Bhima River

Particulars

Descriptions

Name

Bhima River.

Other name

Chandrabagha River.

Origin

Bhimashankar hills on the western side of the Western Ghats in Pune District of Maharashtra.

Fall into

Krishna River, in Karnataka’s Raichur district.

Length

861 km.

In Maharashtra the river flows a length of 450 km.

Catchment area

 48,631 sq. km.

Flows through

Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana.

Tributary of

Largest tributary of the Krishna River.

Tributaries

• Upper Bhima basin receives water from Mula, Mutha, and Pavana rivers that confluence at Pune.
• In the downstream, the Bhima river is joined by Ghod, Nira, Man, Sina, Bori tributaries.

Dams

• Ujjani Dam, Chas Kaman Dam, Mulshi Dam, Khadakwasla Dam.

Wildlife and Wildlife Sanctuary

• An area of 130.78 sq.km. around the origin of Bhima River which is a part of the Western Ghats (Sahyadri Ranges) has been notified by Maharashtra as a wildlife sanctuary in 1985 mainly to protect the habitat of the state animal- Indian Giant Squirrel.
• Rehekuri Blackbuck Sanctuary (Ahmednagar), Mauyreshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, Nanaj Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary (Solapur) and Ujani Wetland.

Threat

• Growing pollution by urban centres.
• Growing sugarcane cultivation and over extraction of the river water.

Spiritual Significance.

• Origin of Bhima River is marked by Bhimashankar Temple.
• Pandharpur is another important pilgrimage centre located on the right bank of Bhima River also known as Chandrabhaga in this region because of its moon like shape.

PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Q. Consider the following Rivers.

1. Bhima River
2. Tungabhadra River
3. Penner River
4. Palar River

Which of the above river/s is/are the left bank tributary/ies of Krishna River?

A. 1 only

B. 2 only

C. 1,3 and 4 only

D. 2 , 3 and 4 only

Answer A

Penner River and Palar River are separate rivers.

Tungabhadra River is the right bank tributary of Krishna River.

Bhima River is the left bank tributary of Krishna River.