Author: Shyam Parekh
Publication: The Times of India
Date: June 20, 2002
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow.asp?art_id=13403296&sType=1
Tapping the waters of 'hidden' river
Saraswati might become a reality for Haryana, thanks to the interest shown
by Union culture minister Jagmohan.
But disinterested politicians and
planners in Gujarat have virtually dumped the idea of discovering an abundant
water source.
Jagmohan announced last week that
a committee of four experts would undertake the task of 'excavating' the
Vedic river in the stretches between Adi-badri to Bhagwanpura in Haryana.
While scientists, historians and
researchers agreed in the past on the presence of a mighty river and its
tributaries in the Great Rann of Kutch and adjoining regions, no attempts
have been made to trace it.
It is held that this Himalayan river
used to flow through Punjab, Haryana, western Rajasthan and passed through
the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat. It is believed to have 'disappeared' thousands
of years ago due to unknown geo-tectonic changes.
Saraswati was regarded as one of
the mightiest and holiest rivers of its period and the Vedas are believed
to have been composed on its banks. Over 1,200 of the 1,600 settlements,
including many prosperous Harappan towns (3000-1500 BC) and ashrams of
rishis, existed along its banks, claims noted geologist KS Valdiya of Jawaharlal
Nehru Advanced Scientific Research Centre.
"Speculations abound about where
the river met the sea. Some consider it to be the Gulf of Khambhat passing
through Lothal, Nal Sarovar and the Great Rann of Kutch", says former deputy
director of Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad, Dr Baldev Sahai,
who chairs the Saraswati Nadi Shodh Abhiyaan and will head the Haryana
committee.
He says though scientific evidence
of Saraswati needs to be established, if the palaeodrainage (buried course)
of Saraswati is found, there will be very high chances of finding ground
water.
In their study on 'Ancient ports
of Gujarat' deputy director AR Dasgupta and scientist PS Thakker of SAC
and former director of Archaeology MH Raval have collated information on
flow of river Saraswati in Gujarat.
"It is reported that Saraswati flowed
along the bank of the Little Rann of Kutch and poured its water into the
Gulf of Khambhat, till 325 BC".
Recent satellite images of the Great
Rann of Kutch, which according to scientists was submerged for over 1,000
years, also show signs of a mighty river flowing in this area. The flow
of the river which is north to south in direction and has a bifurcation
is located between 70"15' to 70"30' East.
Scientists found a major opportunity
after the January 2001 earthquake, during which water was seen and found
flowing in many a channels in the Rann.
One such water sample collected
from Narveri near Khavda in Kutch was tested by scientists at the Physical
Research Laboratory here. Using 'Helium-Radon Method' they determined the
age of the water to be between 12,000 and 89,000 years old.
However, in absence of interest
and efforts for search of a lost river, waters of Saraswati still believed
to be flowing under the terra firma of Gujarat, will remain inaccessible.
