Alicolours at 10:15, 16 March 2026

2026-03-16T10:15:54Z

New page

{{short description|River in Nepal and India}}
{{More footnotes needed|date=August 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox river
| name = Gandaki River
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| name_other = Narayani
| name_etymology = 
| image = {{Photomontage
| photo1a = Narayani bridge in Gaindakot.jpg
| photo2a = Sonepur- gandak bridge -Hajipur (5448565068).jpg
| photo3a = Valmiki Nagar Barrage on the Gandaki River at the Indo–Nepal border between West Champaran District in Bihar (India) and Nawalparasi District in Nepal.01.jpg
| spacing = 3
| color_border = white
| color =
| image_size =
}}
| image_caption = '''From top''': Narayani River in [[Chitwan]], Gandak River in [[Hajipur]], Gandak River in [[Nepal]], The Gandak River Barrage in [[West Champaran]] [[Bihar]].
Anoma River in [[Buddhist Era]]
| map = River Ganges and tributaries.png
| map_width =
| map_caption = Map showing the [[Ghaghara]] and Gandaki tributaries of the [[Ganges]]
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_map_size =
| pushpin_map_caption = 
| subdivision_type1 = Country
| subdivision_name1 = [[Nepal]], [[India]]
| subdivision_type2 =
| subdivision_name2 =
| subdivision_type3 =
| subdivision_name3 =
| subdivision_type4 =
| subdivision_name4 =
| subdivision_type5 = Cities
| subdivision_name5 = [[Lo Manthang]], [[Jomsom]], [[Beni, Dhawalagiri|Beni]], [[Baglung]], [[Kusma, Nepal|Kusma]], [[Pokhara]], [[Gorkha Municipality|Gorkha]], [[Ridi]], [[Devghat]], [[Narayangarh, Chitwan|Narayangarh]], [[Valmikinagar]], [[Triveni, Nepal]], [[Hajipur]], [[Sonpur, Nepal|Sonpur]], [[Muzaffarpur]], [[Bagaha]]

| length = {{cvt|814|km}}
| width_min =
| width_avg =
| width_max =
| depth_min =
| depth_avg =
| depth_max =
| discharge1_location =
| discharge1_min = {{cvt|500|m3/s|cuft/s}}
| discharge1_avg = {{cvt|2025|m3/s|cuft/s}}
| discharge1_max = {{cvt|30000|m3/s|cuft/s}}

| source1 = Nhubine Himal Glacier
| source1_location = [[Mustang District]], Nepal
| source1_coordinates = {{coord|29|17|19|N|83|52|39|E|type:river_region:IN|display=inline}}
| source1_elevation = {{cvt|6268|m}}
| mouth = [[Ganges]]
| mouth_location = Sonpur, India
| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|25|39|9|N|85|11|4|E|type:river_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| mouth_elevation = {{cvt|44|m}}
| progression =
| river_system =
| basin_size = {{convert|46300|km2|abbr=on}}
| tributaries_left = [[Trishuli River|Trishuli]]
| tributaries_right = [[Kali Gandaki]]
| custom_label =
| custom_data =
| extra =
}}

The '''Gandaki River''', also known as the '''Narayani''' and '''Gandak''', is one of the major rivers in [[Nepal]] and a left-bank tributary of the [[Ganges]] in [[India]]. Its total catchment area is {{cvt|46300|km2|sqmi|sp=us}}, most of it in Nepal. In the Nepal [[Himalayas]], the Gandaki is notable for its deep [[canyon]]. The basin also contains three mountains over {{cvt|8000|m}}, namely [[Dhaulagiri]], [[Manaslu]] and [[Annapurna Massif]]. Dhaulagiri is the highest point of the Gandaki basin. In its upper reaches, the river is known as '''Kali Gandaki''' (or Gandaki) as it flows through the [[Mustang District]] and the famous [[Kali Gandaki Gorge]] in Nepal. When the river reaches the Terai plains of Nepal, it is referred to as the '''Narayani''' River. This name change typically occurs near the confluence with the [[Trishuli River]] at [[Devghat]] in [[Chitwan]]. Upon entering India, the river is known as the '''Gandak''' River.

