 Known as the "Silk City", it is a major educational, commercial, and political centre, and listed for development under the Smart City program, a joint venture between Government and industry.The Gangetic plains surrounding the city are very fertile and the main crops include rice, wheat, maize, barley, and oilseeds.The river is home to the Gangetic dolphin, the "National Aquatic Animal of India", and the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary is established near the town.