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Sharavathi River

1

Geography

River Sharavathi is spread across Uttara Kannada and Shimoga District of Karnataka (Figure 1). Originating at Ambutirthha (Tirthahalli) (Figure 2) (Karnataka State Gazetteer, Ramachandra et al 2004), Sharavathi flows for a distance of nearly 128 km (Survey of India Topographic sheets, Water resource information system of India) before it joins Arabian Sea at Karki, Honnavar (Uttara Kannada) (Figure 2).
Tributaries of Aghanashini include, Nandiholé, Haridravathi, Sharmanavathi, Hilkunjiholé, Nagodiholé, Hurliholé, Yenneholé, Mavinaholé, Gundabalaholé, Kalkatteholé, Kandodiholé and many more. Sharavathi river has a catchment area of 3042 sq.km spread across districts of Uttara Kannada (Honavara, Siddapura, Kumta) and Shimoga (Sagara, Hosanagara, Tirthahalli).

Figure 1: Sharavathi River Location

Figure 2: Overlay of Google Earth

Figure 3: Topography
Topography of Sharavathi river catchment is as depicted in Figure 3, elevation ranges between < 0m and 1135m w.r.t Mean Sea Level, slope of the catchment varies up to 187%. Very high slope we observed in the Ghats (Gersoppa Ghat).
The variations in the terrain has led to formation of various water falls such as the Jog falls, Apsarakonda, Mavinagundi falls, Dabbe fall (http://www.karnataka.com) etc. The plain regions of the catchment are dominated by lakes whereas the Ghats are dominated by streams.
Rock types: Granites to schists, Quartzite’s, Phyllites, Porphyry, etc.
Ores: Iron, bauxite, quartz, sand, clay, lime shell, Manganese, Asbestos, Mica.
Soil: Red Soil, Lateritic soils, etc

2

Rainfall and Water Yield

Rainfall assessment in Sharavathi river catchment (Figure 4) indicates that rainfall in the catchment is orographic with annual rainfall varying spatially between 1700mm at the plains of Siddapura, to over 6500 mm at the Ghats (Gersoppa to Mavinagundi).
Water yield in the catchment is ~60 - 110 TMC

Figure 4: Rainfall

3

Anthropology

Population in the catchment (Figure 5) has increased from 319380 in 2001 to 353800 in 2011 (Census of India) and is projected to increase to 371010 in the year 2016 at a growth rate of 9.72% per decade. Population density in the catchment is 109 persons per square kilometer as on 2016. Major Population is contained at towns such as Honnavar, Sagar, Talguppa.
Communities: Kumri Marati, Goudas, Konkanis. Havyaka Brahmin, Namadhari Naik, Goud Saraswat Brahmin, Nadavas, Kurubas, Siddis, Daivajna, Muslims, etc. (Chandran and Hughes 2000, Wikipedia, Gazetter of India-Uttara Kannada district). 

Figure 5: Population dynamics in Sharavathi river catchment

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History, Culture, Heritage

River Shatravathi has history beyond the Himalayas i.e., 88 Million year compared to Himalayas (50 Million years). Mirjan was known as trading hub for spices such as pepper, cardamom, etc
River Sharavathi origins at ambutirtha, and is also explained in Epic of Ramayana and Mahabharatha.

Culture

• Festivals and Jatras: Marikamba jatra, Shani deva jatra, Rameshwara Jatra, Gram deva Jatra, Nandi Jatra, Lakshmi narasimha jatra, Venkataramana jatra, Ganapathi jatra, Shambhulingeshwara Jatra, Uura habba (Village Festival), Nadi habba (River festival), Bandi habba, Vadya Panchami, Mahamay jatra, Durga devi jatra, Kannika parameshwari jatra, Shantika parameshwari jatra, Mari habba, etc
• Dance: Folk dances (suggi kunita), bharatha natya, Kolata, bedara kunita, dhamami kunita, Huli kunita, Yakshagana, Masti Kunita, Preta kuntia, Bedara kunita, Mandala kunita, etc
• Music: Folk Songs, Garatiya Haadu, Halliya Haadu, Nadapadagalu, Bingina pada, Gumatepada, Jogavve haadu, Doni pada, Jogi pada, Badi vadya etc.
• Traditional Games: Kallata, kavade, Channe mane, Karu aata, Katte aata, Hulighatta, Bandi aata, Devarata, Sariya mugila aata, Achchu aata, Chowkabara, Tabalamane, etc.

