The Subarnarekha River: A Tale of Beauty, Burden, and Potential
The Subarnarekha River, whose name translates to “Streak of Gold,” originates near Rani Chuan in Nagri village, approximately 15 kilometers from Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand. Spanning a length of about 474 kilometers, it traverses through the states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha, ultimately merging with the Bay of Bengal near Talsari in Balasore district.
Culturally, the Subarnarekha holds immense importance for the Santhal tribes and other indigenous communities residing along its banks. These communities have traditionally depended on the river for their livelihoods, including agriculture, fishing, and daily water needs.
However, the river faces numerous challenges due to urbanization, industrial pollution, and habitat degradation. Unregulated mining activities, especially in the Singhbhum and Mayurbhanj districts, have led to significant pollution levels, affecting both the river’s ecosystem and the health of communities relying on its waters.
Given these pressing issues, there’s an urgent need for integrated river restoration and sustainable urban planning.
Initiatives like Earth5R’s BlueCities model aim to address these challenges by combining community engagement, technological interventions, and policy advocacy to rejuvenate rivers like the Subarnarekha and ensure the well-being of both the environment and the communities that depend on it.
Key Problems Facing the Subarnarekha River
Sewage and Wastewater Pollution
The Subarnarekha River is heavily burdened by untreated sewage, particularly in urban centers like Jamshedpur, where approximately 122 million liters of untreated sewage are discharged daily into the river. Despite directives from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in October 2023 mandating the establishment of sewage treatment plants (STPs) by April 2024, progress has been minimal, exacerbating the river’s pollution levels.
Solid Waste Dumping
Solid waste, including plastic debris and household garbage, is routinely dumped into the Subarnarekha River, especially from densely populated areas lacking adequate waste management infrastructure . This unregulated dumping not only degrades the river’s aesthetic value but also poses significant health risks to communities relying on its waters.
Water Quality Degradation
Water quality assessments have revealed alarming levels of pollutants in the Subarnarekha River. Studies indicate that the river’s pH levels are higher than normal, and dissolved oxygen (DO) levels are low in several locations, including Domuhani and Mango, indicating poor water quality . Additionally, lead concentrations in certain areas exceed permissible limits, posing serious health risks to the local population.
Loss of Biodiversity
The Subarnarekha River’s biodiversity is under threat due to multiple factors. Habitat loss from deforestation and riverbank encroachments has disrupted the natural habitats of various aquatic species . Furthermore, the proliferation of algae, driven by stagnant water conditions, has led to decreased oxygen levels, adversely affecting fish and other aquatic life.
Riverbank Encroachment
Encroachment along the riverbanks has significantly altered the Subarnarekha’s natural flow. In Ranchi, for instance, the Hinoo River, a tributary of the Subarnarekha, has experienced nearly 90% encroachment, prompting authorities to launch extensive anti-encroachment drives to restore the river’s natural state . Such encroachments not only disrupt the river’s ecology but also increase the risk of flooding and water pollution.
Groundwater Contamination
Groundwater in the Subarnarekha River Basin is contaminated with various heavy metals, including arsenic, manganese, and iron, exceeding safe drinking water standards . This contamination poses significant health risks to communities relying on groundwater for drinking and irrigation purposes. Studies have shown that the hazard index for adults in certain areas is above unity, indicating potential non-carcinogenic health risks.
This infographic illustrates the Subarnarekha River basin, spanning Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha, highlighting key tributaries, cities, and districts it flows through. It visually emphasizes the geographical reach of the river, essential for understanding the scope of restoration under Earth5R’s BlueCities model.
Causes of Degradation
Untreated Sewage Discharge
The Subarnarekha River faces significant pollution from untreated sewage, particularly in urban centers like Jamshedpur. Despite directives from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in October 2023 mandating the establishment of sewage treatment plants (STPs) by April 2024, progress has been minimal, exacerbating the river’s pollution levels.
Solid Waste Dumping
Solid waste, including plastic debris and household garbage, is routinely dumped into the Subarnarekha River, especially from densely populated areas lacking adequate waste management infrastructure. This unregulated dumping not only degrades the river’s aesthetic value but also poses significant health risks to communities relying on its waters.
Industrial Effluents and Heavy Metal Contamination
Industrial activities along the Subarnarekha River have led to the discharge of effluents containing heavy metals such as zinc, lead, chromium, cadmium, nickel, manganese, cobalt, and copper. These contaminants accumulate in the river’s water, sediments, and aquatic organisms, posing ecological risks and health hazards to local communities.
