changeadminIndia’s Minister for Jal Shakti, Mr C. R. Paatil, reaffirmed the Government of India’s commitment to protecting rivers not merely as channels of water, but as life-supporting ecosystems.
Emphasising that the true indicator of river health lies in the thriving of aquatic biodiversity, the Minister inaugurated several significant and far-reaching initiatives under the Namami Gange Mission at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun.
A special programme was organised on the occasion, during which Mr Paatil launched new and advanced projects focused on river rejuvenation and aquatic life conservation.
The Namami Gange program has partnered with the Wildlife Institute of India to develop a dedicated centre for study, research, and policy support for aquatic biodiversity conservation.
The ‘Aqua Life Conservation Monitoring Centre for Ganga and Other Rivers’ has been established as an organised and advanced institutional framework to monitor and conserve aquatic life in the Ganga and other rivers.
Through modern technology, scientific research and data-driven decision-making, the Centre will provide a strong foundation for monitoring, conservation and long-term protection of aquatic species.
In the future, it will play a guiding role in policy formulation, research and conservation strategies. The centre has an ecotoxicology, aquatic ecology, and spatial ecology lab that collects water and species samples and identifies hotspots. The centre also has a microplastic lab for identifying microplastics in the ecosystem.
During the programme, TSAFI’s Dolphin Rescue Ambulance was inaugurated, further strengthening ongoing efforts to conserve dolphins. This ambulance will provide a rapid, sensitive and scientifically equipped life-saving response for Ganga dolphins in distress.
The Minister stated that the Ganga dolphin is a sensitive indicator of river health, and this initiative reflects the government’s seriousness and responsiveness towards the protection of aquatic life. The van is a major initiative by NMCG for dolphin conservation and rescue, and will go a long way toward conserving India’s national aquatic animal.
Under the aegis of Namami Gange, WII has launched a two-year Master’s program in Freshwater Ecology and Conservation, training students to understand and protect India’s rivers, wetlands, and freshwater ecosystems through science, fieldwork, and policy studies, equipping future conservationists for river restoration, biodiversity, and sustainable water management.
Mr C.R. Paatil interacted with researchers and MSc. Students of World Life Institute of India. The minister commended the students for pursuing this specialised course and for their dedication to river conservation and rejuvenation.
The Minister carried out a plantation drive in WII and dedicated it to the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign led by the PM. Tree planting is an integral component of the Namami Gange program and plays a crucial role in conserving the river ecosystem.
The programme also witnessed the formal launch of the Indian Skimmer Conservation Project by Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). Through this initiative, ongoing efforts to conserve rare bird species along the riverine stretches of the Ganga have been given a structured, organised framework.
The project underscores that river conservation is not limited to water or aquatic species; it is steadily evolving toward the balanced protection of the entire river ecosystem. These species are not only indicators of river health, but also symbols of the richness of our water resources.
He further emphasised that by giving equal importance to uninterrupted flow, cleanliness, and biodiversity conservation, the Mission has adopted a multidimensional, scientific, and integrated approach.
In addition, the success of the first phase of TSAFI’s Turtle Conservation Project was highlighted. The Minister remarked that turtles act as silent sentinels of river systems, and their presence indicates river cleanliness and ecological balance.
The project has demonstrated that endangered species can be effectively revived through scientific reintroduction, continuous monitoring and active community participation. Under the re-wilding and population recovery component, the project achieved several national milestones.
Fifteen captive-reared sub-adults of Narrow-headed Softshell Turtles (Chitra indica) were released into the middle Yamuna. Of those, 10 turtles were tagged with radio transmitters and monitored.
Additionally, 20 captive-bred Red-crowned Roofed Turtles (Batagur kachuga) were tagged with acoustic transmitters and reintroduced into the Upper Ganga near the Haiderpur Wetland Complex—marking the first monitored reintroduction of the species within its historic range in three decades.
Mr C.R. Paatil also reviewed the overall outcome of the NMCG-sanctioned biodiversity conservation project in the Ganga River and expressed satisfaction with the program’s results.
He also mentioned that India is now moving forward with full commitment not only to cleaning its rivers but also to conserving its biodiversity, aquatic life, and cultural heritage. Sustained efforts are underway to ensure that future generations inherit a healthy, balanced, and life-supporting river system.
The minister interacted with Ganga Praharis and noted that, with their active participation and that of the younger generation, it is evident that the future is in safe hands. Their energy, dedication and active involvement have led to remarkable progress in river conservation and cleanliness.
The growing population of over 6,000 dolphins in the Ganga is a strong testament to this success, indicating that our rivers are becoming cleaner and more life-sustaining. This achievement is the result of government efforts, Jan Bhagidari, and the active participation of local communities.
The event also witnessed the launch of two publications from WII.
The Minister launched a publication on the status of the population and the conservation action plan for the critically endangered Gharial. The report presents the distribution of Gharial in the Ganga basin.
A publication on Millets for Life was released, highlighting the link between biodiversity conservation and food and nutrition security.
The landmark initiatives launched at the Wildlife Institute of India under the Namami Gange Mission represent a significant step toward strengthening aquatic biodiversity conservation in the country.
Through scientific interventions, institutional collaboration and active community participation, the Mission continues to reinforce a holistic approach to river rejuvenation, ensuring the long-term health and sustainability of the Ganga and other river ecosystems.
Local communities have not only contributed to river conservation but have also diligently fulfilled their responsibilities as Ganga Praharis. The need of the hour is to further consider additional steps we can take in this role to improve the condition of our rivers and the environment.
Through sustained, collective efforts, we must continue working together to ensure a brighter future for India and leave a healthy, prosperous ecosystem for generations to come.
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