Geography of Indian Drainage Systems

The entire network of rivers in a specific area, including smaller tributaries flowing into the main river.

A large area of land where all the water drains into a single river or a body of water.

A high point of land that separates two different drainage basins, directing water flow to different rivers.

Rivers that have a constant water flow throughout the year.

The source of water for a river, such as rainfall, snowmelt, or springs.

The location where a river empties into a larger body of water, such as a lake, sea, or ocean.

The area of land that collects water from rainfall and snowmelt.

The Ganga River originates in the Himalayas, flows towards the Bay of Bengal, and is joined by numerous tributaries from the Himalayas like the Yamuna, Ghaghara, Gandak, and Kosi.

The Yamuna River, a major tributary of the Ganga, originates from the Yamunotri Glacier in the Himalayas and flows parallel to the Ganga.

The confluence of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers marks the beginning of the Ganga River at Devaprayag, Uttarakhand.

The Ganga River emerges from the Himalayas and flows onto the plains at Haridwar, Uttarakhand.

A distributary of the Ganga River, the Bhagirathi-Hooghly flows southwards through the deltaic plains to the Bay of Bengal.

The confluence of the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers in Bangladesh forms the Meghna River, which flows into the Bay of Bengal.

The Sundarban Delta, formed by the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers, is the world's largest and fastest growing delta. It's known for its Sundari trees and the Royal Bengal tiger.

The upper reaches of the Ganga River, originating from the Himalayas, are characterized by steep slopes and fast-flowing water.

The lower reaches of the Ganga River, flowing through the plains, are characterized by flat land and slower-flowing water.

The Ganga Action Plan, initially focused on cleaning the Ganga River, was expanded in 1995 to include other rivers across India, aiming to improve their water quality and address pollution concerns.

Lakes act as natural regulators for river flow, preventing flooding during heavy rains and ensuring a steady water supply in dry seasons.

Cities situated along rivers have historically thrived due to access to water for various purposes, leading to the growth of major urban centers.

River water is a vital natural resource for irrigation, navigation, and hydropower generation, particularly important in agricultural economies like India.

Excessive water extraction coupled with untreated sewage and industrial waste discharge into rivers can severely affect their water quality and self-cleaning capacity.

A type of lake formed by damming a river for hydroelectric power generation.

A lake formed naturally by geological processes, like glacial erosion or tectonic activity.

The Wular Lake in Jammu and Kashmir is the largest freshwater lake in India, formed by tectonic activity.

Shallow, salt-water lakes often used for salt production, such as the Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan.

Lakes formed from melted glacier water filling up depressions carved out by glaciers.

The hydroelectric power generated from waterfalls supplies cities like Mysuru, Bengaluru, and the Kolar Gold Fields.

The river cleaning program in India began with the 'Ganga Action Plan' in 1985, aimed at cleaning the Ganges River.

The Dal Lake in Kashmir, famous for its houseboats and shikaras, attracts tourists.

A term used for lakes that have no outlet and water flows out only through evaporation, such as the Loktak lake.

The Krishna River originates from a spring near Mahabaleshwar and flows for 1400 kilometers before reaching the Bay of Bengal.

The Krishna River's drainage basin encompasses the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, indicating the vast area it collects water from.

The Tungabhadra, Koyana, Ghatprabha, Musi, and Bhima are rivers that flow into the Krishna River, contributing to its water volume.

The Kaveri River originates in the Brahmagri range of the Western Ghats and reaches the Bay of Bengal in Tamil Nadu, after a journey of 760 kilometers.

The Kaveri River's drainage basin includes parts of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, showing its reach across multiple states.

The Amravati, Bhavani, Hemavati, and Kabini are rivers that join the Kaveri River, adding to its water flow.

The Kaveri River forms the Shivasamudram Falls, the second largest waterfall in India, showcasing its dramatic landscape.

Lakes are important for tourism, as they enhance the beauty and attractiveness of a place, drawing visitors.

Lakes provide various benefits to humans, including water supply, fishing, recreation, and ecosystem support.

Lakes can be formed through different processes, including glacial action, wind, river activity, and human activities.