Major temples in the catchment of Sharavati includes: Siganduru, Kollur Mookambika, Gersoppa Hanumatha, Bellimakki Hanumantha, Idugunji, Ramatirtha, Karikan Parameshwari, Mugva Subramanya, Gundbala Hanumanta, Chandavara Hanumantha, Gunavateshwara, and many deities of the sacred groves.

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Land use dynamics

Land use analysis of 2013 show that the catchment forest cover is reducing due to intense anthropogenic activities such as logging, plantation, etc. Figure 6 depicts FCC, Figure 7 and Table 1 depicts land use in the catchment. Sharavathi catchment has a forest cover of 33.7% (Evergreen 19.6%, Moist Deciduous 14.1%). Upstream of Sharavathi is dominated by agriculture (paddy), and downstream is dominated by horticulture activities (Arecanut).

Figure 6: False colour composite

Figure 7: Land use in Sharavati Catchment
Table1: Land use in Sharavati Catchment

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Agriculture, Irrigation

Variety of Paddy, Sugar cane, Banana, Arecanut, Coconut, Mango, spices, etc.

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Diversions

Sharavathi Generating Station (1035 MW) commissioned in 1964-65, the Linganamakki Dam Power House (55 MW) and the Sharavathi Tail Race Project (240 MW) at Gerusoppa in 2001. (Ramachandra et al 2004). Yet another dam proposed near Jog falls