==River course==
===Nepal===
[[File:Panorama of the Kali Gandaki gorge in Upper Mustang.jpg|thumb|Panorama of the Kali Gandaki gorge in Upper Mustang]]
[[File:1 River Gandhak Gandaki in Kagbeni Nepal before entering India.jpg|thumb|River Gandaki in Kagbeni, Nepal]]

The Kali Gandaki [[river source]] is at the border with [[Tibet]] at an elevation of {{cvt|6268|m}} at the Nhubine Himal Glacier in the [[Mustang (kingdom)|Mustang]] region of Nepal.<ref>{{cite map |title= Upper& Lower Mustang |scale= 1:70000 |publisher= Nepal Map Publisher Pvt., Ltd. |location=Kathmandu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Garzione |first=C. N. |name-list-style=amp |author2=Quade, J. |author3=DeCelles, P.G. |author4=English, N.B. |title=Predicting paleoelevation of Tibet and the Himalaya from δ18O vs. altitude gradients in meteoric water across the Nepal Himalaya |journal=Earth and Planetary Science Letters |volume=183 |issue=1–2 |pages=215–229 |year=2000 |bibcode=2000E&PSL.183..215G |doi=10.1016/S0012-821X(00)00252-1 |author-link=Carmala Garzione}}</ref>

{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2021}}
The headwater stream on some maps is named the Chhuama Khola and then, nearing [[Lo Manthang]], the Nhichung Khola or Choro Khola. The Kali Gandaki then flows southwest (with the name of '''Mustang Khola''' on old, outdated maps) through a sheer-sided, deep canyon before widening at the steel footbridge at Chele, where part of its flow funnels through a rock tunnel, and from this point the now wide river is called the Kali Gandaki on all maps. In [[Kagbeni, Mustang|Kagbeni]] a major tributary named Johng Khola, Kak Khola or Krishnaa descends from [[Muktinath]].

The river then flows southward through a steep gorge known as the '''[[Kali Gandaki Gorge]]''', or '''Andha Galchi''', between the mountains [[Dhaulagiri]], elevation {{cvt|8167|m}} to the west and [[Annapurna]], elevation {{cvt|8091|m}} to the east. If one measures the depth of a canyon by the difference between the river height and the heights of the highest peaks on either side, this gorge is the world's second deepest after the [[Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon]] (ca. 6000 m). The portion of the river directly between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna I, {{cvt|7|km}} downstream from [[Tukuche]]), is at an elevation of {{cvt|2520|m}}, which is {{cvt|5571|m}} lower than Annapurna I. The river is older than the Himalayas. As tectonic activity forces the mountains higher, the river has cut through the uplift.
South of the gorge, the river is joined by [[Rahughat Khola]] at Galeshwor, Myagdi Khola at [[Beni, Dhawalagiri|Beni]], Modi Khola near [[Kushma]] and Badigaad at Rudrabeni above Ridi Bazaar. The river then turns east to run along the northern edge of the [[Mahabharat Range]]. One of the largest [[hydroelectricity]] project in Nepal is located along this stretch of the river. Turning south again and breaking through the Mahabharats, Kali Gandaki is then joined by a major tributary, the [[Trishuli River|Trishuli]], at [[Devghat]], which is larger than the Kali Gandaki. Gandaki is then joined by the [[East Rapti River]] draining the [[Inner Terai Valleys of Nepal|Inner Terai valley]] known as [[Chitwan Valley|Chitwan]]. The Gandaki then crosses the [[Sivalik Hills]] into the Terai plains of Nepal. From Devghat, the river flows southwest of [[Gaindakot]] town. The river later curves back towards the southeast as it enters India where it is called the Gandak.

