Berach River

The Berach is a river flowing through the state of Rajasthan in the western part of Rajasthan. It is a major tributary of the river Banas of Rajasthan. Chittorgarh is situated on this river. Chittorgarh is a popular tourist spot in India. Places to visit in this legendary city are the Chittorgarh Fortress, Rana Kumbha Palace, Padmini Palace, Kalika Mata temple and Vijay Stambh.  The government of Rajasthan has invited tenders to commence the work of transportation of materials from Berach to Bagthal in Udaipur in year 2013. The temperature in the catchment areas of the river can drop to about 12 degrees in December, and rise to about 41 degree in May. The average temperature lies between 16 to 39 degrees, depending on the month of the year. Precipitation lasts for the highest number of days in between July and August. The cities situated on its bank or nearby have rich historical background. Built by the Maurya Dynasty, Chittorgarh is an important symbol of the Rajput Dynasty and was once the capital of Mewar.

The river system of Berach is now an important part of the drainage system of Rajasthan. It is not only historically important and a popular tourist spot, it also provided irrigation water and is very resourceful in many other ways.

Course

The river originates in the Udaipur District. Its source lies in the northeast of the city of Udaipur, in the hills of the district. It flows in northeastern direction as it drains the districts of Udaipur, Chittorgarh and Bhilwara. It then has its confluence with the Banas River in Mandalgarh taluk near the village named Bigod, in Bhilwara district. It extends from 24°54'13"N to 74°37'25"E.

The river has a length of 157 km, and its catchment area is 7,502 sq. km. The fortress city of Chittorgarh is situated on the banks of the Berach, and the Berach River Bridge is located in Chittorgarh. Besides Chittorgarh, the other nearby cities are Nimbahera, a historically important city which is situated about 350 km south west of Jaipur) and Jawad.

Tributaries

The major tributaries of the river are Ahar, Orai, Wagli Wagon and Ghambhiri. But, river Ahar is the most important tributary.

Ahar

This River is an important tributary of the Berach. It has drains the plains of the city Udaipur and is Udaipur’s largest drainage system. It is fed by the spill water of the well-known Pichola and Fatehpur lakes. The Berach Ri culture developed here. The Ahar Empire prospered on the banks of this river. This historical tributary of the river is now polluted with sewage and garbage. It joins the Berach at the Udai Sagar Reservoir.

Gambhiri

Rising in the hills near the district of Karauli, this river lies in the north-eastern part of the state of Rajasthan. It flows in a south-north direct up to the Kanjoli village in Tora Bhim. It then flows in a northeastern direction up to the Mertha village in Roopbas Block and then enters Uttar Pradesh. The river flows back to Rajasthan near Catchapaura village in Dholpur district. It flows along the borders of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Chittorgarh is located at the confluence of the river with the Berach. It is an important source of irrigation water. Several big and small irrigation projects are located in the basin of this river, and these are managed by Panchayat Samities. Its basin is 4,174 Sq Km. important tributaries of this river are Parbati, Kher and Sesa.

Orai

This tributary of the river Berach extends from 28°22'6"N to 81°13'18"E. The city of Orai in Uttar Pradesh is named after this river. The nearby cities are Bidhyapur Vdc (Surkhet), Gulariya Chauraha and Dhangadhi. This river is the home for many breeds of fish. There are many sand dealers who use the sand of this river. The government has framed rules and laws for the extraction of sand from this area. Strict laws have been propagated against illegal means of acquisition of sand.

All the tributary-streams and Ahar River join the Berach River on the right bank of it.

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