Previous Year Question

The Damodar River is among the Indian rivers whose certain stretches have been severely affected by industrial and mining pollution. It has been described as a ‘Biological Desert’ because of the serious reduction in aquatic organisms and biodiversity associated with pollution. The river flows mainly through Jharkhand and West Bengal. It originates in the Palamu Hills of the Chota Nagpur Plateau region of Jharkhand. Its major tributaries include the Barakar, Konar, and Bokaro rivers.

The Damodar Valley is rich in coal and other mineral resources. The region contains important coalfields such as Jharia, Bokaro, and Raniganj, along with steel industries, Thermal Power Plants, and Coal Washeries. Mining Waste, Industrial Effluents, fine coal particles, and ash generated by these activities can contaminate river water. In particular, the stretch of the Damodar River between Giridih and Durgapur has historically been associated with severe industrial pollution.

The term Biological Desert is used to describe an aquatic ecological condition in which excessive pollution causes a substantial decline in the abundance and diversity of aquatic organisms. Increased organic waste in a river may raise its Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), thereby reducing the availability of Dissolved Oxygen (DO). Additionally, Heavy Metals, toxic chemicals, and Suspended Solids can harm fish and other aquatic organisms. The term does not necessarily imply the complete absence of aquatic life throughout every section of the river.

The Damodar River was historically known as the ‘Sorrow of Bengal’ because its destructive floods affected the lower plains of West Bengal. The Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) was established in 1948 for flood control, irrigation, and electricity generation. Tilaiya, Konar, Maithon, and Panchet are among its major dams. Addressing pollution in the Damodar River requires industrial wastewater treatment, mining waste management, and regular monitoring of water quality.