Algal Blooms and Oxygen Depletion
Stagnant water conditions in the Subarnarekha River have led to the proliferation of algae, particularly during the summer months. These algal blooms deplete dissolved oxygen levels, adversely affecting fish and other aquatic life. Environmentalists have raised concerns about the potential for fish kills and the deterioration of water quality due to these blooms.
Riverbank Encroachment
Encroachment along the riverbanks has significantly altered the Subarnarekha’s natural flow. In Ranchi, for instance, the Hinoo River, a tributary of the Subarnarekha, has experienced nearly 90% encroachment, prompting authorities to launch extensive anti-encroachment drives to restore the river’s natural state.
Groundwater Contamination
Groundwater in the Subarnarekha River Basin is contaminated with various heavy metals, including arsenic, manganese, and iron, exceeding safe drinking water standards. This contamination poses significant health risks to communities relying on groundwater for drinking and irrigation purposes. Studies have shown that the hazard index for adults in certain areas is above unity, indicating potential non-carcinogenic health risks.
Why Past Efforts Have Failed
Fragmented Governance and Jurisdictional Overlaps
Efforts to restore the Subarnarekha River have repeatedly faltered due to fragmented governance across Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha, the three states through which the river flows.
Each state has its own environmental departments, urban development bodies, and pollution control boards, leading to lack of unified action. According to a Down to Earth article, the “state subject” status of rivers in India makes multi-state coordination difficult, especially without a central authority actively driving river basin management.
Short-Term Beautification Over Long-Term Restoration
The approach to river rejuvenation has often focused more on aesthetics than ecological recovery. For example, schemes that prioritize the construction of ghats, walkways, and lighting systems are favored over investments in wetland restoration, native vegetation revival, or wastewater interception.
As reported by Hindustan Times, experts caution that riverfront beautification can lead to further encroachment and ecological degradation when not coupled with ecosystem restoration.
Inadequate Public Participation and Awareness
Past programs have also suffered from the lack of community engagement. The public’s role in monitoring pollution, participating in cleanup drives, and demanding accountability remains limited.
According to a UNESCO case study, public participation is essential for sustainable water governance, yet such initiatives have been sporadic or symbolic in the Subarnarekha basin. Without genuine citizen involvement, policies tend to remain top-down and disconnected from local realities.
Lack of Real-Time Pollution Monitoring
Another reason for the failure of cleanup efforts has been the absence of real-time water quality monitoring systems. Without up-to-date data on Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), or contamination levels, both public and government bodies operate blindly.
A study published in ScienceDirect emphasized the importance of continuous water quality monitoring for identifying pollution hotspots and assessing the impact of interventions. The Subarnarekha, however, lacks a network of automated water quality sensors or public pollution dashboards.
Minimal CSR and ESG Integration
The private sector’s involvement through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) programs has been negligible. While industries in and around Jamshedpur contribute significantly to river pollution, only a few have integrated sustainability goals into their operations.
A report by India Development Review points out that CSR funds are largely underutilized in river restoration projects, despite being a powerful tool for mobilizing local change and livelihood creation.
Weak Enforcement and Policy Implementation
Even when laws and pollution norms exist, enforcement remains poor. The Subarnarekha Multipurpose Project, launched to improve water resource management, has faced numerous delays, corruption charges, and inter-state disputes.
As noted by PRS Legislative Research, regulatory mechanisms in India are often weakened by bureaucratic delays, insufficient staffing, and lack of technical training within pollution control boards, resulting in minimal accountability for violators.
What Needs to Be Done — The Blueprint for Complete River Restoration
Zero Untreated Sewage: Infrastructure and Monitoring Overhaul
The first step toward restoring the Subarnarekha River is to ensure that no untreated sewage enters the river at any point. According to a Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report, Jamshedpur alone generates over 120 million litres of sewage daily, but the treatment infrastructure is outdated and poorly maintained. A large proportion of this waste finds its way into the river due to broken pipes and overflow points.
Learning from best practices such as those implemented in Nagpur’s decentralized sewage management model, the region needs to invest in decentralized STPs, proper interception mechanisms, and compliance auditing tools to make zero untreated discharge a practical reality.
Solid Waste to Circular Economy: Localized Recycling Systems
Managing solid waste is key to reducing river pollution. Studies by TERI indicate that most towns along the Subarnarekha lack even basic Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), leading to direct dumping of plastic waste, packaging material, and debris into the water.
