Balason River

News: An application filed before the NGT has raised concerns over violations of environmental laws and riverbank regulations by the construction of the Balason Blues Resort & Camping on the Balason riverbank in Darjeeling. 

About Balason River

• Origin: It originates from Lepchajagat on the Ghum-Simana ridge at an altitude of about 2,361 m in the Darjeeling Himalayas, below Tiger Hill in Darjeeling District of West Bengal.
• Naming: The name ‘Balasun‘ is derived from the Lepcha language, highlighting local heritage.
• Course of the river: The main course of the Balason River flows from north to southeast for approximately 51.92 km.
  • It flows north to south-east, joining the Mahananda River at Naukaghat (Siliguri).
  • So, it is a major right-bank tributary of the Mahananda River. 
  • The Mahananda River eventually merges with the Ganga River system.
• River basin: The river basin spans parts of Rangli Rangliot, Naxalbari, Matigara, Jorebunglow Sukiapokhri, Mirik, and Kurseong in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal.
  • The basin area is largely composed of intensely metamorphosed rocks, including gneiss, slates, phyllite, and schists and the basin area is dominated by Inceptisol soils.
• Tributaries: Its right bank and left bank tributaries are:
  • Right-bank tributaries: Pulungdung Khola, Rangbang Khola, Marma Khola, Manjwa Jhora, and Dudhia Jhora.
  • Left-bank tributaries: Bhim Khola, Rangmuk Khola, Pachhim Khola, Rinchigtong Khola, and Ghatta Hussain Khola.
• Drainage pattern: The drainage network exhibits a dendritic pattern and the river valley is characterised by a steep, ungraded channel, a narrow valley floor, and steep valley sides.