Mattewara Drain: A Sustainable Water Strategy for Jungles & Biodiversity

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14-08-2026

Mattewara Drain: A Sustainable Water Strategy for Jungles & Biodiversity

ORIGIN OF MATTEWARA DRAIN
Utilisation of the Water Body for the Sustainability of Mattewara Jungles and Biodiversity
A Proposal under the Sustainable Green Growth Mission

Prepared by:
Col. CM Lakhanpal
Member, Public Action Committee (PAC) – Mattewara Jungles, River Satluj and Buddha Darya, Ludhiana

1. INTRODUCTION

The Mattewara Jungles are among Punjab’s most valuable natural forest ecosystems. Situated along the southern bank of the River Satluj, these historic and sacred forests once formed an important ecological corridor with the Machiwara Jungles.

The area possesses immense:

Environmental significance
Biodiversity value
Historical importance
Cultural and spiritual significance
Ecological connectivity

1.1 Need for Year-Round Water Availability

The long-term sustainability of the Mattewara Jungles depends significantly upon the availability of water throughout the year.

The revival and scientific management of the Mattewara Drain can provide a practical, economical, and nature-based approach to:

Maintain ecological water availability
Support forest regeneration
Protect biodiversity
Recharge groundwater
Sustain wildlife habitats
Improve climate resilience

2. ORIGIN AND COURSE OF THE MATTEWARA DRAIN

2.1 Part I – Upstream Drainage Network

The Mattewara Drain is connected with a network of drains and water channels receiving regulated water from the Sirhind Canal system.

The upstream drainage network comprises:

Bela Drain – Chamkaur Sahib
Behlolpur Drain – Machiwara
Koom Kallan Drain
Guru Charan Kanwal Drain – Confluence
Lakhowal Cut Drain

These interconnected drainage channels form the upstream catchment before entering the main Mattewara Drain.

2.2 Part II – Main Course of Mattewara Drain

From the Lakhowal Cut, the Mattewara Drain passes through the following areas:

Lakhowal
Rahimabad
Bahadurpur
Mand Chaunta
Dhollanwal
Garcha
Hyder Nagar
Machian Kallan
Garhi Fazal
Mattewara Jungles

The drain ultimately joins the River Satluj.

3. PRIMARY SOURCE OF WATER

3.1 Sirhind Canal System

The principal potential source of regulated water is the Sirhind Canal system.

Environmental flows may be considered through:

Bela Drain, or
Guru Charan Kanwal Drain

3.2 Regulated Water Diversion

A properly designed diversion system can potentially provide regular ecological water availability while ensuring that:

Existing irrigation requirements are protected
Water releases remain scientifically regulated
Ecological flows are maintained
Excess water is safely conveyed
Groundwater dependence is reduced

All diversion proposals should be subject to detailed hydrological, engineering, environmental, and legal assessment by the competent authorities.

4. PROPOSED WATER DIVERSION STRUCTURE

4.1 Check Dam and Diversion Structure

A scientifically designed ecological check dam and diversion structure may be constructed at a technically suitable location near the confluence of:

Bela Drain
Behlolpur Drain
Koom Kallan Drain

4.2 Proposed Functions

The structure should be designed to:

Divert regulated water towards the Mattewara Drain
Maintain minimum ecological flows
Recharge groundwater
Support wildlife habitats
Improve water retention
Reduce dependence on groundwater extraction
Safely pass excess monsoon flows

5. RESTORATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE DRAIN

Several stretches of the drain may require restoration due to:

Silt deposition
Excessive vegetation growth
Obstructions
Local encroachments
Waste dumping
Alteration of the natural drainage profile

5.1 Recommended Measures

A. Scientific Desilting

Undertake desilting only where hydrological assessment establishes a need.

B. Removal of Encroachments

Identify and address encroachments affecting the natural flow and carrying capacity of the drain in accordance with applicable law.

C. Restoration of Natural Profile

Restore appropriate:

Width
Depth
Flow capacity
Natural banks
Riparian vegetation
D. Pollution Prevention

Strictly prevent:

Municipal waste dumping
Industrial discharge
Untreated sewage
Plastic and solid-waste disposal
E. Pre-Monsoon Maintenance

Conduct periodic inspection and necessary maintenance before every monsoon season.

6. ECOLOGICAL CHECK DAMS AND WATER-RETENTION STRUCTURES

6.1 Purpose

Ecological check dams can help retain water for longer periods while allowing excess monsoon water to pass safely.

6.2 Indicative Locations
Proposed Site 1

North of Machian Kallan Bridge, adjoining the new plantation area towards Sekhewal.

Proposed Site 2

East of Garhi Fazal Bridge, before the drain enters the Mattewara Jungles.

