From Awareness to Ownership

This PIB backgrounder discusses the community participation pillar of the Namami Gange Programme, known as Jan Ganga, which is inspired by Jan Bhagidari. Launched in 2014, the Namami Gange Programme is an integrated conservation mission for the Ganga and its tributaries, covering pollution abatement, sewage treatment, riverfront development, and afforestation. The Jan Ganga initiative seeks to transition public engagement from mere awareness to active ownership through cleanliness drives like the Ganga Swachhta Pakhwada, plantation efforts including 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam', youth engagement via University Ganga Clubs and eco-clubs, and grassroots volunteer networks such as Ganga Praharis and Ganga Seva Doots. Annual events like Ganga Utsav, Swachhta Hi Seva, and World Environment Day further reinforce public involvement and cultural linkages with rivers.