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Bio Diversity

Fishes: Mahima et al, 2014., Mahima et al, 2012., Sreekantha and Ramachandra, 2005., Sreekantha et al 2006.
Ambassis ambassis, Amblyphyrngodon mol, Aplocheilus  lineatus, Arius ariu, Arothron stellat, Barilius canarensis, Carangoides chrysophrys, Carangoides chrysophrys, Catla catla, Chanda nama, Channa marulius, Cirhina fulungee, Cirhina mrigala, Cirrhinus reba, Clarius  byatracus, Cyprinus carpio, Danio aequipinnatus, Dawkinsia filamentosa, Eleutheronema tetradactylum, Etroplus suretansis, Etroplus suratensi, Garra gotyla stenorynchus, Gerres limbatus , Gerries filamentosus, Glossogobius giuris , Glossogobius giurus, Grammoplites scaber, Heteropneustis  fossilis, Hyporhamphus xanthopterus, Hyporhampus xanthopterus, Labeo fimbriatus, Labeo rohita, Lates calcarifer, Lepidocephalichthys  thermalis, Liza parsia, Lutjanus argentimaculatus, Lutjanus johni, Lutjanus johnii, Lutjanus ruselli, Lutjanus russellii, Mastacembalus arnatus, Mugil cephalus, Mystus  cavesius, Mystus  keletius, Mystus malabaricus, Namacheilus rueppell, Ompok bimaculatu, Ompok sp, Oreochromis mossambica, Otolithus ruber, Platycephalus scaber, Pseudambasis  ranga, Pseudeutropius atherenoide, Pseudorhombus javanicus, Puntius arulius, Puntius dorsalis, Puntius fasciatus, Puntius filamentosis, Puntius filamentosus, Puntius kolus, Puntius narayani, Puntius parrah, Puntius ticto, Rasbora daniconius, Ray fish, Salmostoma boopis, Sardinella fimbriata, Scatophagus argus, Schistura nagodiensis, Schistura. Sharavathiensis, Secutor ruconius, Siganus vermiculatus , Sillago sihama, Sphyraena baracuda, Stolephorus commersonnii, Stolephorus indicus , Stoliphorus commersoni, Strongylura strongylura, Terapon jarbua, Tor khudree, Tor mussullah, Tylosurus strongylurus, Wallago attu, Xenentodon cancil,
Ants: Ramachandra et al 2012a
Acantholepis opaca, Acantholepis sp, Anoplolepis longipes, Aphaenogaster beccari, Bothriomyrmex sp, Camponotus (Colobopsis) sp, Camponotus angusticollis, Camponotus compressus, Camponotus invidus, Camponotus irritans, Camponotus paria, Camponotus rufoglaucus, Camponotus sericeus, Camponotus sp, Cardiocondyla sp, Cardiocondyla wroughtonii, Cataulacus taprobanae, Crematogaster nr dohrni, Crematogaster rothneyi, Crematogaster sp 1, Crematogaster sp 2, Crematogaster sp 3, Crematogaster sp 4, Crematogaster sp 5, Crematogaster sp 6, Crematogaster wroughtoni, Diacamma rugosm, Dolichoderus sp, Harpegnathos saltator, Holcomyrmex sp, Leptogenys diminuta, Leptogenys processionalis, Leptogenys sp, Lophomyrmex quadrispinosa, Meranoplus bicolor, Monomorium dichroum, Monomorium floricola, Monomorium gracillimum, Monomorium indicum, Monomorium latinode, Monomorium pharaonis, Monomorium scabriceps, Monomorium sp 1, Monomorium sp 2, Monomorium sp 3, Monomorium sp 4, Myrmicaria brunnea, Oecophylla smaragdina, Pachycondyla henrie, Pachycondyla luteipes, Pachycondyla rufipes, Pachycondyla tesserinoda, Paratrechina longicornis, Paratrechina sp, Pheidole nr sharpi, Pheidole parva, Pheidole sp 1, Pheidole sp 2, Pheidole sp 3, Pheidole spathifera, Pheidole watsoni, Pheidole wood-masoni, Pheidologeton affinis, Pheidologeton diversus, Platythyrea parallela, Platythyrea sagei, Polyrhachis mayri, Polyrhachis rastellata, Polyrhachis simplex, Polyrhachis tibialis, Prenolepis, Recurvidris recurvispinosa, Solenopsis geminata, Tapinoma sp, Technomyrmex albipes, Tetramorium sp 1, Tetramorium sp 2, Tetramorium sp 3, Tetramorium sp 4, Tetramorium sp 5, Tetramorium walshi, Tetraponera aitkeni, Tetraponera nigra, Tetraponera rufonigra,
Flora: Ramachandra et al 2012b,
 http://wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in/biodiversity/database_new (Siddapura, Honnavar, Sagar, Hosnagara, Tirthahalli Taluks) Forest types found in the district are: Evergreen, Semi Evergreen, Moist Deciduous, Scrub, Thorny, un wooded with following species.
