Jharkhand State Ganga River Conservation Authority
- The Ganga River flows through Sahebganj district of Jharkhand.
- To ensure Jharkhand’s participation in Ganga River conservation, the Central Government constituted the Jharkhand State Ganga River Conservation Authority.
- Established on: 20th February 2009
- Headquartered at: Ranchi
- Chairperson: Chief Minister of Jharkhand
- Other core members include:
- State Minister of Environment
- Finance Minister
- Urban Development Minister
- Water Resources & Irrigation Minister
- Chief Secretary (serving as Secretary)
- The State Government can also nominate:
- Additional Ministers
- 5 co-opted experts in fields like:
- River Conservation
- Hydrology
- Environmental Engineering
- Social Organization
- Other related areas
Powers & Functions of the Authority:
- Empowered to take all necessary measures for effective pollution mitigation and implementation of directives of the National Ganga River Basin Authority.
- Will focus on sewage infrastructure, catchment area treatment, floodplain security, and public awareness at the state level.
- Will regulate and promote pollution prevention, control, and mitigation activities and focus on river ecology and management.
- Will encourage:
- Water recycling & reuse
- Rainwater harvesting
- Decentralized sewage treatment
- Watershed storage projects to promote water conservation.
- Will attempt to maintain minimum ecological flow in the Ganga through water conservation methods ensuring sustainable development.
- Will monitor and review programs/activities prepared by implementing agencies for pollution control and river health.
- Will resolve issues like:
- Land acquisition
- Encroachment
- Contracts
- Power supply
- And others related to the implementation of NGRBA guidelines
- Jurisdiction: Limited to the state of Jharkhand
Fact Asked in Exams: The Authority was formed on 20th Feb, 2009 and is headquartered in Ranchi.
Major Waterfalls of Jharkhand
Jharkhand’s plateau regions give rise to several waterfalls due to the erosion of soft rocks and obstruction by hard rocks. Below is a detailed list:
Waterfalls in Latehar District:
- Burhaghagh / Lodhaghagh*
- Highest waterfall in Jharkhand – 143 meters / 469 feet
- Located on the Burha River, a tributary of the North Koel
- Most profound area is called Chitidah
- Upper Ghaghri (Apar Ghaghri)
- Located in Netarhat on the Ghaghri River
- Height: 43 meters / 140 feet
- 🐃 Formerly called Bhainsborwa (a buffalo used to bathe here during summers)
- Lower Ghaghri (Nichla Ghaghri)
- Netarhat | Height: 30 meters / 100 feet
- Suidari
- Located in Mahuadanr block
- Drops from 250–300 feet forming a small reservoir
- Merges into the Burha River
- Gautamghagh
- Mahuadanr Block | Height: 36 meters / 120 feet
- Mirchaiya
- Located in Garu block
- Kanti Waterfall
- Located near Senha village, 6 km away
- Datam-Patam
- Located in Herhanj Block
Waterfalls in Garhwa District:
- Gursindhu
- On Kanhar River in Chinia region
- Balchaura
- On Kanhar River, Ghughri block
- Sukhaldari
- Kanhar River | Height: 30 meters / 98 feet
- Gangajhanjh
- Satu
- Satbahini
- Located in Hussainabad block
- Created by the Satbahini River
Waterfall in Palamu District:
- Kund Waterfall
Waterfall in Ranchi District:
- Hundru Falls*
- Second highest waterfall in Jharkhand
- Height: 98 meters / 322 feet
- Situated on the Subarnarekha River
- A 65 MW hydro project is established nearby
Fact Asked in Exams:
- Burhaghagh (Lodh Falls) – Highest waterfall in Jharkhand
- Hundru Falls – Second highest, on Subarnarekha River
Key Notes for Exams:
- All exam-asked facts are marked with (*)
- Focus districts: Latehar, Garhwa, Palamu, Ranchi
- Important rivers: Burha, Koel, Ghaghri, Kanhar, Subarnarekha
- Relevant for: JPSC, JSSC, CDPO, TGT, SI, and other competitive exams
- Burhaghat / Lodhghagh / Lodh Falls*
- Tallest waterfall in Jharkhand (143 m / 469 ft)
