Question

When was the Ganga Action Plan (GAP) introduced in India ?

• A. 1980
• B. 1985
• C. 1988
• D. 1991

Hint:

To remember this milestone, associate 1985 with the establishment of India's Ministry of Environment and Forests, which launched the Ganga Action Plan as its first major river-cleanup program.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The Ganga Action Plan (GAP) was one of the earliest and most comprehensive environmental initiatives launched in India to clean up a heavily polluted river.
The plan was designed to improve water quality through the interception, diversion, and treatment of domestic and industrial sewage.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The Ganga Action Plan was officially launched in June 1985 by the then Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi.
The primary objective of Phase-I of the plan was to improve the water quality of the Ganga River to a bathing class standard.
The major strategies of the plan included:
- Intercepting and diverting municipal sewage flowing into the river.
- Constructing sewage treatment plants (STPs) to treat domestic waste before disposal.
- Regulating and monitoring the discharge of toxic industrial effluents from factories along the riverbanks.
- Constructing low-cost sanitation facilities to prevent open defecation along the river.
The program raised awareness about river pollution and set a precedent for later conservation initiatives, such as the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) and the Namami Gange program.

Step 4: Final Answer:
The Ganga Action Plan was introduced in India in the year 19