Ganga Action Plan & Water Pollution.

The Ganges River, a sacred and lifeline for millions, faces severe pollution threats from industrial effluents, domestic sewage, and agricultural runoff, degrading its water quality and impacting human health and the environment. This presentation outlines the Ganga Action Plan, a comprehensive initiative to restore the river's pristine glory, covering causes and consequences of pollution, key plan components like sewage treatment and industrial effluent management, and the roles of government agencies, NGOs, and local communities in implementation, highlighting challenges and opportunities in revitalizing the Ganges.

1. Ganga action plan (gap) submitted by – arushika

2. Water pollution INTRODUCTION : Water is essential for life. Without water there would be no life. 71% of the earth’s surface is covered by water only a tiny fraction of this water is available to us as fresh water. About 97% of the total water available on earth is found in oceans and is too salty for drinking or irrigation. The remaining 3% is fresh water. Of this 2.997% is locked in ice caps or glaciers. Thus only 0.003% of the earth’ total volume of water is easily available to us as soil moisture, groundwater, water vapour and water in lakes, streams, rivers and wetlands.   WHAT IS WATER POLLUTION:   When the quality or composition of water changes directly or indirectly as a result of man’s activities such that it becomes unfit for any purpose it is said to be polluted. Any physical, biological or chemical change in water quality that adversely affects living organisms or makes water unsuitable for certain use is referred as water pollution   Sources of Water Pollution   Various sources of water pollution can be categorised into two types – Point Sources and Non-Point Sources   2

3. Point Sources   Pollution flowing from a single and identifiable source is termed as point source.   For example, discharge pipe from a factory, roadway or leaking underground storage tank.   3

4. Non Point Sources   Non-point sources of pollution are often termed ‘diffuse’ pollution, which refers to inputs and impacts that occur over a wide area and are not easily attributed to a single source.   They are often associated with particular land uses instead of individual point source discharges 4

5. Causes of water pollution : 1)Industrial-effluents 2)Domestic-sewage 3)Religious-practices 4)Agricultural-runoff 5)Solid-waste 6)Deforestation6)Infrastructure 7)Urbanization 8)Mining 9)Tourism 10)Climate-change 5

6. EFFECT OF WATER POLLUTION:   Deteriorating water quality is damaging the environment, health conditions and the global economy. The president of the World Bank, David Malpass, warns of the economic impact: "Deteriorating water quality is stalling economic growth and exacerbating poverty in many countries".    SOME MAJOR EFFECT OF WATER POLLUTION   Destruction of biodiversity. Water pollution depletes aquatic ecosystems and triggers unbridled proliferation of phytoplankton in lakes — eutrophication —.   Contamination of the food chain through polluted water and waste water used in farming .   Lack of potable water.    Disease there are several diseases caused by polluted water such as cholera , diarrhoea ,typhoid etc.   Infant mortality. According to the UN, diarrhoeal diseases linked to lack of hygiene cause the death of about 1,000 children a day worldwide   TREATMENT OF POLLUTED WATER:   Treatment of Polluted Water involves the following three processes   6

7. Primary Treatment   It involves physical processes such as separating large debris, sedimentation in tanks, etc.     Secondary Treatment   It involves biological processes, which are carried out by microorganisms.   In this process, microbes oxidise the organic matter present in the polluted water.   Tertiary Treatment   It involves physicochemical processes that remove turbidity in water caused by the presence of nutrients, organic matter, metal, or pathogens.   The usual method in this process includes – the chemical oxidation of water by strong oxidising agents like Chlorine Gas, Perchlorate Salts, O3, and UV Radiation    SUGGESTED MEASURES TO TACKLE WATER POLLUTIONK:   7

