Namami Ganga Mission played a major role in making Ganga water cleaner: Shekhawat

In an exclusive conversation with ETV Bharat, Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat highlighted the major factors that pollute the environment. The minister said that the nationwide lockdown has elevated the impact of central government's Namami Ganga Mission, thus making the water of Ganga river cleaner.

Jaipur:The nationwide lockdown imposed in the country due to the coronavirus pandemic has proved to be a blessing for the global environment.

Water bodies in India have become pure and potable with aquatic life slowly returning to them. But, whether it is just the coronavirus that is responsible for all these changes or there are other contributing factors too, continues to remain a question.

In a conversation with ETV Bharat, Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat highlighted the factors responsible for the pollution of natural resources.

He said that effluents from factories, human waste and ignorant behaviour of human beings are the major factors contributing to the pollution of rivers in the country.

Effect of Central government’s campaign has become visible

Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that the Central government's campaign Namami Ganga Mission, meant to clean the Ganga river has become visible now. Speaking about dolphins being spotted in the Ganga river in Patna, he said that these mammals are a proof that the nature is returning to its older form.

Loopholes in the lockdown

On the issue of the rising number of coronavirus cases in Jodhpur, Shekhawat said that it is a matter of grave concern. He asserted that certain loopholes that were not looked into at the initial stage of lockdown, have resulted in the increased number of positive cases.

Exodus of migrant workers is pitiable

The minister described the exodus of migrant labourers as a 'painful' event. Shekhawat also accused the Rajasthan government of not keeping a check on this event even after having received permission from the Centre. He said that the state government's complaints about not receiving any help from the Centre were false, adding that people are aware of the actual data.

Urging everyone to abide by the rules of lockdown, he said that the Indian government has been working hard to safeguard the interests of all sections of the society.

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