Uttarakhand: NMCG conserves wetlands in Ganga basin under 'Namami Gange' program

National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under its 'Namami Gange' program has taken up an initiative to conserve wetlands in Ganga River Basin.

Deoria Tal, one of high altitude wetlands in Uttarakhand is a wonderful scenic beauty. re are many such wetlands, that are highly productive ecosystems supporting rich biodiversity that protect environment in various ways including supply of water, aiding in its purification and waste assimilation.

wetlands play a crucial role in recharging groundwater, increasing  base flow of rivers and helping in erosion control. Several wetlands on  Ganga basins are home to key flora and fauna, including migratory species.

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Need for 'Namami Gange' project

Speaking about  program, Sisir Kumar Rahto, Deputy Director-General of NMCG said  Namami Gange Project aims to rejuvenate river through increasing base flow and aquifers recharge and conservation of wetlands.

"Wetland plays an important role in forming  part of one of our `Aviral Dhara'  which is to maintain environmental flow in river.

In our  first step we are conserving wetlands in Uttarakhand, Uttar Presh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal," Rahto said. 

"We are in regular conversation with state governments to set up ir wetland authorities. Almost all states have done it and w we are going for a brief document for its rejuvenation," he ded.

Some of se wetlands are under risk of degration through drain, landfill, and over-exploitation of ir natural resources. It causes a loss of biodiversity and disrupts  ecosystem services provided by wetlands.

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Conservation of wetlands in Ganga basin

NMCG in collaboration with State Wetland Authorities will help in identifying and preparing Integrated Manment Plans for manment and conservation in Ganga basin.

Rajiv Ranjan Mishra, Director-General of NMCG said, "If wetlands are in good condition and if we don't encroach m y also help in mitigating some pollution because some mir pollution in vills can be treated through wetlands.

y improve groundwater and when rain comes, y will get full. So, in lean season, through this wetland, river will start getting water. So, I think this is whole mechanism. This is all integrated system," he ded.

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program is also aimed at involving  community in wetland conservation process through Wildlife Institute of India. Apart from government's efforts, NMCG has also appointed a team to educate people in contributing to rejuvenation of se water bodies.      

Ecosystem-based and community-led models of rejuvenation of wetlands for enhancing `Aviralta' and `Nirmalta' of river and water conservation in Ganga basin are being integrated into Namami Gange Programme.

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(With inputs from ANI)