Rivers are fundamental to us and mean much more than just a resource. Since the establishment of NMCG in 2011 and the launch of Namami Gange in 2014, significant efforts have been made. The challenge of Nirmal Ganga has been primarily addressed by creating needed sewage treatment capacity in cities along the river apart from tackling other sources of pollution. Many other facets of rejuvenation like clean villages, ghats and crematoriums, improving ecology and flow, biodiversity and wetland conservation, plantation, strengthening People-River connect, research, knowledge dissemination, and public participation have been initiated with holistic approach. These efforts aim to make the river not just clean but also rejuvenated, a concept still new to many countries.

This achievement is phenomenal for any river conservation project in modern India, especially by an entity that grew and continued with the programme. In the process, its human capital, i.e., its employees, kept growing and produced tangible outcomes and laid the foundation of a model for other rivers. It makes an exciting story of aspiration, struggle and zeal, deriving lessons in management, project execution and planning. It also signifies the emergence of a new India, conscious of its natural assets and its drive to make them sustainable forever.