NATIONAL RIVER CONSERVATION PLAN

Subject : Governance

Concept :

The Ganga Action Plan (GAP) Phase – I which was taken up as 100% centrally funded scheme and aimed at preventing the pollution of river Ganga and to improve its water quality.
It was started in June 1985
Subsequently, the GAP Phase II was launched in 1993 for pollution abatement of river Yamuna and Gomti, major tributaries of river Ganga.
The river pollution abatement programme was further expanded to include other major rivers of the country in 1995 under the aegis of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP).
Finally in December 1996, GAP Phase II was also merged with the NRCP.
All projects for river cleaning in the country was brought under one umbrella scheme of NRCP.

Objective

To improve the water quality of the major rivers which are the major fresh water source in the country through the implementation of pollution abatement Schemes.

The activities under NRCP include the following:

Interception and diversion works/ laying of sewerage systems to capture raw sewage flowing into the rivers through open drains and diverting them for treatment.
Setting up of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) for treating the diverted sewage.
Construction of Low Cost Sanitation Toilets to prevent open defecation on river banks.
Construction of Electric Crematoria and Improved Wood Crematoria to conserve the use of wood.
River Front Development works, such as improvement of bathing ghats.
Public participation & awareness and capacity building.