The Hasdeo Aranya Region (Aranya means forest) lies in the catchment area of the Hasdeo river in North-Central Chhattisgarh.
The Hasdeo Aranya forests are called the lungs of Chhattisgarh.
The Hasdeo River is a tributary of the Mahanadi river which originates in Chhattisgarh and flows through Odisha into the Bay of Bengal.
The Hasdeo forests are also the catchment area for the Hasdeo Bango Dam built across the Hasdeo river which irrigates six lakh acres of land, crucial to a State with paddy as its main crop.
Hasdeo Arand, a sprawling forest in the northern part of Chhattisgarh is known for its biodiversity and its coal deposits.
Besides, the forests are ecologically sensitive due to the rich biodiversity they offer and due to the presence of a large migratory corridor for elephants.
Hasdeo River
Hasdo River rises at a height of 915 meter at a place near to Sonhat in the Sarguja district of Chhattisgarh.
The Hasdo river covers a length of nearly 333 km to merge into the Mahanadi river on its left near to the village Mahuadih.
The total drainage area of the Hasdo river is 9,856 sq. km, which is about 6.96% of the Mahanadi basin area.
The principal sub tributary of the Hasdo River is Gej River.
Hasdo River merge into the Mahanadi River in Chandarpur in Chattisgarh, 28 km before Mahanadi river reaches the Hirakud Dam.
Hasdeo Bango Dam is constructed across this river.