NMCG pilots nature-based solutions for river rejuvenation
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The National Mission for Clean Ganga is piloting Nature-based Solutions alongside STPs. Two constructed-wetland projects at Shastri Park Drain and Kailash Nagar Drain will treat about 10 MLD discharging into the Yamuna. Six training programmes (Aug 2025 to Mar 2026) reached more than 100 officials.
- Agency
- National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), Ministry of Jal Shakti
- Pilots
- Shastri Park Drain and Kailash Nagar Drain (into Yamuna)
- Capacity
- about 10 MLD combined
- Method
- constructed wetlands; rock filters; aquatic plants; phytoremediation
- Training
- 6 programmes, Aug 2025 to Mar 2026; 100+ participants
- Other site
- Constructed wetland at Khatauli for River Kali
NMCG nature-based solutions pilots: what happened?
STPs and sewer networks remain the backbone of Ganga cleaning. Nature-based Solutions add low-energy treatment for urban drains using wetland processes. NMCG is testing that mix on Yamuna drains while training State and district teams.
- Pilots use stone masonry for retention time, rock filters for solids, vegetation for nutrients and oxygen, and phytoremediation for pollutants including some heavy metals.
- Kailash Nagar: desludging done; brick lining underway; rock filters next.
- Shastri Park: desludging and desilting in progress before masonry and plants.
- KSDC trainings covered Yamuna Task Force, District Ganga Committees (Uttarakhand), SMCGs, Forest and Irrigation departments.
How do NbS sit beside STPs?
- STPs and sewerage stay the core pollution-abatement tools.
- NbS complement them for drains and ecological restoration.
- E-flows work continues in parallel for continuous river flow.
Why does NMCG nature-based solutions pilots matter?
- Pollution abatement: Tests ~10 MLD drain treatment without heavy mechanical O&M.
- Capacity: Builds NbS skills across Ganga-basin agencies.
What can Prelims ask on NMCG nature-based solutions pilots?
- NMCG NbS pilots: Shastri Park and Kailash Nagar drains; ~10 MLD to Yamuna.
- Constructed wetlands + rock filters + phytoremediation.
- 6 trainings Aug 2025 to Mar 2026; 100+ officials.
- Also Khatauli constructed wetland on River Kali.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-07-09): NMCG started two pilot projects and training on Nature-based Solutions to complement STPs in river rejuvenation.
- Nature-based solutions treat water cheaply.
Quotable data pointNMCG started two pilot projects and training on Nature-based Solutions to complement STPs in river rejuvenation.
PIB: Jal Shakti: NMCG NbS pilots, 9 Jul 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: NbS.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
NMCG's Shastri Park and Kailash Nagar pilots together target about how much wastewater?
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB (Jal Shakti), 9 Jul 2026.
Questions students ask about this
Which drains host the NMCG constructed-wetland pilots?
Shastri Park Drain and Kailash Nagar Drain, both discharging into the Yamuna.
What combined treatment capacity is planned?
About 10 MLD.
How many officials were trained on NbS?
More than 100 participants across six programmes between August 2025 and March 2026.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: Jal Shakti: NMCG NbS pilots, 9 Jul 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending