NMCG launches initiative for making Gange Basin cities water sensitive

NEW DELHI: The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), in collaboration with the Center for Science and Environment(CSE), launched the ‘Making Water Sensitive Cities in Ganga Basin’ initiative on Tuesday, July 27. Their main goal would be to improve River Ganga’s flow and maintain its health. According to the official statement, the program will focus on Water Sensitive Urban Design and Planning (WSUDP), urban water conversation, and urban groundwater management and efficiency. 

The Ministry of Jal Shakti incorporates methods of planning urban areas in such a way that ensures optimum utilization of water resources. Suresh Kumar Rohilla, Senior Director, CSE, said in his virtual address that the program will work on capacity building and researching actions that will promote sustainable water management methods for improving River Ganga’s health. 

Sunita Narain, Director General, CSE highlighted that climate change has impacted water bodies greatly. Over the years, a pattern in the rain shower has been noticed wherein the intensity of rainfall has increased but the number of rainy days has reduced. Narain pointed out that this trend has made water management an even crucial topic and that there is a need to restart rainwater harvesting with traditional knowledge and methods.