What is the Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA)?
The Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA) is an international coalition of nine countries, including India, formed to facilitate collaboration on river management and urban waterways conservation. The alliance focuses on knowledge exchange, capacity development, high-level advocacy, and bilateral interactions among member cities to enhance the management and rejuvenation of urban rivers.
Which countries are members of the GRCA?
The GRCA comprises nine countries: India, Denmark, Cambodia, Japan, Bhutan, Australia, Netherlands, Egypt, and Ghana. These nations have come together to share their experiences, challenges, and solutions in river management.
Why was the GRCA formed?
The GRCA was formed to address the global interest in river management and to foster international cooperation in enhancing the state of urban rivers. It aims to generate momentum for river conservation activities through shared knowledge and collaborative efforts.
Who leads the GRCA?
India leads the GRCA, with the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Jal Shakti Ministry and the National Institute for Urban Affairs (NIUA) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs serving as the Secretariat. This leadership role includes coordinating the alliance's activities and facilitating knowledge exchange among member countries.
What are the main activities of the GRCA?
The GRCA's activities include knowledge exchange on best practices in river management, capacity development for member cities, high-level advocacy for river conservation, and bilateral interactions to foster collaborative projects and initiatives.
How does the GRCA plan to achieve its objectives?
The GRCA plans to achieve its objectives through a combination of strategic initiatives, including signing Memorandums of Common Purpose (MoCP) with other river alliances, engaging with multilateral funding agencies for support, and leveraging the expertise and experiences of its member countries to address the challenges faced by urban rivers.
What significance does the GRCA hold for river conservation?
The GRCA represents a significant step towards global collaboration in river conservation, highlighting the importance of rivers in urban development and the need for sustainable management practices. It serves as a platform for cities around the world to learn from each other and implement effective river conservation strategies.
