Explanations:The Ganga Action Plan (GAP) is a significant environmental initiative aimed at cleaning up the Ganges River, which is one of the most polluted rivers in the world. The Ganges River, also known as the Ganga, is a major river in India and holds immense cultural and religious significance. It flows through several states, but the GAP focuses on specific states where the pollution is most severe and where urban conglomerates contribute significantly to the pollution.
The GAP was launched in 1985 by the Indian government to address the severe pollution of the Ganges River. The plan involves intercepting and diverting municipal sewage from 25 large urban conglomerates in three states: Uttar Pradesh (UP), Bihar, and West Bengal. These states were chosen because they have large urban areas that contribute significantly to the pollution of the Ganga River. The urban conglomerates in these states include major cities such as Varanasi, Patna, and Kolkata, which are known for their high levels of industrial and domestic waste.
Uttar Pradesh (UP) is the largest state in India and has a significant number of urban conglomerates along the Ganga River. The cities in UP, such as Kanpur and Allahabad, have large populations and significant industrial activities that contribute to the pollution of the river. Bihar is another state through which the Ganga flows, and it has cities like Patna that are major contributors to the pollution. West Bengal, the easternmost state through which the Ganga flows, includes the city of Kolkata, which is one of the largest urban conglomerates in India and a significant source of pollution.
The GAP involves various measures to reduce pollution, including the construction of sewage treatment plants, the diversion of sewage away from the river, and the implementation of industrial effluent standards. The plan also includes public awareness campaigns and community participation to promote cleaner practices and reduce pollution.
It is important to note that while the GAP focuses on these three states, the Ganga River flows through other states as well, such as Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jharkhand. However, the GAP primarily targets the states with the most significant urban pollution sources. Understanding the geographical and environmental context of the Ganga River and the GAP is crucial for comprehending the efforts to clean up the river and the states involved in this initiative.