Kaladan River Expedition

India – Myanmar in September 2012

The river road from India to Myanmar.

All rivers, irrespective of their size have played a crucial role in nurturing the culture of this ancient civilizations.

The Kaladan River; (also Beino, Bieno Boinu, Tuipui, and Kolodyne) is a river in eastern Mizoram State of India, and in Chin State and Rakhine of western Myanamar. It forms the international border between India and Burma.

The Kaladan River

The river arises in central Chin State as the Timit, and flows south and is soon joined by the Chal, after which it is known as the Boinu River. It continues south until just before it is joined by the Twe River. Below Mount Phabipa, it turns north and becomes the international border between India and Myanmar. It flows north where the international border continues along the Tyao River, and the Boinu heads northwest into Mizoram State, at which point it is known as the Kaladan.

The Kaladan is joined from the right by the Mat River. It  continues south and is joined by the Kawrthingdeng River from the right. It again enters Chin State, at Raithaw Ferry, just northwest of Khenkhar. At Ngame the river enters the Rakhine State of Myanmar and continues south to Sittwe where it enters the Bay of Bengal.

The pace of friendship and cooperation between New Delhi and Yangon has been increasing over the past decade and that would be the first time since 1946 that the Kaladan river will be navigated the full length.

Objective of Expedition

The aim of the project is to improve awareness, to showcase the potential of the region for tourism and to emphasize the need to preserve the unique biodiversity along the riverbanks. The expedition wants to bring a deeper knowledge and understanding of the whole region, its culture, natural beauty and diversity to a broader public.

A steady influx of tourists would secure income and thus help to achieve a sustainable development – environmental aspects and the protection of nature would be of utmost importance in this context.

The trip is meant to be a unique awareness project for the whole region.