International Journal of Environment and Bioenergy

International Journal of Environment and Bioenergy, 2012, 4(1): 15-21 International Journal of Environment and Bioenergy ISSN: 2165-8951 Journal homepage: www.ModernScientificPress.com/Journals/IJEE.aspx Florida, USA Article Studies on the Origin and Contribution of Important Tributaries to Arpa River Watershed in India

S J A Bhat 1, S. S. Singh 1, Syed Maqbool Geelani 2, *

1 Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Environmental Sciences, Guru Ghasidas Viswavidyalya, Bilaspur, C.G. India 2 Division of Environmental Sciences, Sheri-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science & Technology-Kashmir, 191 121, Shalimar, (J & K) India

* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: [email protected]; Tel.: +919906448210.

Article history: Received 27 August 2012, Received in revised form 3 October 2012, Accepted 4 October 2012, Published 5 October 012.

Abstract: The cultural heritage and living pattern in Chhattisgarh (India) are associated with tanks and small water-bodies called bries. Major rivers which surrounds Bilaspur district are Agaar, Maniyaar and Arpa. Among these Arpa river is the life line of Bilaspur because more than ten check dams have been constructed on this river basin to harness the better returns from the rain water. Presently, Arpa river generally remains dry except some period of rainy season. So the present study was conducted to know the status of various tributaries which contribute to Arpa river. It was observed that there were about 10-15 tributaries of this river. However, the important ones are Maliniya nallah, Phoolwari nadi, Mati nallah, Madob nallah, Jawas nallah, Sakari nallah, Sat nallah, Gahila nallah, Chapi nallah, Kharang river, and Gudguda nallah. These tributaries vary with respect to their length, catching area and water flow. Since the area is entirely depend upon the monsoon rainfall, the construction of mini-check dams on these tributaries could be an alternative approach to recycle the rain water for increasing production of the area.

Keywords: tributaries; Arpa river; watershed; check dam; water.

1. Introduction

Chhattisgarh abounds in water-bodies, rivers and streams, lakes and tanks. Through systems and practices evolved over hundreds of years people have learned to conserve water and use it

Int. J. Environ. Bioener. 2012, 4(1): 15-21 16 judiciously and equitably (Shah, 2004). A combination of wisdom, intuition and experience has enabled the people to tide over the situation of adversity. The cultural heritage and living pattern in Chhattisgarh are associated with tanks and small water-bodies called bries (Srivastava et al., 2004a). Major rivers which surrounds Bilaspur district are Agaar, Maniyaar and Arpa. Among these Arpa river is the life line of Bilaspur. The region experiences erratic distribution of rains that leads to fluctuation in water table of different water bodies including rivers, streams, lakes etc. For instance, water situations during rainy season in Arpa river shows a rise in water level 2-3 m up and in summer season it moves 5 m down (Simon and Olaf, 2001). In such situations the collection and harvesting of rainwater is of prime importance to make its utilization when water scarcity is experienced. Watershed technology is an alternative strategy for the successful harvesting and recycling of rain water to harness better returns (Wani, 2004). Watershed is the term describing an area of land united by the flow of water, nutrients, pollutants and sediments, moving down slope to the lowest point, through a network of drainage pathways that may be underground or on the surface (Vogl and Lopes, 2008). Generally, these pathways converge into a stream or river system that becomes progressively larger as the water moves downstream. Watersheds can be large or small. Every stream, tributary, or river has an associated watershed, and small watersheds aggregate together to become larger watersheds. The success of watershed depends on the various factors like catchment area, nature and origin of main river or stream and its important tributaries (Rockstrom, 2004). In the present study an attempt has been made to explore the origin of important tributaries that contribute to Arpa river which is the lifeline of district Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh. The Arpa river watershed has a great significance to raise the ceiling of socioeconomic standards of the tribal communities inhabiting on the banks of Arpa River.

2. Methodology

An integrated approach was used to survey the Arpa river watershed through the collection of primary and secondary data. The primary data was collected through the eye views and interviewing with villagers representing different section of the society, which are settled on/and around the banks of Arpa river watershed. However, the secondary data was collected from the wide network including, scientific research journals, agriculture, revenue, forest and irrigation departments of the state especially at tehsil and district levels. Both the data were used to meet the objectives of the study. The information was collected and compiled by selection of stratified random sampling (35-40 samples/teshil) which is settled on the bank of Arpa river watersheds. The data were collected on the different aspects like water status and its utilization, causes of decreasing water level, dependency of

Copyright © 2012 by Modern Scientific Press Company, Florida, USA Int. J. Environ. Bioener. 2012, 4(1): 15-21 17 human and livestock population on Arpa, diversification of agri- based entrepreneurs and finally the quality of water etc. that greatly influence the microenvironment of the region.