Below Gaindakot the river is known as the '''Narayani''' or '''Sapt Gandaki''' (Seven Gandakis), for seven tributaries rising in the Himalaya or further north along the main [[Ganges River|Ganges]]-[[Brahmaputra River|Brahmaputra]] divide. These are the Kali Gandaki, the Trishuli River, and the five main tributaries of the Trishuli known as the Daraudi, [[Seti Gandaki River|Seti]], Madi, [[Marsyandi]] and [[Budhi Gandaki River|Budhi Gandaki]].

===India===
The entry point of the river at the Indo–Nepal border is also the confluence called Triveni with the rivers [[Pachnad]] and [[Sonha (river)|Sonha]] descending from [[Nepal]]. [[Pandai]] river flows into [[Bihar]] from [[Nepal]] in the eastern end of the [[Valmiki Sanctuary]] and meets Masan. The [[Gandak]] enters [[India]] at first in [[Maharajganj District]] of [[Uttar Pradesh]] for around {{cvt|25|km}}; it also passes through [[Kushinagar District]] before entering [[Bihar]]. The [[Gandak]] flows southeast {{cvt|300|km}} across the [[Gangetic plain]] of [[Bihar]] state through [[West Champaran]], [[Gopalganj district, India|Gopalganj]], [[East Champaran district|East Champaran]], [[Saran district|Saran]], [[Muzaffarpur]] and [[Vaishali district|Vaishali]] districts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=River Basin|url=https://www.fmiscwrdbihar.gov.in/fmis/Riverbasin.html |access-date=2024-03-07 |work=Flood Management Improvement Support Centre, Water Resources Department of Government of Bihar}}</ref>

From its exit from the outermost [[Siwaliks]] foothills to the [[Ganga]], the [[Gandak]] has built an immense [[alluvial fan|megafan]] comprising Eastern [[Uttar Pradesh]] and North Western [[Bihar]] in the Middle [[Gangetic Plains]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.industcards.com/hydro-india.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904145551/http://www.industcards.com/hydro-india.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=4 September 2012 |title=hydro-india-other |work=Industcards.com |access-date=28 November 2009}}</ref>

==Glaciers, glacial lakes and glacial lake outburst floods==
Glacier lakes, among the most hazardous features of high mountains, are usually formed behind dams of moraine debris left behind by retreating glaciers, a trend that is observed all over the world. Even though [[glacial lake outburst flood]] (GLOF) events have been occurring in Nepal for many decades, the Dig Tsho glacier outburst, which took place in 1985, has triggered detailed study of this phenomenon. In 1996, the Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS) of Nepal reported that five lakes were potentially dangerous, namely, Dig Tsho, [[Imja Tsho, Nepal|Imja]], Lower Barun, [[Tsho Rolpa]], and Thulagi, all lying above {{cvt|4100|m}}. A recent study done by ICIMOD and UNEP (UNEP, 2001) reported 27 potentially dangerous lakes in Nepal. In ten of them GLOF events have occurred in the past few years and some have been regenerating after the event.{{cn|date=November 2024}}

The [[Thulagi glacier]], located in the Upper Marsyangdi River basin, is one out of the two moraine-dammed lakes that was identified as a potentially dangerous lake as it may outburst.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bgr.de/lebgeo/thulagi.htm |title=BGR/NLfB/GGA: Gletschersee Thulagi |publisher=Bgr.de |access-date=28 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718202501/http://www.bgr.de/lebgeo/thulagi.htm |archive-date=18 July 2011}}</ref>

== Important towns ==
[[File:Kaligandaki ghasa.jpg|thumb|Kali Gandaki River near Ghasa, between [[Annapurna]] and [[Dhaulagiri]]]]
The important towns in the Indian part of the Gandak river are Valmikinagar (Bhainsalotan) - location of Gandak Barrage, [[Bagaha]], [[Bettiah]] (district headquarters & field directorate of Valmiki Tiger Project), Harinagar (Ramnagar), [[Hajipur]] (across the Ganges 10  km from Patna) and Sonepur (also Known as Harihar Kshetra), near Patna.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}

== National Parks ==
[[Chitwan National Park]] of Nepal and [[Valmiki National Park]] of India are adjacent to each other in the vicinity of Valmikinagar around the Gandak Barrage.

