Locals wash, fish and play in the shadow of the Bokaro Thermal Power Plant on the Konar River, a tributary of the Damodar.

Experts say river pollution poses a grave threat to India's health and prosperity. In June 2022, a study from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) found at least one heavy metal in quantities toxic to human health in three quarters of 764 monitoring stations, across 117 of India's major rivers.