What are the efforts made by Government and NGOs to clear river Yamuna?

The Government of India and various NGOs have made significant efforts to clean up the Yamuna River, which has been severely polluted due to industrial discharge, sewage, and agricultural runoff. Here are some key initiatives:

1. Yamuna Action Plan (YAP):

- Launched in 1993, YAP is a comprehensive program to clean up the Yamuna River.

- It involves setting up sewage treatment plants, intercepting drains to prevent raw sewage from entering the river, and promoting afforestation along the river banks.

2. National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG):

- Launched in 2011, NMCG is a flagship program of the Government of India to clean the Ganga River and its tributaries, including the Yamuna.

- The mission aims to achieve significant reduction in pollution loads, ecological restoration, and conservation of aquatic biodiversity.

3. Namami Gange Programme:

- Namami Gange is an integrated conservation mission approved by the Government of India in 2014 with a budget of ₹20,000 crore (US$2.5 billion).

- It focuses on pollution abatement, riverfront development, afforestation, and public participation.

4. Yamuna River Conservation and Management Plan:

- Developed by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), this plan aims to protect and restore the Yamuna River and its floodplain in the National Capital Region (NCR) of India.

- It includes strategies for pollution control, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable land use.

5. Yamuna Biodiversity Park:

- Established in 2002, the Yamuna Biodiversity Park is a 45-acre park located along the Yamuna River in Delhi.

- It serves as a conservation area for native plant and animal species, and provides recreational opportunities for visitors.

6. Yamuna River Cleanup by NGOs:

- Numerous NGOs, such as the Yamuna River Foundation, the Center for Science and Environment (CSE), and the WWF-India, have been working to raise awareness about the pollution of the Yamuna River and mobilizing communities for its cleanup.

- These NGOs conduct regular clean-up drives, promote sustainable farming practices, and advocate for stricter environmental regulations.

Despite these efforts, the Yamuna River continues to face significant challenges due to ongoing pollution and encroachments. Collaboration between the government, NGOs, industries, and the general public is essential to ensure the long-term success of river cleanup efforts and restore the Yamuna to its pristine condition.