The Rechna Doab: Punjab's Fertile Interfluve Between the Ravi and Chenab

Rechna Doab is one of Punjab's five major doabs (interfluves—land between two converging rivers). It lies between the Ravi River (north) and the Chenab River (south), stretching from their Himalayan foothills confluence zone down to their merger near Ahmadpur Sial.

Key Facts

• Location: Punjab, Pakistan — districts of Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura (parts).
• Dimensions: ~160 km (100 mi) long × ~80 km (50 mi) wide.
• Area: ~1.28 million hectares (3.16 million acres).
• Largest City: Faisalabad ("Manchester of Pakistan") — industrial/textile hub, 3.2M metro pop.
• Other Towns: Toba Tek Singh, Gojra, Shorkot, Jaranwala, Sangla Hill.

Agricultural Powerhouse

• Canal Irrigation: Lower Chenab Canal (LCC) — one of world's largest irrigation systems (offtake at Khanki Headworks on Chenab). Command area covers most of Rechna Doab.
• Crops: Wheat, cotton, rice, sugarcane, maize, citrus (kinnow), fodder.
• Cropping Intensity: >150% (multiple crops/year) — among highest in Pakistan.

Punjab's Five Doabs (West to East)

Challenges

• Waterlogging/salinity (rising water table from canal seepage).
• Groundwater depletion (tubewell over-pumping).
• Industrial pollution (Faisalabad textile effluents).
• Urban encroachment on prime farmland.

The Rechna Doab is Pakistan's breadbasket and textile heart—green gold between two rivers.