Chambal River
Chambal River
Context:
The Supreme Court of India recently directed the governments of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan to consider granting prosecution immunity to frontline forest guards protecting the National Chambal Sanctuary from illegal sand miners.
Facts for Prelims:
National Chambal sanctuary
The sanctuary lies at the tri-junction of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
National Chambal Sanctuary is India’s first and only tri-state protected riverine sanctuary.
It protects the largest population of critically endangered gharial in the wild.
It is listed as an Important Bird Area (IBA).
Chambal river
The perennial Chambal River originates at Janapav, on the northern slopes of the Vindhyan Range in Madhya Pradesh.
It forms the natural boundary between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and finally turns southeast to enter Uttar Pradesh.
Major Tributaries:
Right Bank: Parbati, Kali Sindh, and Shipra.
Left Bank: Banas and Mej.
Other Notable Tributaries: Kuno, Kuwari, Seep, Shivna, and Choti Kalisindh.
It is the largest tributary of the Yamuna River.
It joins the Yamuna at Pachnada near Bhareh in the Etawah district of Uttar Pradesh.
It is a vital stronghold for critically endangered species like the Gharial, the Red-crowned roofed turtle, and the Gangetic River dolphin.
The Chambal Badlands (locally known as Beehad) are a vast, rugged terrain of heavily eroded ravines across Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.