question_answer

Describe the four main features of the Ganga river basin.

Or

Explain any four features of the Ganga river system.

Answer:

(a) Ganga river is formed by the two rivers: The Bhagirathi which rises from Gangotri glacier and the Alaknanda rising from Alkapuri glacier.

(b) It is the largest basin in India. The total basin area is about 10,60,000 sq km. The Ganga flows through Unaranchal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal.

(c) It flows through almost flat area. The gradient is only 300 metres. The 2500 km long Ganga is joined by many tributaries, flowing from Himalayas as well as from Malwa Plateau. It has peninsular and northern tributaries.

(d) Ganga has formed large meanders, flood plains and ox-bow lakes in its middle course.

Ganga with its tributaries has tremendous potential to generate hydroelectricty and irrigate lands. Ganga has formed very fertile agricultural plains called the grainary of India.

(e) The mainslream of Ganga flows into Bangladesh and is known as Padma. A bifurcation channel of the mainstream, called the Bhagiralhi Hooghly, drains into Bay of Bengal.