New Delhi, Nov 17 (NationPress) In an effort to leverage AI and innovative scientific methodologies, the 67th Executive Committee (EC) meeting of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) convened on Monday, highlighting pollution control and research as vital components for the revitalization of the Ganga, as stated by an official.

Under the leadership of Director-General Rajeev Kumar Mital, experts advocated for a research-driven approach to river restoration, endorsing significant research initiatives designed to enhance scientific comprehension and data-informed strategies throughout the Ganga basin, according to a statement released by officials.

The proposed projects encompass essential areas including the monitoring of key Himalayan Ganga headstream glaciers, the development of a digital twin for the Ganga, high-resolution SONAR riverbed surveys, managed aquifer recharge through paleochannels, and the establishment of a historic geospatial river database.

These research strategies represent a considerable advancement in NMCG's approach to integrating state-of-the-art science, AI technologies, and real-time hydrological modeling into sustainable river basin management, as articulated in the statement.

The Executive Committee approved the project on Glaciers and Glacier Melt Runoff Changes and Their Linkage to the Hydro-climatic and Topographic Context in the Upper Ganga Basin with a budget of Rs 3.98 crore.

This study, to be conducted by the National Institute of Hydrology in Roorkee, will explore glacier retreat, alterations in snow cover, and their effects on melt-runoff in the Upper Ganga Basin, as mentioned in a release from the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

Senior officials present at the meeting included Gaurav Masaldan (Joint Secretary & Financial Adviser, Department of Water Resources), Nalin Srivastava (Deputy Director General, NMCG), Anup Kumar Srivastava (Executive Director, Technical), S.P. Vashisth (Executive Director, Admin), Brijendra Swaroop (Executive Director, Projects), Bhaskar Dasgupta (Executive Director, Finance), Prabhash Kumar (Project Director, Uttar Pradesh SMCG), Nandini Ghosh (Project Director, West Bengal SPMG), alongside senior members of NMCG and representatives from participating states, as stated by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

The EC also sanctioned the ‘Youth for Ganga, Youth for Yamuna’ initiative, which has an allocation of Rs 39.37 lakh, aimed at raising awareness among over 2.5 lakh young individuals across at least 200 schools in Delhi and NCR, promoting responsibility and consciousness regarding river conservation.

This program seeks to establish River Youth Clubs, encourage positive behavioral shifts among youth regarding water usage, and amplify Namami Gange outreach. Evaluated by the Indian Institute of Public Administration, the initiative is set for completion within six months.

With these approvals, the EC has laid the groundwork for enhanced water management systems, improved monitoring frameworks, and augmented scientific capabilities crucial for the rejuvenation of the Ganga.