Earth5R has showcased how community-based waste management programs in Mumbai can convert trash into livelihood through wastepreneurship, upcycling, and micro-recycling units. A similar circular economy model must be launched in Jamshedpur, Ranchi, and Kharagpur, where local waste is collected, segregated, and repurposed by trained workers under CSR-funded programs.
Ecological Restoration: Reviving Biodiversity and Natural Defenses
Reviving the ecological integrity of the Subarnarekha River involves restoring the floodplains, reviving native plant species, and enabling wildlife corridors along its banks. According to a study published in Springer Nature, the degradation of aquatic habitats in the river basin has led to the disappearance of fish species and migratory birds.
Ecological engineering efforts like constructed wetlands, riparian buffer zones, and natural filtration banks must be implemented — a strategy that has worked successfully in the Yamuna Biodiversity Park in Delhi.
Community Ownership Models: Empowering Riverkeepers and Citizens
Sustainable river restoration is impossible without deep community engagement. The Earth5R BlueCities initiative in Pune demonstrated that when local people are trained in waste auditing, water testing, and riverkeeping, they become powerful agents of change.
For the Subarnarekha, this means building citizen science platforms where students, housewives, retired professionals, and young volunteers participate in data collection, awareness campaigns, and policy advocacy.
Mobile apps, citizen dashboards, and open data portals, such as those developed by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), can be adapted to the river’s unique needs.
Transparent Real-Time Data Monitoring: Building Trust through Technology
Technology must be the backbone of the restoration strategy. Real-time water quality sensors, GIS mapping, and IoT-based alert systems can provide 24/7 visibility into pollution levels, encroachments, and waste hotspots.
Projects like Smart Water Monitoring in Bengaluru show how tech can enable transparency and response time. Earth5R’s platform, which combines satellite data, citizen reporting, and local diagnostics, can be adapted to build a Subarnarekha River Data Hub, where pollution sources are identified and acted upon collaboratively by citizens, industry, and government.
This infographic focuses on the lower catchment area of the Subarnarekha River, highlighting its path through Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha before meeting the Bay of Bengal. It underscores the regional impact zones vital for targeted interventions under Earth5R’s BlueCities restoration strategy.
Earth5R BlueCities — The Proven, Scalable Solution
Community-First Mobilization and Training
The Earth5R BlueCities model has shown that true transformation begins at the grassroots level. In projects across cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Nashik, Earth5R has empowered local residents through environmental training, citizen science programs, and community riverkeeper roles. This model ensures that residents are not merely beneficiaries but active participants in river restoration.
Earth5R has also developed digital tools and open-access resources to make environmental education accessible, scalable, and measurable — which is critical for replicating the success across other river basins like Subarnarekha.
Data-Driven River Health Diagnosis
Unlike one-off clean-up drives that barely scratch the surface, Earth5R uses a scientific river health audit model combining on-ground surveys, community inputs, and remote sensing technology. For instance, in the Mula-Mutha River project, Earth5R integrated satellite imaging, pollution indexing, and waste audits to generate real-time maps of ecological damage.
Such an approach enables actionable insights that guide local government policies and CSR funding decisions. Similar diagnostics can help prioritize high-pollution zones along the Subarnarekha in cities like Ranchi and Jamshedpur.
Ecological Restoration Based on Science
Rather than cosmetic beautification, the BlueCities model focuses on long-term ecological restoration guided by environmental science. Earth5R works with experts in hydrology, botany, and urban ecology to restore riparian habitats, remove invasive species, and reintroduce native flora.
In Mumbai, their projects have re-established natural filtration zones using constructed wetlands that now support migratory bird species. A similar strategy could help revive aquatic biodiversity in the Subarnarekha River, which has suffered due to mining and industrial activity.
Corporate, CSR, and Government Partnership Models
A key reason for Earth5R’s scalability is its proven ability to engage corporates under CSR mandates, local municipalities, and state pollution control boards. Successful models in Pune and Thane demonstrate how waste management initiatives were co-funded by CSR programs from Tata Group, Godrej, and others.
Earth5R’s corporate engagement includes employee volunteering, ESG-linked reporting, and sustainability certifications, which make environmental action both measurable and investable. With several industries operating along the Subarnarekha River, a CSR-driven partnership model is both feasible and essential.
