1 River and its Environs: Mahakali / Sharda – An Introduction

The river Mahakali is called by various Nepal. Mahakali is a trans- names viz. Kali, Mahakali, Sarda along its boundary/international river. In whole of course falling in India and Nepal. River South Asia, rivers have played a symbiotic Mahakali is a Himalayan catchment of role in the dependence of communities on Ghagra sub basin of the large Ganga them, their socio-cultural-economic Basin, originating from the Trans relations, and mutual economic Himalayan region (>3600 m) ultimately cooperation and with changing times draining the region through the Tarai- these inter-linkages needs to be plains of Uttar Pradesh. Almost 1/3rd strengthen further. catchment area of Ganga basin lies in Numerous rivers and streams join the Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. The Mahakali from the higher, middle, lower catchment area of Mahakali is around and outer Himalayas and almost each of 15,260 sq km, large part of which (9,943 such confluence (at least of major rivers) sq km) lies in Uttarakhand and rest lies in 2 acts as a place of socio-cultural, trade- joins Kali at Pancheshwar, Panar and festival importance. Before the river eastern Ramganga meet near encounters Tanakpur barrage (Sarda Rameshwar. On the right bank, Lohawati Ghat) and later Banbasa Barrage, the from Lohaghat and Ladhiya from the main river is a free riverine stream. The Nainital hills flow to meet Sharda / Kali. catchment boundaries of Mahakali/Sarda Key Components and Purpose basin cut across administrative boundaries of ‘Far Western’ Himalayan region of Confluence Conclaves: This Nepal comprising four districts of Baitadi, effort/process is to interact with people Dadheldhura, Kanchanpur and Darchula and enable interaction among the through major parts of Pitthoragarh communities from river valleys within the (except the top most NW border), almost catchment boundaries of Mahakali/Sarda whole of Champawat, Bageshwar district to increase understanding on social, (excluding upper part of Kapkot Tehsil) environmental, cultural, economic, climate and very small parts of lower Almora and change, etc. Given the importance of Udham Singh Nagar. In the upper reaches Sangams or confluences, confluence Mahakali/Sarda flows through narrow conclaves will be held at 12 locations in gorges passing through Garbyang, Uttarakhand and Nepal (7 in India and 5 in Tawaghat and Dharchula and spreads as Nepal). Most often the people in adjacent it flows downwards in the lower hills. The valleys only meet during special instances upper Sarda Barrage (also known as the and regular interactions are rare so these Banbasa Barrage) is built here and water confluence conclaves will prominently of the river is diverted into the Sarda highlight people’s issues. The day-long Canal system. confluence conclaves will focus on issues of local and trans-boundary waters, The Confluences community institutions, resource The ecological setting of the region has management, developmental issues, and many facets attached to it like, geographic others which are related across different peculiarities, ecological significance, age groups and gender. Though it is a limitations of expansion, socio-cultural and challenge, but it is hoped that issues will economic ties and many other aspects. emerge over time providing direction and Tawaghat is the place where Kali receives momentum to deep thinking and mutual Dhauliganga and flows towards Dharchula exchange. where 280 MW Dhauliganga project of Continuity and Relevance (Voice based NHPC is operational. Dharchula is zone messaging): The purpose is to connect affected by recurring landslide and floods. more voices which remain unheard. And The most recent landslide event occurred these issues will be so wide-ranging that it in October 2016. The unprecedented will require a long-term and easier rainfall event in June 2013 in Darchula of mechanism of interaction, where without Nepal and Dhauli Valley are also not very any physical effort, you can share your old incidents. Dharchula in India and information, programmes, events, or Darchula in Nepal may slightly differ in issues. It is named Voices of Sarda nomenclature but the towns and their (VoS). inhabitants share similar cultures and traditions. Gori Ganga, formed from Milam You can interact with Voices of Sarda and Nanda Devi Glacier, flows down and (VoS) by giving a missed call to this joins Kali at Jauljibi and this is a common number - 7409465288. Once you give a market and social gathering place of missed call, you will get a call back and importance for communities of both you will be guided to record your countries. Few kilometres downstream message, listen to your message and from Jauljibi, River Chamliya of Nepal, other pre-recorded messages of others. flowing from Nepal’s Gurans Himal, meets The messages will be moderated and if Kali on its left bank – here a 30 MW required you will be called to verify the hydroelectric project on Chamliya is content of your message and it will be waiting completion. Further down, Saryu moderated for the purpose listening by 3 common people. Once finalised, the much formality and also maintained message will be graded as per the issue cordial social relations among and uploaded on the website so that communities. The ecological and socio- everyone can listen the issue raised by cultural similarities in the basin make it you. The aim of this initiative is to connect more or less a homogeneous unit. The those communities which have issues to Mahakali Treaty of 1996 is the key binding share, but have no means to share these instrument between two countries on with the outside world or communities in water sharing, river management and other valleys/districts. The variety of infrastructure development - modalities issues received over a period of time will are worked out by the two Governments. be analyzed, clubbed and sent to relevant While there are debates on the quantum authorities or decision making bodies for of water releases with reference to taking steps to address the issues. establishment of first user right, this has not affected the community relations on Inter-Governmental both the sides but they have been the Associations/Cooperation peripheral observers and have not the The Indo Nepal Treaty of Peace & slightest role in the formalisation of Friendship 1950 has enabled ease of decisions on trans-boundary rive cross border movement of people without