Catch them young seems to be a formula the German officials have applied in educating youngsters in the Ganga basin.
The idea is to convince the upcoming generation that Ganga water cannot be cleaned – a mission they say is ‘doable’ - without the locals and individual households not understanding the significance of reduction of waste water and its toxicity.
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| Photo credit: Manisha Borkotoky |
German Development Bank KfW and GIZ, a service provider in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development, have prepared a 'Ganga Box' as pilot project for schools in Rishikesh areas in Uttarakhand to be introduced as part of the curriculum.
The 'Ganga Box' – collection of tales and other educative information – is aimed to target school children and ‘involve’ them in cleaning the historic river – which continues to be lifeline for millions of Indians.
"The idea of Ganga Box is in line with what was tried in Germany too. The target is to bring change in the behaviour and attitude of people of all age and social groups especially the children towards the river. We have piloted this project in government schools in Rishikesh and will be replicated in other parts of the state too," says Vikarant Tyagi, a project coordinator with GIZ.
German officials say they have a unique history of cleaning two polluted rivers Rhine and Danube.
It is on this backdrop, Jasper Wieck, Charged D' Affairs in German embassy in India – says even cleaning Ganga is “doable and achieve-able”.
"We can share with you from the experience of cleaning two rivers in Germany including Rhine is that things are doable. You can turn around a largely polluted river into a one with clean water where you can swim without any risk," he says.
"From our experience, we know we need people’s support. You have to take on board all stakeholders from government authorities, local bodies, representatives of industry and agriculture. The role of individual households is also crucial,” says Jasper Wieck.
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| Wieck: Who once lived along River Rhine |
Therefore, German officials say the idea of Ganga Box – as an idea has gone down well.
They also insist that Germany can ‘capitalise its experiences’ vis-a-vis cleaning Ganga they made in cleaning up the rivers Rhine and the Danube.
Speaking on the similar vein, Julie Reviere, “We have started our work, but what I need to point out is that we need to bring about behaviroul changes...If they don’t really change their attitudes then things may not move”.
Here comes the importance of the Ganga Box, she says.The German officials say the Rhine river, which is half the length of the Ganga and runs through six countries as riparian states, took three decades to be cleaned. The project cost was 45 billion Euros.
It is worth mentioning here that the Modi government’s ‘Clean Ganga Project’ involves a budget of Rs 20,000 crore – making it only 2.5 billion Euros.
In 2015 the German government committed to the Indian government to invest interest subsidised loan up to 120 million EUR.
The assistance involves providing support to strengthen sewage water treatment infrastructure in Uttarakhand.
The initiative includes construction of 13 sewage pumping stations.
"Our target is to reduce the inflow of untreated waste water in River Ganga and, thus, help improve the water quality of the river," Mr Wieck says.
In broad sense, the thematic areas of GIZ in India is working are on energy, environment, climate change and biodiversity besides sustainable urban and industrial development.
German experts are helping in capacity building of Jal Sansthan and Peyjal Nigam, the twin agencies mandated execute the high-profile Clean Ganga Project in Uttarakhand.
The first idea for cooperation by Germany in Clean Ganga and Ganga River rejuvenation strategies and Capacity Support was first mooted in the Joint Statement of Chancellor Angela Merkel and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 14, 2015 when they met in Hannover and Berlin to exchange views on upgrading and further strengthening the Strategic Partnership.
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