Waste-to-Recycling Circular Economy Integration
The BlueCities model strongly integrates circular economy principles, turning river cleanup into green livelihood opportunities. In Mumbai, Earth5R created local Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) and trained residents in plastic segregation, composting, and eco-brick creation.
These efforts not only reduced plastic waste in rivers but also generated green jobs and strengthened community resilience. The same approach, when applied to Subarnarekha’s industrial and urban clusters, can create a self-sustaining clean-up and recycling ecosystem.
Livelihood Creation Linked to the Green Economy
Earth5R links river restoration with sustainable livelihoods, especially for women, youth, and underserved communities. Through its Green Jobs Program, Earth5R has trained over 20,000 individuals in waste management, urban farming, and eco-entrepreneurship.
This addresses not just environmental decay but urban unemployment and inequality — key challenges in districts surrounding the Subarnarekha River. In rural Jharkhand and Odisha, this could also tie in with eco-tourism, craft-based income, and renewable energy entrepreneurship, building a truly inclusive climate solution.
Citizen Engagement Through Technology
Digital tools and platforms are a cornerstone of Earth5R’s citizen engagement model. From mobile-based water quality testing apps to community dashboards and eco-education games, technology has enabled thousands of people to track, report, and act on river pollution in real time.
This could be expanded into a Subarnarekha River Watch Network, where students and citizens can upload data, report dumping, and attend clean-up drives. Such models drive sustained engagement, unlike temporary awareness campaigns that fade quickly.
The Urgent Choice Before Us
The Subarnarekha River, once revered as a lifeline of Eastern India, now stands at a critical juncture where inaction may result in irreversible degradation. With mounting pollution from industrial, mining, and domestic sources, the river’s health is deteriorating rapidly.
From mercury contamination due to gold mining to untreated sewage flowing through Jamshedpur and Ranchi, the Subarnarekha mirrors a nationwide pattern of ecological neglect that demands urgent multi-stakeholder action.
This is not merely an environmental issue — it is a public health crisis and a socioeconomic emergency. Studies have shown that exposure to heavy metals like cadmium and arsenic, found in rivers like Subarnarekha, can cause serious health issues including kidney failure, cancer, and developmental disorders.
It’s important to recognize that previous efforts have failed not because of a lack of intent but due to the absence of an integrated, scalable, and science-based model. Government programs like the Namami Gange have shown partial success, but their top-down, infrastructure-heavy approach often overlooks the need for ecological restoration and citizen ownership.
The choice ahead is clear: either we allow continued pollution, encroachment, and apathy, or we adopt a model that is structured, proven, and inclusive. The Earth5R BlueCities initiative offers just that — a holistic framework that combines community training, green job creation, circular economy integration, and real-time pollution monitoring.
Hope lies in partnerships — between citizens, corporates, NGOs, and government bodies. When stakeholders come together with a common vision, rivers can be brought back to life. For instance, CSR-led cleanups in the Mithi River and UN-partnered training in Dharavi have empowered entire communities to reclaim their environment.
The revival of Subarnarekha is not a fantasy — it is a choice. With structured interventions, clear responsibilities, and empowered local communities, the river can become a model of climate resilience, public health safety, and urban sustainability.
Data Snapshot Box – Understanding the Subarnarekha’s Decline
Accurate, real-time data is essential for diagnosing the health of a river and crafting targeted interventions. The following snapshot of the Subarnarekha River presents a consolidated overview of key environmental indicators, shedding light on its current ecological crisis.
| Indicator | Current Status | Source |
| Sewage Treated | Only 25% of sewage from Jamshedpur and Ranchi is treated before discharge into the Subarnarekha | Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board |
| Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) | Measured up to 5.7 mg/L, indicating moderate to severe organic pollution | CPCB Water Quality Report 2022 |
| Heavy Metal Contamination | Presence of arsenic, lead, and chromium detected near mining zones | Springer Environmental Monitoring Study on Subarnarekha |
| Biodiversity Loss | Estimated 40% decline in native fish and aquatic species | ResearchGate – Biodiversity in Subarnarekha Basin |
| Riverbank Encroachment | Over 32% of riverbanks encroached by illegal settlements and dumping grounds | Hindustan Times Jharkhand Riverbank Report |
| Plastic Waste Dumped | Approx. 4–5 tonnes per day of plastic enters the river near urban stretches | India Water Portal – Waste in Subarnarekha |
| Flooding Vulnerability | Severe floods recorded in 2015 and 2018, affecting over 40,000 people | Times of India Flood Report |
| Groundwater Nitrate Levels | Found to exceed permissible limits in nearby wells in West Singhbhum | National Groundwater Board Report |
This data snapshot reveals a clear pattern of environmental stress — untreated sewage, solid waste, and encroachments are degrading the Subarnarekha’s health at multiple levels.
