Delhi, 30 April (H.S.): Union Minister of Jal Shakti C.R. Patil, chaired a review meeting to evaluate the progress of the Wildlife Institute of India’s JALAJ project, which focuses on livelihood enhancement under the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG). Part of the Government’s Arth Ganga vision, JALAJ aims to connect communities to rivers through sustainable economic initiatives while fostering awareness of aquatic biodiversity conservation.
The Minister highlighted that JALAJ not only promotes conservation but also creates economic opportunities and community engagement in river rejuvenation. The initiative supports the establishment of 75 Jalaj centers, offering eco-tourism, sustainable farming, skill development, and artisanal production across the Ganga basin. To date, it has empowered over 5,000 members of the boating community and assisted over 2,400 women across nine states.
The project has conducted 263 training programs and utilizes digital outreach, including a YouTube channel. The review underscored the importance of scaling successful models to other river basins like Godavari, Periyar, Pampa, and Barak.
To enhance outreach, a dedicated Jalaj informative website was launched by C.R. Patil, serving as a resource hub for various Jalaj models, including Homestays and Dolphin Safaris.
The site shares success stories showcasing how the initiative empowers community members, especially women, by connecting them to marketing centers. It features eco-friendly products made by Ganga Praharis and promotes awareness about threatened aquatic biodiversity such as the Ganga River Dolphin and other species.
A Jalaj Products Catalogue was introduced, highlighting sustainably produced goods from Jalaj Production Centers, categorized into items like stationery and home décor. Additionally, SaanskritikLehren, a feature under Jalaj, underscores the cultural significance of the Ganga River and its ties to India’s heritage.
The initiative has garnered recognition from the Hon’ble President of India during Gaj Utsav 2023 and was praised by Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a model for freshwater conservation. Overall, Jalaj exemplifies the synergy between environmental protection and socio-economic development, embodying the vision of Arth Ganga.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
