Key Facts about Ken River

About Ken River

• It is one of the major rivers of the Bundelkhand region of central India.
• It flows through two states, namely Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
• It is a tributary of the Yamuna River. The river is the last tributary of the Yamuna before the Yamuna joins the Ganga.
• Course:
  • The river originates near the village of Ahirgawan on the north-west slopes of the Kaimur Range in the district of Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.
  • Crossing the Bijawar-Panna hills, the river cuts a 60 km long, and 150- 180 m deep gorge. It is joined by several streams in this gorge, making waterfalls.
  • It travels a distance of 427 km and then merges with the Yamuna at Chilla village, near Fatehpur in Uttar Pradesh. 
• It is known for its rare Sajhar or Dendritic Agate stone.
• Banda city is located on the banks of Ken River.
• Tributaries: The major tributaries of the Ken River are Bawas, Dewar, Kaith, Baink, Kopra, and Bearma.

Ken-Betwa River Link Project

• It aims to transfer surplus water from the Ken River to the Betwa River basin through concrete canal to irrigate India’s worst drought-prone Bundelkhand region.
• It is the first project under the National Perspective Plan for the interlinking of rivers. 
• It aims to provide irrigation to the Bundelkhand region, which is one of the worst drought-affected areas in India. 
• The project will benefit Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh in terms of meeting the irrigation, drinking water, and electricity needs of people across six districts in the two states.

Q1) What is the Bundelkhand region?

Bundelkhand is a geographical and cultural region, divided between the states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Jhansi is the largest city of Bundelkhand and Sagar is the second-largest city. the area of Bundelkhand is 59000 sq km, spread over 7 districts of Uttar Pradesh namely Chitrakoot, Banda, Jhansi, Jalaun, Hamirpur, Mahoba, and Lalitpur, and 6 districts Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, Damoh, Sagar, Datia and Panna of Madhya Pradesh.

Source: PM Modi cites crocodiles in Ken river to hail tech use in saving wildlife