Sutlej River

Rises   and Fall

Lake Rakshastal in southwestern Tibet and drain out in Arabian Sea.

Other Names

Satadree (Ancient name), Zaradros (Ancient Greek),  Langchen Khambab (Tibet/China).

Geology

Antecedent (existed before the upliftment of the Himalayas and carved gorges in the mountains).

Length

1450 km.

Flows through

Country- Tibet(China), India, Pakistan.

Indian States- Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.

Enters India through Shipki La pass.

Sutlej River meets the Beas River in Harike in the Ferozpur district before entering Pakistan.

The basin

Located to the north of the Vindhya Range, east of the Pakistani Central Makran Range and south of the Hindu Kush region.

Major tributaries 

Left: Baspa.

Right: Spiti, Beas, Chenab.

Other: Nogli Khad and Soan River.

Projects and canals

Bhakra Nangal Hydel project, Koldam dam, Nathpa Jhakri Dam, Satluj Yamuna Link Canal, Indira Gandhi Canal, Luhri Stage-I Hydro Electric Project.

Wetlands and National Parks

Harike Wetland, Ropar wetland, Harike Bird Sanctuary, Gobing Sagar Lake, Rupi Bhaba Wildlife Sanctuary, Shikari Devi Wildlife Sanctuary.

Transportation

National Water Ways 98, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.

Threat to the River

Pollution: Untreated sewage waste from Ludhiana city.

Small-scale industries like units on electroplating, hosiery, steel rolling mills.

Leather Industry.

Traces of chromium and arsenic.

Heavy metals and pesticides.

Climate change as Nearly 60% of the flow into comes from snow and glaciers.

Due to construction of several dams the River has turned into a rivulet and changing the entire ecosystem and eco-chain.

Initiatives taken for conservation

River Rejuvenation: Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change is focusing on the rejuvenation of 13 major rivers through forestry interventions including Sutlej River.

Threat from the River

Flooding: 1988 and 2023 Punjab flood.

Historical Aspect

Battle of Aliwal was fought between the Sikh Khalsa army and the British forces at Aliwal near the Sutlej River in Punjab on 28 January 1846.

Recent Discovery

Traces of a rare metal “Tantalum”  were discovered in the Sutlej river.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Taking River Sutlej as an example, discuss the strategies which may be adopted for river water pollution control and management.150 words.