Namami Gange has become a global programme like no other due to people-river connect, said Union Minister for Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

Namami Gange has become a global programme like no other due to people-river connect, said Union Minister for Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat while presiding over a workshop of the Ganga Vichar Manch, GVM in New Delhi.
The GVM is a platform for interactive dialogue among various stakeholders of River Ganga. Mr Shekhawat cited the recognition given by the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP to Namami Gange as one of the world’s top 10 flagship programmes to revive the natural world. He said, this award is dedicated to all who have been contributing to the cause of Ganga Rejuvenation in their own ways and working at the ground level in a targeted manner. Congratulating the GVM volunteers for their work on the ground, the Minister said we should not become self-complacent with the success that we have achieved in the rejuvenation of Ganga so far. He urged the GVM members to think of ways to increase productivity and set even higher targets for the future. Mr Shekhawat encouraged GVM volunteers to assist the Government by informing about any untreated waste flowing into the river.
Welcoming the guests, National Mission for Clean Ganga, NMCG, Director General G. Asok Kumar said the recognition of Namami Gange as one of the top 10 flagship programmes in the world is a major achievement. He highlighted that the recognition was given only after running ground checks and measuring the positive impact of Namami Gange manifesting in improved water quality and increased sightings of aquatic species, especially Ganga Dolphins.
Recently, the United Nations praised the ‘Namami Gange Mission’ and included it in 10 flagship programmes to restore the world’s ecosystems. DG, NMCG received the Award at the 15th COP of the Convention on Biodiversity in Montreal, Canada on the 14th of this month. These campaigns were selected by the United Nations’ Environment Programme and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation to restore natural ecosystems. The Namami Gange Mission will now get support, funding, and technical expertise from the United Nations.