- Why in news
- On 9 July 2026, the Ministry of Jal Shakti said NMCG is mainstreaming Nature-based Solutions, with two constructed-wetland pilots on Yamuna drains and training programmes.
- What it is
- The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) is the implementing arm of the Namami Gange programme for cleaning and rejuvenating the Ganga. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) use or mimic natural processes, such as wetlands and vegetation, to tackle problems like water pollution. Constructed wetlands are engineered systems that copy the cleaning functions of natural wetlands.
- Pilot sites
- The two constructed-wetland pilots are at Shastri Park Drain and Kailash Nagar Drain. Both discharge into the Yamuna.
- Programme route
- NbS is being mainstreamed through the Sustainable River Rejuvenation (SRR) programme, with pilots for in-situ treatment of urban drains.
- Treatment components
- The systems use stone masonry structures, rock filters, aquatic vegetation and phytoremediation plants to remove pollutants.
- Capacity building
- Under the KSDC initiative, 6 training programmes between August 2025 and March 2026 reached over 100 participants.
- Kali river project
- A constructed wetland has been set up at Khatauli to rejuvenate the River Kali, a tributary of the Ganga basin.
- Implementing partners
- NMCG prepares URMPs together with NIUA under the Namami Gange Programme.
- Pilot cities
- Pilots were done by NIUA with NMCG support in Ayodhya, Kanpur and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar.
- Ten-point agenda
- It includes floodplain regulation, pollution abatement, wetland rejuvenation, riparian buffers, reuse of treated water, eco-sensitive riverfronts and citizen engagement, across environmental, economic and social pillars.
- Long-term target
- The long-term aim is to cover all 97 cities along the main stem of the Ganga.
- Incentive mechanism
- The Performance Based Incentive Grant under the NMCG–World Bank partnership is meant to push Urban Local Bodies to carry out priority URMP interventions.
Don’t confuse with NbS vs conventional STPs: STPs are mechanical, energy-intensive plants. NbS such as constructed wetlands are low-energy and complement STPs rather than replace them.
Don’t confuse with E-Flows vs NbS: E-Flows keep a river's continuous flow. NbS restores ecology and treats pollution. NMCG uses both.
Don’t confuse with NMCG vs National Ganga Council: NMCG is the implementing body of Namami Gange; the National Ganga Council is the apex body chaired by the Prime Minister that oversees it.
Environment: Prelims tests bodies, programmes and the law behind them; Mains asks why plans fall short.
Why it matters
- Low-energy, low-maintenance treatment suits small urban drains and cuts running costs.
- Adds ecological gains such as biodiversity and higher dissolved oxygen beyond pollution removal.
- Makes river health part of city planning, not only sewage projects.
- Nature-based solutions such as wetlands and riparian buffers add flood and climate resilience.
Problems
- Pilots treat only about 10 MLD, small against the sewage load of the Ganga basin.
- Wetlands need land and careful upkeep, and results at scale are still unproven.
- Urban Local Bodies have limited funds and capacity to turn plans into projects.
- Plans can stay on paper without enforcement of floodplain regulation.
Way forward
- Assess pilot results and scale up proven designs alongside STPs and sewerage networks.
- Continue training state and local agencies so they can plan and run NbS.
- Link grants such as PBIG to results on the ground.
- Extend the framework to other river basins with local adaptation.
Put in your answer
Delhi drain pilots: Constructed wetlands at Shastri Park and Kailash Nagar drains, about 10 MLD combined, show NbS in urban drain treatment.
Integrated approach: NMCG pairs sewerage and STPs with NbS and E-Flows for river rejuvenation.
Kanpur pilot interventions: Kanpur is demonstrating COD Drain rejuvenation and water body restoration using LAMAS technology.
River-centric vision: The approach traces to the PM's call at the National Ganga Council meeting in Kanpur in December 2019 for a river-centric approach to urban planning.
- 2015Mains GS3 · Q15Discuss Namami Gange and NMCG, causes of mixed results, quantum leaps needed
- 2024Mains GS3 · Q7Discuss mitigation measures and government initiatives against industrial river pollution
- 2024Mains GS3 · Q18Discuss causes of urban floods and policies and frameworks tackling them
- 2013Mains GS3 · Q20Discuss National Water Policy and Ganges river pollution control strategies
- 2018Mains GS3 · Q7Define wetland and explain Ramsar 'wise use' concept, citing examples
- 2016Prelims Q23Key features of NGRBA: river basin planning, national apex body, rotating CM chairmanship
- 2014Prelims Q96Which statements on AWBI, NTCA and NGRBA chairmanship are correct
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Lasting topic on river rejuvenation with two pilot constructed wetlands in Delhi. Environment events are only 2 of 327 Prelims questions, so no practice question.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.