TT: Your involvement in Namami Gange?  

GR: It is an ambitious project conceived by the Centre involving work across several states. We are involved only in Jharkhand 

Where? 

The project is being undertaken along an 82km-stretch on the banks of the Ganga that has 82 villages spread over six blocks of Sahebganj 

The first phase involves cleaning the Ganga, both the surface as well as the bank, by 2020.  

True, but we are involved only in cleaning up villages  

Your exact role? 

Centre, states and United Nation’s Development Programme (UNDP) are involved in the project. Several agencies are working on various components. We signed an MoU with UNDP and are working as a facilitator 

What is happening here?

The main objective is to arrest pollution of the Ganga by improving sanitation in the region and stopping flow of effluents. There is also an integrated approach to improve the livelihood of people residing in nearby villages

Can you elaborate?

To arrest pollution, villages are being made ODF (open defecation free) not only by constructing toilets in houses that don’t have them, but also by conducting awareness campaigns for bringing in a behavioural change among people. Since some villages get submerged during monsoon, bio-toilets are also being introduced 
 
Is that enough to check pollution?

No. That’s why drainage systems are being developed, bathing ghats and crematoriums are being constructed

Will that stop effluents from getting into the river? 

Other efforts are on to ensure both solid and liquid waste is controlled effectively. Compost pits are being constructed so that these not only manage solid waste, but also help in organic farming by providing fertiliser. We are also providing smokeless chullahs  

What about livelihood?  

Various livelihood promotion programmes, like horticulture activities through mango cultivation, are being introduced   

Are specific agencies doing these activities?  

No. Self help groups have been formed among villagers to map resources, suggest community-based requirements, hold camps for awareness campaigns and financial inclusion.