Why in News?
The Kulsi River is recently in the news as of April 19–20, 2026, primarily due to renewed concerns regarding the 55 MW Kulsi Multipurpose Project.
About
- Hydropower Project Approval: The governments of Assam and Meghalaya have agreed to move forward with a 55 MW hydropower and irrigation project near Ukiam.
- Dolphin Habitat Threat: The river is one of the last few refuges for the Gangetic River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica). Experts warn that the dam's 62-metre height will cause irreversible ecological damage to their nesting sites.
- Illegal Sand Mining: Rampant mechanised sand mining has reduced water levels to less than one metre in several stretches, leaving dolphins stranded in small pools.
- Tribal Protests: Communities such as the Rabha, Garo, and Khasi have intensified protests, fearing displacement from at least 19–25 villages and the loss of traditional land rights.
Key Information
- Origin: It is a south-bank tributary of the Brahmaputra. It originates from the West Khasi Hills of Meghalaya at an elevation of over 1,800 metres.
- Formation: The river is composed of three streams: the Khri, Krishniya, and Umsiri. It is known as the Khri River in its upper catchments.
- Course:
- It flows north from Meghalaya and enters Assam at Ukium in the Kamrup district.
- It traverses approximately 220 km (100 km in Meghalaya and 120 km in Assam).
- It finally joins the Brahmaputra River near Nagarbera.
- Biodiversity: It is a "hotspot" for the Gangetic Dolphin (locally called Sihu), which is India's National Aquatic Animal. The river also supports over 200 species of fish and several species of turtles.
- Ecological Status: The river is considered shallow (70–80 metres wide) and highly sensitive to anthropogenic pressures like industrial construction and motorboat traffic.
Major Threats
- Sand Mafia: Large-scale illegal transportation of sand (reportedly 50–70 trucks daily) has altered the river's flow and destroyed spawning grounds for fish.
- Industrial Encroachment: Construction of boundary walls and industrial units near the Kulsi-Batha confluence has disrupted primary dolphin habitats.
- Water Scarcity: Due to mining and diversion, the river has reportedly gone virtually dry in its first 10 kilometres near Kukurmara during recent dry seasons.
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