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PHYSIOGRAPHY
3.1 INTRODUCTION

The physiographic condition of a region refers to the sculptures on the natural landscape and ongoing changes by several geomorphic agents like water, glacier, wind etc. These agents are controlled by the prevalent climatic conditions of the region and the internal dynamism of the earth. For a hydroelectric project, the study of physiographic condition of the river catchment is very crucial as it has a strong control on water availability and sediment load supplied to the river. The present chapter deals with physiography of the Tawang Chhu catchment area in the upstream of the proposed Tawang H.E Project Stage-I barrage site.

The geographical region of the proposed barrage site is spread in the Tawang district of western Arunachal Pradesh. The catchment area is confined between 27 30 00 N to 28 24 00 N latitudes and 91 47 00 E to 92 28 00 E longitudes. The proposed barrage site is located on the Tawang Chhu near Nuranang Chhu Power House. In the present study, various physiographic parameters were analyzed through remote sensing and GIS techniques. A database of different aspects was formulated for all constituent sub-watersheds of Tawang Chhu catchment. Secondary sources like Survey of India (SOI) toposheets and satellite data were utilized in preparation of different thematic maps. Analysis and interpretation of this spatial database were achieved by using GIS techniques. The results were confirmed after ground truthing at specific locations. The outcome of this study is discussed in the following sections:

3.2

DRAINAGE NETWORK

Tawang Chhu and Nyamjang Chhu are the two main rivers in Tawang district. Tawang Chhu emerges after the confluence of Mago Chhu and Nyukcharong Chhu rivers at an elevation of 2240 m. Nyukcharong Chhu originates from Tibet in the Eastern Himalayan ranges and flows towards southern direction and joins Seti Chhu after 52 km of travel in Tibet. It further flows in southward direction and enters India after Shoe/ Tsona Chhu joins it from left side at 3060 m near Shyamdling. Mago Chhu originates in India at an elevation of 3360 m. It traverses southTawang H.E. Project Stage-I 3-1

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west and joins Nyukcharong Chhu near Kyelatongbo and the river after confluence is known as Tawang Chhu.

Tawang Chhu flows towards Bhutan through a narrow valley in most part of its length and crosses international boundaries after cruising in India for a distance of 45 km. In Bhutan Tawang Chhu joins Manas river, which is a major tributary of Brahmaputra river. The overall drainage network of the catchment area shows combination of dendritic, trellis and parallel drainage patterns (Fig. 3.1). A description of the major tributaries joining the Tawang Chhu in the project catchment has been described in the following section:

3.2.1

Tawang Chhu As mentioned earlier that Tawang Chhu is emerged from Nyukcharong river and Mago

Chhu river. Besides, it fed by two prominent tributaries near the barrage site. In addition, several short traversed seasonal streams are drained into the main Tawang Chhu channel. Left bank tributary of Tawang Chhu 3.2.1.1 The Nuranang Chhu This river flows for about 15 km from southeast to northwest to join the Tawang Chhu near Bratse Gompa village. The stream originates from snow covered hills located in the southeast of Nuranang village. The river belongs to third order and overall drainage network is characterized by dendritic pattern. The catchment area is covered by temperate mixed coniferous, sub-alpine, rhododendron scrubs and alpine pastures forest, agricultural lands, settlement, and lakes. There are several lakes in the 4 km south of Gungler village. Some of the important places through which the river flows are Nuranang, Gungler, Yutnumbu and Dungjee. Two streams viz. Yamdro Chhu and Naga Rong join Nuranang Chhu at the right bank. These streams are originated from snow-clad mountains located in the southeast of the catchment. These are second order streams, and therefore, covers small catchment area and their drainage network is characterized by dendritic pattern. Right bank tributaries of Tawang Chhu Un-named drainage network There is a prominent drainage network flowing from northern part, it belongs to third order and it joins Tawang Chhu right before the barrage site near Bratse Gompa. It flows for 17.7 km draining several small and large seasonal as well perennial streams. The drainage network

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exhibits a dendritic pattern. Most of the northern fed tributaries are glacial and spring fed river system.

3.2.2

Mago Chhu The Mago Chhu river originates from snow-clad mountain having elevation range of

4845m - 4903 m, and travels towards southwest to join Nyukcharong Chhu. It is joined by many tributaries on either bank i.e. Dungma Chhu and Gorong Chhu joins on the left bank where as Larong Chhu and other two un-named rivers on the right bank.

