Namami Gange's $4.5-billion investment shows positive impact on river water quality: NMCG Director General

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leadership of the Prime Minister, overseeing the comprehensive execution of the mission. He underscored the importance of Arth Ganga, an initiative geared towards stimulating economic growth, advancing livelihoods, and cultivating community involvement within the river basin. Arth Ganga encompasses diverse approaches, including zero-budget natural farming, the formation of FBOs, public participation, and the monetization of wastewater and sludge.

District Ganga Committees (DGCs) have emerged as pivotal actors in executing Arth Ganga interventions. Kumar noted the resurgence of DGCs and the launch of DGC 4M (Monthly, Mandated, Monitored, and Minuted), a program facilitating regular meetings to address critical issues. Between April 2022 and July 2023, an impressive 1,689 meetings have taken place, illustrating the mission's proactive stance.

Kumar also expounded upon Namami Gange's endeavours to heighten awareness and engage the youth through a network of universities. In April 2023, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony, "Namami Gange: Universities Connect", was organized following a year-long webinar series titled "Igniting Young Minds, Rejuvenating Rivers". This shift towards public participation-centric solutions marks a significant evolution from traditional engineering-focused approaches.