=== Chitwan National Park ===
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Chitwan National Park
| iucn_category = II
| image = Rhinos_leofleck.jpg
| image_caption = Tourists on elephants observing [[Indian rhinoceros]]
}}

Chitwan National Park covers an area of {{convert|932|km2|mi2}}. Established in 1973, it is the oldest national park of Nepal. It was granted the status of a [[World Heritage Site]] in 1984. It is located in Chitwan, one of the [[Inner Terai Valleys of Nepal]]. The park is rich in flora and fauna, including Bengal Tigers and one of the last populations of single-horned [[Indian rhinoceros]] (''Rhinoceros unicornis''). The area used to be known as the Chitwan Valley. It was a place for big game hunting and until 1951 it was a hunting reserve. At the park there is canoeing, elephant rides, and guided jungle walks.

=== Valmiki National Park ===
Valmiki Sanctuary covers about {{convert|800|km2|mi2}} of forest and was the 18th tiger reserve established in India.<ref>{{cite news|title=Valmiki National Park|work=The Hindu|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/article2244909.ece|date=7 May 2007|access-date=25 October 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112234308/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/article2244909.ece|archive-date=12 January 2016}}</ref> It is ranked fourth in terms density of tiger population. Valmikinagar is located nearly {{convert|100|km|mi}} from Bettiah in the northernmost part of the [[West Champaran district]], Bihar, bordering Nepal. Valmikinagar is a small town with scattered habitation, mostly within the forest area and has a railroad station in the district of West Champaran, close to the railhead of [[Bagaha]]. It has diverse landscapes, sheltering rich wildlife habitats and floral and faunal composition with the prime protected carnivores and was included in the National Conservation Programme of the Project Tiger in the year 1994. According to a 1998 report by the [[Zoological Survey of India]], the sanctuary has 53 mammals, 145 birds, 26 reptile and 13 amphibians<ref>{{cite web|url=http://discoverbihar.bih.nic.in/pages/wildlife.htm |title=Wildlife Sanctuaries |access-date=3 December 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410061556/http://discoverbihar.bih.nic.in/pages/wildlife.htm |archive-date=10 April 2009 }}</ref> and a Tiger Reserve.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://forest.bih.nic.in/ValmikiSanctuary.htm |title=Valmiki Sanctuary |publisher=Forest.bih.nic.in |access-date=28 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090915182725/http://forest.bih.nic.in/ValmikiSanctuary.htm |archive-date=15 September 2009 }}</ref>

The notable species of wild fauna include: tiger, leopard, wild dog, wild boar, bison, bear, peacock, partridge, hornbill, [[Gracula|hill mynah]], woolly-necked stork, python, crocodile, deer, [[Sambar deer|sambar]], blue bull, barking deer, hog deer.

As per the [[Botanical Survey of India]] report of 1998 there are seven types of vegetation consisting of seven classes of forests; home to 84 species of trees (subtropical trees such as [[Shorea robusta|sal]], sagwan, bamboo, and cane), 32 shrubs and climbers and 81 herbs and grasses.

== Religious significance ==
[[File:mukthinathsaligram.JPG|thumb|Muktinath Vaishnava temple idols, Nepal]]
Between the [[Dhaulagiri]] and [[Annapurna]] mountain ranges, the Gandaki River flows through the village of [[Muktinath]] and by the Ashram of Pulaha. In ancient times, the mountain range surrounding Pulaha was called Salagiris due to the vast forests of [[Shorea robusta|sal]] trees. The stones found in this region are therefore called Saligrama – Silas. It has great significance to Hindus, particularly to Brahmins. Smarthas uses this as the replica of lord Narayana. Srivaisnavas, and [[Madhvacharya]] sects who consider the place where one can find saligrama silas in the river bed of the Gandaki River, and the Mukthinath temple as one of the 108 Divyakshetrams.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sandadesandadi.com/108divyakshetrams.html |title=108divyakshetrams |access-date=30 November 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224203026/http://www.sandadesandadi.com/108divyakshetrams.html |archive-date=24 December 2007}}</ref>