Left Bank Tributaries of Mago Chhu 3.2.2.1 Dungma Chhu This river flows for 22.5 Km before it confluences with Goshu stream near Gyamkhang Gompa. Most of the rivulets and streams are fed by glaciers and snow. After its origin, it is fed by stream which flows toward south on the right bank. It flows further for 5.7 km and is joined by a small stream on right bank near Jithang village. There is another un-named prominent tributary which is fed by lakes, it drains into Dungma Chhu near Layu village. It flows towards the north on the right bank and flows for 3 km before it drains into Dungma Chhu. Other small streams along the left are also fed by lakes and glacial lakes.

3.2.2.2 Gorong Chhu This river flows for 23.5 Km before it drains into Mago Chhu near Nyukal Village. Gorong Chhu is largely fed by lakes and glacial lakes (see Figure 3.1). Most of the sources (lakes and glaciers) are located along the right bank of stream. The Gorong valley is largely covered by alpine meadow and barren land.

3.2.2.3 Un-named tributaries After Gorong Chhu drains into the main river channel, Mago Chhu is fed by large number of short drainage network. Until, it is fed by large drainage network with dendritic pattern, which flows from south to north-westwards. It flows for 16.6 km before it drains into Mago Chhu. Most of the stream network is fed by lakes and glaciers. It drains into Mago Chhu river near Nyuktyeng village. Another, unnamed tributary shows parallel drainage pattern. It flows for 15 km before it drains into Mago Chhu near Ortang Ngyesa. It is fed by several rivers and streams along both the banks. The river originates near Tsaina in the extreme south.

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Right bank Tributaries of Mago Chhu 3.2.2.4 Larong Chhu The stream flows from northwest to southeast for about 9 km before it joins with the Tawang Chhu river. The headwater region is covered with snow. The drainage network is mostly dendritic pattern and its catchment area is occupied by snow, mixed forest, and settlement. The water sources are mainly glaciers, snow and lakes. This streams passes through Nyekar, Shimgye and Drosar and eventually drains into Mago Chhu.

3.2.2.5 Un-named stream After the confluence of Mago Chhu and Larong Chhu, Mago Chhu river flows further toward west for 5.2 Km and it is joined by a large river network near Thingbu village. The river is sourced largely from the seasonal canals. However, the river originates from glacier and snow capped mountains.

3.2.2.6 Un-named stream Mago Chhu flows further downstream for 3.8 km and it is joined by a larger river system. The main channel of this drainage network flows for 6.7 km. The river channel is of third order and it is largely fed by glaciers and snow capped mountain. Eventually, it drains into Mago Chhu near Chorten. 3.2.3 Nyukcharong Chhu Nyukcha Rong river flow westward for more than 15 km and confluences with Shou Chhu. It is a glacier fed river, however, there is a small lake along the river stretch. Further downstream, Nyukcha Rong is fed by several large and small rain fed and glacier fed streams.

Left bank tributaries of Nyukcharong 3.2.3.1 Yamin Rong Chhu One of the prominent tributary of Nyukcharong is Yamin Rong on the left bank. It flows through Nyega and Kampha villages from east to west. The river is fed by glaciers, snow-capped peaks and springs. It traverses for 5.3 km before it confluences with Nyukcharong Chhu.

3.2.3.2 Dotangla Chhu Another tributary of Nyukcharong along the left bank is Dotangla Chhu, which is shorter traversed tributary system. Dotangla Chhu flows for 3.8 Km before it confluences with Nyukcharong river.
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3.2.3.3 Rudi Chhu Rudi Chhu is shorter in length which flows for 3 km and drains into main river channel of Nyukcharong near Merothi.

Right bank tributaries of Nyukcharong After the confluence with Shoe Chhu on its right bank, most of the tributaries on the right bank are seasonal and very short distance traversed. There are two large drainage networks along the right bank which drains into Nyukcharong Chhu.

3.2.3.4 Un-named drainage 1 This stream is of first order and drains some seasonal canals. This seasonal stream flows for 3.6 km and drains into Nyukcharong near Merothi village.

3.2.3.5 Un-named drainage 2 This stream is of second order and it also drains large number of seasonal canals. It flows for 7.8 km before it drains into Nyukcharong near Dargang. Drainage network of the Tawang Chhu and catchment characteristics are tabulated in Table 3.1 and represented in Figure 3.1.

3.2.4

Drainage network within 10 km radius from Barrage site and Power house site Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has been following a general practice of

baseline data to be collected in a 10 km radius of a project while conducting EIA studies. As illustrated in Fig.3.1a, a drainage base map was developed to demarcate the submergence zone and influence zone of the Tawang H.E. Project Stage-I. There are several stream networks joining the main channel of Tawang Chhu both in the vicinity of Barrage site and Power house site.

