Impact Driven Partnerships for Ganga Tributary Rejuvenation

Replicating and scaling up success stories from the participatory Hindon Basin approach. End Quote

Aguadilla-Isabela-San Sebastian, PR (1888PressRelease) November 24, 2016 - New Delhi : FICCI, in partnership with 2030 Water Resources Group, India Water Partnership, Jal Jan Jodo Abhiyan, Millennium Alliance and the Government of Netherlands organized a symposium and exhibition on 'Impact Driven Partnerships for Ganga Tributary Rejuvenation.

"The symposium showcased multi-stakeholder approaches to rejuvenate part of the Ganga River Basin based on a tributary approach, with a particular focus on the Hindon River in Uttar Pradesh, one of the most polluting tributaries of the Ganga", said Mr. Anders Berntell, Executive Director, 2030 Water Resources Group (2030 WRG).

The Hindon initiative is building a model for participatory and integrated water resources management that can be replicated across other tributaries in the Ganga basin. The partnership is working with the divisional administration, local industry representatives, and civil society; encouraging stakeholders to collectively identify opportunities and solutions to water challenges.

"FICCI, along with partners, is playing a critical role in mobilizing global and local expertise to address industrial and municipal waste water treatment, critical to addressing India's water and sanitation challenges today" said Mrs. Naina Lal Kidwai, Chairman, FICCI Water Mission.

The Hindon River Rejuvenation Partnership is a transformational program with significant community involvement. The Hindon basin has a population of about 10 million people. The program was initiated in 2015 by a civil society movement led by Jal Jan Jodo Abhiyan under the leadership of Rajendra Singh, Stockholm Water Prize Laureate.

"Over the course of the past year, 2030 WRG and India Water Partnership have documented best practices of local stakeholders across the seven districts of the Hindon Basin, developed a vision for its rejuvenation and gathered project proposals from NGOs, industries, universities, farmers and local authorities to jointly clean the river. Initial estimates indicate it will require a package of measures and resources in the urban, industrial, agricultural and environmental sectors to rejuvenate the river" said Dr. Veena Khanduri, Executive Secretary, India Water Partnership.

As a first step in this bold journey, Mr. Nirankar Saxena, Senior Director, FICCI and Head, Millennium Alliance said, "we are proud to announce that the Millennium Alliance will provide seed funding for innovative businesses with social and environmental impact for the Hindon and other river basins under a targeted call for River Rejuvenation as part of our Water & Sanitation focus area."

Efforts are underway, to mobilize additional resources from government, private sector and donors to help rejuvenate the river to reach a level suitable for bathing by 2030. It is hoped that this model will be replicated across other tributaries in the Ganga basin and beyond through multi-stakeholder partnerships and collective action.

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