Description

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Context

Rajasthan High Court has intervened in matter concerning floodplain of Gambhir River which supplies water to Ghana Bird Sanctuary highlighting concerns about wetland conservation, water security & environmental governance.

Gambhir River

Attribute	Details
Other Name	Utangan River
Type of River	Seasonal (ephemeral) river; becomes perennial after confluence with Parbati River
Origin	Aravalli Hills near Hindaun, Rajasthan
Total Length	Approximately 288 km
States Covered	Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh
Districts Covered	Hindaun, Bharatpur, Dholpur (Rajasthan); Agra, Mathura (Uttar Pradesh)
Flow Direction	South to North
Final Confluence	Joins Yamuna River in Uttar Pradesh
Boundaries of Basin	North: Banganga River Basin Southwest: Banas River Basin Southeast: Chambal & Parbati River Basins Northeast: Uttar Pradesh (state boundary)
Major Tributaries	Sesa, Kher, Parbati
Major Cities Along River	Hindaun, Bharatpur, Dholpur
Ecological Importance	Supplies water to Keoladeo National Park (Ghana Bird Sanctuary), a UNESCO World Heritage Site Supports biodiversity & wetlands
Significance	Major water source for agriculture & drinking water Forms part of boundary between Rajasthan & Uttar Pradesh
Water Flow Pattern	Seasonal (flows only in rainy season) Perennial after merging with Parbati River outside Dholpur
Threats	Over-extraction of water Encroachments in floodplain Pollution & industrial discharge
Conservation Efforts	Rajasthan High Court intervention on encroachment issues River rejuvenation projects Ecological restoration of wetlands

Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary

Attribute	Details
Location	Bharatpur, Rajasthan
Total Area	29 sq. km
Designation	UNESCO World Heritage Site (1985), Ramsar Wetland Site
Year of Establishment	Declared as Bird Sanctuary in 1956, National Park in 1982
Water Sources	Gambhiri River, Banganga River, artificial reservoirs
Flora	Dry deciduous forests, grasslands, wetlands, aquatic vegetation
Fauna	Over 370 bird species, including migratory & resident birds
Key Bird Species	Siberian Cranes, Painted Storks, Pelicans, Herons, Cormorants, Spoonbills
Other Wildlife	Jackals, Nilgai (Blue Bulls), Pythons, Monitor Lizards
Climatic Conditions	Hot summers, moderate monsoons, cold winters
Best Time to Visit	October to March (for migratory birds)
Threats	Water scarcity, pollution, encroachment, habitat degradation
Conservation Efforts	Water management, ecotourism regulation, afforestation projects
Tourist Facilities	Bird-watching towers, cycle rickshaws, guided tours

Water Resource Management Laws in India

Law/Regulation	Year	Key Provisions	Relevance to Water Management
Environment Protection Act	1986	Regulates pollution control	Prevents water contamination
Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act	1974	Establishes pollution control boards	Regulates industrial discharge in water bodies
River Boards Act	1956	Governs inter-state rivers	Encourages cooperative river management
Inter-State Water Disputes Act	1956	Resolves disputes between states	Ensures fair water distribution
Wildlife Protection Act	1972	Protects wildlife habitats	Safeguards wetland & river ecosystems
Wetlands (Conservation & Management) Rules	2017	Regulates wetland conservation	Protects habitats of migratory birds
Groundwater (Regulation & Control) Act	Varies by state	Governs groundwater extraction	Prevents over-exploitation
National Water Policy	2012	Promotes sustainable water use	Encourages integrated river basin management
Easements Act	1882	Governs groundwater rights	Addresses water access for landowners
Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification	1991	Regulates activities along coastlines	Protects coastal water resources

Major Bird Sanctuaries in India

Bird Sanctuary	Location	Total Area (sq. km)	Key Species	Special Status
Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary	Rajasthan	29	Siberian Cranes, Painted Storks, Pelicans	UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ramsar Site
Chilika Lake Bird Sanctuary	Odisha	1,165	Flamingos, Irrawaddy Dolphins	Ramsar Site, Largest coastal lagoon
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary	Rajasthan	29	Waterfowls, Storks, Eagles	National Park
Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary	Haryana	1.4	Bar-headed Geese, Purple Herons	Important Bird Area (IBA)
Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary	Gujarat	120	Greater Flamingos, White Storks	Ramsar Site
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary	Tamil Nadu	0.3	Spoonbills, Egrets	Oldest Bird Sanctuary in India
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary	Kerala	14	Kingfishers, Cormorants	Part of Vembanad Lake Ecosystem
Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary	Andhra Pradesh & Tamil Nadu	759	Flamingos, Gulls	Lagoon Ecosystem
Mayani Bird Sanctuary	Maharashtra	1.29	Flamingos, Coots	Wetland Ecosystem
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary	Karnataka	0.67	Painted Storks, Spoonbills	Largest Bird Sanctuary in Karnataka
Sattal Bird Sanctuary	Uttarakhand	7	Himalayan Bulbul, Woodpeckers	Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary	Kerala	25	Malabar Grey Hornbill, Wagtails	Located in Western Ghats
Nalabana Bird Sanctuary	Odisha	15.53	Waterfowls, Waders	Part of Chilika Lake
Thol Bird Sanctuary	Gujarat	7	Pelicans, Cranes, Ducks	Semi-arid wetland
Harike Wetland Bird Sanctuary	Punjab	86	Diving Ducks, Cormorants	Largest Wetland in North India

Sources:

TOI

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Discuss ecological & hydrological significance of Gambhir River Basin in Rajasthan highlighting its role in sustaining Keoladeo National Park. Analyze challenges related to water resource management & suggest measures for sustainable conservation.