Questions and Answers
What is the approximate length of the Ganga river from its source to its mouth?
Which town is NOT mentioned as an important town along the Ganga river?
What is the source of the Bhagirathi river?
At which location does the Ganga river bifurcate?
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Which of the following is a major tributary of the Alaknanda?
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What is the elevation of the Bhagirathi River at its source?
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Which of the following rivers is NOT a right bank tributary of the Ganga River?
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Which city is located on the banks of the Yamuna River?
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What is the main purpose of the dams associated with the Chambal River?
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Where does the Chambal River originate?
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Study Notes
Ganga River System
- The Ganga is the national river of India and the largest river system, flowing approximately 2,525 km through India and Bangladesh.
- Major tributary confluences include:
- Devprayag: Bhagirathi + Alaknanda
- Rudraprayag: Mandakini + Alaknanda
- Karnaprayag: Pindar + Alaknanda
- Vishnuprayag: Dhauliganga + Alaknanda
- The Bhagirathi rises from the Gangotri Glacier at Gaumukh, 3,892 m, before merging with the Alaknanda at Devprayag.
- Major towns along the Ganga include Haridwar, Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi, Patna, and more.
- Near Rajmahal Hills, the Ganga shifts direction southeast, bifurcating into the Bhagirathi-Hugli (India) and Padma-Meghna (Bangladesh) at Farakka.
Alaknanda and Bhagirathi
- Alaknanda is one of the main headstreams of the Ganga and originates from the Satopanth and Bhagirath glaciers.
- The confluence of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi at Devprayag marks the official naming of the river as Ganga.
- Hindu pilgrimage sites like Badrinath and Tapt Kund lie along the Alaknanda River.
Major Tributaries of the Ganga
- Right Bank Tributaries: Yamuna, Chambal, Banas, Sind, Betwa, Ken, Son, Damodar.
- Left Bank Tributaries: Ramganga, Gomti, Ghaghra, Kali, Gandak, Burhi Gandak, Kosi.
Yamuna River System
- Originates from Yamunotri Glacier on Banderpoonch peak; flows through Uttarakhand, HP, Haryana, entering Delhi and merging with the Ganga at Allahabad.
- The Yamuna creates fertile alluvial regions known as the Yamuna-Ganges Doab.
Chambal River
- Also known as Charmanwati, it is 960 km long and originates in the Vindhya range.
- Utilized for hydropower generation with significant dams including Gandhi Sagar, Rana Pratap Sagar, Jawahar Sagar, and Kota Barrage.
- The river faces severe erosion from heavy rainfall and forms badland topography.
Other Rivers and Dams
- Ken River: Originates in Madhya Pradesh and merges with the Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh.
- Son River: Rises in the Amarkantak Plateau; flows 784 km and joins Ganga in Bihar.
- Damodar River: Starts in the Chotanagpur plateau; rich in minerals and industrial activity.
Environmental Initiatives
- Namami Gange Yojana: Central government project aimed at cleaning and protecting the Ganga with a budget of Rs. 20,000 crore.
- Ganga Action Plan (1985): First initiative for improving Ganga water quality through sewage treatment.
- National River Ganga Basin Authority (NRGBA): Formed in 2009, declared Ganga as India's National River.
- Clean Ganga Fund (2014): Established for cleaning efforts, waste treatment, and conservation of biodiversity.
- Bhuvan-Ganga Web App: Promotes public involvement in monitoring river pollution.
Key Locations and Features
- Sundarban Delta, formed by the Ganga and Brahmaputra, is the world's largest delta and home to the Royal Bengal tiger.
- Important features include the confluence at Triveni Sangam and the dam infrastructures supporting irrigation and hydropower generation.
Quick Quiz
- Match the confluence locations to their respective tributaries and identify key river origins like the Yamuna and Damodar.
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Description
Explore the significance and course of the Ganga River, India's national river. This quiz covers its origin, major tributary confluences, and important towns along its path. Test your knowledge about the distinct features of the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers, and their role in Hindu traditions.