- Formed on Burha River, a tributary of North Koel River
- Deepest part is called Chitidah
- Upper Ghaghri & Lower Ghaghri Falls
- Located in Netarhat on Ghaghri River
- Lower Ghaghri (43 m / 140 ft) – formerly known as Bhainsborwa
- Upper Ghaghri (30 m / 100 ft)
- Suidhari Falls
- In Mahuadanr block, forms a small reservoir
- Falls into Burha River
- Mirchaiya Falls (36 m / 120 ft) – Mahuadanr block
- Kanti Falls – Located in Garu block
- Datam-Patam Falls – 6 km from Senha village
Waterfalls in Garhwa District
- Gursindhu Falls – Kanhar River, Chinhiya area
- Balchaura Falls – Kanhar River, Ghurki block
- Sukhaldari Falls* – (30 m / 98 ft)
- Gangajhar, Satu, Satbahini Falls
- Satbahini River, located in Husainganj block
Waterfalls in Ranchi District
- Hundru Falls*
- Second highest waterfall in Jharkhand (98 m / 322 ft)
- Located on Subarnarekha River
- 65 MW hydropower plant nearby
- Dassam / Dasong / Da:Som Falls*
- (44 m / 144 ft), on Kanchi River, in Taimara Valley
- Name ‘Dassam’ means “divided stream”
- ‘Da: Som’ in Mundari means “accumulated water”
- Jonha / Gautamdhara Falls*
- (43 m / 141 ft), on Raru River
- Gautam Buddha is believed to have bathed here
- A Buddhist temple nearby
- Sonua, Sita Falls*
- Sita Falls – example of Hanging Valley
- Located in Angara block, near Sita temple
- Tiru Falls – On Banai River
Waterfalls in Khunti District
- Panchghagh Falls – Splits into 5 streams
- Perewaghagh, Rani, Pangura, Remix Falls
Waterfalls in Lohardaga District
- Lava Pani, Ghargharia, Nindi Falls
Waterfalls in Gumla District
- Hepad Falls – at the foothills of Pat region
- Nagpheni Falls – at origin of Ghaghra River
- Sadni / Sadnighagh Falls*
- On Shankh River, 60 m / 200 ft
- Divides into five streams, nicknamed Panchgarh
- Premagagh Falls – Serpent-shaped, in Raidih block
- Merka Falls – Bishunpur block, on Serka River
Waterfalls in Simdega District
- Kelaghagh, Sugakata Falls – On Shankh River
Waterfalls in Chatra District
- Goa Falls – Located in Jalad village
- Tamasir, Maludah, Dumer-Sumer, Khaiva-Baru, Keridah Falls
Waterfalls in Hazaribagh District
- Surajkund Falls*
- Known for hot springs
- Bokaro Falls, Ghaghra Falls
Waterfalls in Ramgarh District
- Rajrappa Falls*
- Located at confluence of Damodar and Bhairavi Rivers
- Height: 4 m / 13 ft
- Sada Bahar / Nimmi Falls*
- Height: 18 m / 59 ft
Waterfalls in Dhanbad District
- Munidih / Bhatinda Falls*
- Near Munidih mines, close to Katari River
Waterfalls in Bokaro District
- Chandru Falls – On Vishnugarh–Gomia route
- Varadparwa Falls – On Bokaro River
- Muchri Nala Falls
- Stream forming state border with West Bengal
Waterfalls in Giridih District
- Usri Falls*
- On Usri River, a tributary of Barakar
- Located at Khandoli Hills
Waterfalls in Devghar District
- Bakulia Falls
Waterfalls in West Singhbhum
- Hirni Falls – On Garha/Ramgarha River, height 37 m
- Thakora Falls – Manjhari block, Vidri village
- Supungd Falls – Lupung village
Waterfalls in East Singhbhum
- Dharagiri Falls – On Subarnarekha River, near Ghatsila
- Ghaghra Falls – Height: 9 m / 30 ft
Waterfalls in Seraikela-Kharsawan District
- Hesakocha & DurDuri Falls
Waterfalls in Sahibganj District
- Motijhara Falls*
- On Ajay River, Rajmahal Hills
- Height: 46 m / 150 ft
Key Takeaways for Competitive Exams (JPSC/JSSC)
- Tallest waterfall: Lodh Falls (143 m) – Latehar
- Second tallest: Hundru Falls (98 m) – Ranchi
- Historical relevance: Jonha Falls – Linked with Gautam Buddha
- Cultural connections: Dassam (Mundari word), Sita Falls (temple nearby)
- Hydropower site: Hundru Falls (65 MW plant)
Hot Springs in Jharkhand (गर्म जलकुंड)
Hot springs are formed where the groundwater table intersects the Earth’s surface, allowing geothermal heat to warm the underground water, which then rises to the surface. These are usually associated with extinct volcanoes or radioactive minerals in the Earth’s crust.
