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Figure 25: Change in Effluent Discharge along Ganga main stem and tributaries (2017-20)

400 0
349.13
350 314.86 302.00 280.20 -2
Effluent Discharge (MLD) 250 -10 -4 -7 -4 Change in Discharge (%)
300

200
-6
150
-8
100
50
0 -10
-12
2017 2018 2019 2020
Effluent discharge (MLD) Change over previous year (%)

Source: National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)

6.37 To ensure Aviral Flow (Continuous Flow) of the Ganga, a historical ecological flow
notification mandating the minimum flow of river Ganga was released in 2016, recognizing
the right of the river over its own water. Other steps in this direction include afforestation of
29,000 Ha; first of its kind river bio-diversity assessment for the main stem Ganga river covering
over 2,200 km; identification of 279 wetlands for conservation; and preparation of integrated
management plan for 118 wetlands.

6.38 The Jan Ganga (People-River Connect) component acknowledges the critical importance
of strengthening the people-river connection in achieving the mission objectives. Ganga Quest
2021 got an enthusiastic response of over 1 million participants from 113 countries. Ganga
Utsav 2021 was celebrated for the first time as a river festival extending beyond Ganga basin
cities. The River City Alliance was launched in November 2021, as a platform for river cities
in India to ideate, discuss, and exchange information for the sustainable management of urban
rivers.

6.39 Finally, under the Gyan Ganga (Research and Knowledge Management) component, the
Ganga Knowledge Centre was set up to create a state-of-the-art center to support the NMCG
and create a comprehensive knowledge base on Ganga. In addition, the Centre for Ganga
Management & Study was set up at IIT Kanpur for long term basin studies and technology
development.

Air
6.40 Air pollution is one of the biggest global environmental challenges. The Government of
India launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in 2019 to tackle the air pollution
problem in a comprehensive manner, with a target to achieve 20-30 per cent reduction in
particulate matter (PM) concentrations by 2024 across the country keeping 2017 as the base
year for the comparison of concentration. The NCAP is implemented in 132 cities, of which 124
cities have been identified based on non-conformity with national ambient air quality standards
for five consecutive years. This includes 34 million plus cities / urban agglomerations identified