8. The measures to tackle the water pollution can be seen as follows:   Strengthening Environmental Regulations: Effective implementation and enforcement of laws such as the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Environment Protection Act, 1986, are crucial. Regulatory bodies like the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) must ensure compliance and take action against violators.   Monitoring and Compliance: Regular water quality monitoring and strict compliance .   Advanced technologies and data analytics can be used for real-time monitoring .   Use of Biotechnology: With the help of biotechnology, we can engineer microorganisms to neutralise the harmful pollutant in water. E.g. oil zapper and oilivorous -s, etc.   Sustainable Agriculture Practices: Promoting sustainable agriculture practices, such as organic farming and integrated pest management, can minimise the use of harmful chemicals and reduce agricultural runoff.   Industrial Pollution Control: Implementing strict regulations and enforcement mechanisms to control industrial pollution.   Solid Waste Management: Improving waste management practices, including proper disposal and recycling.   Public Awareness and Education: It is crucial to raise public awareness about the importance of water conservation and the consequences of pollution.   Educating communities about the proper use and management of water resources can foster a sense of responsibility and encourage sustainable practices.   8

9. CONCLUSION: Water pollution is a critical environmental issue that affects ecosystems, human health, and biodiversity. Clearly ,the problems associated with water pollution have the capabilities to disrupt life on our planet to a great extent .Government have passed the laws to try to combat water pollution ,but the government alone cannot solve the entire problem .It is ultimately up to us to be informed , responsible , and involved when it comes to the problems we face with our water . It results from the contamination of water bodies with harmful substances such as chemicals, plastics, and waste. The consequences of water pollution are far-reaching, leading to unsafe drinking water, damaged aquatic life, and disruption of ecosystems. Addressing water pollution requires collective efforts in pollution prevention, proper waste management, and sustainable water use practices to ensure clean water for future generation. 9

10. Introduction to gap The Ganga Action Plan (GAP) is a comprehensive initiative launched by the Government of India to clean and restore the Ganga River, which is considered one of the most sacred and culturally significant rivers in India.- Launched on March 14, 1986, by then-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi- Thee plan aimed to tackle the pollution level and environmental degradation that the river had suffered due to industrial discharge, sewage, and human activities.- Coordinating Agency: Ministry of Environment and Forests ( MoEF ) 10

11. Objectives -Pollution Abatement:Reduce and eliminate pollution in the Ganga River. -Sewage Treatment:Ensure proper treatment of domestic and municipal sewage before it enters the river. -Industrial Effluent Control:Treat and regulate industrial waste discharge into the river. -Water Quality Improvement:Restore the river’s water quality to bathing standards. -Biodiversity Preservation:Protect and restore aquatic life and the river’s ecosystem. -Public Awareness and Participation:Educate and involve the public in maintaining a clean Ganga. -Riverfront Development:Improve and maintain riverfront areas to prevent direct waste disposal. -Sanitation Infrastructure: Construct low-cost sanitation facilities to reduce open defecation near the river. -Crematoria Development: Build electric crematoria to reduce pollution from traditional funeral practices. -Sustainable Management: Develop long-term strategies for the sustainable management of the Ganga River 11

12. phages ✓GAP Phase I (1986):Initial efforts to clean the Ganga with projects focused on cities in ( Uttarakhand,Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal.) ✓GAP Phase II (1993):Extended to tributaries of the Ganga, such as the Yamuna, Gomti, and Damodar rivers, with additional treatment and pollution control projects. Despite some successes, challenges in execution and enforcement led to the launch of subsequent initiatives like the Namami Gange Programme (2014) to rejuvenate the river with a more comprehensive and integrated approach. 12

13. Key components 1. Pollution Abatement: Reduce industrial and domestic pollution in the Ganga River. 2. Sewage Treatment: Construct sewage treatment plants (STPs) to treat domestic and industrial wastewater. 3. Industrial Effluent Treatment: Implement measures to reduce industrial pollution, including the construction of common effluent treatment plants (CETPs). 4. River Front Development: Develop and beautify the riverfronts to promote tourism and public awareness. 5. Afforestation and Landscaping: Plant trees and develop green spaces along the riverbanks to prevent soil erosion and improve aesthetics. 13