Actinodaphne hookeri, Aglaia anamallayana, Aglaia roxburghiana, Aglaia sp, Agrostistaches indicus, Alpinia malaccensis, Ancistrocladus heyneanus, Antidesma menasu, Aporosa lindleyana, Arenga whiti, Artabotrys zeylanica, Artocarpus hirsutus, Atalantia racemosa, Atylosia sp, Beilschmiedia fagifolia, Blachia denudata, Boesenbergia pulcherrima, Briedelia stipularis, Calamus sp, Calamus thwaitesii, Callicarpa tomentosa, Calophyllum tomentosum, Canarium strictum, Canthium dicoccum, Canthium rheedei, Canthium sp., Capparis sp., Carallia brachiata, Carex sp., Careya arborea, Caryota urens, Casearia sp., Cassine glauca, Cassine sp, Celtis cinnomomea, Cinnamomum macrocarpum, Cleidion javanicum, Clerodendrum viscosum, Combretum latifolium, Connaraceae member, Croton gibsonianus, Croton sp., Cyclea peltata, Cyrtococcum oxyphyllum, Dichapetalum gelonioides, Dimocarpus longan, Dimorphocalyx lawianus, Dioscorea bulbifera, Diospyros candolleana, Diospyros crumenata, Diospyros oocarpa, Diospyros paniculata, Diospyros saldanhae, Diospyros sp, Dipterocarpus indicus, Dracaena terniflora, Drypetes elata, Drypetes sp (2), Drypetes sp(1), Elaeocarpus tuberculatus, Ervatamia heyneana, Euonymus indicus, Euphorbiaceae-1, Euphorbiaceae-2, Fahrenhetia zeylanica, Ficus callosa, Ficus nervosa, Flacourtia montana, Flacourtia sp, Flemingia strobilifera, Garcinia cambogia, Garcinia morella, Garcinia talbotii, Glochidion javanicum, Glycosmis pentaphylla, Gnetum scandens, Gomphandra axillaris, Gymnacranthera canarica, Gymnosporia rothiana, Hemidesmus indicus, Hibiscus furcatus, Holigarna ferruginea, Holigarna grahamii, Hopea ponga, Hydnocarpus laurifolia, Hydnocarpus pentandra, Ixora brachiata, Ixora nigricans, Ixora parviflora, Ixora polyantha, Ixora sp., Justicia simplex, Knema attenuata, Lagenandra ovata, Lagerstroemia  microcarpa, Leea indica, Lepisanthes deficiens, Litsea floribunda, Litsea ghatica, Litsea laevigata, Litsea sp., Litsea sp.(2), Lophopetalum wightianum, Luvunga sarmentosa, Macaranga peltata, Mallotus philippensis, Mallotus sp, Mallotus sp., Mallotus stenanthus, Mangifera indica, Mastixia arborea, Meiogyne pannosa, Memecylon terminale, Mesua ferrea, Microtropis wallichiana, Mimusops elengi, Mitrephora heyneana, Murraya paniculata, Myristica dactyloides, Myristica fatua, Myristica malabarica, Neolitsea zeylanica, Nothapodytes  foetida, Nothopegia colebrookeana, Ochlandra sp, Olea dioica, Ophiorrhiza hirsutula, Orophea zeylanica, Palaquium ellipticum, Pandanus sp, Persea macrantha, Phoebe cathia, Phyllanthus lawii, Pinanga dicksonii, Piper sp., Polyalthia fragrans, Polyalthia sp, Pothos scandens, Pothos scandens, Psychotria flavida, Pterospermum diversifolium, Randia rugulosa, Randia ruugosa, Rungia pectinata, Sageraea laurifolia, Santalum album, Scutia myrtina, Smilax spp, Smilax zeylanica, Strobilanthus heynianus, Strombosia ceylanica, Strychnos climber, Strycnos sp., Symplocos racemosa, Syzigium hemisphericum, Syzigium laetum, Syzigium sp(1), Syzigium sp(2), Syzygium cumini, Syzygium gardneri, Syzygium macrophylla, Terminalia paniculata, Tetrameles nudiflora, Tiliaceae member, Todalia asiatica, Ventilago maderaspatana, Vepris bilocularis, Vitaceae member, Walsura trifolia, Zingiber cernum, Zingiber sp., Zingiberaceae, Ziziphus rugose.
Bivalves: Ramachandra et al 2012c, Boominathan et al, 2014.
Polymesoda erosa, Oysters
Fauna: : http://wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in/biodiversity/database_new
Mammals: Tiger, Black Panther, Leopard, Bison, Gaur, Hare, Wild Boar, Sloth Bear, Deer, Thar, Bonnet Macaque, Lion Tailed Macaque, Giant Squirrel, Hanuman Languor.
Reptiles: Snakes (Vipers, Cobra, Rat snake, Krait, Pythons, King cobra, Python, Wolf snake, etc), Monitor Lizard.

