What are the major rivers of Garo Hills and where are they located?
Garo Hills, as the name suggested is a hilly region inhabited by "Garos" or "A.chik" people. It is located in the North-Eastern part of India, in a province or state called Meghalaya. It is surrounded by Assam on the northern and western part; by Bangladesh on the south; and Khasi Hills on the Eastern part.
The types of forests found in Garo Hills are Tropical Evergreen Forest and Dry Decidious Forest and Tropical Moist (Meghalaya Biodiversity Board). Many small streams and rivers can be found in Garo Hills. However, there are only seven major river systems which are as follows:
1. JINJIRAM RIVER
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| View of Jinjiram River from Derek Bridge, about 3km away from Agia. |
Jinjiram river is the longest river system in Garo Hills. However, for the most part, it flows in the district of Goalpara and South Salmara in Assam. The river system starts from Urpad Beel, in Goalpara district of Assam. It flows through the village of Derek and towards Meghalaya, West Garo Hills. It runs through the town of Phulbari and Hallidayganj where it again enter Assam and joined the mighty river of Brahmaputra.
There are no major tributaries in this river system according to the survey of Inland Waterways Authority of India (Jinjiram River). However, Ringgi river and Didak river are some of the tributaries of Jinjiram River system.
2. SIMSANG RIVER
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| View of Simsang River from Warima Bridge |
Simsang River is the largest and second longest river in Garo Hills. It originates from Nokrek Biosphere Reserves and flows towards the East Garo Hills and through the town of Williamnagar. It has many tributaries like famous Rong•bang Chiring, Rong•on chiring and many other smaller streams. However, major tributaries according to Inland Waterways Authority of India (Simsang river) are Chibok River; Rongdik River; Rompa river and Ringdi River. There are many more tributaries that joins Simsang river which contributes to it's size and volumes.
From Williamnagar, it flows towards the South Garo Hills. It runs through the town of Nongal, where small tributary named Nongal Chiring joins Simsang river to form Bibra (junction). Hence, the name Nongal Bibra. From there, the river flows towards Jadi, Siju, Rewak and finally to the town of Baghmara.
From Baghmara, it flows to the country of Bangladesh where they called it Someswari river. The river finally joined the Kangsa River in Mymensing Division.
3. GANOL RIVER
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| Nokpante Wari, Ganol River. Photo source: District Administration, West Garo Hills, Tura |
Ganol River originates from Tura peak, a part of Durama hill range and it runs westwards through Damalgre, Garobadha, Dolbari and finally it exits Garo Hills via the Nogapara village towards South Salmara district of Assam. However, the river upon entering Assam, curved back towards Garo Hills once again and pass through the Town of Mankachar in West Garo Hills and exited towards the country of Bangladesh. There are two main tributaries of Ganol River according to Inland Waterways Authority of India (Ganol river). They are Rongram Chiring and Dilni Chiring. Other smaller rivers like Rongkhon river contributes to its volume and size.
Recently, Hydro Electric Power project has started in Ganol River that is expected to produce around 22-23 Mega Watt of power. This power plant is the first of its kind in Garo Hills.
4. DIDRAM RIVER
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| View of Didram River. |
Didram river originate from the village of Dolonggre. It flows towards North Garo Hills district through Rari village, Mendal, Gokol, Bajengdoba and finally towards Goalpara district of Assam, where it drained on Mighty river of Brahmaputra.
The river flows along Tura-Paikan highway, and it also serves as a trans-boundary river system between the state of Assam and Meghalaya from Bajengdoba till Mongrai Village.
The main tributaries of Didram River are Ditte river that flows from Chiokgre near Anogre town and another unnamed river that flows through Aruakgre village.
(Didram is not considered as a major river, but it's one of the important rivers. Hence, it is included in the list)
(If any locals knows about the name of the river that flows thorough Aruakgre village, kindly inform)
5. RINGGI RIVER
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| Barijong Barrage, Ringgi River Near Town of Dadenggre |
Ringgi river originates from Arbella hill and it flows through the village of Ringgigre near Jengjal. Hence the name Ringgi river. From there, the river flows westwards through Tebronggre, Sadolpara, the Town of Dadenggre, Chibenang, Shyamnagar and towards Assam. The river exits Garo Hills through Phulbari and joins Jinjiram river at Phulbari-Dhubri Ferry Ghat.
There are many tributaries such as Rivers from Sandidare joins with it. However, there hasn't been any official survey by IWAI available for this river system so far. The information on this river is limited.
6. DIDAK
Didak river originates from Anogre Village in West Garo Hills. This river also runs Westwards towards Assam to joins with Jinjiram river. The river flows through the village of Derekgre, Jangrapara, Photomati Market, and exits Garo Hills through Nalbari near Tikrikilla. However, one should not be confused Didak river and Gagua river as both of them passes through Tikrikilla.
There are many tributaries of Didak river. The largest of them is Daljong Chibima or Daljong River that flows from Raksamgre and joins with Didak to form Daljong Bibra.
(There aren't any pictures available of this river. If anyone wants to contribute the pictures, kindly inform)
7. BUGI RIVER
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| One of the deep pool of Bugi river. |
Bugi river starts from Nokrek Biosphere Reserves, from just below the cliff of Matcha Nokpante. It flows towards the south of Garo Hills, through the town of Sangknigre, Rimrangpara, Rugapara and Dimapara. It finally exits Garo Hills towards Bangladesh, Mymensing District through Killapara in Dalu. After it flows for several miles in Bangladesh, it finally joins with river Kangsa.
The main tributaries of this river is the Nosari-Bandari river that flows from Nokrek Reserves, which later joins Bugi river at Rimrangpara Village.
8. DARENG RIVER
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| Dareng River Near Chokpot. |
Dareng River is another river that flows towards the South of Garo Hills which originates from Nokrek Biosphere Reserves. It runs through the town of Chokpot and Silkigre village. The river runs along Chokpot-Sibbari road and it finally exits Garo Hills through Sibbari-Bangladesh border towards the Mymensing district in Bangladesh. Upon entering Bangladesh, the river is renamed as Nitai river which joins with Kangsa River as its tributaries.