Background of the E-flows Monitoring System Launch

Context:

The Union Jal Shakti Ministry launched an e-flow ecological monitoring system that allows real-time planning and monitoring of projects, river water quality, and other key parameters.

Relevance:

GS III: Environment and Ecology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Background of the E-flows Monitoring System Launch
2. E-flows Monitoring System
3. About Namami Gange programme

Background of the E-flows Monitoring System Launch:

• Mandate:
  • In 2018, the Government of India mandated maintaining a minimum E-flow for various stretches of the Ganga River year-round.
• NMCG Role:
  • The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), part of the Jal Shakti Ministry, established flow specifications crucial for:
    • Preserving the river’s ecological balance and protecting aquatic life.
    • Ensuring sustainability amid diverse water usage demands.
• Implementation:
  • From the upper Ganga Basin to its confluences and beyond, stringent measures are enforced to ensure compliance with E-flow norms, benefiting both current and future projects.
  • Monitoring and regulatory mechanisms safeguard the Ganga’s ecological resilience for future generations.

E-flows Monitoring System:

• Development:
  • Developed by the NMCG, it provides real-time analysis of the water quality of the Ganga, Yamuna, and their tributaries.
• Functionality:
  • It monitors activities of the Namami Gange programme at the central level, including:
    • Evaluating the performance of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs).
    • Ensuring STPs operate at their rated capacity.
• Namami Gange Programme:
  • This flagship programme of the Ministry focuses on cleaning the Ganga and now includes its tributaries.

Significance of the E-flows Monitoring System:

• Ensuring Flow:
  • The E-flows Monitoring System is a significant step towards maintaining the continuous and sustainable flow of the Ganga River.
• Parameter Tracking:
  • The system tracks key parameters such as in-flow, out-flow, and mandated E-flow across 11 projects along the Ganga Mainstream.

About Namami Gange programme

Nodal: Ministry of Jal Shakti.

• It is an Integrated Conservation Mission, approved as a ‘Flagship Programme’ by the Union Government in June 2014 to accomplish the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution and conservation and rejuvenation of National River Ganga.
• Implemented by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), and its state counterparts—State Programme Management Groups.

Main Pillars of the Namami Gange Programme are:

• Sewerage Treatment Infrastructure
• River-Surface Cleaning
• Afforestation
• Industrial Effluent Monitoring
• River-Front Development
• Biodiversity
• Public Awareness
• Ganga Gram

-Source: The Hindu