Tapti

Tapti, also known as Tapti or Tapi, is a major west-flowing river in central India. It originates in the Betul district of Madhya Pradesh, near Multai, and travels westward across Madhya Pradesh, into Maharashtra, and then Gujarat, finally emptying into the Gulf of Khambhat near Surat. The river is about 724 kilometers long and drains a drainage basin of roughly 65,000 square kilometers.

From its origin, Tapti forms part of the boundary between Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra for a stretch before continuing through Burhanpur in MP, crossing into Gujarat and reaching the Gulf near Surat. The basin spans portions of three states and supports diverse ecosystems along its course.

The Tapi has several tributaries, including the Purna River, and collects water from the Satpura and other ranges. The river supports irrigation, domestic water supply, and regional livelihoods, with multiple dams and barrages regulating flow along its course. In Gujarat, the Ukai (Harbour) Dam on the Tapi serves irrigation needs and provides hydroelectric power, illustrating the river’s importance for regional infrastructure.

Environmental and management considerations for the Tapi basin include water allocation among states, sedimentation, and pollution control, as well as watershed development programs aimed at sustaining agriculture and ecosystems. The Tapti remains an integral river in central India, shaping regional agriculture, settlement patterns, and ecological zones across its three-state course.