To combat plastic waste in the Ganga Basin, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) is collaborating with various organizations including Netherlands Embassy, Ocean Cleanup, Bharat Clean Rivers Foundation, and academic entities like IIT Delhi and the National Institute of Urban Affairs, along with the CPCB and State Mission for Clean Ganga.

These collaborations are crucial for developing effective strategies to reduce plastic pollution, enhance community awareness, and ensure the health of the river ecosystem, said an official from the NMCG about a meeting held recently in this context.

The meeting focused on addressing the issue of plastic pollution in the Ganga Basin, he said.

Plastic waste remains a critical factor in the degradation of water quality and poses a major threat to biodiversity in the region. The collaborative discussion underscored the shared commitment to finding robust solutions to this growing challenge, he said.

During the meeting, Dr A K Vidyarthi from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) stressed the need for collective action to tackle the plastic menace, with a special emphasis on the partnership with The Ocean Cleanup to remove plastics from the rivers, according to the official. Namami Gange has also made significant strides in monitoring and managing water pollution through real-time pollution abatement systems, he said.

PRAYAG, a data-driven monitoring initiative, plays a crucial role in swiftly addressing pollution levels in the Ganga and its tributaries. This technological approach is seen as a key element in the project’s ongoing efforts to rejuvenate these vital waterways, he added.

The Urban River Management Plan (URMP), another cornerstone of the initiative, has already shown success in reducing pollution in cities like Kanpur and Ayodhya, the official noted.

“Plans are now in motion to expand these efforts to Prayagraj, in collaboration with the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) and the Netherlands,” he said.

The senior official highlighted that plastic pollution poses a growing threat to India’s freshwater ecosystems. Innovative technologies introduced by organisations like The Ocean Cleanup are expected to be instrumental in managing this challenge efficiently.