Jaldhaka River

The Jaldhaka River is a very crucial river situated to the north of India and this river exists as a result of glaciers of eastern Himalayas in itself at the Himalayas State Bhutan; flows across the Indian region of the West Bengal. The river measures about 192 km and the area covered by the river along the entire basin is about 3,200 square km. Jaldhaka River is a river with natural beauty and biodiversity and cultural importance.

Origin and Way of travel :

Jaldhaka River is formed in the Chumbi Valley in Bhutan and flows into India and flows through the Kalimpong district of West Bengal. The river flows in a southwesterly direction through Himalaya foothills and operates in the town of Jhalong, Bindu, Paren and Samsing and merges into the river Teesta close to Gajoldoba.

Jaldhaka basin consists of various tributaries that include the Neora river, the Chel river, the Rincheng river and the Kali river. The water source of the river is the melting snow and the ice of the eastern Himalaya and the rainfall which runs during June to September in the form of a monsoon.

Geography and Ecology :

Jaldhaka River is located in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal which is full of hills and green forests. The river basin has a steep environment with deep valleys and dense forests in which an assortment of flora and fauna exists in.

There are some endangered species in the Jaldhaka River basin known to inhabit the area, which include the Indian elephant, the clouded leopard, the Himalayan black bear and red panda. The river is also described in terms of the variety of fish which include several varieties of fish found in the river; they include the mahseer, trout and catfish.

Jaldhaka River basin is biodiversity-rich and BirdLife International has identified the area as an important bird area. There are also a number of bird species found in the region in the forests and along the river banks and some of them include hornbill, thrush and laughing thrush.

Culture and Economic :

The Jaldhaka River is of great cultural as well as of economic importance to the people residing in the area. According to the local communities, the river is sacred and there are various religious and cultural festivals on its banks.

Agricultural economy of the region also depends on the Jaldhaka River. This river basin also accommodates a number of tea gardens that are producing high quality tea that is exported to different parts of the world. The tea gardens and other agricultural fields in the region use the river to irrigate.

The region also has its power supply in the form of hydroelectricity provided by the Jaldhaka River. The river has a number of hydropower projects that supply electricity to the surrounding people and to the state of West Bengal.

Environmental Threats :

Human activities are subjecting the Jaldhaka River and its basin to various threats to the environment. Deforestation, soil erosion and water pollution are some of the consequences of the rising population, farming and tourism in the area.

Pesticides and fertilizers used in the agricultural field have contributed to the pollution of the river and this will have an impact on the water quality and the aquatic life. Another aspect of the hydropower projects and dams construction has impacted the natural flow of the river downstream causing an ecological impact and the people livelihoods of those living by the river.

Conclusion :

Jaldhaka River is a water resource located in the northern region of India, which has been famous due to its natural beauty, the biodiversity, and also the culture of the region. Human activities pose a number of environmental threats to the river and its basin which require to be mitigated in a way that promotes sustainability of the region.