Markanda River:
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) recently directed the State Pollution Control Boards of Himachal and Haryana and the Sirmaur deputy commissioner to file detailed reports on the status of water pollution caused by industries in the Markanda River in the Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh.
- Markanda River is a tributary of the Ghaggar
- It was historically known as Aruna and is linked to the mythological Saraswati River.
- It originates from the lower Shiwalik hills in the Nahan area of Sirmaur district, Himachal Pradesh.
- It flows through Kala Amb, entering at Bikram Bag and exiting at Sadhora Bridge.
- The river then enters Haryana, covering 130 km before joining the Ghaggar River at Ismailabad.
- It is a rain-fed river and has extremely low flow in the winter and summer months but rises suddenly in the monsoon.
- The Markandeshwar Temple, dedicated to Maharshi Markandeya, stands on its banks
- The Markanda River Basin consists of several small seasonal streams, mainly from the Shivalik Hills, which contribute to its flow during the monsoon.
