Nyamjang Chu
Nyamjang Chu (or Niamjiang Chu) is a cross-border perennial river that originates in the Shannan province of Tibet and flows into the Arunachal Pradesh state of India, joining the Tawang Chu river just before it enters Bhutan. The Nyamjang Chu valley has provided the traditional communication route between Tawang and Tibet. The valley near town of Zemithang in the Tawang district, called the Pangchen Valley, is known for its serene beauty and forms one of the wintering locations for the black-necked crane.
| Nyamjang Chu | |
|---|---|
  Mouth of Nyamjang Chu in Arunachal Pradesh  Nyamjang Chu (Tibet) | |
| Location | |
| Country | China; India |
| Region/State | Shannan, Tibet; Arunachal Pradesh |
| District | Cona County; Tawang district |
| Cities/Circles | Qudromo, Jiba, Gongri, Marmang, Lai; Zemithang, Dudunghar |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Eastern Himalayas |
| • location | Cona County |
| • coordinates | 28.420°N 91.820°E |
| • elevation | 5,400 m (17,700 ft) |
| Mouth | Tawang Chu |
• location | Lumla Circle |
• coordinates | 27.499°N 91.685°E |
• elevation | 1,040 m (3,410 ft) |
| Length | 125 kilometres (78 mi) |
| Basin size | 3,170 square kilometres (1,220 sq mi)[1] |
| Discharge | |
| • location | Zemithang |
| • average | 3,400 cubic metres (120,000 cu ft) per second |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Tawang Chu, Manas River |
| River system | Brahmaputra |
The China–India border in the valley has been contested between the two countries since the 1950s, resulting in a clash at Namka Chu in 1962 and a standoff at Sumdorong Chu in 1986.
Course
The Nyamjang Chu river originates in the snow-clad peaks of the eastern Himalayas, north of Taga in the Qudromo township of the Cona County, at an elevation of 5,400 m (17,700 ft). Frederick Bailey and Henry Morshead, explored the region in 1913. They crossed into the valley of Nyamjang Chu from that of Nye Chu via the Hor La pass. They give the name of the village as Gyao, which appears to be an older name of Taga. The land at this elevation was only good for grazing. The shepherds lit sheep-dung fires around the campsites to protect their flocks from the wolves.[2][3]
From this location, Nyamjang Chu flows southwards for about 85 kilometres (53 mi) in Tibet,[1] passing by several towns such as Qudromo (Chutromo), Dongga, Guomai, Jiba, Marmang and Le.
South of Le (also spelt Lei and Lai), the river enters India at a location called Khinzemane at an elevation of 2,220 m (7,280 ft).[1][4] The stream of Sumdorong Chu from the left and the river of Namka Chu from the right join the river in this area. The border has been contested by India and China.
The course of the river in India is through a steep gorge lined by dense mixed forest. The valley widens near Zemithang, where it is called the Pangchen valley. The streams of Sumta Chu (from the right) and Taktsang Chu (from the left) join Nyamjang Chu in this valley.[5]
The river flows mostly southwards in India for 40 km and joins the west-flowing Tawang Chu near Lumla. After the confluence, Tawang Chu enters Bhutan within a short distance where it merges with Kulong Chu to form the Manas River, a major tributary of Brahmaputra.[1]
Flora and fauna
The Zemithang valley is one of the wintering locations for the black-necked crane, a vulnerable species of which only 4,000 are believed to be alive as of 1996.[6]
References
- NJC Hydropower Limited (2017), p. 4-1.
- Bailey, Exploration on the Tsangpo (1914), p. 581: "We mapped part of the upper waters of the Nye, and, after following Nain Singh's route up a branch called the Sompu for a short distance, crossed the Hor La (17,680 feet) into the source of the Nyamjang river."
- NJC Hydropower Limited (2017), p. 4-1 This ocument states that the source is at 6400 m. elevation, but this is contrary to Bailey's evidence.
- Indo-China Border Trade, Department of Trade & Commerce, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, retrieved 13 July 2020.
- NJC Hydropower Limited (2017), p. 2-1.
- Neha Sinha, A bird, a dam and a belief, The Hindu 12 August 2015.
Bibliography
- Bailey, F. M. (1914). "Exploration on the Tsangpo or upper Brahmaputra". Scottish Geographical Magazine. 30 (11): 561–582. doi:10.1080/00369221408734154.
- NJC Hydropower Limited (2017), EIA study for Nyamjangchhu Hydroelectric Project (PDF), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India
External links
- The course of the Nyamjang Chu marked on OpenStreetMap
- Gorsam Chorten (photograph by Amar Grover), AWL Images, retrieved 10 July 2020.
- Ranju Dodum, Lax policies cause of concern for conservation, 'ranjuwrites' (blog), 13 April 2017.