Arth Ganga is a sustainable economic model that aims to integrate people in the Ganga basin with the Ganga rejuvenation programme under Namami Gange. The objective of the programme is to create economic livelihood opportunities for people and support the activities under the Namami Gange Programme, which is the government’s major initiative to clean up the Ganga and its tributaries.

Six Pillars of Arth Ganga

The government is focusing on six pillars under Arth Ganga to achieve its objective of creating sustainable economic livelihood opportunities for people in the Ganga basin.

  1. Zero Budget Natural Farming

Zero Budget Natural Farming is an initiative that encourages the use of cow dung as fertilizer through the Gobardhan initiative and chemical-free farming for 10 km on either side of the river. This initiative promotes sustainable and organic farming practices and helps to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers that pollute the river.

  1. Monetization and Reuse of Sludge and Wastewater

The Monetization and Reuse of Sludge and Wastewater initiative aims to reuse treated water in agriculture, commerce, and the generation of cash for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). This initiative helps to reduce the burden on the river and ensures that treated wastewater is used efficiently.

  1. Creating Haats

Creating haats where locals may sell commodities, medications, and Ayurveda, Arth Ganga would also create opportunities for people to generate income. This initiative promotes local entrepreneurship and helps to generate income for people in the Ganga basin.

  1. Improving Popular Engagement

Arth Ganga aims to improve popular engagement by strengthening the relationships between the many river stakeholders. This initiative promotes community participation and encourages people to take ownership of the river’s rejuvenation.

  1. Boosting Cultural Identity and Tourism

Arth Ganga aims to boost the cultural identity and tourism of Ganga and its surroundings via boat tourism, adventure activities, and yoga programs. This initiative promotes tourism in the Ganga basin and helps to generate income for people in the region.

  1. Aid in Infrastructure Reforms

Arth Ganga aims to aid in infrastructure reforms by bolstering local authorities for improved water governance. This initiative promotes better water governance practices and helps to ensure that the river’s rejuvenation is sustainable.

Additional Projects under Arth Ganga

Apart from the six pillars of Arth Ganga, several additional projects have been launched under the programme to create more sustainable livelihood opportunities for people in the Ganga basin.

  1. Jalaj

Jalaj was introduced in 26 locations on the main stem states of the Ganga basin and entails establishing a small business or floating mobile centre to encourage livelihood on the banks of the River Ganga. This initiative promotes local entrepreneurship and helps to generate income for people living along the river.

  1. Sahakar Ganga Grams

An agreement between NMCG and Sahakar Bharti aims to designate 75 villages in five states as “Sahakar Ganga Grams,” to encourage natural farming and make it easier to market natural farming/organic produce under the Ganga brand. This initiative promotes natural and organic farming practices and helps to generate income for people in the Ganga basin.

  1. ImAvatar

ImAvatar is a tourism-related webpage that aims to improve livelihood prospects throughout the Ganga basin by facilitating travel, marketing regional goods and preserving ghats and other assets built by NMCG. This initiative promotes tourism in the Ganga basin and helps to generate income for people in the region.

Why In News

Arth Ganga is a unique economic model designed to promote sustainable development while rejuvenating the Ganga river. It aims to create job opportunities and improve livelihoods in the basin area by harnessing the economic potential of the river and its surroundings.

MCQs on Benefits of Arth Ganga for People and the Environment

  1. How many pillars is the Arth Ganga model focusing on?
    A. Four pillars
    B. Six pillars
    C. Eight pillars
    D. Ten pillars
    Correct Answer: B. Six pillars
    Explanation: Arth Ganga focuses on six pillars, namely Zero Budget Natural Farming, Monetization and Reuse of Sludge and Wastewater, Haat Bazaars, Afforestation, River Front Development, and Tourism.
  2. What is the purpose of the Sahakar Ganga Grams initiative?
    A. To establish small businesses on the banks of River Ganga
    B. To designate villages as natural farming hubs and promote organic produce under the Ganga brand
    C. To create opportunities for locals to generate income through the sale of commodities, medicines, and Ayurveda products
    D. To improve popular engagement by strengthening the relationships between the various river stakeholders
    Correct Answer: B. To designate villages as natural farming hubs and promote organic produce under the Ganga brand
    Explanation: The Sahakar Ganga Grams initiative aims to designate 75 villages in five states as “Sahakar Ganga Grams,” to encourage natural farming and make it easier to market natural farming/organic produce under the Ganga brand.
  3. Which of the following is not a project launched under Arth Ganga?
    A. ImAvatar
    B. Sahakar Ganga Grams
    C. Jalaj
    D. Saral Ganga
    Correct Answer: D. Saral Ganga
    Explanation: ImAvatar, Sahakar Ganga Grams, and Jalaj are some of the projects launched under Arth Ganga, while Saral Ganga is not.

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