GSP Conference 2015: Governance and Policy for Ganga Rejuvenation

Historical Evaluation of Ganga Action Plans: Lessons Learnt

Group Members: Denny Ariaputra, Soh Siew Luie, Wang Nian, Tashi Tobgay, Dawa Tshering

The Ganga Action Plan (GAP) was launched by the Government of India to improve the water quality to acceptable standards by preventing the pollution load from reaching the river. Though it has been implemented since 1985, there has not been any significant improvement to the pollution levels of the Ganga over the past 30 years. In this chapter, we used the five- stage policy process framework to systematically evaluate GAP as a policy. Based on literature reviews of reports prepared by government agencies and articles from academic journals, we have identified some shortcomings in the stages of agenda setting, policy formulation, policy implementation and policy evaluation. Recommendations are made based on the lessons learnt, as to how these processes could enhance the Namami Gange program.

Managing Competing Demand for Water in the Ganga: Lessons from the Yellow River

Group Members: Han Mingyu, Li Na, Cao Dong and Panji Ruky

Due to excessive extraction and diversion of water and severe seasonality of rainfall, low water flow has been reported in the middle segment of the Ganga, (from Haridwar to Varanasi) during the dry season. Lack of strong water flow has exacerbated the pollution levels at this stretch of the river due to the high amount of untreated industrial effluents and domestic sewage being dumped into it. This chapter attempts to examine ways to manage the competing demand for water, given the amount of flow available along that stretch.To do so, we perform a literature study on international practices in managing water flow and the competing demand for water in a river basin.

The Yellow River in Northern China is selected as a comparison due to key similarities it shares with the Ganga and also because of its successful intervention in managing water scarcity. We also performed a comparative analysis of the key aspects of water governance of the two rivers. Our investigation revealed that establishing a water quota system may help in controlling water use in the Ganga. However, such a system may need to be supported by storage infrastructure,a water allocation plan and awater rights trading or compensation scheme, to balance the trade-offs between the needs of the upstream and downstream states. The Indian government has focused its clean-up efforts and funds into sewage and effluent treatment facilities. We hope to draw attention to the less discussed side of the pollution problem, i.e. to allow for the river’s natural ability to cleanse itself of pollutants.

Towards a Cleaner Ganga: Are Existing Rules and Regulations Boon or Bane?

Group Members: Ronojoy Banerjee, Pablo Mota, Lucy Symons

India’s rules and regulations for water resources management, especially for rivers, is a complex landscape of legal acts on one side and of overlapping authorities, boards, councils, and ministries on the other. We contend that the current regulatory framework around water pollution prevention is hindering the opportunities to clean rivers, specifically the most polluted of them all, the Ganga. Through a two part analysis, first of the pollution levels and clean-up targets that agencies have as mandates, and secondly of the different directives and legislation around water pollution prevention, we assess the weaknesses and strengths of the current rules and regulations.

This chapter is an effort to pinpoint the many voids, lagoons and overlaps in the regulations and to illustrate how these have hindered the clean-up efforts. We also highlight how over- regulation and lack of empowerment have affected the authorities’ implementation and enforcement of the rules that preventthe Ganga from being polluted.Our analysis renders areas of opportunity on the integration of rules, complianceand agency coordination that may improve the overall effectiveness of the framework in an attempt to finally achieve a major reduction in the pollution levelsof the river.

Forming a Broad Umbrella: Facilitating Inter and Intra-State Coordination

Group Members: Hlaing Myat, Lay Sopagna, V.Sokkanathan, Sirilak Kakanopas, Soe Myint Aung

Since 1985, the Government of India has introduced the Ganga Action Plan (GAP) in a bid to mitigate pollution and bring back a clean Ganga. However, over the timeframe Ganga’s contamination exacerbated at an alarming rate. Part of the pitfalls were due to the failure to establish an effective institutional arrangement between theCentral government and State government and also between States, when it comes to planning, monitoring and operation. As a result, major coordination issues such as conflicting and duplicating functions and varying interests of Central and State agencies have complicated the effort to clean the Ganga. In this chapter, we reviewthe coordinated approaches of the river Ganga management through inter and intrastate coordination on the basis of an alternative coordination framework, theIntegrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) paradigm. Ultimately, the study examines the concepts of decentralization, incentives for local government and successful models of collaboration in other places, asintegral to the coordination effort to clean the Ganga.