Urban Sustainability Opportunities for Jamshedpur and Ranchi
The restoration of the Subarnarekha River is not just an environmental necessity—it is a gateway to comprehensive urban sustainability. As key cities like Jamshedpur and Ranchi grapple with rapid growth and resource stress, aligning river restoration with broader sustainability efforts offers a path toward resilient, inclusive, and livable urban ecosystems. Below are strategic domains where targeted interventions can create lasting impact.
Waste Management and Circular Economy
Both Jamshedpur and Ranchi generate over 500–700 metric tonnes of solid waste daily, much of which finds its way into open drains and riverbanks, ultimately choking the Subarnarekha. Implementing decentralized Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) and incentivizing segregation at source are crucial first steps toward a circular economy model.
Earth5R’s Zero Waste to Landfill model has shown how citizen-led recycling, supported by corporate CSR funds, can drastically reduce landfill dependency and boost green livelihoods.Integrating these models across neighborhoods can transform waste from a problem into a resource.
Sustainable Mobility and Transport
Traffic congestion and vehicle emissions in Ranchi have worsened air quality and contributed indirectly to river pollution via oil runoff and urban dust. Embracing sustainable mobility solutions like e-rickshaws, electric buses, and integrated cycling infrastructure is essential.
Lessons from Indore’s Smart Mobility Plan, which prioritizes pedestrian zones and public transit, can be replicated here with support from the Smart Cities Mission.Enhanced last-mile connectivity will also encourage climate-friendly commuting.
Urban Green Spaces and Biodiversity
Urban development has shrunk green cover in Jamshedpur by over 20% in the last decade, according to satellite studies, reducing the city’s ability to absorb pollution and recharge aquifers. Reviving urban forests, parks, and riverside eco-belts is critical for ecological restoration.
Earth5R’s Mumbai Tree Plantation Project, supported by local CSR partners, successfully added thousands of native trees along degraded water bodies, showcasing a scalable blueprint for urban biodiversity corridors. Implementing similar efforts along the Subarnarekha’s urban stretch can create habitat connectivity and climate buffers.
Water Conservation and Management
While the Subarnarekha flows through Jharkhand, local water tables are dropping due to overextraction and inefficient infrastructure. Rooftop rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, and check dam construction can help revive groundwater recharge zones, especially in peri-urban areas.
The Amrit Sarovar Mission, launched by the Government of India, offers financial and technical support for community water bodies—ideal for replicating near the Subarnarekha basin. Such programs can dovetail with Earth5R’s urban water literacy campaigns to enhance citizen stewardship.
Carbon Footprint Reduction and Climate Action
Both Ranchi and Jamshedpur are highly vulnerable to climate impacts such as floods, droughts, and heatwaves, all of which are exacerbated by a high urban carbon footprint. Promoting building energy efficiency, solar rooftops, and corporate carbon audits can significantly reduce GHG emissions.
Earth5R’s Climate Literacy Workshops, delivered in partnership with MIT Solve, have empowered communities and students to track carbon footprints and implement low-carbon habits. Scaling these workshops through schools and RWAs can accelerate climate awareness and action.
Citizen Sustainability Engagement
No urban sustainability effort can succeed without active citizen participation. In both cities, awareness about waste segregation, water conservation, and biodiversity is limited, but rising. Introducing green community awards, eco-challenges, and mobile sustainability apps can make environmental actions personal and rewarding.
Earth5R’s EcoCitizen App, which allows residents to report pollution and access sustainability resources, offers a powerful model for scaling citizen science and accountability.Integrating such platforms into Smart City dashboards will institutionalize citizen feedback loops in governance.
Final Vision
By aligning river rejuvenation with a comprehensive urban sustainability agenda, Jamshedpur and Ranchi can emerge as lighthouse cities for environmental resilience. These cities have the potential to serve as national examples where ecological health, economic prosperity, and citizen well-being coalesce.
“By integrating river restoration with holistic urban sustainability, Jamshedpur and Ranchi can become living models of environmental resilience. Earth5R’s BlueCities initiative is uniquely positioned to guide this transformation at every step.”
-Authored By Pragna Chakraborty
