Biswabrata Goswami
MIDNAPORE, 21 NOV: In the heart of India’s Chota Nagpur region, where the Subarnarekha River weaves its way through tribal landscapes, a tale of environmental degradation unfolds, spelling dire consequences for both human communities and the delicate ecosystems that rely on this lifeline.
Originating from the enchanting Nagdi village, a mere 15 kilometers from the bustling capital of Jharkhand, Ranchi, the Subarnarekha stretches 474 kilometers, traversing through the states of Odisha and West Bengal, before embracing the Bay of Bengal in Baleshwar.
Once renowned for its pristine beauty and revered by local tribes as a source of sustenance, the river now grapples with pollution and unchecked sand mining, threatening not only the livelihoods of its people but also the diverse aquatic life that calls it home.
In the recent past, the Subarnarekha’s waters bore witness to a symbiotic relationship between the river and the tribal workforce engaged in filtering sand and extracting gold from its bed. A laborious yet rewarding endeavor, these local workers could collect between 60 to 80 particles of gold in a single month. However, the river’s decline tells a different story—one of anthropogenic threats and a steady deterioration of its once-pristine state.
Environmentalists and Professor Mrinmay Ghorai from Panskura Banamali College (Autonomous), West Bengal, have conducted a study revealing that the health of the Subarnarekha River has plummeted below average levels over the past three years. Jamshedpur, a significant urban center, and industries, including the renowned Tata Steel, heavily depend on this water source, making the degradation of the river a matter of regional concern.
Dr. Ghorai’s findings indicate disturbingly high pollution levels near urban centers, with critical indicators such as dissolved oxygen levels falling below desirable limits at key points like Galudih, Ghatsila, and Jamsola. Moreover, the pH level has exceeded permissible limits, sounding alarm bells for the delicate aquatic balance.
The encroachment of illegal sand mining in the lower reaches of the Subarnarekha River has not only altered its course but has also disrupted the livelihoods of local residents, particularly fishermen who have witnessed a substantial decline in their income.
Despite legal interventions, continuous illegal sand mining persists, with the Land Revenue department acknowledging the issue but seemingly unable to curb the practice effectively. The department, in a shocking revelation, collected revenue amounting to Rs. 78 crore during the fiscal year 2022-2023 from the Subarnarekha, further underscoring the brazen exploitation of this natural resource.
As the river’s ecosystem crumbles, fish breeding grounds face destruction, and several species teeter on the brink of vulnerability or near-threatened status. Dr. Ghorai’s meticulous assessment of 58 fish species exposes a precarious scenario: 81% classified as “least concern,” 9% as “near threatened,” 5% as “data deficient,” and 5% as “vulnerable.”
Seven species, including Anguilla bengalensis and Notopterus chitala, are in the “Near Threatened” category, while four, including Cyprinus carpio and Wallago attu, fall under “Vulnerable.”
Urgent action is needed to protect the Subarnarekha and its unique biodiversity as the professor prepares to submit his report to the government—a call for concrete steps to save this once-golden river on its journey from Jharkhand to Bengal and Odisha before its final embrace with the Bay of Bengal near Talsari.
Tags: #SubarnarekhaRiver #WestBengal #Odisha #Talsari #SandMining