Principles of Waterfront Development – Lessons for Varanasi

Group Members: Kok Hoong Chan, Shikha Thaman, Thi Thanh Huyen Do, Lay Ling Lim, Aung Myint Salai

Waterfront development is one of the elementsin urban design and planningthat allows cities to better manage competing needs to ensure greater sustainability.Varanasi, located along the banks of the Ganga, is an immensely holy city revered by Hindus. The city attracts thousands of pilgrims who come from all parts of India to perform religious rituals at the ghats along its river banks. Over the past half century, the city has seen a large increase in its population. This causes undue pressure on the city as well as the Ganga. Given the historical and religious significance of Varanasi’s waterfront, efforts should be made to examine how the waterfront can be developed and managed. A successful endeavour in Varanasi might encourage other cities along the banks of the Ganga to do likewise.

There are considerable challenges to waterfront development, which is a complex exercise in Varanasi. Some of the key challenges include practical difficulties in acquisition of land near the waterfront by the government, commitment and capability of government agencies to develop the waterfront, coordination between these agencies, and involvement of the public in the process. This chapter draws lessons on some good practices for processes and governance from successful waterfront development projects around the world and examines how they can be applied to Varanasi. In general, the lessons learnt relate to taking a strategic approach by examining the process and bringing the institutions together. Finally, a more comprehensive analysis of water development is discussed in relation to anticipated governance challenges in Varanasi.

Whither PPPs? – Sustaining Sewerage Infrastructure in Ganga Basin

Group Members: Vishal Kapoor, Xiao Xuan, Zhang Jiapeng, Zhao Huaning

Untreated sewerage disposal into the riverine system is identified as one of the main reasons for point source pollution of the Ganga River. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) estimates indicate that this is because of a 55% gap between the sewerage generation and the currently installed capacity. In addition, evidence illustrates that even the currently installed sewage treatment plants (STPs) are not operating efficiently due to resource constraints ofthe local governments that own them. In the wake of the Government’s resource constraints, there is a general consensus that public-private partnerships (PPPs) bring with them opportunities for introducing private finance and efficiencies in the construction, operation, and maintenance of STPs over conventional public procurement.

However, the water and sanitation sector in India has historically seen very low take-up rates of PPPs in comparison to other sectors. Indeed, many previous attempts toshift the public- private continuum towards the private domain in this important public monopoly sector, have been fraught with problems of little private incentive, intense political opposition and on- going public debates.

As the government of India unveils its plans to inject INR 200 billion into the “Namami Gange” project, this chapter draws lessons from other PPP sectors in India and sewerage PPPs in other countries by busting commonly held myths, using analytical frameworks to dissect the PPP problems specific to the Ganga rejuvenation context and suggesting possible solutions using metrics of political acceptability, public affordability, private incentive and optimal risk sharing between public and private partners.

Aligning Troubled Waterscape of Ganga – A Decentralized Approach to Wastewater Management in Varanasi

Group Members: Umar Jahangir, Rajeev Sharma, Takayuki Shimodaira, Charles Epperson Jr

The Ganga is the holiest river in India and yet it is one of the most polluted, especially near the banks of most of its cities. The main source of its pollution is wastewater generated from industries and cities flowing directly into the river, rendering it hazardous for human consumption. Wastewater management has been a serious challenge for cities all across India but it becomes critical in the Ganga basin. This chapter will look in-depth into the issue of wastewater management in Varanasi. Traditionally wastewater management system in Varanasi has been centralized, with expensive sewer network and treatment plants which have proven inadequate. With a decennial growth rate of 17% in all likelihood the proposed schemes of sewage network and treatment plants will not be able to cope with the growing needs of the city. This chapter proposes a hybrid model for wastewater management for Varanasi based on a mixture of both centralized and decentralized sewage systems integrated with each other. It will give a theoretical framework for such a model to be effectively implemented while taking examples of successful implemented models from across the globe keeping in mind Varanasi’s historical, cultural and religious significance.

