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Case Studies | Geography | India | Volume 12 Issue 6, June 2023

Subarnarekha: The Scenario of Lower Course & Lower Catchment Area of the Gold Streak River Basin in West Bengal & Orissa, India

Biswajit Shyamal

Abstract: The Subarnarekha River is commonly known as the ?Gold Streak of India? in the public domain. The river originated from Piska village near the Ranchi district of Jharkhand & joining the Bay of Bengal near the Balasore district of Orissa. This study is based on the Lower Course of the river which is extended from Ghatshila to Kirtaniaport. The total length of the river?s lower course is about 126 km, 64 km in West Bengal & 62 km in Orissa. This river is a lifeline for the tribal communities inhabiting the Chotonagpur region of Jharkhand, West Bengal & the people of north Orissa. The LCA of the Subarnarekha River Basin is (about 6,103 km2) full of fertile alluvial soils (11% of the total basin area) due to the floodplain area. It?s a rain feed Non-perennial River. In the lower course, the quantity of water flows fluctuates from monsoon to post-monsoon season. Flood & Bank Erosion is major issues in the lower course of the Subarnarekha River. Sand, Silt & Gravel mining on the river bed is a regular activity in the lower course. In the LCA the river water is used for regular agricultural practices but as a part-time occupation, people are involved in fishing for freshwater fish from the lower course of the Subarnarekha River.

Keywords: Gold Streak River, Lower Catchment Area, Lower Course, Sand Mining, Bank Erosion, River Ecosystem

Edition: Volume 12 Issue 6, June 2023,

Pages: 2308 - 2313