Following the “Integrated Water Management for Ganga Collaboration Workshop” workshop held in Delhi, India on February 10-11, 2014, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and IC-IMPACTS have moved forward and have provided a detailed action plan on addressing the pollution and contamination of the Ganga River in India.
The action plan outlines 4 specific areas of collaboration, laying out clear timetables for specific actions, and identifying milestones and deliverables this collaboration will be working toward.
Research Collaboration
IC-IMPACTS and NMCG are focusing research efforts in the advancement of water treatment technologies and the development of efficient water quality monitoring sensors. The study of climate change impacts on the hydrology of the Ganga river, and wastewater treatment are also areas of focus.
Relationship Building and Knowledge Mobilization
This collaboration will allow for the co-hosting of an annual conference (February 2015) where research successes and challenges will be reviewed. Leading scientists from India and Canada will form a Technical Advisory Committee (April 2014) to the NMCG; meanwhile, training programs will be developed for the training of graduate students, professional practitioners, and other parties.
Institutional Support
IC-IMPACTS and NMCG will further support the knowledge base by establishing a Ganga Knowledge Center (GKC), where river basin management lessons and experiences around the world can be shared with the ongoing research occurring in the Ganga River. IC-IMPACTS and NMCG will also jointly call for research proposals for continued research of the Ganga river and the advancement of technologies.
Development of Management Framework
IC-IMPACTS and NMCG will work together to develop a management framework that can be used for future projects supportive of the Ganga River, such as legislation development.
IC-IMPACTS and NMCG are aiming to showcase at least 5 different water treatment/monitoring technologies by 2018. These technologies will be applied within a community or industrial context and will show measurable improvements in water quality. By working to improve the overall water quality of the Ganga River, the lives of millions of people whose lives are intimately attached to the river will be improved.
Photo credit: Damien Roue