Along the right bank, Nyukcharong Chhu joins the main river channel (Tawang Chhu) near Kyelatongbo village. Gyarang Chhu drains into Tawang Chhu just after the barrage site. Tawang Chhu flows further westward for 11.5 km and it is joined by another large tributary system near Surbi village. Tawang Chhu river flows further for 5 km and it is joined by Thumble Rong before the Power house site. Eventually, it is joined by Sakte Chhu and several small tributaries system on the right bank (Fig.3.1a).

Left bank of Tawang Chhu is characterized by the presence of more drainage networks. Within the study area when the Tawang Chhu enters, it confluences with large drainage network
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whose head water region is featured with glacial lakes and lakes. This river confluences with Tawang Chhu near Boksar village. After the river traverses for 10 km and it is joined by Nuranang Chhu near Bratse village, immediately before the Barrage site. The head water region of Nuranang Chhu is also characterized with large lakes. Yamdro Chhu and Naga Rong are the prominent tributaries along the right bank of Nuranang Chhu. After the Barrage site it is joined by Chhubili Rong. The main river channel flows further 9 km westward from the Barrage site and it is joined by Shoirong Chhu, it is probably the largest drainage network in the influence zone. It confluences with Tawang Chhu near Gongkhar village. Furthermore, before and after the power house it joined by several seasonal and perennial streams among them Ranarong Chhu is the largest drainage system along the d/s of Power house site (Fig.3.1a).

3.3

LAKES AND RESERVOIR

Several small and large lakes are located within the catchment area (Fig. 3.1). The largest lake is located to the extreme north of the catchment area in Tibet, where the river Shoe Chhu originates. Larger lakes are located in the higher altitudes of Tibet and smaller lakes are existed in the southeastern part of the catchment in Arunachal Pradesh. According to a recent study by National Remote Sensing Agency, Hyderabad, there are a total of 121 glacial lakes/water bodies in the catchment area (visual interpretation of satellite images). The total area of these lakes/water bodies covers an area of 43.17 sq km. Also, as evident from remotely sensed data, probably there is an artificial reservoir on the river Shoe Chhu in the Tibetan part of the catchment at an elevation of 4012 m.

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Table 3.1 Drainage network of the Tawang Chhu River and catchment characteristics in western Arunachal Pradesh
Main Tributary Nyukcharong Chhu Right Bank/Left Bank Right bank Place of confluences with the Tawang Chhu river Near Kyelatongbo Major streams joining the tributary Left Bank; Yamin rong Unnamed small nalas joined at both the banks Catchment Characteristics

Shelkong Chhu is a left bank tributary of the Tawang Chhu river. The stream has largest catchment area among the tributaries surrounding the barrage site. The catchment area is covered with temperate mixed corniferous, sub-alpine, rhododendron scrubs and alpine pastures forest, agricultural lands, and settlement. Drainage pattern is characterized by dendritic.

Nuranang Chhu

Left bank

Downstream of Bratse Gompa village,

Left Bank: Yamdro Chhu Right bank Unnamed nalas

This tributary flows from southeast to northwest. Drainage network shows dendritic pattern. Catchment area is occupied by temperate mixed forest, agricultural land, lakes, and settlement.

Mago Chhu

Left bank

Near Kyelatongbo

Left bank; Dungma Chhu Gorong Chhu and two large unnamed nalas. Right bank: Larong Chhu and several unnamed nalas

The tributary flows from east to west. It has the largest catchment of the all the tributaries. The catchment area is covered with alpine meadows, glacier capped peaks and large number of glacial lakes in the upstream. Along the downstream it is covered with mixed coniferous forest and scrubs. Drainage network shows denritic pattern. While some of the tributaries shows parallel dendritic pattern.

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Unnamed nala

Right bank

Downstream of Bratse Gompa

Unnamed nalas from left and right banks.

It flows from north to south. It is covered with coniferous forest and scrubs.

Unnnamed nala

Right bank

Upstream of Dargang

Unnamed nalas from the left and right banks.

This tributary also flows from north to south. It is covered with small mixed coniferous forest and scrubs.

Dotangla Chhu and Rudi Chhu

Left bank

Upstream of Dangla; Dotangla Upstream of Merothi Rudi Chhu

Unnamed nalas on the left and right bank.

These tributaries have small catchment, the streams flows from east to west and has mixed coniferous, alpine meadows.

