Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE MAHANADI RIVER BASIN IN CHHATTISGARH, INDIA

Sudhir Ranjan Choudhury, Ajay K. Singh, Anupama Mahato, Ashutosh Anand and Alok Kumar Chandrakar

Abstract

The Mahanadi River is an interstate (Chhattisgarh and Odisha) river in India that flows for 851 kilometers, 357 of which are in Chhattisgarh. It is the lifeline of Chhattisgarh and Odisha. The Mahanadi River Basin (MRB) in Chhattisgarh covers an area of 75,136 km2. This paper provides a detailed database on water demand and use, LULC changes, biodiversity, pollution status, and man-made structures, such as dams/ reservoirs, built in the Mahanadi river basin in Chhattisgarh. The significance of this overview paper stems from the fact that it improves river management and water distribution for various sectors in Chhattisgarh. Furthermore, it aids in the mitigation and adaptation to climate change, as well as the achievement of sustainable development goals.