other river rejuvenation efforts are being implemented.
Ganga River: The central river system that the policies and projects described in the article aim to rejuvenate and conserve.
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The government ministry overseeing the NMCG and related initiatives for water management and river conservation.
Uttar Pradesh: State of India where conservation projects, specifically the Gomti River origin site plan, are implemented.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Nature based Solutions and Avifauna
Conservation Get a Fresh Push
Major Decisions Taken at the 68th Executive Committee
Meeting of NMCG
प्रव तथ: 29 DEC 2025 4:57PM by PIB Delhi
The 68th meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) was
held with the objective of ensuring uninterrupted (aviral) and unpolluted (nirmal) flow of the Ganga and
its tributaries. The meeting was chaired by Shri Rajeev Kumar Mittal, Director General, NMCG. The
focus of the meeting included ecological restoration of river, biodiversity conservation, innovations
through Nature based Solutions, conservation of rich cultural heritage and facilitating prompt execution of
infrastructure projects.
Several senior officials from the Ministry and concerned agencies were present at the meeting, including
Shri Gaurav Masaldan, Joint Secretary and Financial Adviser, Department of Water Resources; Shri Nalin
Srivastava, Deputy Director General, NMCG; Sh. Brijendra Swaroop, Executive Director (Projects); Shri
Anup Kumar Srivastava, Executive Director (Technical); Shri S.P. Vashishtha, Executive Director
(Administration); and Shri Bhaskar Dasgupta, Executive Director (Finance). Project Directors from State
Governments present included Ms. Nandini Ghosh (West Bengal), Shri Jogendra Kumar (Uttar Pradesh),
Shri Animesh Kumar, Managing Director, BUDCO, and Shri Rahul Dwivedi, Director, NMCG.
For conservation of endangered bird species in the Ganga basin, a new project has been approved to
protect breeding habitats of sandbar-nesting birds, including the Indian Skimmer. In line with
Namami Gange Mission–II, the project focuses on long-term monitoring, community participation, and
evidence-based conservation. Nest monitoring will continue in the Chambal and Lower Ganga and will be
initiated in Bijnor, Narora, and Prayagraj. Trained local communities will help protect sensitive sandbars,
reduce human disturbance, and support awareness and capacity-building initiatives.
The project is a first of its kind initiative focusing on Avifauna and would complement NMCG’s work on
Dolphins, fishes, turtles, muggers etc and would complete the focus on river related faunal biodiversity.During the meeting, revised administrative and expenditure approvals were accorded to ensure the
successful implementation and smooth operation of various projects across the Ganga basin states, so that
project momentum is maintained and intended outcomes are effectively achieved. These approvals will
help address practical implementation challenges and promote more efficient use of resources. These
decisions represent a significant step towards strengthening the quality, transparency, and timeliness of
ongoing initiatives in the Ganga basin and advancing the objectives of river conservation and
environmental improvement.
The projects whose execution would be facilitated by these approvals include the 10 KLD Faecal Sludge
and Septage Treatment Plant in Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh; rehabilitation of existing sewerage
infrastructure and renovation of the main sub-station in Kanpur; and the trash skimmer project for
maintaining the cleanliness of the Ganga surface in Varanasi, Interception and diversion and STP projects
in Danapur, Phulwari Sharif, and Fatuha in Bihar; the interception and diversion and STP project in
Phusro, Jharkhand; and minor modifications in two major Ganga pollution abatement projects in West
Bengal at Garden Reach and Kooraapukur.
EC emphasizing on the innovative approach to pollution abatement approved project for Nature based
Solutions for in-situ treatment and rejuvenation of the Shastri Park drain, Gaushala drain, and
Kailash Nagar/Ramesh Nagar drains in Delhi and falling in Yamuna. This is an eco-friendly andeffective initiative for pollution abatement and treats raw sewage on-site before it enters the Yamuna using
rock filters, stone masonry, and aquatic plants for natural treatment.
As an initiative to preserve rich cultural heritage, a comprehensive master plan has been prepared to
restore the natural sanctity and cultural identity of the Gomti River’s origin site at Pilibhit in Uttar
Pradesh. The plan includes modern infrastructure development, catchment area treatment, rejuvenation of
water sources, and nature-based treatment of sewage from Madho Tanda town. It also includes
development of ghats and aarti platforms, rejuvenation of lakes, and conservation of turtle habitats.
Facilities such as a crematorium, Panchvatika and yoga mandap will further enhance the site’s spiritual
and cultural significance.
Through these approvals, the EC has paved the way for strengthening NMCG’s resolve for conservation
of river related biodiversity, mainstreaming of Nature based Solutions, strengthening cultural connect to
river and facilitating prompt execution of projects crucial for the rejuvenation of the Ganga.
***
ND
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