Murray-Darling basin model to be cornerstone of Ganga rejuvenation- Times of India

Prof. B D Tripathi with Australian High commissioner  Mr. Patrick Suckling

VARANASI: Australian high commissioner to India Patrick Suckling devoted his major time for the Ganga on the first day of his visit to the city on Sunday to understand the miseries of the holy river and explore possible solution of the existing problems. 

To discuss various issues related to the Ganga and its pollution he met  Prof BD Tripathi, noted environment scientist at Banaras Hindu University and expert member of National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA). 

"During discussion the Australian High Commissioner tried to understand whether and to what extent the model of Australia's Murray-Darling Basin Plan could be implemented for the Ganga in India,".
Suckling met Tripathi at Assi Ghat and held a detailed discussion on the Ganga. "Suckling showed his interest on sanitation, water management and Ganga rejuvenation," Tripathi told TOI adding that he also gave emphasis on people's participation in Ganga rejuvenation and water management. "He tried to understand how technical model of Australia could be tested and implemented in Indian environment," he said adding that he (Tripathi) also gave a brief account of Ganga's pollution in Varanasi and existing pollution abatement activities. 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott in November last had made a joint statement for collaboration on rejuvenating the Ganga River.