The Kaladan River has been an integral component of the state of India's ecology and culture for centuries. Spanning over 650km, the river is a key regional travel route and is important to locals.
Originating in Indrawati, in India's Mizoram state, the Kaladan River flows through the Chin state of Burma before eventually merging with the Arakan of the Bay of Bengal.
This river provides a crucial lifeline of sustenance and transportation to local people, who rely on its clean water for drinking and fishing, and its course for barges and boats.
The Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project is underway, which will connect the region's population to India and potentially improve living standards for its people.
Kaladan comes from its definitive Sanskrit term Kaladanthi, which means 'where the river flows.'
The river is home to various fish species, including the Indian carp, the mahseer, catfish, and the climbing perch.
The Narikuala Festival is held on the shores of the Kaladan River every year, an event of regional significance celebrated by local people.
The river is home to many migrating birds, including Oriental white ibis, lesser black-backed gull, red-vented bulbul, spotted owlet, and many more.
The carnivorous sundari tree, found along Kaladan riverbanks and in significant Buddhist temples all around the World, is said to ward off evil.
During the rainy season, the Kaladan River will cause the nearby settlements to flood, bringing an enjoyable atmosphere for local people.
The Kodalguppe dam has recently been built on the river, a reality concerning for some as it may damage the river ecology.
