Rakh Branch

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The Rakh Branch is a canal in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The canal was dug in 1892 during colonial rule. The Rakh Branch originates from canal Lower Chenab. And Lower Chenab comes out from Head Khanki at the river Chenab. It passes and produces tributaries in three districts such as Hafizabad, Nankana Sahib and Faisalabad. Many famous towns are situated at near the Rakh Branch such as Safdarabad, Sangla Hill, Salarwala, Chak Jhumra, Gutwala, Abdullahpur and Faisalabad. The canal ends at Samundri.

Irrigation and hydropower

Rakh Branch was dug when Sandal Bar was started and it provides water to many parts of the above districts. It has helped agriculture in these areas. There were watermills for floor grinding upon the Canal banks. These mills were operated with Hydropower and benefited nearby areas. One such mill was operational until 1990 at area between Sangla Hill and Salarwala. All these mills are nowadays rusting due to negligence of the local authorities. Each of the watermills was able to grind flour for at least 20 villages. Besides this a small unit for rice shelling and a cotton blower was present. One can hope that due to power shortages in Pakistan such watermills will be hi

Rakh

Rakh were jungle areas at both sides of Canal. They extended around 100 metres away from the canal and provided fuel wood to British army. They also provided shelter to wild Game animals. These jungles also helped to check waterlogging due to water seepage from canal. A well-known species of these Rakh areas was Sheesham Dalbergia sissoo. Due to Government carelessness and theft of wood these Rakh areas have been cleared and the sites are currently almost barren. Once the Canal water was used for drinking purposes but now salinity is increasing and is making the water unfit for cooking or drinking.^[1]

Fauna

The water of the canal and Rakh supported a large no game animals. But pouching and habitat loss has near lead to there extinction.

Tourism

Gutwala National Park is situated at Rakh Branch and hundreds of people visit it daily. In Faisalabad, an artificial waterfall also has been constructed along the canal banks.^[2]

References

↑ http://www.org/en/Faisalabad
↑ http:doaj.org/abstract?id=184161&tocy

Coordinates: 31°58′N 73°37′E / 31.967°N 73.617°E / 31.967; 73.617

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