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References

• Survey of India Topographic Sheets, 1:50000 scale.
• Water Resource Information System of India, http://www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in.
• Google Earth, https://www.google.com/earth/.
• Ramachandra, T. V., Chandran, M. D, S., Sreekantha, Mesta, D., Rao, G. R., and Sameer, A., 2004, Cumulative Impact Assessment in the Sharavathi river basin, International Journal of Environment and Development, 1(1), 113 – 135.
• Ramachandra, T.V., Chandran, M. D, S., Joshi, N. V., Karthick, B., and Vishnu, D. M., 2015, Ecohydrology of Lotic Systems in Uttara Kannada, Central Western Ghats, India, Environmental Management of River Basin Ecosystems – Earthy System Science, 621-655.
• Census of India, 2001 and 2011, censusindia.gov.in.
• Welcome NRI Web portal, http://www.welcomenri.com/Tourism/Waterfalls/waate-halla-waterfall-in-karnataka.aspx.
• Wild Wonderful Karnataka, http://www.dreamroutes.org/western/burudefalls.html.
• http://www.karnataka.com
• Mahima, B.,  Nayak,V. N.,  Chandran, M. D. S., and  Ramachandra, T. V., 2014. Impact of hydroelectric projects on finfish diversity in the Sharavathi River estuary of Uttara Kannada District, central west coast of India, International Journal of Environmental Sciences, 5(1): 58-66
• Mahima, B., Nayak, V. N., Chandran, M. D. S., and Ramachnadra, T. V., 2012, Impact of Hydroelectric Dams on Fisheries in the Sharavathi Estuary of Uttara Kannada District, National Conference on Conservation and Management of Wetland Ecosystems – LAKE 2012, 6th to 8th November 2012, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala.
• Ramachandra, T.V., Chandran, M .D. S., Joshi, N.V., Ajay, N., and Ali, T.M., 2012a. Ant Species Composition and Diversity in the Sharavathi River Basin, Central Western Ghats., ENVIS Technical Report: 20, Energy & Wetlands Research Group, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012.
• Ramachandra, T. V., Chandran, M. D., Joshi, N. V., Sooraj, N. P., Rao, G. R., and Vishnu D. M., 2012b, Ecology of Sacred Kan Forests in Central Western Ghats., Sahyadri Conservation Series 15, ENVIS Technical Report: 41, Energy & Wetlands Research Group, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012.
• Ramachandra, T. V., Chandran, M. D., Joshi, N. V., and Boominathan, M., 2012. Edible Bivalves of Central West Coast, Uttara Kannada District, Karnataka, India., Sahyadri Conservation Series 17, ENVIS Technical Report: 48, Energy & Wetlands Research Group, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012.
• Boominathan, M., Chandran, M. D. S., and Ramachandra, T. V., 2008, Economic Valuation of Bivalves in the Aghanashini Estuary, West Coast, Karnataka, Sahyadri Conservation Series 9, ENVIS Technical Report: 301, November 20082, Energy & Wetlands Research Group, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012.
• Chandran, M. D S., Ramachandra, T. V, Joshi, N. V., Rao, G. R, Prakash, N. M., Balachandran, C., and Sumesh, N. D., 2012. Conservation Reserve Status to Lateritic Plateaus of Coastal Uttara Kannada., Sahyadri Conservation Series 21, ENVIS Technical Report: 51, November 2012, Energy & Wetlands Research Group, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012.
• ENVIS Sahyadri Web Portal, http://wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in/biodiversity/database_new/
• Chandran, M. D. S., and Hughes, J. D., 2000, Sacred Groves and Conservation: The Comparative History of Traditional Reserves in the Mediterranean Area and in South India, Environment and History, 6, 2, 169–186.
• Gazetter of India, Uttara kannada district, 1985
• Sreekantha., Gururaja, K. V., Ramadevi, K., Indra, T. J., and Ramacahndra, T. V., 2006, Two Species of Fishes of the Genus Schistura McClelland(Cypriniformes:Balitoridae) from Western Ghats, India, http://wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in/energy/water/paper/twonew_fishes/index.htm
• Sreekantha and Ramachandra, T. V.,, 2005, Fish diversity in Linganamakki reservoir and Sharavathi River., Ecology, Environment and Conservation, 11(3-4), 337-348
• https://www.researchgate.net/profile/T_V_Ramachandra/publications
• http://ces.iisc.ernet.in/energy
• http://ces.iisc.ernet.in/biodiversity