14. Challenges faced 1. Lack of Funding: Insufficient funds to implement and maintain the plan's components. 2. Inadequate Institutional Framework: Weak institutional mechanisms and lack of coordination among government agencies. 3. Pollution from Non-Point Sources: Difficulties in addressing pollution from non-point sources, such as agricultural runoff and domestic waste. 4. Public Awareness and Participation: Limited public awareness and participation in the plan's implementation. 5. Technical Challenges: Difficulties in implementing and maintaining sewage treatment plants and industrial effluent treatment systems . 14

15. Results - 1. Improved Water Quality: Reduction in pollution levels and improvement in water quality in some stretches of the Ganga River. 2. Increased Public Awareness: Growing public awareness and concern for the Ganga River's conservation. 3. Development of River Fronts: Beautification and development of riverfronts, promoting tourism and public engagement. 4. Afforestation and Landscaping: Plantation of trees and development of green spaces along the riverbanks. 15

16. Shortcomings - 1. Inadequate Implementation: Slow and inadequate implementation of the plan's components, particularly in the initial phases. 2. Lack of Sustainability: Failure to ensure the sustainability of the plan's components, particularly in terms of funding and institutional support. 3. Insufficient Monitoring and Evaluation: Limited monitoring and evaluation of the plan's effectiveness, making it difficult to assess progress and identify areas for improvement. 4. Limited Public Participation: Limited public participation and engagement in the plan's implementation, which has hindered its success. 5. Inadequate Addressing of Pollution Sources: Failure to adequately address pollution sources, particularly non-point sources, which continue to contribute to the river's pollution. 16

17. Successor intiative The *Successor Initiative* of the Ganga Action Plan is primarily the * Namami Gange Programme * launched in 2014. This program builds upon the lessons learned from the Ganga Action Plan (GAP) and aims to clean and rejuvenate the Ganga River in a more comprehensive and sustainable manner. The Namami Gange Programme focuses on not just cleaning the river but also on restoring its ecological health, improving wastewater treatment, and promoting community participation. It also emphasizes the construction of modern sewage treatment plants, riverfront development, and afforestation along the riverbanks. 17

18. Public awareness and involvement Public awareness and involvement were key components of the *Ganga Action Plan*. The plan aimed to engage local communities, religious groups, and citizens in the protection and cleaning of the Ganga River. Awareness campaigns were launched to educate people about the harmful effects of pollution on the river and its ecosystem. The public was encouraged to participate in activities like cleanliness drives, proper waste disposal, and tree plantation along the riverbanks. By involving the community, the plan hoped to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility for the river, ensuring its long-term preservation and sustainability. 18

19. Lessons learned 1 . *Need for Comprehensive Approach*: GAP focused mainly on sewage treatment, but a broader approach involving waste management, afforestation, and pollution control is crucial for success. 2. *Public Participation*: Community involvement is essential. Without local engagement and awareness, efforts to clean the river were less effective. 3. *Sustained Funding and Monitoring*: Long-term commitment, proper funding, and regular monitoring are necessary for lasting impact. 4. *Collaboration*: Successful river cleaning requires coordination between government agencies, NGOs, and local communities . 19

20. -Sanitation Infrastructure:Construct low-cost sanitation facilities to reduce open defecation near the river. -Crematoria Development:Build electric crematoria to reduce pollution from traditional funeral practices. -Sustainable Management:Develop long-term strategies for the sustainable management of the Ganga River. 20

21. conclusion The Ganga River is a vital part of our lives, providing water, food, and a connection to our culture and heritage. But the river is in trouble due to pollution and waste.We must act now to save the Ganga. Let's work together to:Stop pollution and wasteProtect the river's natural habitatsHelp people who depend on the riverDemand action from our leadersWe can make a difference and bring life back to the Ganga River. Let's join hands to save the Ganga and ensure a better future for ourselves and our children

22. Thank you .