Hindon River with Map and Origin

The Hindon River is an essential Indian river that originates from the Shakumbhari Devi range in the Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. It flows through the states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana before merging with the Yamuna River in the Fatehgarh district of Uttar Pradesh.

Features of Hindon River

• Origin: Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh
• Catchment Area: The Hindon River has a catchment area of around 7,083 sq. km.
• Rain-fed: The river is entirely fed by rain, with a significant increase in water flow during the monsoon season.
• Length: The Hindon River is approximately 400 km long, making it a substantial body of water in Uttar Pradesh.
• Width: The river’s width varies from 20 meters to 160 meters.

Course

The course of the Hindon River can be divided into three main stages:

Upper Course: The Hindon River originates in the Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, in the Siwalik Hills, at an elevation of about 800 meters (2,625 feet) above sea level. From its source, the river flows southwest through the districts of

• Saharanpur
• Muzaffarnagar
• Meerut.

Middle Course: As the river enters the state of Haryana, it takes a northwest direction and flows through the districts of Panipat, Sonipat, and Faridabad. During this stage, the river receives several tributaries, including the Kali River, and Sultanpur River.

Lower Course: The River then enters the National Capital Territory of Delhi, where it flows through the eastern part of the city, passing through the Okhla Bird Sanctuary and the Asola-Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary. Finally, the river merges with the Yamuna River in the Fatehgarh district of Uttar Pradesh, at an elevation of about 200 meters (656 feet) above sea level.

Major Tributary – Kali River

The Kali River is one of the largest tributaries of the Hindon River, originating in the Rajaji Range of the Sivalik Hills. It flows for approximately 150 km (93 mi) through the districts of Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, and Bagpat before merging with the Hindon River.

Unfortunately, the Kali River is heavily polluted due to its passage through densely populated and industrialized areas of Uttar Pradesh, contributing to the pollution of the Hindon River.

Hindon River Pollution

In 2015, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) declared the Hindon River a ‘dead river‘ due to extreme pollution levels.

Reasons for Pollution:

• Urban waste (untreated sewage and industrial effluent)
• Agricultural runoff (chemical fertilizers and pesticides)
• Industrial pollution (untreated or partially treated effluent)

The pollution affects the river’s ecological health and poses a risk to human health, especially for those who use the river for bathing, drinking, and other domestic purposes.