Government today formally launched ‘Ganga Gram’ project at Ganga Gram Swachata Sammelan in New Delhi. As part of its clean Ganga mission – Namami Gange, Ganga Gram project is an integrated approach for holistic development of villages situated on the banks of the holy river with active participation of villagers.
Drinking Water and Sanitation Minister Uma Bharti and Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari were present on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering Ms Bharti said, preserving Ganga is responsibility of both government and public. She said, Centre has declared all 4,470 villages on the banks of the Ganges, located in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, open defecation-free (ODF).
The minister said, of these villages, the Centre and the state governments have identified 24 villages to be taken up under a pilot project to transform them into Ganga Grams.
The project envisages solid and liquid waste management, renovation of ponds and water resources, water conservation, organic farming, horticulture, and promotion of medicinal plants.