Dhanbad, March 14 -- In a significant step towards protecting the Garga river and other water bodies in the district, the Bokaro district administration has initiated the preparation of an Urban River Management Plan (URMP) for Chas city under the Ganga River Basin programme. A multi-stakeholder working group meeting was held at the district collectorate on Friday under deputy commissioner Ajay Nath Jha to discuss strategies for conserving the river and improving water resource management in the urban area. The initiative is being undertaken with the support of the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) and the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), which are preparing similar plans for 60 cities across the country falling within the Ganga river basin. During the meeting, the deputy commissioner directed officials of all departments concerned to provide necessary information and baseline survey data within the stipulated time to facilitate timely preparation of the plan. "The data sought from different departments is extremely important for preparing the Urban River Management Plan. All departments must work in coordination and ensure that the required information is shared within the prescribed timeline," Jha said. Discussions covered several aspects of river management including flood planning, development and master planning, identification of river zones, sewage systems, solid and liquid waste management, and public awareness initiatives. Officials also reviewed the current condition of Garga and other water sources, with a focus on identifying factors responsible for pollution or degradation. "Rivers and water sources are extremely important for our environment and for sustaining life. Their protection and restoration require collective efforts from both the administration and the public," the deputy commissioner said....