The Luni River, the longest river in Rajasthan, is a vital yet mysterious waterway that flows through the arid landscapes of the Thar Desert. Originating from the Naga Hills in Ajmer, this seasonal river travels over 500 km, shaping the desert ecosystem before disappearing into the marshy lands of Gujarat. Despite its saline waters, the Luni sustains agriculture, livestock, and local communities. However, increasing water scarcity, pollution, and climate change pose significant challenges to its survival. Explore the history, course, and challenges of this unique desert river in this detailed guide! 🌿💧
Luni River in a Nutshell
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Luni River |
| Location | Northwest India (Thar Desert) |
| Origin | Pushkar Valley, Aravalli Range (near Ajmer, Rajasthan) |
| Length | 495 km (308 mi) |
| Initial Name | Sagarmati River |
| Name Change | Becomes Luni after meeting Sarasvati River (from Pushkar Lake) |
| Course | Flows through the southeastern Thar Desert |
| End Point | Marshy lands of Rann of Kutch, Gujarat |
| Drainage | Internal drainage system (Does not reach the Arabian Sea) |
| Notable Construction | Maharaja Jaswant Singh II (1892) built an artificial lake in Pichiyak village, Jodhpur district |
| Irrigation | Covers more than 12,000 acres (49 km²) |
🔰Also Explore the Major Indian River System
Nicknames of Luni River
- Luni River is also known as:
- Lavanavari
- Lavanavati
- Meaning: “Salt River” in Sanskrit.
- Reason: High salinity in its water.
Basin, Course, and Tributaries
- Basin Area: 37,363 km²
- States Covered: Rajasthan & Gujarat
- Districts in Rajasthan:
- Ajmer, Barmer, Jalore, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Pali, Sirohi
- Districts in Gujarat:
- Banaskantha, Patan
Tributaries
- Left-bank tributaries: Sukri, Mithri, Bandi, Khari, Jawai, Guhiya, Sagi
- Main tributaries: Jawai, Sukri, Guhiya, Bandi, Jojari
- Right-bank tributary: Jojari (only one)
- Origin: All except Jojari originate from the Aravalli Range
Course of the River
- Origin: Pushkar Valley, Aravalli Range (near Ajmer, Rajasthan)
- Elevation at Origin: 550m
- Initial Name: Sagarmati River
- Direction: Flows southwest through the Marwar region
- Main Regions Covered: Hills and plains of Rajasthan → Thar Desert
- End Point: Rann of Kutch, Gujarat
- Total Length: 495 km
Salinity and Irrigation
- Freshwater initially → Becomes saline near Balotra due to high salt content in the soil
- Major source of irrigation in the region despite salinity
Historical Connection
- Luni may have been part of the ancient Ghaggar-Hakra River system
Dams, Floods, Pollution, and Fish Diversity
Dams and Irrigation
- Sipu Dam: Located on the Sipu River, which merges with the Banas River
- Jaswant Sagar Dam: Built in 1892 by Maharaja Jaswant Singh, one of the largest artificial lakes in India.
- Major irrigation projects:
- Sardar Samand Dam (constructed in 1905)
- Jawai Dam
Flash Floods
- Cause:
- Luni flows on a shallow bed, and rainwater easily flattens the riverbanks
- Worst Flood (2006):
- Desert region received heavy rain
- Water levels rose to 15–25 feet, submerging large areas in Barmer district
- Loss of human and animal life
- 2010 Flood:
- Less severe but still caused damage
Industrial Pollution Impact
- Cause:
- Textile industries in Balotra, Bithuja, Jasol, and Pali discharge hazardous pollutants
- Effects:
- Loss of natural river flow
- Freshwater turns saline near Balotra
- Contaminates groundwater and surface water in surrounding areas
Efforts to Combat Pollution
- Activists & Organizations:
- Pradushan Niwaran and Paryavarn Sanrakshan Samiti
- Advocates green norms, awareness campaigns, and compensation for affected farmers
Legal Interventions
- National Green Tribunal (NGT) & Rajasthan High Court:
- Declared Luni water unfit for irrigation due to textile pollution
- Ordered shutdown of ~800 textile units for violating environmental norms
- Conducted assessments to monitor pollution levels
Ongoing Challenges
- Textile industries continue discharging pollutants
- Encroachments in the river’s catchment area
- Failure to achieve full compliance with environmental standards
- Lack of Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD)
Fish Diversity in Luni River
- Study conducted by: ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (2018-2019)
- Total species recorded: 27 species from 22 genera
- Most dominant species: Cyprinids
- Highest fish diversity: Samdhari and Gandhav (12 species each)
- Invasive species reported:
- African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus)
- Mozambique Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)
