Baitarani River

When it comes to the state of Odhisa, India, the Baitarani River holds a spot of great importance. The legacy of this river has run down ages and there is reference of the river in the legends that have been written about the state of Odhisa and its surroundings. The Baitarani provides water required for irrigation in the area and its fertile soil forms a very rich base for agriculture. The Baitarani is one of the six rivers of the state that divides the entire region into three distinct regions. The Baitarani basin which had been a very fertile area for irrigation has with time, fallen prey to industrial menace and that has led to contamination of the water. This is a major issue that bugs the administration and people living in this area.  The river is all of 365 km by length as it traverses across the state. It has approximately 12,790 square Km of catchment area. Though the major part of the river flows in the state of Odhisa, the upper reaches of the river lie in the state of Jharkhand. Water sharing laws have been laid for the two states to adhere to.

Geographically, rivers that pass through Odhisa and flow into the Bay of Bengal can be grouped into four classes. One that originates in the state, ones that have their originating source outside the state, ones that source inside the state and pass through others states also, as also those that have tributaries flowing in from other states. Baitarani is of the river group which originates in other state and thereafter flows through Odhisa state in its course to the Bay of Bengal.

The river has a mythological association and the scriptures mention it to be the river that demarcates earth from the adobe of Yama which is termed as Naraka. The river has the powers to purify sins committed on earth, as per these scriptures. It is believed that souls after leaving the physical human body upon death cross this river. The direction in which the soul crosses the river results in its final resting place being the hell or heaven. These superstitious beliefs make this river a very holy one where family of the deceased does pray for their beloveds safe and happy after life.

In modern times dams and barrages have been bui8lt across this river to contain its flow and help in agricultural irrigation projects. The Bhimkund project is one such major project that has been taken up on the upper reaches of the river. Dams built under this project are expected to aid in irrigating about 1000 km of the length along which the river flows.

The river is prone to flooding and people inhabiting the area alongside the bank of the river live are perpetual fear of this fury of flood. Not even heavy rainfall is required for the river to be in spate, causing damage to the adjoining areas. Illegal and unplanned land use of the upper reaches of the river has been a cause of concern and what has lead to the river breaching its banks to cause natural disaster to the areas.

Course

The river Baitarani originates in the Keonjhar District amongst the Goansika hills. The start of the river is over a stone that resembles in shape as the nostril of a cow. Thereafter the river goes underground and is not visible on the earth surface. The unseen length of the river also goes by the name of Guptaganga and flows underground for 90 km in a northerly direction. Thereafter the river takes a sudden turn to the east and flows on. This part of the river forms the demarcation between the states of Odhisa and Jharkhand.

The river in its 365 km traverse enters Anandpur to create the delta region named Akhuapada. It is joined by 65 tributaries in its journey before it joins the Bay of Bengal, forming 42 blocks and 8 districts along its way.

Tributaries

Salandi River

Originating from the Meghasani Hills it traverses through the districts of Keonjhar, Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj in its route. The total length of the river from source to where it meets the Baitarani is 144 km and the area that it drains in the process is 1793 square km.

Bahuda River

This is one other major tributary of the Baitarani River originating from the Ramgiri hills of Gajapati District. The length of the Bahuda river is 73 km and it has a catchment area of 1250 square km.

Photo Gallery