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3.4

STREAM GRADIENT OF TAWANG CHHU AND ITS TRIBUTARIES

The longitudinal profile of the Tawang Chhu including its headwater, where the river is known as Shoe Chhu in Tibet up to the proposed barrage site is given in Fig. 3.2. The entire profile covers a distance of about 140 km between 4700 m elevation in the north and 2060 m elevation at the proposed barrage site. The gradient profiles of major tributary streams like Nyukcharong Chhu, Mago Chhu, Goshu Chhu and Nuranang Chhu are also shown in this figure.

At the central part of the profile major tributary streams meet the main river. In this stretch the river spans an elevation of 2000 m in 47 km travel. Thus, the gradient of Tawang Chhu in this stretch is 1:23.5. The Mago Chhu travels for 45.65 km within the elevation range of 2400 to 5100 m. This channel has the gradient of 1:16.91. One of the prominent knick points observed along Mago Chhu lies at 75 km from the headwater region. Here, the water elevation in the river drops down from 3900 to 3500 m in a span of about one kilometer distance. Another knick point was observed near the confluence of Tawang Chhu and Mago Chhu. The presence of knick points indicates major structural discontinuity across the stream. Steep gradients are also observed for Nuranang Chhu (1:7.34) and Nyukcharong Chhu (1:12.83).

Lower gradient indicates that the river is in its advanced evolutionary stage and hence has low erodibility potential. The higher channel gradient indicates lower equilibrium stage and therefore, high erodibility potential. As evident from gradient values, the Tawang Chhu has the lowest gradient (1:37.4), while the Nuranang Chhu has the highest (1:7.34) (Table 3.2). Therefore, the Tawang Chhu has lower erodibility potential as compared to its tributaries.

Table 3.2 Gradient profiles of the Tawang Chhu and its tributaries.
Sl. No. 1. 2. 3. 4. Name of river Tawang Chhu Mago Chhu Nuranang Chhu Nyukcharong Chhu Length of the river (Km) 140 45.4 15.18 14.37 River gradient 1:37.4 1:16.91 1:7.34 1: 12.83

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3.5

DIGITAL ELEVATION MODEL (DEM)

Generally Digital Elevation Model (DEM) (Fig.3.3) formed the basis for generation of elevation-relief, slope and aspect maps, which are shown in Fig. 3.4, Fig. 3.5 and Fig. 3.6, respectively.

3.6

RELIEF

The Tawang Chhu catchment area has been divided into 12 elevation bands (Fig. 3.4). Each of the intermediate bands covers elevation of 400 m. Among the high elevation classes, there are four elevation classes above 4000 m (4000-4400 m, 4400-4800 m, 4800-5200 m and 5200-5600 m) which are widely spread in the entire catchment. Together these elevation classes cover an area of 258424 ha i.e., 88% of the entire catchment. These elevation classes are widely spread in the northern part of the catchment, moreover in the Tibet part. Elevation classes above 5600-6000 m are spread on small area of 1.13% of the catchment, spatially these classes are restricted to extreme north of the catchment and head water region of Mago Chhu river (Goshu Chhu and Dungma Chhu) i.e., in the south-east of the catchment. Elevation class with 6000-6400 m is spread on a small area of 352.43 ha and elevation with above 6400 m is spread only on a mere area of 1.25 ha. Lower elevation classes are limited along the valleys of main channel of Mago Chhu, Tawang Chhu and Nyukcharong Chhu rivers. These band classes i.e., (Up to 2400 m, 2400-2800 m, 2800-3200 m, 3200-3600 m and 3600-4000 m.) accounts only 10.77% of the entire catchment (see Table 3.3).

Table 3.3 Elevational range and corresponding area of Tawang H.E. Project Stage-I catchment
Elevation Band Up to 2400 2400-2800 2800-3200 3200-3600 3600-4000 4000-4400 4400-4800 4800-5200 5200-5600
Tawang H.E. Project Stage-I

Area (in ha) 523.31 1848.93 4414.24 8424.63 16406.42 40146.28 91152.59 95618.16 31507.22

Percentage 0.18 0.63 1.50 2.87 5.59 13.67 31.04 32.56 10.73
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5600-6000 6000-6400 Above 6400 Total

3304.54 352.43 1.25 293700.00

1.13 0.12 0.0004 100.00

3.7

SLOPE

The slope map of the Tawang Chhu catchment area is given in Fig. 3.5. As evident from the map, the catchment has been divided into 6 slope categories. Out of these classes, moderately sloping area has largest area coverage of 113219.30 ha of land which is equivalent to 38.55% of the total catchment area. It is widely distributed throughout the catchment area. Strongly sloping is spatially spread on an area of 81678.73 ha of land i.e., 27.81% of the catchment area. It is prevalently present along the river valleys in the southern part of the catchment area. Another prominent slope class in the Tawang Stage-I catchment boundary is gently sloping class. It is widely distributed along the northern part of the catchment, moreover, along the glacier and snow capped mountains. It covers an area of 79611.99 ha, which is equivalent to 27.11% of the total catchment area. Moderately steep slope presents on area of 18120.40 ha of land, which accounts only for 6.17% of the total catchment area. This slope class is more prominent in the southern part along, Nyukcharong Chhu, Goshu Chhu and Dungma Chhu vallies. While steep and very steep slope classes areas are present in 0.36% of the catchment area (Table 3.4).

