Ganga River System

The Ganga River System is one of the most important river systems in India and is considered sacred by Hindus. It is the largest river system in India, covering an area of more than one million square kilometers, and it is home to a vast population that relies on it for various economic and cultural activities.

The river system originates in the Himalayas and flows through the northern plains of India, passing through several states before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. Further, it plays a crucial role in the lives of millions of people, and its significance cannot be overstated. This river system has a rich cultural and historical heritage, and it has been the center of civilization and culture for thousands of years.

Important Facts of Ganga River

• The Ganga River is the longest river in India and one of the longest in the world, stretching over 2,500 km.
• It originates from the Gangotri Glacier in the Indian state of Uttarakhand and flows through 11 Indian states before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.
• The Ganga River basin is home to over 500 million people, making it one of the most densely populated river basins in the world.
• The river is considered sacred by Hindus and is worshipped as the goddess Ganga.
• River provides water to over 40% of India’s population and supports numerous industries such as agriculture, fishing, and transportation.
• The river is severely polluted due to untreated sewage, industrial waste, and agricultural runoff.
• The River basin is home to numerous endangered species such as the Ganges River dolphin, Gharial crocodile, and Indian pangolin.
• The Ganga Action Plan, launched in 1985, is an initiative aimed at cleaning up and restoring the Ganga River’s ecosystem.
• The Ganga River is the subject of numerous myths, legends, and works of literature, including the epic poem “Ramayana” and the novel “The River” by Rumer Godden.

Geographical Features of the Ganga River

Sure, here’s some information on the geographical features of the Ganga River:

Source and Course

The Ganga River originates from the Gangotri Glacier in the Indian state of Uttarakhand and flows through the Indian states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, and finally empties into the Bay of Bengal. The river has a length of over 2,500 km and is one of the longest rivers in the world.

Map of Ganga River System

The map shows the Ganga River system in northern India and Bangladesh. It displays the main stem starting at Devprayag and highlights major tributaries like Yamuna, Son, Gandak, Kosi, and Mahananda. The map also indicates the Sundarbans delta, where the Ganga forms distributaries before reaching the Bay of Bengal.

Delta of River Ganga

The Ganga River forms a vast delta known as the Sunderbans Delta as it empties into the Bay of Bengal. The Sunderbans Delta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to the world’s largest mangrove forest and numerous endangered species such as the Bengal Tiger, Saltwater Crocodile, and Irrawaddy Dolphin.

Floodplains

The Ganga River has a vast floodplain that stretches over 1,000 km from Haridwar to Kolkata. The floodplains are highly fertile and support intensive agriculture and fisheries.

Mountains and Plateaus

The Ganga River basin is bordered by the Himalayan Mountains to the north and the Deccan Plateau to the south. The Himalayan Mountains are the source of many of the Ganga River’s tributaries and provide water and nutrients to the river basin. The Deccan Plateau forms the southern boundary of the Ganga River basin and is a vast tableland that is home to numerous rivers and streams that flow into the Ganga River.

Aquatic Ecosystem

The Ganga River and its tributaries support a rich aquatic ecosystem that is home to numerous species of fish, turtles, crocodiles, and dolphins. The river is also home to several species of migratory birds that visit during the winter months.

Sacred Sites

The Ganga River is considered sacred by Hindus and is worshipped as the goddess Ganga. The river is home to numerous pilgrimage sites and ghats where people come to bathe and offer prayers. Some of the famous pilgrimage sites on the Ganga River include Varanasi, Haridwar, and Prayagraj.

Five Prayags of River Ganga

The “Prayag” is a term used in Hinduism to refer to the confluence of two or more rivers. The Ganga River, also known as the Ganges, has five major confluences or Prayags. These Prayags are:

1. Devprayag
2. Rudraprayag
3. Karnaprayag
4. Nandprayag
5. Vishnuprayag

Tributaries of Ganga River

Following are the tributaries of the Ganga River:

Left-bank Tributaries	Right-bank Tributaries
Gandaki River	Yamuna River
Kosi River	Ghaghara River
Sapt Kosi River	Son River
Kamla River	Gandak River
Bagmati River	Kali River
Burhi Gandak River	Damodar River
Ramganga River	Kaveri River
Gomti River	Brahmaputra River

Left-Bank Tributaries

1. Yamuna River

• The Yamuna River is the largest left-bank tributary of the Ganga River and originates from the Yamunotri glacier in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.
• It flows through the states of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, covering a total length of 1,376 km.
• The Yamuna River is considered sacred by Hindus and is closely associated with the goddess Yamuna.

