Q. What role did UNPD see in river cleaning project?

A. Working in the field of environment and energy is one of our specified mandates but as far as NamamiGange project is concerned it is not just cleaning up a river. It involves various aspects including poverty alleviation by developing livelihood generation models based on the river for those living on its banks, health related programmes and engaging community in developing a sustainable model for sanitation and hygiene. We are going to implement income generation model for the rural communities living on its bank with a clear cut objective of protection of biodiversity and river ecology. Technology application for environment protection being another tool in this regard.

Q. Attempts have been made in the past to clean Ganga but it remains unaccomplished. Do you plan to engage some ground breaking technology to realise the dream now?

A. Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his meet with UN secretary general Ban Ki Moon had expressed his desire to get the Ganga cleaned but at the same time had admitted it to be the biggest challenge. We understand the proportion of this mega project and are trying to learn from the mistakes of the past. Such a massive programme cannot be realised without active participation of the community and a model that makes them responsible for monitoring. Undoubtedly the entire task is integration of resources at various levels. From different ministries to involving the NGOs and making the rural community dependant on the river system for their livelihood we have prepared several models in consultation with state and local government to work simultaneously.

Q. Do you aim at stopping further pollution of the river or efforts would be made to treat the already polluted water?

A. In terms of available technology treatment of the river water alone is not going to prove the solution. First we have to check human intervention by adopting models so that no sewerage or factory discharge goes into the river system and for this monitoring at the level of community is essential. As far as providing infrastructure like bio digester toilets, proper bathing facility, small water treating plants and distribution of environment friendly smokeless stoves are concerned we have started such schemes. Ghat development, afforestation, Sewerage treatment plants, proper disposal of waste, and facilities on the banks are being developed.

Q. Was there any specific reason behind choosing Jharkhand as a model state?

A. UNDP is already working in Jharkhand on a major project on climate change. That apart we have also been working on skill development mission for women and poverty alleviation. Namami Ganga project can prove to be a pilot project for showcasing the achievements in other states and replicating them there in the wake of the fact that we have scalable targets here. On the banks of 83Kms stretch of Ganga there are 78 villages in Jharkhand as against 5000 villages on its bank across the country. Intervention and obtaining results in these 78 villages is easier.

Q. Will new legislation and harsher penalty for polluting Ganga prove to be effective?

A. What we see across development field under the sustainable development programme that people realise that projects is not only the solution, we have to change behaviours, we have to look at integrated approach. It is not only the ministry of water that looks after Ganga; it is ministry of agriculture, ministry of industries, ministry of waterways, ministry of urban development and several other departments that has to work in tandem. From our interactions with the government we are convinced that adequate laws are in place and if they find any need for legislation, due process would be adopted but as of now we are focussing on engagement of different departments and community participation which is one of the strongest tools in democracy.