6.3 Site Verification

The exact locations should be finalised only after:

Topographical survey
Hydrological assessment
Soil investigation
Environmental assessment
Flood-flow analysis
Consultation with local communities and concerned departments

7. EXPECTED ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
7.1 Restoration of Mattewara Jungles

Regular ecological water availability can support:

Improved forest health
Higher survival of native saplings
Natural regeneration of indigenous species
Restoration of degraded areas

7.2 Biodiversity Conservation

Improved water availability can support:

Birds
Mammals
Reptiles
Amphibians
Aquatic organisms
Native flora and fauna

7.3 Ecological Connectivity

A functioning water corridor can contribute to:

Habitat connectivity
Wildlife movement
Riparian ecosystems
Improved landscape-level biodiversity

8. GROUNDWATER RECHARGE

Improved water retention can contribute to:

Subsoil aquifer recharge
Improved groundwater conditions in surrounding areas
Reduced dependence on tube wells
Greater water security for nearby communities

9. WATER CONSERVATION

The proposed system can promote the beneficial use of seasonal water through:

Storage of monsoon runoff
Controlled utilisation of stormwater
Temporary retention of excess water
Restoration of natural water-holding areas
Reduced loss of water through rapid runoff

10. CLIMATE RESILIENCE

Restoration of the Mattewara Drain and surrounding ecosystem can contribute to:

Increased carbon sequestration
Reduced heat stress
Improved local microclimate
Greater drought resilience
Improved ecosystem stability
Enhanced adaptation to changing rainfall patterns

11. SUSTAINABILITY OF FOREST WATER HOLES

The existing natural depressions, ponds, and water holes within the forest ecosystem should be identified and protected.

11.1 Objectives

Maintaining these water bodies can provide:

Year-round or seasonal water availability for wildlife
Wildlife drinking points
Aquatic habitats
Biodiversity support
Improved ecological functioning of the forest

12. FLOOD MANAGEMENT

The Mattewara Drain can also serve an important role in managing excess monsoon runoff.

12.1 Potential Functions

The restored drainage system can help:

Carry excess monsoon runoff
Safely convey floodwater towards the River Satluj
Reduce flood pressure on adjoining villages
Reduce waterlogging
Minimise soil erosion
Improve overall drainage resilience

Flood-management interventions should be designed on the basis of detailed catchment and hydraulic studies so that ecological restoration does not increase flood risk elsewhere.

13. POLLUTION CONTROL

Water diversion and ecological restoration will only be successful if the quality of water entering the system is protected.

13.1 Key Measures

Prevent untreated sewage discharge
Prevent industrial effluent discharge
Establish appropriate wastewater-treatment systems
Monitor water quality regularly
Identify and eliminate illegal discharge points
Enforce pollution-control regulations
Maintain buffer zones along the drainage channel

14. IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY

The project may be implemented through coordinated participation of:

Department of Forests & Wildlife Preservation, Punjab
Department of Water Resources
Drainage authorities
Department of Rural Development
Punjab Pollution Control Board
Local Panchayats
Public Action Committee (PAC)
Civil society organisations
Academic and research institutions
Hydrology and environmental experts Local communities

15. COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

Community participation should remain central to the project.

15.1 Community Roles

Local communities can participate in:

Waterbody protection
Plantation drives
Waste prevention
Biodiversity monitoring
Encroachment reporting
Water-quality awareness
Forest conservation
Social monitoring of restoration activities

16. SCIENTIFIC MONITORING AND GOVERNANCE

A dedicated monitoring mechanism should be established to assess:

Water
Flow
Water levels
Water quality
Seasonal availability
Ecology
Forest regeneration
Wildlife presence
Bird diversity
Aquatic biodiversity
Groundwater
Water-table levels
Recharge indicators
Infrastructure
Check-dam performance
Drain carrying capacity
Siltation
Flood-flow behaviour

An annual Mattewara Drain Ecological Status Report may be considered to document progress and identify corrective measures.

17. PHASE-WISE IMPLEMENTATION

Phase I –

Survey and Assessment
Detailed topographical survey
Hydrological and hydraulic assessment
Water-quality assessment
Biodiversity survey
Encroachment mapping
Identification of pollution sources

Phase II –

Restoration Removal of critical obstructions
Scientific desilting where required
Restoration of drain profile
Pollution-source control
Restoration of riparian vegetation

Phase III – Water Management

Design of regulated diversion system
Construction of approved ecological structures
Restoration of natural water holes
Groundwater-recharge measures

Phase IV – Ecological Restoration

Native plantation
Habitat restoration
Biodiversity enhancement
Wildlife-water management
Community conservation programmes

Phase V – Long-Term Monitoring

Seasonal water monitoring
Biodiversity monitoring
Groundwater assessment
Flood-risk monitoring
Periodic maintenance
Public reporting

18. EXPECTED OUTCOMES

Successful implementation can contribute to:

Revival of the Mattewara Jungles
Improved biodiversity conservation
Restoration of natural water bodies
Groundwater recharge
Reduced groundwater dependence
Improved climate resilience
Better flood management
Reduction in water pollution
Improved wildlife habitats
Strengthened ecological connectivity
Community participation in conservation
Sustainable green growth

19. A MODEL FOR PUNJAB

The Mattewara Drain restoration can become a demonstration project for nature-based water management in Punjab.

If successful, the approach could be adapted for other:

Historic drains
Seasonal water channels
Forest ecosystems
Wetlands
Floodplains
River corridors

The objective should be to demonstrate that water management, biodiversity conservation, heritage protection, and sustainable development can work together.

20. CONCLUSION

The revival and scientific management of the Mattewara Drain should not be viewed merely as a drainage project.

It should be considered an integrated ecological restoration initiative capable of supporting the long-term sustainability of the Mattewara Jungles and surrounding biodiversity.

Through scientifically assessed and regulated water management, pollution control, ecological restoration, groundwater recharge, flood management, and community participation, Punjab can develop a practical model of Sustainable Green Growth.

The Vision