Question

Write a note on Ganga action plan.

Hint:

Recall the year (1985) and the core sewage/effluent-interception approach of GAP.

Answer 1

Step 1: Background and Aim:
The Ganga Action Plan (GAP) was launched by the Government of India in 1985 to reduce the pollution load on the river Ganga, which had become heavily polluted with domestic sewage and industrial effluents discharged by towns and cities along its course.

Step 2: Measures Taken:
The plan involved intercepting and diverting raw sewage flowing into the river to treatment plants, setting up sewage treatment plants, and requiring industries along the river to treat their effluents to meet prescribed standards before discharge, in order to restore the river's water quality to at least bathing-water standard.