Key Highlights
- The Luni River originates in the Aravalli‑linked Pushkar Valley near Ajmer.
- It traverses roughly 495 km of arid Rajasthan before disappearing into the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat.
- Its basin covers about 37,363 sq km across 9 districts of Rajasthan and Gujarat.
- Salinity increases downstream, yet the river remains a vital source for irrigation and wildlife.
- Numerous dams—including Jaswant Sagar, Sardar Samand, and Jawai—regulate its flow.
Detailed Insights
The watercourse begins as the Sagarmati River, fed by the spring waters of Pushkar Valley. After it merges with the Saraswati stream draining Pushkar Lake, the combined flow is renamed the Luni. Flowing southwest, the river cuts through the Thar Desert, passing districts such as Ajmer, Barmer, Jalore, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Pali, and Sirohi. Upon entering Gujarat, it spreads into the salt‑marshes of the Rann of Kutch, where it ultimately dissipates without reaching the Arabian Sea. Throughout its journey the river’s composition becomes increasingly saline, especially in the lower reaches, yet it sustains agriculture via a network of storage dams and canals.
Key Concepts
- Endorheic Drainage: A closed basin where water evaporates or infiltrates instead of reaching an ocean.
- Saline River: A river whose dissolved salts exceed typical freshwater levels, often due to evaporation in arid zones.
- Tributary Confluence: The point at which a smaller stream joins a larger river, altering its name or flow characteristics.
- Aravalli Range: An ancient mountainous formation that feeds many streams, including the Luni’s headwaters.
- Rann of Kutch: A seasonal salt marsh in Gujarat that acts as the terminal sink for several inland rivers.