25 July 2025: PIB Summary For UPSC

1. Union Jal Shakti Minister Chairs High-Level Meeting on Ganga Rejuvenation; Discusses Desilting, River Interlinking, and Groundwater Recharge

Source – Press Information Bureau (PIB) – Ministry of Jal Shakti (25 July 2025)

Content: 

Key Highlights of the Meeting

• Environmental Flow of Ganga & Tributaries:

  • Chaired by Jal Shakti Minister Shri C.R. Patil.

  • Aim: Ensure continuous and adequate ecological flow (e-flow) in Ganga and its tributaries to maintain river health.

  • Emphasis on coordination between the Central Water Commission (CWC), state agencies, and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

• Water Quality Monitoring of River Ganga:

  • 97 water quality monitoring stations operational.

  • Parameters monitored include Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), pH, and Faecal Coliform.

  • CPCB data confirms sustained improvement in river quality in most stretches post-Namami Gange interventions.

• Desilting of Water Bodies:

  • Recognized as a critical measure for flood mitigation, restoring storage capacity, and ecological restoration.

  • Central government supports state efforts through schemes like Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and Jal Shakti Abhiyan.

  • NITI Aayog’s role in drafting policy frameworks for silt management highlighted.

• Master Plan for Artificial Recharge of Groundwater (2020):

  • Prepared by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB).

  • Covers over 6 lakh sq km with around 1.4 crore recharge structures proposed.

  • Encourages convergence with MGNREGS, PMKSY, and state water missions.

• Inter-Linking of Rivers (ILR) Program:

  • 30 river-linking projects identified by National Water Development Agency (NWDA).

  • Ken-Betwa Link Project (Phase-I) implementation underway – seen as a model for future projects.

  • Aim: Equitable distribution of water, especially in water-deficient regions, enhancing drought and flood resilience.

Way Forward

• Integrated river basin management is vital to balance ecological health and developmental needs.

• Active stakeholder participation, inter-state cooperation, and convergence with local schemes are essential.

• Continuous monitoring, capacity-building of water agencies, and updated water databases are required for policy efficacy.

Check this out 24 July 2025: PIB Summary For UPSC