UPSC Prelims 2016 Q23: Environment & Ecology – Water & Wetland Conservation
Which of the following are the key features of ‘National Ganga River Basin Authority
(NGRBA)’?
1. River basin is the unit of planning and management.
2. It spearheads the river conservation efforts at the national level.
3. One of the Chief Ministers of the States through which the Ganga flows becomes the Chairman
of NGRBA on rotation basis.
Select the correct answer
using the code given below:
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation
National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)
Set up in 2009 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The Ganga was declared the National River in 2008.
| Statement | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. River basin is the unit of planning and management | Correct | It replaced the earlier town-by-town approach |
| 2. It spearheads the river conservation efforts at the national level | Correct | It was the apex body for cleaning the Ganga |
| 3. One of the Chief Ministers of the States through which the Ganga flows becomes the Chairman on rotation basis | Incorrect | The Prime Minister was the Chairman; Chief Ministers were members |
What came after:
| Year | Change |
|---|---|
| 2014 | Namami Gange programme launched |
| 2016 | NGRBA replaced by the National Ganga Council, also chaired by the Prime Minister |
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. NGRBA used the river basin as its unit and led river conservation nationally.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 3 is false; the Prime Minister chaired the NGRBA.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 3 is false; there was no rotation among Chief Ministers.
- (d) Incorrect. Chief Ministers were only members, so statement 3 fails.
Key point
NGRBA (2009, under the Environment (Protection) Act): river basin approach; chaired by the Prime Minister; replaced by the National Ganga Council in 2016.
Remember
NGRBA = basin approach + Prime Minister as Chairman.
Common mistakes
- Assuming a rotating chairmanship among basin States.
- Forgetting that the NGRBA was set up under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- Confusing the NGRBA with the National Mission for Clean Ganga, its implementing arm.
Exam tip
National authorities on rivers, tigers and disasters are chaired by the Prime Minister or a Union Minister, not by Chief Ministers in turn.
Sources
- Ministry of Jal Shakti — National Mission for Clean Ganga: NGRBA
- River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016