Mahanadi River

Source: HT

Context: After years of litigation before the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal, Odisha and Chhattisgarh have agreed to explore an amicable settlement over the Mahanadi River water-sharing dispute.

About Mahanadi River:

• What It Is? The Mahanadi is a major east-flowing river of peninsular India, known for its high silt load, historical floods, and agricultural importance. The name comes from Sanskrit: “Maha” (great) + “Nadi” (river).

• The Mahanadi is a major east-flowing river of peninsular India, known for its high silt load, historical floods, and agricultural importance. The name comes from Sanskrit: “Maha” (great) + “Nadi” (river).

• States it Flows Through: Chhattisgarh (upper and middle basin) Odisha (lower basin and delta) Minor portions in Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh

• Chhattisgarh (upper and middle basin)

• Odisha (lower basin and delta)

• Minor portions in Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh

• Origin and Course: Origin: Near Pharsiya village, Dhamtari district, Chhattisgarh (Nagri Sihawa Hills, ~442m altitude) Total Length: ~900 km (560 miles) Drains into: Bay of Bengal via several distributaries near Paradip, Odisha Total Basin Area: ~1.32 lakh sq. km

• Origin: Near Pharsiya village, Dhamtari district, Chhattisgarh (Nagri Sihawa Hills, ~442m altitude)

• Total Length: ~900 km (560 miles)

• Drains into: Bay of Bengal via several distributaries near Paradip, Odisha

• Total Basin Area: ~1.32 lakh sq. km

• Major Tributaries: Left Bank: Seonath (Shivnath), Hasdeo, Mand, Ib Right Bank: Ong, Tel, Jonk

• Left Bank: Seonath (Shivnath), Hasdeo, Mand, Ib

• Right Bank: Ong, Tel, Jonk

• Key Features: Hirakud Dam (Odisha): World’s longest earthen dam and built for flood control, irrigation, and hydropower. Satkosia Gorge: A scenic and ecologically sensitive zone cutting through the Eastern Ghats. Delta System: One of India’s largest, shared with the Brahmani River and supports agriculture, fisheries, and ports. Rich Biodiversity: Home to over 130 bird species, fish populations, and key tiger reserve zones.

• Hirakud Dam (Odisha): World’s longest earthen dam and built for flood control, irrigation, and hydropower.

• Satkosia Gorge: A scenic and ecologically sensitive zone cutting through the Eastern Ghats.

• Delta System: One of India’s largest, shared with the Brahmani River and supports agriculture, fisheries, and ports.

• Rich Biodiversity: Home to over 130 bird species, fish populations, and key tiger reserve zones.

• Significance of the Recent Announcement: Shift from Legal Confrontation to Dialogue: Opens space for cooperative federalism over natural resource sharing. Union Government’s Role: A CWC-led Joint Committee has been proposed to guide a technical and fair resolution. Model for Other River Disputes: Sets a precedent for inter-state coordination over contentious river-sharing issues.

• Shift from Legal Confrontation to Dialogue: Opens space for cooperative federalism over natural resource sharing.

• Union Government’s Role: A CWC-led Joint Committee has been proposed to guide a technical and fair resolution.

• Model for Other River Disputes: Sets a precedent for inter-state coordination over contentious river-sharing issues.