Social Mobilisation: The Fight For Hearts and Minds in Ganga Rejuvenation

Group Members: Karen Ann Leong Sun Lian, Khial Muhammad Afghanzai, Giridharan Sengaiah, Gloria Wei Wanting, Gilbert E. Lumantao and David Geordie Wilks

History has shown the power of people in influencing decision makers, and in constructing and sustaining new agendas. Wherein lies the role of the people in Ganga rejuvenation? Analyses of Ganga cleanup efforts are often neck-deep in tales of bureaucratic inefficiencies, political struggles, and religious sensitivities. This chapter presents an alternative view of Ganga’s woes. Through agenda-setting theory and studyingthe mindsets, it contends that despite prevalent discontent, the average citizen is apathetic. A sustainable rejuvenation effort needs to start from widespread social mobilization, to change hearts and minds. How should civil society engage the community? Can decision makers be persuaded? Are there methods to sustain public interest in the long term?

Drawing on the science and art of social movements – contextualized to India’s unique environment – this chapter presents a compendium of strategies specifically designed for organizations eager to advance public interest in Ganga’s cause. For the administration, several lessons may also be drawn. Beyond activating hands, winning hearts and minds are also critical to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’snew Namami Gange plans.This holistic examination of social mobilization can add weight to purposeful campaigns that alter the landscape for pressing environmental issues.

Educating the Youth: Facilitating a Sustainable Transformation of Ganga

Group Members: Low Lay Chin, Mark McKiernan, May Yu Lwin, Siow Boon Teik, Erwin, Thamil Selvan Govintharaju

With around half of India’s population below the age of 25, it is apparent that the key to India’s continued success lies with its youth of today. As future leaders, they will play an integral role in shaping the social, economic and political landscape of the world’s largest democracy. With rising concerns over the exponentially-increasing pollution levels in the waters of the holy Ganga revered by Indians all over the world, it is imperative that policy-makers look beyond the immediate technical answers towards a long-term sustainable solution to ease the woes which are plaguing her.

This chapter examines how education can be a key driver of change in the attitudes and behaviours of the youth in Varanasi, fostering heightened awareness and greater environmental protection of the Ganga.Using secondary research from literature reviews and primary research from online surveys of high school teachers and students in Varanasi and face-to-face focus group discussions with Varanasi high school teachers, we study the challenges faced in the delivery of environmental education andin ensuring real impact from education in terms of positive perceptions and conduct towards the environment. Drawing examples from good practices within India and other parts of the world, and using Varanasi as a central point, we discuss how India can better use education as a tool to strengthen the environmental consciousness of the youth in India and mobilise them to preserve the cleanliness of the Ganga for generations to come.

Regional Collaboration in the Ganga Basin: Prospects For a Cleaner Ganga and Regional Peace

Group Members: Chang Lih Kang, Elijah Lau Maung-Hoe, Goh Si Mien, Tetsuya Hayashi, Tran Thanh Tung

The complex interdependence on the Ganga River of the three key riparian states – Bangladesh, India and Nepal – is both a cause of bilateral problems as well as an opportunity for cooperation in the clean-up of the Ganga River. While a domestic focus on cleaning up the Ganga River in India is important, India’s cooperation with Bangladesh and Nepal can not only help aid in the cleaning of the heavily polluted Ganga River, it will also help resolve India’s security problems with its two neighbours and provide opportunities for closer regional integration in the future. India can work closely with Nepal to improve the Ganga’s river flow from its tributaries in the upper riparian state, especially during the dry season.

Moreover, improving the river flow can repair and improve India’s relations with its lower riparian state in the Ganga Basin, Bangladesh, where reduced river flow and pollution have not only affected its bilateral relations with India but also resulted in security problems for the larger nation as well. By analysing how the geopolitics of the region and India’s historical experience have shaped India’s strategic culture and approach to foreign relations with its two smaller neighbours sharing the Ganga River, this chapter will suggest how India can work together with Nepal to achieve a cleaner Ganga River and benefit from improved relations with its two key strategic neighbours, Nepal and Bangladesh.

