Ghaghara

The Ghaghara is a massive perennial river system. It flows across several borders in Asia. In Tibet, the river is called the Mapcha Tsangpo. As it travels south through Nepal, it is known as the Karnali.

Once it enters India, the river becomes the Ghaghara. In the city of Ayodhya, it is called the Saryu. This river is a major left-bank tributary of the Ganges. It is the largest tributary of the Ganges by water volume. It is also the second longest after the Yamuna.

The river begins in the high Tibetan Plateau. It originates in the Mapchachungo glaciers. These glaciers sit on the northern slopes of the Himalayas. The river starts at an elevation of about 5,000 meters.

From there, it flows south through remote areas of Nepal. The river basin is located between the Dhaulagiri and Nanda Devi mountain ranges. The highest point in the entire basin is Dhaulagiri II. This peak reaches an elevation of 8,167 meters. The total catchment area for the basin is 54,000 square kilometers. About 45 percent of this area is located in India.

Many other rivers join the Karnali as it flows. The Seti River drains the western part of the catchment. It joins the Karnali in the Doti District. The Bheri River also joins the main flow near Kuineghat. This river rises in the western Dhaulagiri Himalaya.

As the river cuts through the Sivalik Hills, it splits. It forms two separate branches called the Geruwa and the Kauriala. These branches rejoin south of the Indian border. This rejoining forms the proper Ghaghara River. Other tributaries in Nepal include the West Rapti and the Kali. The river eventually flows southeast through Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. It joins the Ganges near the town of Chhapra.

The river supports many unique and endangered species. The Gangetic river dolphin lives in these waters. These are the largest freshwater mammals on the Indian subcontinent. They are considered an endangered species on the IUCN Red List.

The dolphins in the Karnali are at their farthest upstream range. They are vulnerable to habitat loss and human activities. They need deep pools of water to survive. The river also provides a home for the gharial crocodile. It also supports the golden mahseer fish. In Bardia National Park, you can find Asian elephants and various deer species. This park is the largest protected area in the Karnali basin.

Humans have used the river for many different purposes. In the past, the river was a major route for navigation. Steamers used the lower Ghaghara to move goods. People used cargo boats to carry timber, sugar, and cotton. The best time for this was during April, May, and June. However, the arrival of railways in the late 19th century changed things. Railways were faster and safer than river travel. Most waterways lost their importance as trade routes after that. Today, the river is used more for electricity and farming. A 900 MW hydroelectric project is planned for the Karnali.

In India, the river is vital for large-scale agriculture. The Sarda Sahayak Irrigation Project uses the Ghaghara and Sarda rivers. This project uses a structure called the Girija Barrage. This barrage is located in the Bahraich district. The system includes a long link canal. This canal connects the Girija Barrage to the Lower Sarda Barrage. This entire canal system is considered the largest in Asia. It provides irrigation to a massive area. It covers 14 districts and 168 blocks. This helps many farmers grow crops in the region.

Nature also shapes the land around the river. The Karnali River exposes the oldest parts of the Sivalik Hills. Scientists have studied the siltstones and sandstones here. They found evidence of magnetic polarity in these rocks. This suggests the sediments were deposited between 16 million and 5.2 million years ago. The river also has many smaller tributaries like the Chhoti Gandak. The Chhoti Gandak is a groundwater-fed river. Its flow is controlled by heavy monsoon rains. When rain is very high, it can cause floods downstream. This shows how the river and the weather work together to change the landscape.