Population growth, industrialization and irrigation have degraded the Ganges River along its arcing 2,700 kilometre course from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal. Climate change poses a grave additional threat. Launched in 2014, the government-led Namami Gange initiative has invested in waste management and water treatment, while raising public awareness and engaging communities in ecosystem conservation and restoration.

The flagship is reforesting parts of the Ganges basin and promoting sustainable farming. It also aims to revive key wildlife species, including river dolphins, softshell turtles, otters and the hilsa shad, an important food fish.