Ravi River
The Ravi River is a major transboundary river in South Asia and one of the five major tributaries of the Indus River system that gives the Punjab region its name. Originating in the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh, India, it flows for about 720 kilometers before emptying into the Chenab River in Pakistan.
Course and Key Features
- Origin: Begins in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, India, flowing through rugged mountain valleys before entering the plains near Madhopur.
- Border: It defines the international boundary between India and Pakistan for a short distance before travelling westwards into Pakistan.
- Lahore: Often called “The river of Lahore,” the massive historical city of Lahore, Pakistan, sits on its eastern bank.
- Historical Names: In Vedic times, it was known as Parushani or Iravati, and the Ancient Greeks called it Hydraotes.
Water Allocation and Treaties
Under the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, the waters of the Ravi were largely allocated to India. Recently, India has actively exercised its rights by completing the Shahpur Kandi Dam project in Punjab’s Pathankot district, successfully diverting the Ravi’s water to irrigate farmlands in Indian Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir.
Ecological & Environmental Status
In Pakistan, the river has suffered heavily from rapid urbanization and untreated industrial discharge. To reverse this, the government has launched the River Ravi Eco-Revitalization Master Plan, an initiative aiming to introduce nature-based solutions to clean the water, restore aquatic ecosystems, and revitalize the river basin
