Lucknow: In a bid to make the Ganga river clean, free-flowing, and pollution-free, the Uttar Pradesh government under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is intensifying efforts to promote natural farming and large-scale afforestation along the riverbanks.
The state government has planned to encourage natural farming practices across a 10-kilometer radius on both sides of the river in districts through which the Ganga flows. This initiative aims to replace chemical fertilizers and toxic pesticides with organic solutions, ensuring that harmful residues do not seep into the Ganga through leaching.
Natural Farming Initiatives Across 27 Districts
As part of the Namami Gange Project, natural farming is being promoted across 27 districts along the river. According to recent data, over 1,000 villages along the Ganga are already practicing natural farming. Additionally, the state government is implementing the Traditional Agriculture Development Scheme in 54 districts to further boost this eco-friendly agricultural practice.
The Bundelkhand region, known for its stray cattle population, is being transformed into a hub for natural farming. Approximately 24,000 hectares of land in Bundelkhand is already under natural farming.
Significance of Organic Farming Along the Ganga Basin
Since the inception of Yogi Adityanath’s first term, natural farming has gained momentum. Around 5,000 clusters comprising over 18,000 farmers are practicing natural farming across nearly 10,000 hectares of land, including approximately 6,500 hectares under the Namami Gange initiative.
The Indo-Gangetic plains, considered among the world’s most fertile regions, hold the largest share of organic farming in Uttar Pradesh. During the Organic Agriculture Summit held in November 2017 in Greater Noida, experts recommended reserving the Ganga basin exclusively for organic farming due to the natural fertility of its flood-affected soils.
Afforestation Efforts for a Greener Ganga Belt
To complement the natural farming initiative, the state government is conducting extensive afforestation drives along the Ganga’s banks. Early in his second term, CM Yogi set a target to develop 6,759 hectares of green cover along the river within six months.
Afforestation efforts, termed Ganga Forests, have already begun in districts like Kasganj. These forests are being designed to include traditional, medicinal, and rare plant species based on the agro-climatic zones of each district.
Ganga Forests and Multi-Purpose Ponds
In addition to creating green corridors, the state government plans to establish multi-purpose ponds along the riverbanks and its tributaries. The afforestation surrounding these ponds will serve as a natural shield against pollution, prevent soil erosion, and help mitigate flood-related challenges in vulnerable areas.
Largest Catchment Area of Ganga in Uttar Pradesh
The Ganga river traverses approximately 1,140 kilometers through Uttar Pradesh, the largest share of its total 2,525-kilometer journey, including its course in Bangladesh. The river flows through key districts like Bijnor, Amroha, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Ballia.
By focusing on green initiatives and sustainable agricultural practices, the Uttar Pradesh government aims to rejuvenate the river and its ecosystem while safeguarding the livelihoods of farmers and the environment.
