The Tunga River (alternatively spelled Thunga) is a river in Karnataka state, southern India. The river is born in the Western Ghats (Sahyadri Mountains) on a hill known as Varaha Parvata at a place called Gangamoola in Chikkamagaluru district. From here, the river flows through two districts in Karnataka - Chikmagalur District and Shimoga District.
It is 147 km long and merges with the Bhadra River at Koodli, a small town near Shimoga City, Karnataka.
Pollution
Like many other rivers in India, the Tunga too suffers from pollution. In March 2025, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) revealed that seven sources are polluting the Tunga River. The study, submitted to the district administration and the KSPCB, said approximately 47.79 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage, with most of it allegedly generated by Shivamogga city, is being released into the river's catchment area as of December 2024.
Harakere, Uragadur, the stretch near Purle, Holebenavalli, Goravinakatte, SPM Road, and Thevarchatnahalli, all in Shivamogga district, are the seven identified sources of pollution.