NGT Reviews IIT-Roorkee Study on Ganga’s Summer Flow

Quick Summary

• The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has initiated suo motu proceedings based on an IIT-Roorkee study examining the summer flow of the river Ganga.
• The study finds that groundwater,rather than glacier melt,sustains the Ganga’s flow after it enters the plains from beyond Himalayan foothills,increasing its volume by nearly 120%.
• Glacier melt contributes minimally to water discharge; approximately 58% of water is lost due to evaporation during summers.
• Recommendations in the study favor groundwater recharge, aquifer management, wetland restoration, and reviving tributaries for ensuring perennial flow.
• the NGT bench led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava finds potential violations of environmental norms under the environment Protection Act (1986).
• Four agencies have been made respondents: Ministry of Environment, Department of Water Resources/ River Advancement & Ganga rejuvenation; National Mission for Clean Ganga; and Central Ground Water Board. Respondents must submit affidavits before November 10, 2025.

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Indian Opinion Analysis
The findings remind policymakers about a critical yet often overlooked component-groundwater-as a key sustainer for India’s most iconic river in its non-Himalayan stretches. This insight could recalibrate conservation efforts like Namami Gange toward methods directly addressing groundwater depletion and aquifer management rather than relying heavily on glacier preservation as a strategy for maintaining flow levels downstream.

The tribunal’s proactive stance highlights gaps in adherence to environmental statutes while emphasizing accountability among governing agencies responsible for sustaining India’s ecological resources sustainably over time. With diverse stakeholders now involved in legal proceedings through November 2025 deadlines-it stands chance actual outcomes