Understanding the Map

This map shows the Cauvery Basin, the entire landscape from which rainfall drains into the Cauvery River and its tributaries. It brings together the basin boundary, elevation, the Western Ghats and major Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks.

Together, these layers help us see the landscape that the Cauvery River system is part of and where its upper catchments lie.

The protected areas shown provide ecological context and are not a comprehensive inventory of all protected areas within the basin.

Reading the landscape

The Cauvery begins in the higher reaches of the Western Ghats. Rain falling across these landscapes finds its way downhill into numerous streams and tributaries that eventually come together to form the larger river system.

Topography helps us see how water moves across the basin. The higher ground defines where water begins its journey and the direction in which it naturally flows.

The forests, grasslands, wetlands and other landscapes of the Western Ghats are also part of this water story. They help capture rainfall, influence how water moves through the landscape and support the many ecosystems that are part of the Cauvery Basin.

These ecological processes underpin the long-term health and resilience of the Cauvery Basin.

Why does this map matter?

The Cauvery is more than a river. It is a connected system of landscapes, forests, streams, wetlands, wildlife, and people. Protecting the Western Ghats, conserving biodiversity, and maintaining healthy upstream landscapes are essential for sustaining the river and the communities that depend on it including Bengaluru citizens. Understanding these connections is the first step towards restoring and securing the future of the Cauvery Basin.

Understanding the Cauvery therefore means understanding the landscapes that sustain it.