Wainganga River

Wainganga River
Wainganga River in Bhandara City
Location
Country	India
State	Madhya Pradesh,Maharashtra
Cities	Chhapara,Seoni,Tirora,Bhandara
Physical characteristics
Source	Mundara
• location	MUNDARA,Seoni District,Madhya Pradesh
• coordinates	21°57′N79°34′E
• elevation	1,048 m (3,438 ft)
Mouth	Pranahita River
• location	Adilabad district,Gadchiroli District,border of the 2 districts
• coordinates	19°35′24″N79°47′59″E
• elevation	146 m (479 ft)
Length	569 km (354 mi)
Basin size	43,658 km2(16,856 sq mi)
Basin features
Tributaries
• left	Thanwar River, Nahara River, Sonbiri River, Bagh River, Chulband River, Gadhavi River, Triveni River, Kathani River
• right	Hirri River,Sarrati River,Chandan River, Bawanthari River,Sur River,Kanhan River,Andhari River

TheWaingangais a river inIndiaoriginating in theMahadeo Hillsin Mundara in Gondwana region near the village Gopalganj in Seoni,Madhya Pradesh.It is a key tributary of theGodavari.The river flows south in a winding course through the states ofMadhya PradeshandMaharashtra,roughly 580 km (360 mi). After joining theWardha River,the united stream, which is known as thePranahita River,empties into theGodavari RiveratKaleshwaram,Telangana.

Course

The main stream of the Wainganga originates at Mahadev hills near Gopalganjs Mundara Village,Seoni District,on the southern slopes of theSatpura Rangeof Madhya Pradesh.

The river has developed extensive floodplains characterized by sweeping gracefulmeanders,lowalluvialflats, andslip-off slopes.The river has high banks, which measure from 10 m (33 ft) to 15 m (49 ft) on either side. The northern part is surrounded by theMahadeo hillsand Satpura Range, with an average elevation of 625 m (2,051 ft) abovesea level.The valley of the Wainganga River is forested and sparsely populated.

Balaghat,BhandaraSeoniandGadchiroliare the major cities located on the bank of the Wainganga River, whilePauni,TiroraandBramhapuriare smaller urban centers on the smallest of the river banks. The Wainganga River is the water lifeline of these cities and their primary source of water. TheGovernment of Maharashtrais developing a protection wall forBhandarato protect it from heavy flooding. This flood protection wall encirclesBhandarafrom east to south.

Tributaries

The Wainganga river receives numeroustributarieson both sides and drains the western, central, and eastern regions of theBalaghat districtof Madhya Pradesh,Chandrapur,Gadchiroli,Bhandara,Gondia,andNagpurDistricts of Maharashtra. The main tributaries of the Wainganga River are the Thel, Thanwar, Bagh, Chulband, Garhavi, Khobragadi, and Kathani, which meet on the right bank; and the Hirri, Chandan, Bawanthari, Kanhan, and Mul joining on the left bank.

Thanwar

The Thanwar River joins the Wainganga at the Nainpur Forest Range, at the border of the Seoni andMandladistricts, before theDhuty Damon the Wainganga. It originates from the forest of Chiraidongri in the Mandla District. There is a medium-sized dam at the village of Bejegaon on the bank of this river, which opened in 1980. River water stored in the dam is used to irrigate the farmland of 50 villages. The Halon Riverand the Chakor River (catchment from Nainpur Forest Range) are some of the well-known tributaries to this small, fully utilized river. Geographically, it is on northern tip of Godavari basin and misses a few miles due to a Satpura foothill to become the Narmada's first major tributary. The main towns on this tributary areNainpurand Pindrai. The river has been in recreational use since ancient times, as it was on the route of Hindu pilgrimage from South to North India. The village Jhulpur,on the bank of this river, was a stoppage and temple town. The major bridge over the river is at the town Pindrai byIndian Railways(Jabalpur-Gondia rail track).

Kathani

The Kathani River originates in the Pendhri Hills atDhanoraand joins Wainganga nearGadchirolicity.

Hirri

The Hirri River originates in Moondapar, Seoni District and flows throughJeonara.It joins Wainganga near the Dhuty Dam.

Chandan

The Chandan River is an important river of the Balaghat District. It flows throughWaraseoni.The Nahalesara dam is built upon the Chandan River. One of the major features along the river is theRampayli's temple. This meet in Wainganga river in Maharashtra Mahalgaon (Murdara) village

Bawanthadi

The Bawanthadi River is an important river which originates in the Kurai plateau of Seoni District in Madhya Pradesh.It divides Madhya Pradesh andMaharashtranear Mowad and Bonkatta. The Bawanthadi River joins Wainganga after flowing 48 kmsouth, near Mowad, Madhya Pradesh.There is a middle size dam over this river which irrigate farm lands ofMadhya PradeshandMaharastra.

Kanhan

Main article:Kanhan River

The Kanhan River is Wainganga's longest tributary, at 275 km (171 mi). It rises in the hills at the southern edge of the Satpura Range in the north-western region ofChhindwara District.

River modifications

By 2012, there were about 149 dams built in the Wainganga basin.Gose Khurd Damon Wainganga River is being built by the Water Resources Department (WRD) of theGovernment of Maharashtra.One of the major features along the river is theBheemgarh Dam(the biggest mud dam in Asia), which is located in the Seoni District.

Economy

The river is used for shipping both goods and passengers under the National Waterways Project (NAWAD). The first river port is likely to have been established inBhandaraCity.

Literature

The Wainganga River was featured in the "Mowgli Stories" inThe Jungle Book(1894) andThe Second Jungle Book(1895) byRudyard Kipling.In the books, it is the primary source of water for all the people of the jungle, the location of the "Peace Rock," and the place whereShere Khanvows to placeMowgli's bones once he has killed him. The forests of theKanha National Park,which grew around the Wainganga, havetiger,leopard,andbearpopulations, as featured in Kipling's stories. Some believe that Mowgli was found at Amodagadh in the Seoni District.

TheDisneyinterpretation of Kipling's novel as an animated film showed Mowgli and the other jungle characters moving around in lush tropical rainforests. In reality, the area around the Wainganga is not actually arainforest.

Notes and references

Notes

Citations

External links

• Media related toWainganga Riverat Wikimedia Commons