Chambal River

The Chambal River (Hindi-चम्बल) is a tributary of the Yamuna River in central India. The river flows north-northeast through Madhya Pradesh, running for a time through Rajasthan, then forming the boundary between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh before turning southeast to join the Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh state ^[1].

It is a perennial river and originates at Manpura, south of Mhow town, near Indore, on the south slope of the Vindhya Range in Madhya Pradesh. The Chambal and its tributaries drain the Malwa region of northwestern Madhya Pradesh, while its tributary the Banas, which rises in the Aravalli Range, drains southeastern Rajasthan. The Chambal ends a confluence of five rivers, including the Chambal, Kwari, Yamuna, Sind, Pahuj, at Pachnada near Bhareh in Uttar Pradesh state, at the border of Bhind and Etawah districts.

National Chambal (Gharial) Wildlife Sanctuary

The Chambal river remains one of North India’s most unpolluted rivers, home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna. National Chambal (Gharial) Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for the rare Ganges river dolphin. The sanctuary was founded in 1978 and is part of a large area co-administered by Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, within area of 5,400 km². Approximately 400 km of the river is within the reserve. Apart from the Ganges river Dolphin, the other inhabitants of the sanctuary include magar (crocodile) and gharial (Gavialis gangeticus). Migratory birds from Siberia form its rich avian fauna.

In November 2007, Officials and rangers of the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department released 40 alligators into the River to increase the number of endangered species of alligators.^[2]

chambal river( a view from a train)

chambal basin

Dams on the Chambal

Chambal meets the requirements of hydro-power generation at Gandhi Sagar dam, Rana Pratap Sagar dam and Jawahar Sagar Dam and for annual irrigation of 5668.01 square kilometres in the commands of the right main canal and the left main canal of the Kota Barrage. The Gandhi Sagar dam lies on the Chambal in Neemuch District of Madhya Pradesh.

Dacoits

The Chambal ravine or 'beehad' (Hindi-बीहड़) has harbored dacoits (bandits) for centuries.One of the famous dacoits was Phoolan Devi,who terrorised the entire Chambal valley.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Chambal River

• Chambal Basin (Department of Irrigation, Government of Rajasthan)
• Chambal Valley Project
• Wildlife around Chambal River

Coordinates: 26°29′N 79°15′E / 26.483°N 79.25°E / 26.483; 79.25