PHYSICOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON IMPACT OF ARPA RIVER CHECK DAMS ON THE MICROENVIRONMENT OF DISTRICT BILASPUR, CHHATTISGARH

Abstract

Bilaspur is the second largest city of Chhattisgarh state and Arpa River is the lifeline of this district. It originated from the forest area of Khondari-Khongsara in Maikal hill range of Bilaspur. The Arpa river is about 147 km. long. The River Arpa is a major tributary of the River Shivnath that meets near Matiyari village (Bilha Tehsil) of Bilaspur district. Shivnath that meets with River Mahanadi in central India. The river Arpa has a catchment area of about 2022 sq.km. Arpa river is one of the strongholds of district and thus it is indeed a lifeline of Bilaspur. More than 10 check dams (Khondari, Belgahna, Lachhanpur, Rapta, Torwa, Darrighat, Sherwani, Kaneri, Mangla etc.) have been constructed on this river1. These check dams were constructed to overcome the problem of irrigation and for human welfare. But due to reduction in water level these check dams have become a danger to livelihood. Maximum part of rain water gets stored in these check dams as a result little water reaches to Bilaspur city. In this way microenvironment of Bilaspur city is adversely affected. Sincere efforts needed to manage these check dams.