'Swachh Ganga Abhiyan plays key role in generating employment'

DEHRADUN: Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti today said that ' Swachh Ganga Abhiyan' has an important role in creating employment opportunities, which in turn will boost the country's economy.

Some 50 crore people depend on river Ganga for their livelihood, she added.

Ganga is not only a river with religious importance but many people depend on it for their livelihood. We want the campaign to be associated with employment and livelihood, Bharti said.

Speaking at the two-day consultation for preparing Detail Project Report (DPR) for the Campaign she said half of those who depend on the Ganga would lose their "lifeline" if it were to go dry.

It's therefore imperative to maintain uninterrupted flow of the river, she said.

She said Uttarakhand is not only source of the river Ganga but it has huge potential for medicine-based services. The state can earn worldwide fame by growing and processing medicinal plants.

Speaking about her stance on construction of dams, the Union Minister said she was not against it unless dam projects hinder the environmental flow of rivers.