Table 3.4 Slope categories and their areas in the Tawang H.E Catchment Stage-I catchment
Slope Categories Gently Sloping Moderately Sloping Strongly Sloping Moderately Steep Steep Very Steep Total Area 79611.99 113219.30 81678.73 18120.40 1066.33 3.25 293700 Percentage 27.11 38.55 27.81 6.17 0.36 0.001 100.00

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3.8

ASPECT

The aspect map of the Tawang Chhu catchment indicates that the area of most of the slope classes are proportionately distributed in the entire catchment, except of flat area which covers the maximum area of 83554.15 ha of land. It accounts for 28.45% of the total catchment area. Slopes with SW-W-NW direction occupy an area of 56074.13 ha of Land (Fig. 3.6). This aspect contributes 19% of the total catchment area and it is widespread throughout the catchment. It is prevalent along the banks of Tawang Chhu, Shoe Chhu and their tributaries. The slopes with NW-N-NE aspect occupy 53579.52 ha, which is 18.24% of the catchment. Slopes having NE-E-SE facet occupy 52343.87 ha i.e. 17.82% of the total area. It is distributed throughout the catchment. Slopes classified with SE-S-SW facet are distributed on an area of 48148.33 ha i.e., 16.39% of the total land in the catchment area. All the aspect classes with their area are figured in Table 3.5. Table 3.5 Aspect categories and their areas in the Tawang H.E. Project Stage I catchment
Aspect categories Flat NW-N-NE NE-E-SE SE-S-SW SW-W-NW Total Area (ha) 83554.15 53579.52 52343.87 48148.33 56074.13 293700.00 Percentage 28.45 18.24 17.82 16.39 19.09 100.00

3.9

INFLUENCE ZONE (POWER HOUSE SITE AND BARRAGE SITE)

MoEF has been following a general practice of baseline data to be collected in a 10 km radius of a project while conducting EIA studies. A base map was developed to demarcate the submergence zone and influence zone of the Tawang H.E. Project Stage-I, it covers an area of 61037.08 ha. Therefore, all the physiographic spatial maps will be further examined within the 10 km radius of power house and barrage site. It is called as the study area (Influence zone and the submergence area).

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3.9.1

Slope As shown in Figure 3.7, within the influence zone and the submergence area, Strongly

sloping and moderately sloping classes have area coverage of 47.63% and 37.51% respectively. However, Moderately steep and Gently sloping have lesser area coverage of 9.8% and 4.58% respectively. Eventually, the remaining two classes (steep and very steep) together accounts for 0.44% of the total influence zone. Slope with higher value are more susceptible to landslides and erosion. In the influence zone these classes are negligible comparing to lower degree of slopes.

3.9.2

Aspect Aspect class SW-W-NW covers 20.17% of 61037.08 ha of area. It is prevalently spread on

the left bank of the Tawang Chhu river within the study area radius. It is followed by SE-S-SW facet, which covers 23.51% of the study area and it is more prevalent on the right bank of the Tawang Chhu river. Aspect NE-E-SE is spatially more prevalent along the right bank of the Tawang Chhu and it covers 25.02% of the total study area. Aspect class NW-N-NE and Flat is proportionately spread along the entire study area with area coverage of 22.83% and 8.47% respectively (Fig 3.8).

3.9.3

Relief In Figure 3.9 there are nine elevation bands within the study area. Higher elevation classes

i.e., 2400-2800 m, 2800-3200m, 3200-3600 m, 3600-4000 m, 4000-4400 m and >4400 meters occupy about 84% of the study area. Among them elevation band with 3600-4000 m forms the predominant class with 20.44% of the total study area. It is spread along the head water region of Chhubili Rong, Nuranang Chhu, Thumbe Rong and Gyarang Chhu. Lower elevation class 20002400 m occupies 9.6% of the study area, the remaining lower classes (up to 1600 m and 16002000m) occupy 4.78% and 1.30% respectively and are restricted to the bottom valleys of Tawang Chhu.

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