Manohara river: The north-eastern tributary of Bagmati river

Manohara river, as other Bagmati river tributaries, shares rich cultural, environmental and biological glory in the headwaters which eventually gets entoxicated as it flows downstream.Unmanaged drainage networks, haphazard solid waste disposal, road alignment along rivers has abruptly added nutrients and sediments beyond the self purification capacity hence making the river no better than open sewer.

Manahora river drains Kathmandu valley from the north eastern part and undulates 28Km covering areas like Dadhakateri, Lapsifedi, Sankhu, Kurthali, Mulpani, Gothatar, Sinamangal, and Jadibuti. It drains an area of  83Km2 and receives Hamumante river near Jadibuti. Hanumante is the major tributary of Manohara river. Hanumante river voids whole of Bhaktapur district which is also known as the city of Living Heritage.

Map of Kathmandu Valley showing Manahara river catchment(Yellow) and river course(Blue)

Manohara river mesmerizes at natural conditions at headwaters and has huge diversity of indigenous flora and fauna. The riparian zones consists of wildlives such as Himalayan black bear, Wild boar, Deer, and many species of birds.The riverbed is heterogeneous with predominant boulders and cobbles. The diverse river habitat has maintained the self purification capacity of the river.The water is transparent and river bed is clearly visible. The thick and dense riparian zone has shaded the river making it cool and marshy and even more fertile for biodiversity.

Some of the popular wildlife of ale danda

Manohara river near its source at Lapsifedi

Manohara river has appreciable ritual and cultural value. Hindu mythology describes river course at Sankhu holy and significant . The place is described as the place where Goddess Parbati performed fasting to get Lord Shiva as her husband. Holding on the belief, people come to the river as pilgrim. They bathe and offer water to god. They utter Swasthani Brata Katha and perform fasting for wellbeing of life partners and family. Married women pray for wellbeing of their husbands and Girls offer prayers to get good spouse. Swasthani Brata Katha is a series of stories narrated by Lord Kumar to Agasthya Muni.

Shree Swasthani temple at Sankhu and devotees bathing to mark begining of Swasthani Brata Katha

Manahara Temple also drains The Changu Narayan Temple area which is enlisted in UNESCO world heritage site It stands Lord Bishnu as primary diety in pagoda architectural style. The riverine status of Manohara river affects the fame and  international recognition of the heritage.

The Changu Narayan Temple in the drainage area of Manohara river

The river has important roles in fulfilling basic needs of local people. People come to the river to collect water for washing and cleaning. They add the nutrients which the river silently purifies with its dynamic equilibrium and self-purification capacity. The river is yet at ambient conditions with dissolved oxygen levels of 10mg/l at Sankhu.

Biologically, Manohara river grows up many species many of which may be unknown due lack of scientific investigations. Fishes are reliable indicators recognized and used since centuries. According to Bajracharya and Tamrakar (2007), Manohara river still grows fish species as (a) Garra sp.,(b) Schizothorax sp.,(c) Channa sp. and (d) Heteropneustes sp. in her bosom around Sano Thimi Stretch. Studies on  native fishe species of the river from the headwater region of the river can come into priority of young researchers.

Fishes at Thimi area(Source a)

The primary nutrients like Nitrogen and Phosphorous are ever increasing in the river.The Two nutrients are of anthropogenic origin and enter into the river from agricultural runoff, detergents, organic wastes and so on. According to Bajracharya and Tamrakar 2007, study based on DHM data, the Ammonium, Nitrite, Nitrate and Phosphate levels in the river water is increasing. The direct connection of untreated waste-water, increase in use of fertilizers and unmanaged dumping of organic wastes in the river environment is its major cause.

Increasing nutrient levels in Manahara river( Source:a)

The river water of Manahara river at Lapsifedi and Jadibuti

Manahara river, as stinky as sewer flows downstream and meets Bagmati river. She pours pollution loads from Bhaktapur and upstream in Bagmati river at the confluence point.

Confluence point of Manahara and Bagmati below Sinamangal

source:
a) R.Bajracharya and N. K. Tamrakar/ Bulletin of the Department of Geology, Vol. 10, 2007, pp. 21–32
b) http://www.panoramio.com/photo/31639730
c) http://www.mountainsoftravelphotos.com/Nepal%20-%20Kathmandu/Changu%20Narayan/slides/Kathmandu%20Changu%20Narayan%2001%20Chinnamasta%20Temple%20And%20Changu%20Narayan%20Temple%20East%20Entrance.html
Special Thanks
Bishal Jibi Ghimire
Niranjan Shrestha
WUI Project