Lucknow: The Yogi government is taking significant steps to preserve the sanctity of the Ganga, which is revered in Indian tradition as the purifier of sins and a source of salvation. In a bid to keep the river clean, uninterrupted, and pollution-free, the government is promoting natural farming and large-scale afforestation in the areas along its banks.
The government plans to promote natural farming within a 10-kilometre radius along both banks of the Ganga in the state’s districts. Natural farming encourages use of completely organic products to enhance crop yield and ensure timely protection, eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers and harmful pesticides. The primary aim is to prevent these chemicals from seeping into the Ganga, thereby safeguarding the river from pollution.
About The Namami Gange Yojana
Under the Namami Gange Yojana, which is being implemented in 27 districts along the river, chemical-free farming is being promoted. According to recent data, natural farming is already being practised in over 1,000 villages along the Ganga. To further boost this initiative, the state is running the Traditional Agriculture Development Scheme in 54 districts.
The government aims to make Bundelkhand, an area severely affected by the issue of destitute cattle, a major centre for natural farming in Uttar Pradesh. Currently, around 24,000 hectares of land in Bundelkhand are being used for natural farming.
Currently, natural farming is being practised in approximately 10,000 hectares across 5,000 clusters, with more than 18,000 farmers involved.
Under the Namami Gange Yojana, about 6,500 hectares in around 3,300 clusters are dedicated to natural farming, involving over one lakh farmers. The Indo-Gangetic Plain, known for being one of the most fertile regions in the world, is home to the largest area of organic farming in the country.
Notably, experts at the Organic Farming Kumbh organized by the Organic Farming Association of India in November 2017 at the India Expo Center in Greater Noida, recommended that the Ganga plains be designated exclusively for organic farming. Due to annual flooding, the soil in this region is constantly replenished, making it highly conducive for organic farming. This led to the expansion of organic farming in all the districts along the banks of the Ganga in the Yogi government-2.
The Yogi government is committed to eliminating harmful chemical fertilizers and pesticides used in farming along the Ganga. Alongside promoting natural farming, the government is intensifying efforts to green the Ganga riverbed by planting a large number of trees as part of its plantation campaign.
It is worth mentioning here that in the beginning of his second term, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath set a target to carry out afforestation on 6,759 hectares along the Ganga within six months. To achieve this, 503 locations were selected across the districts through which the Ganga flows. The afforestation process has already made significant progress.
Ganga Forests Being Developed In All The Districts Along The Banks Of The Ganga
Ganga forests are being developed in all the districts along the banks of the Ganga, with efforts already underway in Kasganj and several other locations. The goal is to create multipurpose forests that include a variety of plants, ranging from traditional to rare and medicinal species, tailored to the agro-climatic conditions of each district.
A similar approach has been adopted for plantations along the banks of multipurpose ponds constructed near other rivers, including the Ganga. The primary objective is environmental protection, with additional benefits emerging as bonuses from these efforts.
To enhance greenery in the Ganga’s catchment area, the government has already planned to plant dense trees not only along the banks of the Ganga and its ponds but also along the tributaries of the Ganga and other relatively polluted rivers.
This will not only boost the greenery but also help reduce pollution in these rivers through natural means. Additionally, by preventing erosion, the project aims to mitigate the severity of floods in these regions.
It is important to note that the majority of the Ganga plains are located in Uttar Pradesh. The total length of the Ganga River, including its course in Bangladesh, is 2,525 kilometres. Of this, the river travels 2,971 kilometres in India, with 1,140 kilometres passing through Uttar Pradesh.
In the state, the Ganga flows through several districts, including Bijnor, Badaun, Amroha, Meerut, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, Farrukhabad, Kannauj, Kanpur City, Kanpur Countryside, Fatehpur, Prayagraj, Mirzapur, Varanasi, Ghazipur, and Ballia, among others.