== Places of archaeological significance ==
[[File:Kali Gandaki River near Marpha, Mustang, Nepal.jpg|thumb|Gandaki River in [[Marpha]], [[Mustang District]], Nepal]]

Archaeologically important places around Valmikinagar are [[Lauriya-Nandangarh]] and Someshwar Fort.{{cn|date=October 2024}}
In Lauria block,<ref name="westchamparan.bih.nic.in">{{cite web |url=http://westchamparan.bih.nic.in/tourist.htm |title=Asking for impossible? |access-date=2 December 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110721163350/http://westchamparan.bih.nic.in/tourist.htm |archive-date=21 July 2011}}</ref> about 1 km east of Nandan Garh, a lion pillar of Ashoka, made out of a single block of polished sandstone, measuring {{convert|35|ft|m}} in height with a diameter of 35" at the base and 22" at the top, which is believed to be over 2,300 years old, is in an excellent condition. Its massiveness and exquisite finish furnish striking proof of the skill and resources of the masons of Ashokan age. Two more such pillars with their capitals removed have been discovered in Rampurwa village, close to Gandhi's Bhitiharawa Ashram in Gaunaha block. One of their capitals, the bull is now in the National Museum at New Delhi and the other, the lion, is at Calcutta Museum.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

At Nandan Garh there are also Baudh ([[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]]) [[stupas]] made out of bricks and about {{convert|80|ft|m}} high which according to the authoritative source are Ashoka Stupas, in which ashes of Lord Buddha's funeral pyre are enshrined.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

Someshwar Fort is situated in Narkatiaganj sub-division, near Nepal border, on top of Someshwar Hill at {{convert|2884|ft|m|abbr=on}} elevation. It is in a ruined state but its remains are well defined.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

The Bhitiharawa Ashram<ref name="westchamparan.bih.nic.in"/> of [[Mahatma Gandhi]] near Gaunaha in the eastern end of the Valmiki reserve. It is a village in Gaunaha block in Bihar from where Gandhiji started his freedom movement that came to be known as 'Champaran Satyagraha' in India history. The village houses the hut which is called Ashram and has become a place of Gandhian pilgrimage.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

=== Mustang Caves ===
{{Main|Mustang Caves}}
[[File:René de Milleville 2.jpg|thumb|Gandaki Valley near [[Jomsom]] Nepal in October 1966]]
Mustang caves are a collection of some 10,000 human-made caves dug into the sides of valleys in the [[Mustang District]] of [[Nepal]]. The caves lie on the steep valley walls near the Kali Gandaki River in [[Upper Mustang]]. Several groups of archaeologists and researchers have explored these stacked caves and found partially mummified human bodies and skeletons that are at least 2,000-3,000 years old. Explorations of these caves by conservators and archaeologists have also led to the discovery of valuable religious paintings, sculptures, manuscripts and numerous artifacts belonging to the 12th to 14th century.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/international/story/0,,2072736,00.html |title=Shepherd leads experts to ancient Buddha cave paintings | World news | guardian.co.uk |publisher=Guardian |date= 2007|access-date=28 November 2009 |location=London |first=M. | last=Rahman}}</ref>

