Context
A review meeting, on the Devika Rejuvenation Project in J &K, was conducted recently.
- The project was compared with the ‘Namami Ganga’ Project.
About the project
- The project was launched in 2019 in Jammu & Kashmir.
- The project gets funded under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP).
- Under the project bathing ghats (places) will be developed, encroachments will be removed, natural water bodies will get restored, catchment areas will be developed and a cremation ground will also be developed.
- The other projects include the construction of three sewage treatment plants of 8 MLD, 4 MLD and 1.6 MLD capacity, protection fencing and landscaping, small hydropower plants and three solar power plants.
- The rivers are expected to see a reduction in pollution and improvement in water quality.
About Devika River
- The Devikariver holds great religious significance.
- It is revered by Hindus as the sister of the river Ganga.
- Devika is also known as Gupt Ganga.
- The river also got mentioned in the NilmatPuranwritten in the 7th century by Nela Muni
- Origin:The river originates near SuddhaMahadev Temple in Udhampur, Jammu.
- AtVenisung it merges with TawiRiver.
- Tawi flows throughJammu and is a major left-bank tributary of the river Chenab.
- At this confluence, a fair is organised on the eve of Baisakhi every year.
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National River Conservation Plan (NRCP)
- The National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) was started in the year 1995.
- It was an extension program of the Ganga Action Plan.
- It was started to cover other rivers for pollution abatement.
- The pollution abatement works are implemented on a cost-sharing basis (50:50) between the Centre and State Governments.
- It is implemented through the NRCD (National River Conservation Directorate).
- National River Conservation Authority (NRCA) chaired by the Prime oversees the implementation of NRCP.
- Objective: To improve the water quality of the rivers through the implementation of pollution abatement works.
- Works:collection, transportation and treatment of municipal sewage, River Front Development (RFD), Low-Cost Sanitation (LCS), Electric Crematoria, Improved Wood-Based Crematoria etc. Prevention and control of industrial pollution are being addressed by the Central and State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution Control Committee.