2. Ghaghara River

• The Ghaghara River is the second-largest left-bank tributary of the Ganga River in terms of water discharge and originates from the Himalayas in Tibet.
• It flows through the northern Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Nepal, covering a total length of 1,080 km.

3. Gandaki River

• The Gandaki River is a left-bank tributary of the Ganga River that originates in Nepal and flows through the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, covering a total length of 630 km.
• It is also known as the Narayani River in Nepal.

4. Kosi River

• The Kosi River is a left-bank tributary of the Ganga River that originates in Tibet and flows through the Indian states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, covering a total length of 729 km.
• It is also known as the “Sorrow of Bihar” due to the frequent floods it causes in the region.

5. Tons River

• The Tons River is a left-bank tributary of the Ganga River that originates in the Himalayas in Uttarakhand
• It flows through the Indian states of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, covering a total length of 185 km.

6. Son River

• The Son River is a left-bank tributary of the Ganga River that originates in the Amarkantak hills of Madhya Pradesh.
• It flows through the Indian states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Bihar, covering a total length of 784 km.

7. Ramganga River

• The Ramganga River is a left-bank tributary of the Ganga River that originates in the Himalayas in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.
• It flows through the Indian states of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, covering a total length of 596 km.

8. Gomti River

• The Gomti River is a left-bank tributary of the Ganga River that originates in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
• It flows through the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, covering a total length of 940 km.

Right-Bank Tributaries

1. Chambal River

The Chambal River is a right-bank tributary of the Ganga River that originates in the Vindhya Range in Madhya Pradesh and flows through the Indian states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, covering a total length of 1,038 km.

2. Betwa River

The Betwa River is a right-bank tributary of the Ganga River that originates in the Vindhya Range in Madhya Pradesh and flows through the Indian states of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, covering a total length of 480 km.

3. Ken River

The Ken River is a right-bank tributary of the Ganga River that originates in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh and flows through the Indian states of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, covering a total length of 427 km.

4. Sindh River

The Sindh River is a right-bank tributary of the Ganga River that originates in Madhya Pradesh and flows through the Indian states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, covering a total length of 400 km.

5. Rihand River

The Rihand River is a right-bank tributary of the Ganga River that originates in the Maikal Range in Madhya Pradesh and flows through the Indian states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Uttar Pradesh, covering a total length of 460 km.

6. Damodar River

The Damodar River is a right-bank tributary of the Ganga River that originates in the Indian state of Jharkhand and flows through the Indian states of Jharkhand and West Bengal, covering a total length of 592 km.

7. Kaveri River

The Kaveri River is a right-bank tributary of the Ganga River that originates in the Indian state of Karnataka and flows through the Indian states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry, covering a total length of 765 km.

8. Yamuna

Apart from being a left-bank tributary of the Ganga River, the Yamuna River also has many of its own tributaries, including the Hindon River, Ken River, Betwa River, and Sindh River.

Dams on River Ganga

The Ganga River system is home to several dams that play an important role in providing hydroelectric power, irrigation, and flood control. These are:

1. Tehri Dam
2. Bhimgoda Barrage
3. Kanpur Barrage
4. Farakka Barrage
5. Ramganga Dam
6. Rihand Dam
7. Bansagar Dam
8. Dhauli Ganga Dam
9. Maneri Dam

1. Tehri Dam

• One of the largest hydroelectric dams in India.
• Located on the Bhagirathi River, a main tributary of the Ganga River.
• Concrete gravity dam with a height of 260 meters and a length of 575 meters.
• The capacity of 2,400 megawatts.
• Provides hydroelectric power, irrigation water, and flood control.

2. Bhimgoda Barrage

• The diversion dam is located near Haridwar, in the northern state of Uttarakhand.
• Length of 697 meters and a capacity of 3,000 cubic meters per second.
• Diverts water to the Upper Ganga Canal for irrigation.
• Helps to maintain a minimum flow in the Ganga River during dry seasons.

3. Kanpur Barrage

• The diversion dam is located in Kanpur, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.
• Length of 1,310 meters and a capacity of 16,800 cubic meters per second.
• Provides irrigation water to the surrounding agricultural lands.
• Causes environmental degradation due to pollution from industries and wastewater discharge.

4. Farakka Barrage

• The diversion barrage is located in Farakka, in the northern state of West Bengal.
• Length of 2,240 meters and a capacity of 18,000 cubic meters per second.
• Diverts water to the Hooghly River and the Bhagirathi River.
• Causes environmental issues such as erosion and siltation.

