Other Rivers - Subarnarekha and Budhabalanga

The Subarnarekha River

The Subarnarekha River, whose name literally translates from Sanskrit as “streak of gold”, flows through the northeastern corner of Odisha, forming a portion of the state’s boundary with West Bengal. The river originates from the Chotanagpur Plateau near Ranchi in Jharkhand and flows for approximately 395 kilometres before emptying into the Bay of Bengal near Kirtania in Balasore district. The Subarnarekha has a total catchment area of about 19,300 square kilometres, of which only about 2,983 square kilometres lies within Odisha, making it a relatively minor river in terms of drainage area within the state. The river enters Odisha from Jharkhand near Jaleswar and flows eastwards, traversing Balasore district before meeting the sea.

Gold in the Sands

The Subarnarekha has been historically known for the presence of alluvial gold in its sands, particularly in the upper and middle reaches in Jharkhand. Local communities have traditionally panned for gold along the river’s course, though the concentration is too low for large-scale commercial extraction. The river also carries traces of uranium and copper washed down from the mineralised zones of the Singhbhum shear zone through which it flows. The association with gold gave the river its name and mythological significance, with legends linking it to gold deposits that were washed down from the golden city of Lanka as described in the Ramayana. While scientific exploration has confirmed the presence of placer gold, the quantities are economically marginal.

Irrigation and Water Projects

Within Odisha, the Subarnarekha basin is relatively small and the river’s utilisation for irrigation is limited compared to other rivers. The Subarnarekha Barrage near Jaleswar diverts water for irrigation in Balasore district’s northern sector. The Subarnarekha Multi-purpose Project, which is primarily located in Jharkhand, includes the Chandil and Icha dams and has provisions for sharing water with Odisha, though inter-state coordination has been challenging. The river’s floodplain in the lower reaches near Balasore is fertile and supports paddy cultivation, though the region suffers from drainage congestion during the monsoon season. The Kirtania minor port at the river mouth handles small-scale cargo and fishing vessels.

The Budhabalanga River

The Budhabalanga River, known as the Balanga in its upper reaches and the Budhabalanga after the confluence of its two main tributaries, is an entirely rain-fed river flowing through the Mayurbhanj and Balasore districts. It originates from the southern slopes of the Similipal massif within the Similipal Biosphere Reserve, at an elevation of about 900 metres, and flows for about 198 kilometres. The river is formed by the union of the Palpala and Kharkai streams near Baripada. The name “Budhabalanga” is derived from a combination of “Budha” (old) and “Balanga”, referencing the ancient channel alignment. The catchment area of the Budhabalanga within Odisha is approximately 4,840 square kilometres.

Basin Characteristics and Use

The Budhabalanga basin is predominantly agricultural, with the river providing the main source of irrigation for Mayurbhanj and northern Balasore districts. The soil in the basin is predominantly lateritic in the upper reaches and alluvial in the lower floodplains. The river is highly seasonal, turning into a wide, sandy channel with minimal flow during the dry season but swelling dramatically during the monsoon, often causing floods in Baripada town and downstream areas. The Budhabalanga Reservoir Project, located near Baripada, provides both irrigation and drinking water supply. The river’s catchment in the Similipal region is relatively pristine, with good forest cover, but the downstream sections face challenges from sand mining, agricultural run-off, and untreated municipal waste from Baripada municipality. Despite being small by Odisha’s standards, the Budhabalanga is vital for the predominantly tribal-populated Mayurbhanj district and supports a variety of riverine ecosystems along its course.