Jharkhand's Urban River Revival: Boosting Eco-friendly Environments

The central government plans to rejuvenate rivers flowing through key cities in Jharkhand under the Urban River Management Plan. The initiative includes cleaning pollution, promoting eco-friendly riverfronts, and encouraging public participation. Customized strategies will address city-specific challenges to ensure a sustainable urban ecosystem.

Rivers in five cities in Jharkhand will soon be revitalized through a central government scheme, officials revealed on Thursday. Adityapur, Chas, Dhanbad, Ranchi, and Sahibganj (Rajmahal) are slated for the first phase of rejuvenating rivers like Ganga, Damodar, and others, under the Urban River Management Plan (URMP), part of the River Cities Alliance (RCA).

The focus of the project is on cleaning river water and maintaining an uninterrupted flow, with initiatives including riverfront development and increasing greenery to foster an eco-friendly environment. Officials emphasized the importance of tailored city-specific plans due to unique challenges each city faces.

Sunil Kumar, Jharkhand's Urban Development Secretary, explained that since Jharkhand has a short stretch of the Ganga, the program should also encompass its tributaries. Such efforts aim to ensure Ganga's waters remain clean and free-flowing. The state government continues to prioritize river conservation, with ongoing riverfront development projects and efforts to involve the community through public participation.

(With inputs from agencies.)