Marusudar River Explained

Marusudar
Map:India Jammu and Kashmir relief map.svg
Subdivision Type1:Country
Subdivision Name1:India
Subdivision Type2:Flows through
Subdivision Name2:Marwah-Dachhan in Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir
Length:133km (83miles) approx.
Source1:Nunkun glacier
Source1 Location:Warwan Valley, Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Source1 Coordinates:33.4572°N 75.8136°W
Mouth:Chenab river
Mouth Location:Bhandarkoot, Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir
Custom Label:Dams
Custom Data:Pakal Dul Dam, Bursar Dam

Marusudar river or Maru Sudar river is the largest river tributary of the Chenab River, beginning at the Nunkun glacier of the Warwan Valley and joining the Chenab at Bhandarkoot in the Kishtwar district. As of 2021, 1000MW Pakal Dul Dam the 800MW Bursar Hydroelectric Project are under construction on this river.

Origin

The Marusudar river starts from the Nunkun glacier of the Warwan Valley of the Kishtwar district and joins the Chenab river at Bhandarkoot, Kishtwar. It is 133km (83miles) long and the largest river tributary to the Chenab river.[1]

Controversies over Dams

In 2018, Raqib Hameed Naik reported that locals protested against the Bursar Dam project, demanding cancellation of this dam.[2]

While environmentalists have raised concern over the Pakal Dul Dam, claiming that it will have an impact on biodiversity and cause villages to be flooded. According to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), this project will affect 18 hamlets, affecting over 17,000 people, and clearing around 1150 ha of forest area. As per EIA, the dam could obstruct fish migration during the season, impacting endemic fish species and reproductive areas. This involves a site visit and the MoEFF's environmental approval. However, the proposal was approved without a site visit, causing indignation among the locals.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Romshoo, Shakil, Altaf, Sadaff, Amin, Muzamil, Ameen, Ummer . 2017 . Sediment Yield Estimation for Developing Soil Conservation Strategies in GIS Environment for the Mountainous Marusudar Catchment, Chenab Basin, J&K, India. . Journal of Himalayan Ecology and Sustainable Development. . 12 . 16–32 . 0973-7502 .
  2. News: Protests Against the Bursar Dam in Jammu and Kashmir Grow Louder. 8 May 2018. The Wire. Raqib Hameed Naik. 10 September 2021.
  3. Web site: Stop the Dam(ned) Project: Outrage over the Bursar Hydroelectric Project. 21 January 2018. 10 September 2021.