3. Results and Discussion

Water is a life and development of life depends on river basin (Wani, 2004). Arpa river watershed is the base of Bilaspur. Arpa river is a main tributary of Mahanadi which is known as the perennial source of irrigation in the state of Chhattisgarh, making the lands of the state fertile from a very long time (Wani et al., 2003). Mahanadi interests the various districts of Chhattisgarh. Bilaspur is one such district which is positioned on the bank of one of the prominent branches of Mahanadi – Arpa River. Bilaspur district is a flourishing place which is blessed with an abundance of natural treasures. For example, there are vast stretches of fertile fields that are used for growing a number of high quality crops (Singh et al., 2001). Every year Bilaspur contributes considerably towards the state's total crop production. The reason behind such a commendable farm production is the Arpa river. Around the year Arpa river goes on making the agricultural lands of Bilaspur more fertile (Srivastava et al., 2004b). Arpa river is one of the vital strongholds of Bilaspur district in Chhattisgarh. It is originated from Khondari-Khongsara, at Pendra (tehsil) in Bilaspur district, where two other rivers namely Maniyari and Sonkachar nadi merges with each other and finally gives the birth of Arpa river. The origin of Arpa River is near the Khondri railway bridge, having very less vegetation of Neem, Palash, and some bushy growth. The origin point of Arpa is rocky. River Kharang is a major tributary of Arpa river. The length of Arpa is approximately 147 km on average water flow is 400 m3/s. River catchment area is 2022 km2. The water flows from north-west to south direction. Except rainy season, it is faces scarcity of water. During rainy season its water level raises 2-3 m up and in summer season it moves 5 m down (Srivastava et al., 2004b). The river bed is mostly sandy with a thickness of about 1.5 m and few rock exposures at some places. The Arpa river watershed is wide in north and narrow in south like the South American Island. The village Khondri is settled on bank of river Arpa. The peoples are not much dependent on the Arpa river watershed, because the concentration of water at origin is very less, as per my interview with the village inhabitants of khondri. As I move 2 km from the origin point of Arpa river watershed, I saw Eucalyptus plantation done by forest department. After that plantation, dense Sal vegetation was seen on both sides of Arpa river watershed. After 4 km apart from origin, Phoolwari nala merges with arpa river watershed. The phoolwari nala which merges with Arpa river is dry and the merging point was also dry. The vegetation of Sal, Muhua and Bija were found on that area. I studied at least fifteen (15) basins enclosing an area drained by streams and channels that feed a river at different points. The peoples of different villages like Khongsra, Aamadand, Malinal, Belghana, Koni, and Saindri, were

