(a) Discuss about the major programs that the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, has initiated for saving major Indian rivers from pollution.

(b) Ganga has recently been declared the national river. Discuss the implication with respect to pollution of this river.

(a) The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India has initiated two plans:

i. Ganga Action Plan

ii. Yamuna Action Plan

Both of these initiated plans involve the setting up of a large number of sewage treatment plants. Ganga and Yamuna are very important rivers in terms of flora, fauna and as a tourist and religious attraction spot. A large number of sewage treatment plants would treat the waste water which is polluted.

(b) The river Ganga is the largest river in India which covers a total distance of approximately 2520 Kms across India and Bangladesh and it provides the habitat for more than 140 different species of fish and about 90 different species of amphibians and many endangered species. It provides about 40% of the drinking water to India.

Thus, river Ganga serves as a major natural river and therefore the river requires to be free from pollution.