The Senapati Forest Division has recently launched Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) exercises as a pilot initiative to rejuvenate the Barak River watershed, while simultaneously strengthening local livelihoods in the region.

About the Barak River

The Barak River is a major river of Northeast India, flowing through the states of Manipur, Mizoram, and Assam before entering Bangladesh. It is the second-largest river in Northeast India, after the Brahmaputra.

Source and Course

The Barak River originates in the Manipur Hills, south of Mao in the Senapati district of Manipur, at an elevation of about 2,331 metres.

From its source, the river flows along the Nagaland–Manipur border through hilly terrain and then enters Assam.

In Assam, the river forms the Barak Valley, which includes the districts of Cachar, Hailakandi, and Karimganj, constituting the southernmost part of the state.

Just before entering Bangladesh, the Barak splits into two distributaries—the Surma River and the Kusiyara River. These rivers later merge to form the Meghna River, which flows southward, joins the Padma River, and ultimately drains into the Bay of Bengal.

Length and Basin

The Barak River has a total length of about 900 kilometres, of which 524 kilometres lie in India, including a significant stretch along the Indo–Bangladesh border.

The Barak River basin, formed by the river and its tributaries, drains parts of India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.

In India, the basin extends across Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Assam, Tripura, and Nagaland.

Physiographic Boundaries of the Basin

The Barak basin is:

• Bounded by the Barail Range in the north, separating it from the Brahmaputra basin

• Enclosed by the Naga and Lushai Hills to the east

• Bordered by the Mizo Hills and Bangladesh to the south and west

The entire basin lies within the Eastern Himalayan agro-climatic zone.

Land Use and Agriculture

A major portion of the Barak basin is forest-covered. Due to the hilly terrain, terrace farming is widely practised in the region.

Tributaries of the Barak River

The principal tributaries of the Barak River include the Jiri, Chiri, Modhura, Jatinga, Harang, Dhaleswari, Singla, Longai, Sonai, and Katakhal rivers.

Dams and Hydropower Projects

The major dams associated with the Barak River basin are:

• Khoupum Dam

• Mawphlang Dam

• Gumti Hydro Dam

• Myntdu–Leshka Dam

National Waterway Status

A 121-kilometre stretch of the Barak River between Lakhipur and Bhanga in Assam has been declared National Waterway–16 by the Government of India.

Communities along the Barak River in Northeast India have been facing a decline in fish populations after the June floods in the region. This is particularly concerning as the river was once teeming with valuable fish species like Hilsa, Rohu, and Catla.

Facts about Barak River:

1. Location and Importance:

   • The Barak River is the second largest river in Northeast India, after the Brahmaputra.

   • It flows through Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Assam in India, before entering Bangladesh.

   Course and Origin:

   • The river rises from the Manipur hills, south of Mao in the Senapati district of Manipur, at an elevation of 2,331 meters.

   • It flows through hilly terrains and enters Assam, eventually splitting into the Surma River and the Kusiyara River before forming the Meghna River in Bangladesh.

   • The Meghna then flows southward, joins the Padma River, and eventually drains into the Bay of Bengal.

   Length:

   • The Barak stretches for about 900 km, with 524 km of its length passing through India. A significant portion runs along the Indo-Bangladesh border.

   River Basin:

   • The Barak River Basin covers parts of India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.

   • A substantial part of the basin (about 72.58%) is covered by forest, while only 1.92% is made up of water bodies.

   Tributaries:

   • Some key tributaries include Jiri, Chiri, Modhura, Jatinga, Harang, Kalain, Gumra, Dhaleswari, Singla, Longai, Sonai, and Katakhal.

The Environmental Situation:

The June floods have significantly impacted local communities that depend on the Barak River for fishing. In the aftermath of the floods:

1. Decline in Fish Populations:

   • Communities report that their fishing nets have been empty, with fish like Hilsa, Rohu, and Catla—once abundant in the river—becoming scarce.

   • This decline in fish populations is attributed to several environmental stressors, including flooding, pollution, and changes in water quality.

   Impact on Local Livelihoods:

   • Many of the communities along the Barak depend on fishing as their primary source of livelihood. The fish scarcity is, therefore, not only an environmental issue but also a socioeconomic crisis.

   • The loss of fish stocks could affect local food security, income, and the traditional livelihoods of these communities.

Conservation Challenges:

1. Floods and Climate Change:

   • The June floods have highlighted the vulnerability of the Barak River ecosystem to extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change.

   • Flooding can lead to the destruction of habitats, pollution, and disruption of fish migration patterns.

   Pollution and Habitat Destruction:

   • Deforestation and industrial activities in the river basin contribute to pollution, reducing water quality.

   • Agricultural runoff, plastic waste, and untreated sewage entering the river exacerbate the situation.

   Fishing Practices:

   • Unsustainable fishing practices, such as the use of dynamite fishing or overfishing, further strain the river’s ecosystem.

Conservation Efforts:

1. Forest Protection:

   • Efforts to protect the forests surrounding the Barak River Basin are crucial to maintaining water quality and providing habitats for aquatic life.

   Pollution Control:

   • Improving waste management systems in nearby towns and villages and reducing industrial pollution could help restore the river’s health.

   Sustainable Fishing Practices:

   • Local communities could be encouraged to adopt more sustainable fishing techniques, ensuring the long-term viability of fish populations.

Conclusion:

The Barak River faces significant environmental challenges, especially after the June floods. The impact on local fish populations is particularly troubling for the communities dependent on them. Addressing these issues will require concerted efforts at conservation, pollution control, and climate adaptation to protect both the river ecosystem and the livelihoods of those who depend on it.