Copyright © 2012 by Modern Scientific Press Company, Florida, USA Int. J. Environ. Bioener. 2012, 4(1): 15-21 18 also settled on the bank of river Arpa. The peoples of these villages were dependent on the Arpa river watershed, but not too much. The peoples grew vegetables on the bank of the watershed. The vegetables were irrigated through little drains which the peoples cut towards the bank where the vegetable farming was done. The vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, chilli, brinjal, cucumber, spinach, potato, tomato, onion, pumpkin etc. are produced by the peoples. In addition, agricultural crops were cultivated on the bank of Arpa river watershed. The main agricultural crops were rice (Oryzya sativa L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L) etc. that were cultivated on the bank of watershed (Pant and Bhattarai, 2000). Peoples dug out the sand from the Arpa river watershed, due to digging Arpa gets deep day by day. In some places, peoples have no dependency on the river, this is because of the dryness of watershed. As I have seen in Bilaspur, the peoples who are settled on the bank of Arpa river watershed are not dependent on the Arpa. This is because of dryness. The dryness in Bilaspur area is due to the construction of the check dams on the Arpa river. Due to these check dams, the water flows downwards in very less quantity. The form of Arpa river is converted into bed form. Peoples utilize the Arpa river in wrong way and make it dangerous. Not only the water of Arpa river watershed was destroyed but also culture was destroyed which was attached with the Arpa river. More than hundred tractors and Hiwa supply sand from the Arpa river (Saindri to Bilaspur). The livestock are also seen in the Arpa river. Due to dryness of Arpa river, shrubs and grasses are naturally grown in various places of river and the cattles graze on the grasses. The livestock population also depends on the Arpa river as they feed grass and meets little water for drinking (Arya et al., 1994). About ten check dams have been constructed on the Arpa river. The check dams obstruct the flow of water. Earlier these check dams were constructed to overcome the problem of irrigation and for human welfare. But due to drying of its origin sites for last 5 years its water content is decreasing day by day and these check dams have become danger for the river. The maximum part of the rain water gets stored in these check dams and is used by the local people as a results little water reached to other places as seen in the Bilaspur (Shah, 2004). From Khondari–Khongsara to Bilaspur the river passes through various adverse conditions. Streams originating from the Michel range which are located between Khondari, Khongsara and Belghana are the source of water of this river which flow throughout the year. Between Belgahan and Bilaspur there is no such stream that can add water to the river. Its width between Belghan to Bilapur is quite wide as compared to the availability of water. For last five years, this river has been fully dependent on rain water. The main reason behinds this is the drying of its origin sites. In the earlier times flood was the major problem and to overcome this problem M.P. government in 1974 built first check dam on this river near Belgahana. But only one dam was not

Copyright © 2012 by Modern Scientific Press Company, Florida, USA Int. J. Environ. Bioener. 2012, 4(1): 15-21 19 sufficient to stop the flood water, so many check dams were constructed between Belgahana and Bilaspur city to overcome the problem of flood water and its maximum utilization for agricultural purposes (Wani et al., 2003). But due to continuous deforestation, increasing population and climatic change the water level of Arpa river has gone down and a situation of drought has been generated in Bilaspur which can be easily recognized today. In Bilaspur city many big and small bridges have been built on this river in which Koni bridge, Indra-setu, Choti pool, Rapta pool and Torwa pool are main. Except rainy season from Belgahana to Rapta pool of Bilaspur city the entire river has dried as a result maximum Bilaspur faces the water problem (Bhatnagar, 2004). Water pollution is caused due to addition of pollutants of the city in to the Arpa river. In addition to this, lack of proper flowing, the stagnant water has become major cause of diseases, which in turn also pollutes underground water. With the urbanization and increasing pressure of population, rate of deforestation is increasing day by day, which results in air pollution as well as soil erosion (Dhyani et al., 2003). The environmental conditions of this region are much better than northern part. But due to industries like Kanoi Paper Mill and Brick Bakery the water of Arpa and air is getting polluted day by day. Table 1 shows that the tributaries, which merge with the Arpa river from origin point to the end point. The tributaries that merge with the river are 14, and their approximate length and catchment area are appended in Table 1.

Table 1. Arpa basin drainage with 14 tributaries S. No. Name of drainage basins Approx. Length (Km) Approx. Catching area (Km2) 1 Maliniya nallah 95 623 2 Sonkachar nallah 64 506 3 Phoolwari nadi 10 83 4 Mati nallah 28 236 5 Madob nallah 23 188 6 Jawas nallah 8 90 7 Kadal nallah 16 145 8 Sakari nallah 46 211 9 Sat nallah 30 168 10 Gahila nallah 12 46 11 Chapi nallah 15 85 12 Kharang river 118 1238 13 Gokhni nallah 9 25 14 Gudguda nallah 21 64

Source: Irrigation Department of Chhattisgarh (2005).

4. Conclusions

Arpa river is a main tributary of Mahanadi which is known as the perennial source of irrigation in the state of Chhattisgarh, making the lands of the state fertile from a very long time. Mahanadi interests the various districts of Chhattisgarh. Bilaspur is one such district which is positioned on the bank of one of the prominent branches of Mahanadi – Arpa River. Bilaspur district is a flourishing place which is blessed with an abundance of natural treasures. So the present study was conducted to know the status of various tributaries which contribute to Arpa river. It was observed that there were about 10-15 tributaries of this river. These tributaries vary with respect to their length, catching area and water flow. Since the area is entirely depend upon the monsoon rainfall, the construction of mini-check dams on these tributaries could be an alternative approach to recycle the rain water for increasing production of the area.

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