== Development scenario ==
=== Hydropower development ===
==== Nepal ====
In Nepal, Sapta Gandaki alone has a huge [[hydropower]] potential of 20,650 MW (economic exploitable potential is 5,270 MW) out of a total estimated potential of 83,290 MW (economically exploitable potential is 42,140 MW). The country has so far been able to generate only around 600 MW of hydropower<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nepalnews.com.np/archive/2006/others/feature/sep/news_feature01.php |title=Nepalnews.com Mercantile Connumications Pvt. Ltd |publisher=Nepalnews.com.np |access-date=28 November 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061007052525/http://www.nepalnews.com.np/archive/2006/others/feature/sep/news_feature01.php |archive-date = 7 October 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> out of which the Gandak basin projects contribute more than 266 MW, about 44%. The hydropower projects built are the Trisuli at Nuwakot (21 MW), Devighat at Nuwakot (14 MW), Pokhra (1 MW) and Western Gandak HEP, at Nawalparasi (15 MW), Marsyangdi at Tanahu (69 MW), Kali Gandaki at Syanja (144 MW), and Syange (2 MW). Middle Marsyangdi HE Project (70 MW) at Lamjung is under final stage of construction. Several major projects are on the anvil for implementation in the near future. With Government of Nepal now according priority to private-sector participation in a multi-pronged approach, the pace of hydropower development will get accelerated.{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}

A major Indian firm has entered into a share purchase and joint venture agreement with a Nepalese firm to acquire 80 per cent stake of Nepalese Company for development of the Upper Marsyangdi HEP (250MW). Achieving the economically exploitable potential need would no more be a mirage.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20071127/834717.html |title=GMR energy to acquire 80% stake in Nepal's Himtal Power |publisher=News.webindia123.com |date=27 November 2007 |access-date=28 November 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307132138/http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20071127/834717.html |archive-date=7 March 2012 }}</ref>

Reportedly there are several other major projects being pursued by the Government of Nepal for private sector participation on IPP basis.{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}

=== Irrigation ===
The Gandak Project at Valmikinagar (Bhainsaloton) intercepts water of a catchment area of {{convert|37410|km|abbr=on}}, which is mostly in Nepal and partly in India. An agreement was signed on 4 December 1959 between the governments of Nepal and of India on the Gandak Irrigation and Power Project. It encompassed the construction of a barrage, canal head regulators and other appurtenant works about {{convert|33|m|abbr=on}} below the existing Triveni Canal Head Regulator.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wrmin.nic.in/index3.asp?sslid=369&subsublinkid=288&langid=1 |title=Ministry of Water Resources |publisher=Wrmin.nic.in |access-date=28 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100108190009/http://wrmin.nic.in/index3.asp?subsublinkid=288&langid=1&sslid=369 |archive-date=8 January 2010 }}</ref> The agreement was modified in 1964 for the protection of Nepal's riparian rights. Basically there is an agreed share of water for ‘western canal system including a power station in Nepal and eastern canal system. As a part of this bilateral agreement, the Gandak Barrage, a part of Gandak Project, was built in 1968–69 over the Gandak river for providing irrigation to Nepal, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bshpcltd.com/Commissioned.htm |title=Commissioned Projects of BHPC |publisher=Bshpcltd.com |access-date=28 November 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430143730/http://bshpcltd.com/Commissioned.htm |archive-date=30 April 2009 }}</ref> The irrigation potential of this project is {{convert|11510|km2|abbr=on}}, spread in the district of West Champaran, East Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Saran, Siwan and Gopalganj. The Eastern Gandak Canal Project was taken up in 1960 and Main Canal system was completed in 1975 for flow irrigation in Nepal for the gross commanded area estimated to be {{convert|103500|acre|km2|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wrd.bih.nic.in/gandak.html |title=Gandak barrage |access-date=10 April 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410061940/http://wrd.bih.nic.in/gandak.html |archive-date=10 April 2009 }}</ref>

A [[Gandak Hydropower Station]] with an installed capacity of 15 MW has also been constructed and commissioned on the bypass to Eastern Gandak Canal.<ref>[http://www.waterlaw.org/regionaldocs/gandak-project.html Agreement Between His Majesty's Government of Nepal and the Government of India on the Gandak Irrigation and Power Project.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080807161343/http://www.waterlaw.org/regionaldocs/gandak-project.html|date=7 August 2008}}</ref>