Creating a Knowledge Management Culture For Ganga River: An Essential Tool for Success

Group Members: Thanathorn Asanarong, Yeo Jer Siong Christopher, Sowon Jeon, Ren Yuanlin

The success of the Ganga Rejuvenation Project requires policy makers to acquire good knowledge for understanding and decision making. We find that Ganga River pollution knowledge is often missing, unreliable, or not shared effectively. Across similar programs, the importance of tacit knowledge in people and communities is underappreciated and underutilized. By recognizing knowledge as intellectual capital, we used a Knowledge Management (KM) framework to allow us to identify knowledge gaps, increase the quality of knowledge, and to maximize the utility of knowledge for the Ganga Rejuvenation Project.

This chapter will examine the Ganga River pollution knowledge that is currently available from the perspectives of the KM framework; What is available or missing? Is it reliable? And, is it being shared effectively? As such, the focus of our report covers the following key areas: KM Framework on Pollution and KM Governance and Policy. The first part includes knowledge generation, validation, and dissemination. The second part focuses on people as knowledge assets, and KM roles and responsibilities. We believe that building a KM culture is an essential tool for success of the Ganga Rejuvenation Project.

Data Governance in Fostering Policy Coherence and Collaboration for Ganga

Group Members: Wai Min, Doris Maharlika H Dizon, Prudente S Parcia, Rakesh Kumar

With the thrust of current Prime Minister Narendra Modi on rejuvenating river Ganga, various stakeholders including the general public have gained renewed interest to engage or be engaged in this program. Efforts to clean up the river through the Ganga Action Plan can be traced back to as early as 1980s, which unfortunately did not yield satisfactory results. On one hand, limited information is available on the direct effects of demographic changes, urbanization and industrialisation on the river resources. On the other hand, the extent and impact of increased pollution on human health and the river ecosystem are not well understood yet. The multiplicity of agencies involved and the prolonged and limited governance capacity of Ganga river management have in turn created additional lapses in data collection and dissemination with reference to the river’s water quality and biodiversity.

Hence, the participating stakeholders have to rely on data that is inaccurate, inconsistent, unreliable or lacking in completeness. In this hyper-connected information age, data holds the answer and it empowers stakeholders to make sound judgements in planning, implementing and evaluating result-oriented actions.

Public data also promotes transparency and accountability.Data sharing and integration enhances greater collaboration and coherence of policy efforts at the central, state and local levels. This chapter will, therefore, share insights on the essential role of a data governance framework, with policy recommendations on its approach and management, to ensure the success of pollution abatement and the long-term sustainability of the river Ganga.

Harnessing International Aid: Effective and Efficient Collaboration

Group Members: Aditya Chunekar, Hajime Matsuoka, Dharmesh Shah, Soyeon Shin, Aldiyar Sultanbekov

International Aid has been an integral part of the clean Ganga mission since the 1980s. The Ganga Action Plans (GAP I & II) were substantially funded by international aid agencies. The huge amount of aid committed for Ganga rejuvenation (US$ 1 billion by the World Bank and JPY 11,184 million by JICA) shows keen interest from international societies and international aid is expected to play an important role for Ganga rejuvenation.

However, efforts to clean the river have proven futile and several studies indicate that the water in the lower reaches of the river remains dangerously polluted. The World Bank’s status implementation report on its $1 billion loan sanctioned in 2010, grades the river restoration efforts as moderately unsatisfactory. India’s newly elected government has announced its plan to rejuvenate the river. At this juncture, while pertinent lessons from the erstwhile efforts need some deliberation, a contextual critique of the role of external assistance is also crucial. This chapter will address the following: How can the Government of India (GOI) remove the obstacles hindering the success of project? What is the role of the international aid agencies? What is the advantage of each agency and how can GOI effectively coordinate the aid from several agencies? What are the best practices around the world to address these obstacles?