Key Characteristics:
- Contain mineral salts, sulphur, and other elements.
- Water has medicinal properties effective against arthritis, anemia, and skin diseases.
- Found mainly in Hazaribagh, Dumka, Dhanbad, Pakur, etc.
List of Major Hot Springs in Jharkhand:
| S.No. | Hot Spring | District | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Surajkund | Hazaribagh | Hottest spring in India (88°C/190°F). Five kunds: Soupkund, Ramkund, Lakshmankund, Sitakund, and Tiger Fall |
| 2 | Tiger Fall | Hazaribagh | Located on the Barakar River |
| 3 | Harhad | Hazaribagh | – |
| 4 | Kawa | Hazaribagh | – |
| 5 | Harhad (Again listed) | Hazaribagh | – |
| 6 | Rani Bahal | Dumka | On the Mayurakshi River |
| 7 | Jhumka / Bhumka | Dumka | Near Rani Bahal on Mour/Mayurakshi River |
| 8 | Tapatapani | Dumka | – |
| 9 | Jharyapani | Dumka | – |
| 10 | Tatloi | Dumka | – |
| 11 | Barajharna | Dumka | – |
| 12 | Nabil | Dumka | – |
| 13 | Susumpani | Dumka | – |
| 14 | Tetulia | Dhanbad | Located in Kumrabad on Mour River |
| 15 | Charakkhurd | Dhanbad | Near Damodar River |
| 16 | Tatapani | Latehar | Located in Barwadih block |
| 17 | Dua | Chatra | – |
| 18 | Shivpur Sota | Pakur | In Shivpur village, Maheshpur block |
| 19 | Baramasia | Pakur | – |
| 20 | Ladlaudah | Pakur | In Maheshpur block |
| 21 | Chatkam | Pakur | On the Boru River, in Littipara block |
🔸 Note: Facts asked in exams have been marked with a star (⭐).
Important Lakes and Reservoirs in Jharkhand
Lakes and reservoirs in Jharkhand are not only water resources but also tourism hotspots. Many have historic significance, and some are man-made.
List of Major Lakes and Reservoirs:
| S.No. | Name | Location | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Swami Vivekananda Sarovar ⭐ | Ranchi | Located in the heart of Ranchi, surrounded by roads. A 33-feet statue of Swami Vivekananda, sculpted by Anil Kumar Sutar, is installed at the center. |
| 2 | Kanke Dam | Ranchi | – |
| 3 | Dhurwa Dam | Ranchi | – |
| 4 | Dimna Lake | Jamshedpur | Near Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary |
| 5 | Jayanti Sarovar | Jamshedpur | Located in central Jamshedpur |
| 6 | Hudco Lake | Jamshedpur | – |
| 7 | Dobo Lake | Jamshedpur | Located within Telco Colony |
| 8 | Hazaribagh Lake | Hazaribagh | Built in 1831 by the British government |
| 9 | Topchanchi Lake ⭐ | Dhanbad | Spread over 214 acres |
| 10 | Garga Dam | Bokaro | Located 12 km from Bokaro city |
| 11 | Basantaray Talab ⭐ | Godda | Located in Pathargama; spreads over 50 acres; a large fair is organized during Chaita Sankranti. |
| 12 | Fansihaari Talab ⭐ | Chatra | On 4 October 1857, Mangal Pandey and Nadir Ali Khan were hanged here. |
| 13 | Palna Lake | Kharsawan | – |
| 14 | Burudih Lake | Ghatshila | – |
| 15 | Muller’s Tank ⭐ | Godda | Built by Frederick Max Muller |
🔸 Note: Starred facts have been frequently asked in exams.
Summary for Exams (JPSC/JSSC/SSC etc.):
- Surajkund (Hazaribagh) is the hottest hot spring in India at 88°C.
- Swami Vivekananda Lake in Ranchi is a prominent tourist and religious site.
- Tatapani (Latehar) and Tatloi (Dumka) are important for their thermal properties.
- Topchanchi Lake, Basantaray Talab, and Fansihaari Talab hold historic and cultural significance.
- Most hot springs in Jharkhand are located in the Chotanagpur Plateau region.
Why This Topic Matters?
- Frequently asked in exams like JPSC, JSSC, SSC CGL, and Railway.
- Useful for Geography, Environment, and Jharkhand GK sections.
- High-scoring area due to fact-based and static nature.