Dhanbad: The National Mission for Clean Ganga has backed the efforts of Bokaro environmentalists to save river Garga from pollution.

Mission convenor Bindu Bhushan Dubey, who was in the steel town on Sunday, said he would take steps to stop the Chas civic body and small industries from discharging sew-age and effluents into the river.

He said he would raise the issue with the state government and extend support to the different green outfits working to save the river by carrying out plantation drives along its banks.

Dubey made an extensive tour of the 46.5km river which flows through Bermo and Chas after originating from Kasmar in Bokaro. Garga is a tributary of Damodar.

Dubey, accompanied by members of Swasthya Evam Paryavaran Sanrakshan Sans-than, also inspected Singari Joria river in Chas which is also facing pollution.

Dubey said, "The mission is committed to cleaning rivers. Besides pollution, Garga's riverbed has been encroached at Chira Chas in Bokaro where several buildings have come up restricting the course of the river."

"We will meet chief secretary Sudhir Tripathi and also seek legal intervention if pollution and encroachment of the river continues," Dubey said.

He praised the efforts of green activists led by Sansthan general secretary Mukul Ojha for creating awareness. "Awareness is key to generate public opinion about pollution," said Dubey. He added that the mission would also extend support to awareness drives of the NGO.