5. Ramganga Dam

• Located on the Ramganga River, a tributary of the Ganga River, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.
• Concrete gravity dam with a height of 128 meters and a length of 730 meters.
• The capacity of 412 megawatts.
• Provides hydroelectric power and irrigation water.

6. Rihand Dam

• Located on the Rihand River, a tributary of the Ganga River, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.
• Concrete gravity dam with a height of 91 meters and a length of 934 meters.
• The capacity of 3,000 megawatts.
• Provides hydroelectric power and irrigation water.

7. Bansagar Dam

• Located on the Sone River, a tributary of the Ganga River, in the northern state of Madhya Pradesh.
• Concrete gravity dam with a height of 67.6 meters and a length of 1,055 meters.
• The capacity of 425 megawatts.
• Provides hydroelectric power and irrigation water.

8. Dhauli Ganga Dam

• Located on the Dhauli Ganga River, a tributary of the Alaknanda River, in the northern state of Uttarakhand.
• Earthfill dam with a height of 55 meters and a length of 200 meters.
• The capacity of 280 megawatts.
• Provides hydroelectric power and flood control.

9. Maneri Dam

• Located on the Bhagirathi River, a main tributary of the Ganga River, in the northern state of Uttarakhand.
• Concrete gravity dam with a height of 35 meters and a length of 152 meters.
• The capacity of 90 megawatts.
• Provides hydroelectric power and irrigation water.

Overall, the dams on the Ganga River provide significant benefits such as hydroelectric power, irrigation, and flood control. However, they also come with environmental challenges, including displacement of communities, alteration of river flows, and pollution. Proper management and regulation are necessary to balance the benefits and challenges of these dams.

Government Schemes & Projects on the Ganga River

Major Government Schemes and Projects on the Ganga River System are:

1. Namami Gange Programme
2. National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)
3. Ganga Action Plan (GAP)
4. Ganga Gram Yojana
5. National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)

Environmental Issues

The Ganga River system is facing several environmental issues, including:

1. Pollution: The river is one of the most polluted rivers in the world, with high levels of industrial and domestic waste, sewage, agricultural runoff, and other pollutants. The pollution has led to water-borne diseases, loss of aquatic life, and damage to the ecosystem.
2. Deforestation and soil erosion: The river basin has experienced significant deforestation and soil erosion, which have contributed to soil loss, landslides, and reduced water retention. This has also led to increased sedimentation in the river, which can affect the quality of the water.
3. Climate change: Changes in the climate have led to changes in rainfall patterns, increased temperatures, and melting glaciers, which have affected the water levels and the flow of the river. This has also contributed to the loss of biodiversity and habitat loss for aquatic species.
4. Over-extraction of water: The river is an important source of water for irrigation and agriculture, but over-extraction has led to reduced flow and water scarcity in some areas.
5. Invasive species: The introduction of invasive species, such as water hyacinth, has led to a decline in native species and has also affected the flow of the river.

These environmental issues have affected the health and vitality of the Ganga River system and have also impacted the lives and livelihoods of the people who rely on it. To address these challenges, the government of India has launched several initiatives and programs aimed at cleaning and rejuvenating the river, such as the Namami Gange program.

Economic Significance

The Ganga River system has significant economic importance for India, including:

1. Agriculture: The river is an important source of water for irrigation, and the fertile soil in the river basin supports agriculture, which is a major economic activity in the region. The river provides water for crops such as rice, wheat, and sugarcane.
2. Fisheries: The Ganga River system supports a thriving fishing industry, with over 140 fish species found in its waters. Fishing provides employment and income for thousands of people along the river.
3. Transport: The river has been an important mode of transportation for centuries, with several major cities located along its banks. Boats and barges are still used to transport goods and people along the river.
4. Tourism: The Ganga River is a major tourist attraction, with several historic and religious sites located along its banks, including the cities of Varanasi and Haridwar. Tourism generates significant revenue for the local economy.
5. Industry: The river basin is home to several industrial centers, and the river provides water for industries such as textiles, paper, and chemicals.
6. Hydroelectric power: The Ganga River system has significant hydroelectric potential, and several hydroelectric power projects have been built along its course to generate electricity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Ganga River is a lifeline for millions of people in India and plays a significant role in the country’s culture, economy, and environment. The river has a rich history and is considered sacred by Hindus, who worship it as the goddess Ganga. The river supports a diverse range of flora and fauna, and its floodplains are highly fertile, making it an important agricultural region.

However, the river is facing numerous environmental challenges, such as pollution, damming, and over-extraction of water, which are threatening its sustainability. It is essential to address these issues and work towards the sustainable management of the Ganga River to ensure its preservation for future generations.

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