Gold Rush in Jharkhand: Subarnarekha River Lures

Subarnarekha River, which runs across Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha, is world-famous for its gold deposits. Also called the "Streak of Gold," the river has been yielding alluvial gold for centuries. Indigenous communities traditionally win gold dust from its sands, which supports the economy at the local level. Though anyone can be involved in gold extraction, it is mainly carried out by local tribal laborers who sieve the sand all year round, excluding monsoons. The gold extracted is usually tiny, as small as rice grains, and is then further polished by local goldsmiths for use in jewelry.

 

Source: Times of India, India Today