Helping Ganga And Gangetic Dolphins Thrive: PM Modi Inaugurates Six Mega Namami Gange Projects In Uttarakhand

It's a big day for Uttarakhand, the birth state of Ganga, the Devbhoomi, where the river emerges, and for the Gangetic Dolphin that lives and thrives in Ganga.

Here is why the development is important for Ganga and Uttarakhand. PM Modi will be inaugurating the six mega projects which will go towards the conservation and well being of the river and its ecosystem.

The Haridwar - Rishikesh zone, which contributes about 80 per cent of the waste water load into the holy river, are set to become the hubs for big change. The matter of waste water load going into the holy river has been of immense concern to the environment-conscious and Ganga-revering locals, as well as politicians.

In 2019, many voters on ground had expressed their wish for the coming up of mega projects to fight the issue of waste water load going into the river. Today, in all, 30 projects are now working to fight the pollution that comes from the towns near the Ganga.

The projects to be include the construction of 68 MLD STP (marks the completion of the first sewerage project taken up on hybrid PPP annuity mode), the upgradation of an existing STP in Jagjeetpur, Haridwar; the construction of one STP in Sarai, Haridwar; one STP in Muni ki Reti area of Rishikesh (which will be the first four storey STP in India where land availability limitations were used as an opportunity).

Muni ki Reti is a congested area and the four storey STP would be an encouraging feat.

The inauguration of the mega projects is a win-win for Trivendra Singh Rawat government. Rawat describes the harmonious work between state and Centre, as "double engine sarkar". The mega projects add yet another initiative from the Centre in the state.

It puts MPs from Uttarakhand, especially Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (Haridwar MP and HRD Minister) at an advantage, right before the Kumbh Mela. The projects indicate that the government is looking at fighting river pollution besides living up to its celebration of culture and spirituality surrounding the Ganga.

The real task of fighting river pollution through constructive and visible changes is looked at as a spiritual duty among the BJP leaders in the state. They have maintained that they treat the matter in all seriousness. Pokhriyal is one of them.

One noteworthy aspect of the mega projects to fight pollution in Ganga is that these initiatives will be contributing to the conservation, health and well being of the Gangetic Dolphin.

He has also inaugurated Ganga Avalokan, a museum dedicated to Ganga on Chandi Ghat in Haridwar. The area sees a large footfall of devotees and tourists.

PM Modi also launched "Rowing down the Ganges" -- a book co-published by the National Mission for Clean Ganga and Wildlife Institute of India. The book explores the biodiversity and culture of Ganga.