=== Flood management ===
Flood management does not aim at total elimination or control of floods or providing total immunity from the effects of all magnitudes of floods, which is neither practicable from economic considerations nor even necessary, keeping in view other realities that are faced in the Indian context. Thus, a multi-pronged strategy ranging from modifying the floods by means of structural measures to learning to live with the floods by means of other non-structural measures is the goal of flood management. Measures for protection against extreme floods of low frequency are seldom economically feasible. The term "flood management" refers to the provision of a reasonable degree of protection against floods by measures to mitigate the recurring havoc caused by floods. This is what is being done in flood plains of Gandak River in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh which are affected by floods.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.planningcommission.gov.in/aboutus/committee/wrkgrp11/wg11_wr.pdf |title=Working Group report on Water Resources |access-date=28 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220061839/http://www.planningcommission.gov.in/aboutus/committee/wrkgrp11/wg11_wr.pdf |archive-date=20 February 2009 }}</ref>

== Navigation on the river ==
Nepal has carried out studies on the feasibility of having navigational use of the Gandaki river. Studies indicate that (a) it is feasible only in the lower reaches, (b) link it with India's number 1 highway from Allahabad to Haldia, and (c) cognizance has to be taken of the adverse situation which could arise due to increased irrigation use in dry seasons which could restrict the river level for maintaining possible navigation.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

==In traditional and popular culture==
[[File:Kali River in Ramghat.jpg|thumb|The Gandaki river divides [[Syangja District]] and [[Palpa District]] in Ramghat]]

The Gandaki river is mentioned in the ancient [[Sanskrit]] epic [[Mahabharata]]. Its evolution is described in Shiva Purana, Kumarakhand, in the chapter of the killing of Shankhachuda.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}
A part of episode 1 of the documentary series "[[The Living Planet]]" was filmed in the [[Kali Gandaki Gorge]].<ref>{{cite AV media |title=The Building of the Earth |people=Kelly, N. (producer) |date=2014 |series=The Living Planet |publisher=BBC Two |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01qnrbn}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Kali Gandaki Gorge]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{refbegin}}
* India's Water Wealth (1975, Dr. K.L.Rao, Orient Longman Ltd, Hyderabad, New Delhi
* "Waters of Hope" (1993), B.G.Vargehese, New Delhi
* A Framework for Sustainable Development of the Ganges- Brahmaputra- Meghna (GBM Region), Proceedings of Conference held in Dhaka, 4–5 December 1999–Nepal Water Vision in the GBM Regional Framework, Institute for Integrated Studies, Kathmandu).
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{Collier's poster|Gandak}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110718202501/http://www.bgr.de/lebgeo/thulagi.htm Thulagi Glacier and Lake]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090410061556/http://discoverbihar.bih.nic.in/pages/wildlife.htm WILD LIFE SANCTUARIES AND NATIONAL PARKS]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090915182725/http://forest.bih.nic.in/ValmikiSanctuary.htm Valmiki Tiger Reserve]
* [http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20071127/834717.html GMR energy to acquire 80% stake in Nepal's Himtal Power] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307132138/http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20071127/834717.html |date=7 March 2012 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090410061940/http://wrd.bih.nic.in/gandak.html Gandak Barrage]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100108190009/http://wrmin.nic.in/index3.asp?subsublinkid=288&langid=1&sslid=369 The India-Nepal Treaty]
* [http://www.planningcommission.gov.in/aboutus/committee/wrkgrp11/wg11_wr.pdf Ministry of Water Resources]

{{Hydrography of Nepal}}
{{Rivers in Bihar}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:International rivers of Asia]]
[[Category:Rivers of Gandaki Province]]
[[Category:Rivers of Bihar]]
[[Category:Rivers of Patna]]
[[Category:Ancient Indian rivers]]
[[Category:Tributaries of the Ganges]]
[[Category:Rivers in Buddhism]]
[[Category:Braided rivers in India]]

[[ne:गण्डकी नदी]]

Gandaki River - Revision history

Alicolours at 10:15, 16 March 2026