Bhima River Basin – Geography, Biodiversity, Pollution and Restoration Needs

Bhima River

The Bhima River is a major river located in South India. Originating from the Bhimashankar hills in the Pune district of Maharashtra, it flows southeast for a total length of 861 kilometers through the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana before merging with the Krishna River in Raichur district of Karnataka. In this article, the UCN Team provides a detailed analysis, presenting key concepts and insights on the river Bhima.

The Bhima River can be considered as an important tributary of the Krishna River system. After its origin at Bhimashankar, which houses a significant Jyotirlinga temple, the Bhima River flows through rugged terrain initially for 65 kilometers before entering the wide plains and agricultural lands of Maharashtra and beyond. Some of the major tributaries that join the Bhima River along its course are the Kundali, Ghod, Bhama, Indrayani, Mula, Mutha and Pavana rivers.

The River Bhima and its basin hold great significance for the regions it flows through. The river has been an integral part of the culture, irrigation, electricity production and development of South India over centuries. In recent years, the Bhima River has been facing pollution concerns due to discharge of sewage and industrial effluents. Restoration of the river’s water quality is now an important environmental issue.

River Bhima Oveview

Geographical Aspects

Origin and Course

• The Bhima originates near the Bhimashankar Temple located in the Bhimashankar hills of the Pune district in Maharashtra. The precise origin point lies at 19°4’19″N 73°32’9″E and an elevation of about 945 meters above sea level.
• From its origin point, the river flows southeast for a total length of 861 kilometers passing through the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana.
• In Maharashtra, the Bhima River flows for a length of 450 kilometers. Major tributaries like Indrayani, Mula, Mutha and Pavana join the river in Maharashtra.
• Entering Karnataka, the river Bhima flows for about 298 kilometers before merging with the mighty Krishna River.
• The confluence point of the Bhima and Krishna rivers lies between Karnataka and Telangana, about 24 kilometers north of Raichur city at the coordinates 16°24’36″N 77°17’6″E.
• In short, the River Bhima displays a long, meandering course starting from the Western Ghats and flowing eastwards to merge with the Krishna River which empties in the Bay of Bengal. Monitoring the river’s water quality across its inter-state course is an important aspect.

Tributaries

• The River Bhima is joined by many tributaries along its course through Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana.
• The major tributaries of the Bhima River are:
  • Kundali River
  • Ghod River
  • Bhama River
  • Indrayani River – joins at Tulapur
  • Mula River – joins at Pune
  • Mutha River – joins at Pune
  • Pavana River – joins at Pune
• Some of the other important tributaries of the Bhima River include:
  • Nira River
  • Man River
  • Sina River
  • Bhogawati River – tributary of Sina
  • Bori River
• Many of these tributaries originate in the Western Ghats region and carry substantial water flow.
• Monitoring the water quality of the Bhima River and its major tributaries is important, especially near major urban centers like Pune.

Basin Area

• The total catchment area of the Bhima River basin is 70,614 sq km, which is quite expansive.
• Out of the total Bhima basin area, about 75% lies within Maharashtra state alone. This includes regions like Pune, Solapur, Ahmednagar, Satara, Sangli, Beed and Osmanabad districts.
• The remaining 25% of the River Bhima basin area spreads across northwest Karnataka and parts of Telangana.
• Overall, the river Bhima collects substantial rainfall runoff from the Western Ghats region and flows through an expansive basin area before merging with the Krishna River.
• Proper watershed management, maintaining forest cover and preventing excessive exploitation of the Bhima River water resources are important for sustainability of the large basin area. Regular water quality monitoring is also essential, to tackle the high pollution level in this river.

Significance of Bhima River

Spiritual Importance

• The origin point of the Bhima River near Bhimashankar is of great spiritual significance as it houses the ancient Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga temple.
• The banks of the Bhima River also host the famous Vitthal temple at Pandharpur which attracts thousands of pilgrims.
• In the Pandharpur region, the Bhima River is referred to as Chandrabhaga due to its crescent moon shape. Ritual bathing in the river is an integral part of worship at Pandharpur.

Forests and Wildlife

• The Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary located at the origin of the Bhima River is home to rich biodiversity including the endemic Giant Squirrel.
• There are several other sanctuaries in the Bhima River basin like Nanaj Sanctuary and Ujani Wetland that need conservation.

Dams and Canals

• There are 22 dams constructed across the various tributaries of the Bhima River system, with the major ones being Ujjani, Chas Kaman, Mulshi, and Khadakwasla dams.
• These dams and associated canal networks provide irrigation facilities for agriculture to large parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka states.

Pollution Concerns

• The Bhima River is facing serious pollution pressures at present from various sources:
  • There is growing pollution in the river due to discharge of untreated domestic sewage and industrial effluents into the river and its tributaries from major cities and industrial zones located along the river.
  • Dumping of solid waste and trash into the river has also contributed to reduced water quality.
  • Several stretches of the Bhima River and tributaries like Mula-Mutha, Indrayani, Pavana etc. have been identified as polluted stretches by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
• The water quality analysis shows high levels of bio-chemical parameters like BOD, COD as well as fecal coliform in the river water.
• To address the river pollution, some key measures are required:
  • Major cities must provide comprehensive sewage treatment facilities and prevent raw sewage discharge.
  • Industrial units must treat their effluent discharge as per norms before releasing into water bodies.
  • Solid waste dumping near the river banks needs to be curbed.
  • An integrated river cleaning program is urgently required to restore and maintain the water quality of the Bhima River.
  • Public participation in pollution control and river restoration activities also needs to be encouraged.

Final Thoughts

As far as the UCN team can tell, the Bhima River holds great significance for the regions it flows through in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana. Originating from the Western Ghats, it flows through several major urban centers before merging with the Krishna River.

The river and its tributaries like Mula-Mutha, Pavana, Indrayani have been integral to water supply, irrigation, electricity generation, culture and biodiversity in the region. However, growing pollution pressures from untreated sewage discharge, industrial effluents and solid waste dumping are major problems facing the river today.

Restoring the water quality of the Bhima River and maintaining its environmental flows will require an integrated effort involving all stakeholders. Implementing pollution control strategies, curbing unregulated usage, improving irrigation efficiency and public participation in restoration activities will be key.

The health of the Bhima River impacts life, agriculture and economy of a significant part of South India.