United Nations (UN) recognised India’s Ganga rejuvenation programme as one of the 10 ground-breaking steps from around the globe for their role in restoring the natural ecosystem. The programme aims to improve the health of the Ganges, India’s holy river.
Prepared to prevent and reverse the degradation of natural spaces across the planet, these 10 pioneering initiatives are declared ‘World Restoration Flagships’ and are eligible to receive UN-backed promotion, advice or funding.
While unveiling the names of these initiatives at the ongoing UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in Montreal on Tuesday, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) said, “Together, the 10 flagships aim to restore more than 68 million hectares − an area bigger than Myanmar, France or Somalia − and create nearly 15 million jobs.”
On India’s initiative, UNEP said, “Restoring the health of the Ganges, India’s holy river, is the focus of a major push to cut pollution, rebuild forest cover and bring a wide range of benefits to the 520 million people living around its vast basin. It also aims to revive key wildlife species, including river dolphins, softshell turtles, otters, and the hilsa shad fish.”
“The recognition of ‘Namami Gange’ as one of the top-10 ecosystem restoration initiatives in the world bears testimony to the concerted efforts being made by the government’s National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) for the restoration of the riverine ecosystem. I hope that our endeavours provide a roadmap for other similar interventions across the globe,” said G Asok Kumar, director general of NMCG.
The other nine programmes in the list include the Great Green Wall for Restoration and Peace of Africa; the Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative in Kazakhstan; the Shan-Shui Initiative in China; Building with Nature in Indonesia; the Multi-Country Mountain Initiative of Serbia, Kyrgyzstan, Uganda and Rwanda; small island developing states restoration drive involving Vanuatu, St Lucia and Comoros; Abu Dhabi Marine Restoration; Trinational Atlantic Forest pact of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina; and Central American Dry Corridor.
“These 10 inaugural World Restoration Flagships show that with political will, science, and collaboration across borders, we can achieve the goals of the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration and forge a more sustainable future not only for the planet but also for those of us who call it home,” said Inger Andersen, UNEP executive director.
The river Ganga basin in north India is a dwelling of 520 million people along with more than 25,000 species of plants and animals. The region is accountable for 40% of the country’s gross domestic product and its forests are also a vital store of carbon, which if released would contribute to the climate crisis.
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