Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri C. R. Patil, chaired a crucial review meeting today to evaluate various projects led by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), supported by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, under the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG). Senior officials from both the Ministry and WII were present at the meeting, which focused on critical conservation efforts aimed at restoring aquatic biodiversity and improving the health of rivers, particularly the Ganga.
Shri Patil commended the ongoing work of NMCG and WII, highlighting the impact of their combined efforts in biodiversity restoration, community engagement, and local capacity building. He emphasised the importance of Ganga Praharis—volunteers working towards the conservation of the Ganga River—and proposed organising a Ganga Prahari Conclave to strengthen continued volunteer engagement. Additionally, he called for more targeted conservation initiatives, especially those concerning the Mugger crocodile, a species indigenous to the Ganga’s ecosystem.
During the event, Shri Patil launched a digital platform designed to facilitate the monitoring and conservation of freshwater biodiversity. The platform, www.rivres.in, is a key part of the Ganga Aqualife Conservation Monitoring Centre and the National Centre for River Research. This information dashboard offers a comprehensive repository of ecological insights, case studies on conservation, and data on biodiversity, physiography, and community activities across major Indian rivers, including the Ganga, Godavari, Cauvery, and others.
As part of the meeting, the Union Minister also released a series of scientific publications that reflect the Ministry’s commitment to evidence-based biodiversity conservation. These included the Hydrophytes: Green Lungs of Ganga (Volumes I & II) and Protocols for Collection, Storage, and Transportation of Biological Samples of Freshwater Macrofauna. These publications are designed to provide scientific guidance and practical tools for freshwater biodiversity conservation across India.
The review highlighted a structured, multidisciplinary conservation plan initiated by WII under NMCG’s aegis. This strategy focuses on six key areas: setting up a dedicated conservation monitoring center, restoring aquatic species, building institutional capacity, establishing rescue and rehabilitation centers, initiating community-based conservation efforts, and promoting educational outreach on biodiversity conservation.
A key aspect of this conservation model has been community involvement. Over 130 capacity-building programs have trained thousands of stakeholders, including forest officers, veterinarians, schoolteachers, NSS volunteers, and local communities. More than 5,000 Ganga Praharis—many of them women—have been mobilised as frontline conservation volunteers. Their contributions have been pivotal in enhancing biodiversity monitoring, supporting rescue operations, and fostering local stewardship.
A massive river survey, which covered over 12,000 kilometers across 22 rivers, was conducted using advanced technologies, including GPS-enabled data collection, SONAR-based depth profiling, and ecological monitoring apps. The Project Dolphin, which aims to protect the endangered Ganges River Dolphin and its habitat, was also launched as part of these efforts, alongside initiatives that support local communities through eco-tourism and sustainable livelihoods.
In conclusion, the review meeting underscored the significant progress made in advancing freshwater ecosystem conservation through collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Wildlife Institute of India. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to data-driven, inclusive, and sustainable approaches to preserving India’s freshwater biodiversity.
