Tracing the Course of Mahanadi: From Chhattisgarh to Odisha

Being one of the major rivers, Mahanadi is a great source of agricultural and industrial importance in the states of Chhattisgarh and Odisha and it supports the living standard of millions of people. The river stretches 858 kilometres while linking extensive irrigation networks, power generation, and controlling floods. The fertile plains along its course support agriculture. Hence, the lifeblood for food and livelihood is provided by this river to the surrounding region.

Although the Mahanadi is notorious for seasonal floods, which still maroon local communities and structures, it has recently been at the centre of controversy regarding water sharing between Odisha and Chhattisgarh, where a premium on improved cooperative efforts and water management strategies assumes great importance. This article will focus on how floods influence communities, the ways in which interstate water disputes are continually solved, and discuss the origin, mythology, economic importance, and environmental issues.

Origin of the Mahanadi River

Mahanadi River originates in the Sihawa hills of Dhamtari district, Chhattisgarh, at an elevation of about 442 meters above sea level. It is a small stream that, with water from several tributaries, enlarges into several rivers, including Seonath, Jonk, Ib, Tel, and Hasdeo, among others.

The Mahanadi flows for around 240 km along Chhattisgarh, which supports the fertile agricultural lands of its basin before entering the territory of Odisha. In the districts of Sambalpur, Cuttack, and Puri, it flows onward until it empties into a large delta in the Bay of Bengal. The total area covered by the Mahanadi basin is about 141,600 square kilometres of fertile plains for rice and other harvests.

One of the significant edifices located on the Mahanadi is the Hirakud Dam, constructed in 1957 close to Sambalpur, Odisha. The Hirakud Dam is one of the longest dams in the world and serves an important role in flood control, irrigation, and power production. Nonetheless, the presence of this dam has changed the river’s natural flow, creating ecological problems downstream.

Mythology and Cultural Significance

The Mahanadi River is very significant in Indian mythology and the culture, mainly of Odisha. It is often viewed as a symbol of purity and abundance, and its waters are used in rituals, festivals, and religious ceremonies. Many believe that dipping in the river can purify the soul, as they believe one can have their sins washed away, just like the Ganges in the north.

Several ancient temples, such as the Lingaraja Temple in Bhubaneswar and the Jagannath Temple in Puri, are along the river. Festivals like Boita Bandana and Kartika Purnima are even held along its banks, where people float small boats as a tribute to Odisha’s rich maritime history.

Ancient legends also accompany the Mahanadi. One legend about its origin states that the river was formed by the sage Parashurama hitting the earth with his axe, forming water streams. Throughout centuries, the river has been a source of life for different civilizations, supporting the culture of maritime trade areas of the Kalinga kingdom.

Historical Importance in Agriculture and Industry

For centuries, the Mahanadi basin has been an agrarian centre supporting the intensive cultivation of crops such as paddy, wheat, sugarcane, and pulses. Due to fertile soil and well-settled irrigation facilities, this river plays an influential role in food security in the regions of Odisha and Chhattisgarh. River water is always crucial to the farming communities’ survival and to the rural economy.

Apart from this, the Mahanadi provides critical industrial activities. Because there is enough water supply, various power plants, steel plants, and aluminium industries are manufactured in the region. The Hirakud Dam provides hydroelectric power to the regional and national grid systems. Textile, mining, and manufacturing industries, among others, have made significant investments in Sambalpur and other neighbouring towns.

The river also curvatures the inland trading route of the region, thus providing ease of exchange of people and products throughout history. Besides, fishing is one of the primary economic activities, in which water and aquaculture are utilized by nearly all communities. However, increasing industrial activities are leading to water pollution, thus threatening traditional fishing practices.

Flooding and Its Impact on Local Communities

The Mahanadi River is very prone to seasonal floods. Floods occur mainly when the monsoon rains cover the river catchment from June to September. The flooding in the downstream districts of Odisha is caused by releases from the Hirakud Dam along with heavy rainfall in the upstream districts of Chhattisgarh. Such floods trigger massive displacement, loss of lives, destruction of crops, and destruction of infrastructure.

The Mahanadi Delta region is highly susceptible to flooding, especially in the districts of Cuttack, Puri, and Jagatsinghpur. Floodwater-caused losses of agricultural produce bring heavy financial burdens on farm owners, leading to economic distress. Cyclonic storms threaten the coastal areas, intensifying the floods and resulting in further loss of life and property.

Even after concerted efforts to control it against flooding, the Hirakud Dam remains a subject of controversy in its operations. Whether more or less effective in stopping the flood, from time to time, during heavy rainfall, it has overflown to the downstream that was already flooded due to the sudden release of water level. Flood control remains a challenge, and erratic rainfall patterns plus rising water levels brought about by climate change add to the agony.

Water Disputes Between Odisha and Chhattisgarh

The Mahanadi River has emerged as a contentious water-sharing dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh. The bone of contention revolved around Chhattisgarh’s construction of barrages and dams in the upper reaches of the Mahanadi, which allegedly restricted the downstream flow of water from this stretch of the river. For the said reasons, Odisha asserted that these structures affected the agriculture, fish sectors, and the supply of drinking water in the region.

This escalated into aggressive tensions in 2016 when Odisha claimed that Chhattisgarh was violating the water-sharing agreements by constructing unilateral structures without consulting downstream stakeholders. In return, Odisha complained to the Supreme Court and filed a plea to have a tribunal established to resolve the controversy. This led to the establishment of the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal in 2018. The battle is still raging as both states insist on proper resource water sharing.

This dispute highlights the more significant water management issues prevailing in India wherein rivers crossing state lines have become a matter of debate. Industrialisation, population, and climate are pressing rivers hard, and therefore some sustainable policies need to be evolved for sharing water between Odisha and Chhattisgarh in keeping with the amicable approach adopted by both of them to share the sparse supplies of water and competing demands.

Conclusion

The Mahanadi River largely portrays life and culture for the states of Odisha and Chhattisgarh, along with economic prosperity. Its waters have irrigated generations of agricultural development-supported industries and sustained livelihoods. However, the river’s future is beset with many challenges, including flooding, pollution, and interstate water disputes.

Although the Hirakud Dam and the other projects had benefits, they changed the natural flow of the river, its allied ecosystems, and local communities. Climate change patterns ingrained with instances of irregular rainfall have brought further complications in handling floods, hence the need for a preparedness mechanism for disaster situations.

If the water-sharing dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh is to be resolved for the sustainable management of the Mahanadi, then both states have to concentrate on collaboration, equitability in distribution, and conservation measures so that the river can sustain future generations.

The Mahanadi River is a story of promise and challenge. Lessons learned include sustainable water management and improving various development project activities with environmental preservation. Efforts to safeguard the river’s restoration will be necessary for securing a better future for people who rely on its waters and ecosystems dependent on those waters.