Profile
Settings
Refer your friends
Sign out
Goa is the smallest state in India in terms of land area. It is located in the Western Ghats. Goa shares its boundary with Maharashtra and Karnataka and is surrounded by the Arabian Sea. Goa is known for its rich dance, music, theatre, seafood, and tourism. Many tourists visit Goa to spend time on beaches, enjoy the seafood of Goa, visit old churches, and enjoy the beauty of Goan Culture along with the traditional music, art, and theatre.
Goa has 11 different rivers that fulfil the freshwater requirement for its people. These 11 rivers are Mandovi, Zuari, Mandre, Sal, Galjibag, Saleri, Colval, Talpona, Terekhol, Baga, and Harmal. In this article, we will learn more about these rivers one by one.
Mandovi river:
Mandovi is known as the largest and most important river in Goa. This river is also known by its previous name Goamati. The name of the state Goa is believed to have originated from the name of the river Goamati. This river has a significant place in the heart of the people of Goa. The length of this river is around 81 km. This river is known as ‘Mahadayi’ in Karnataka and Sattari taluka of Goa state. ‘Mahadayi’ means ‘The great mother’. This name is given to the river because it nourishes the culture and ecosystem of Sattari taluka in Goa.
Terekhol river:
Terekhol river originates in the Manohargad in the Sahyadris, located in the northwestern area. It flows along the border of Goa in a southwest direction. This river enters the Arabian Sea. The length of this river is 27.5 km. It enters the state of Goa near Patradevi. Terekhol is an important river for the people of Pernem as it fulfils the requirement of water and nourishes the ecosystem of the Pedne. Aronde is another name for this river.
Zuari River:
Mandovi and Zuari are the two most important rivers of Goa. It is the longest river in the state of Goa. But it’s basin is second largest after Mandovi. Zuari was also known as Aghanashini in earlier times. The meaning of Aghanashini is ‘the destroyer of the Sun’. It is also known as the Tidal river. The originating point of the river Zuari lies in the Dighi Ghat, located in Karnataka. This river flows in a zigzag path. It is about 145 km long. It meets the Arabian Sea. Zuari basin extends from Netravali to Panjim. It covers nearly 27% of the area of Goa. Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the basin of the Zuari river.
Chapora River:
Chapora river originates in the Ramghat in Chandgad. This river follows a zig-zag path and discharges into the Arabian Sea. It meets the Arabian Sea near the historic fort of Chapora, hence the name Chapora. This is a 32 km long river. There are three tributaries of the river Colval, namely Sal, Kalana Virnoda and Parshe.
Talpan River:
Talpan is an important river in Canacona, a city in south Goa. It originates in the Amba Ghat in Canacona. This river is about 31 km in length. The Talpan river has three main tributaries,namely Gaondongri Bhatpal, Nadke and Khalvade.
Galgibaga River:
The river Galgibaga flows in the southern part of Goa. Galgibaga gets its water from two rivers, namely Mashe and Loliye. River Galgibaga originates in the northern district of Karnataka. Galgibaga flows in the Northwest area. The length of this river is about 15 km. Finally, it meets the Arabian Sea.
Sal River:
Sal River flows in the Southern part of Goa. It rises near Verna and flows along the coastal region. It meets the Arabian Sea at Betul. This river has two tributaries named Navelim and Cuncolim. It is 35 km long.
Saleri River:
The Saleri river originates near the border of Barcem and Gokuldham villages of Quepem. This river meets the Arabian Sea near Devakaran village. Padi river, which is 4 km long, and the Moore river, which is 6 km long, join the Saleri river. The Padi originates from the jungle of Padi hill and joins the Saleri river. Today, increasing agriculture, deforestation and other man-made activities are responsible for threatening the existence of this river.
Mandre River:
The Mandre river originates from the jungle of Corgao. It flows through Mandre, Corgao, and meets the Arabian Sea. It is 8.75 km long. This river is projected to be extinct due to increased human activities near the river.
Harmal River:
The Harmal river originates in the Corgao. It flows for a distance of about 11 km in the west direction. Finally, it enters the Arabian Sea. The infrastructure projects undertaken for tourism purposes have adversely affected the river.
Baga River:
The Baga river is the smallest river in Goa. It rises from the jungle of Assagao. A small stream of water from the Saligao hill meets the Baga river at Arpora. It is 10 km long. The river joins the Arabian Sea. Garbage disposal and sewerage treatment are the two main reasons for the pollution of the Baga river. Various tourism activities have seriously destroyed the river’s natural drainage.
Conclusion:
The local life and culture of the Goan people are supported by the 11 major rivers and their tributaries that flow through different parts of the state. The increasing tourism activities, industrialisation and increasing population, have adversely affected the rivers. There are around 42 tributaries for these 11 major rivers in the form of Goa. Many of these rivers are on the way to extinction.
