Chambal River

Source: DTE

Context: Illegal sand mining is rampant in the Chambal River region across states, threatening biodiversity and endangering officials and journalists.

• It jeopardises the conservation efforts in the National Chambal Sanctuary, home to rare and endangered species like the Gharial and Ganges dolphin.

About Chambal River:

• Origin: Bhadakla Falls near Janapav Hills (843 m elevation), Indore district, Madhya Pradesh.

• Length: Approx. 1,024 km.

• Mouth: Confluences with the Yamuna River in Jalaun district, Uttar Pradesh.

• States Flowing Through: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh

• Major Tributaries:

• Right Bank: Banas, Kali Sindh, Parbati, Shipra Other Tributaries: Kuno, Seep, Kuwari, Mej, Gambhir, etc.

• Right Bank: Banas, Kali Sindh, Parbati, Shipra

• Other Tributaries: Kuno, Seep, Kuwari, Mej, Gambhir, etc.

• Chambal is a Tributary of: Yamuna River, hence part of the Ganga drainage system.

• River Characteristics:

• Known as India’s cleanest river. Ancient name: Charmanvati (Mahabharata). Flows through Vindhyan scarplands, badlands, ravines, forming deep gorges. Major dams: Gandhi Sagar, Rana Pratap Sagar, Jawahar Sagar.

• Known as India’s cleanest river.

• Ancient name: Charmanvati (Mahabharata).

• Flows through Vindhyan scarplands, badlands, ravines, forming deep gorges.

• Major dams: Gandhi Sagar, Rana Pratap Sagar, Jawahar Sagar.

About National Chambal Sanctuary:

• Tri-state protected riverine zone (Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh).

• Spread over 5,400 sq. km along 425 km of Chambal River.

• Established to conserve critically endangered and riverine species.

• Key Features:

• Primary Focus: Conservation of Gharial (world’s largest population), Ganges Dolphin, and Red-crowned Roof Turtle Other Wildlife: Mugger crocodile, smooth-coated otter, striped hyena, Indian wolf 8 rare turtle species like Indian narrow-headed softshell turtle Mammals: Sambhar, Nilgai, Indian gazelle, Bengal fox, langur, etc. Flora: Dry deciduous forests (Kathiar-Gir ecoregion). Topography: Ravines, sandy stretches, and hilly terrain. Recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA).

• Primary Focus: Conservation of Gharial (world’s largest population), Ganges Dolphin, and Red-crowned Roof Turtle

• Other Wildlife: Mugger crocodile, smooth-coated otter, striped hyena, Indian wolf 8 rare turtle species like Indian narrow-headed softshell turtle

• Mugger crocodile, smooth-coated otter, striped hyena, Indian wolf

• 8 rare turtle species like Indian narrow-headed softshell turtle

• Mammals: Sambhar, Nilgai, Indian gazelle, Bengal fox, langur, etc.

• Flora: Dry deciduous forests (Kathiar-Gir ecoregion).

• Topography: Ravines, sandy stretches, and hilly terrain.

• Recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA).