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Tributaries of Brahmaputra River UPSC CSE

Brahmaputra River System

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Summary of Brahmaputra River System

The Brahmaputra River is flowing through the Himalayas, traversing multiple countries. Originating in Kailash Range in Tibet, the river enters India through Arunachal Pradesh and flowing through the state of Assam, the river enters Bangladesh and finally empties into Bay of Bengal. The Brahmaputra river is joined by many tributaries from north and south banks such as Siang, Teesta, Manas, Subansiri, Lohit, Dhanasiri and many others. The river holds immense significance for the geography and ecology of the region supporting plethora of flora and fauna along with its agricultural and economic utility. However, river is facing challenges like erosion, frequent flooding and siltation. There is need to preserve the river for the future generations.

The Brahmaputra River originates from the Angsi Glacier in the Himalayas, located in Tibet (China). Before entering India, the river is known as Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet.

Left bank tributaries of Brahmaputra river : Lohit river, Dibang river, Subansiri river, Dhansiri river, Kopili river and Teesta river.
Right bank tributaries of Brahmaputra river : Kamek river, Manas river, Torsa River, Raidak river, Jaldhaka river, Sankosh river and Gadadhar river.

Brahmaputra river is prone to flooding due to factors such as intense monsoon rains, especially in Assam and the eastern Himalayas, melting glaciers from the Himalayas in the summer season, large amount of sediments present in river raises the riverbed over time and reduce its capacity to hold water, leading to floods.

Introduction of Brahmaputra River System

The Brahmaputra River is a transboundary river in Asia, flowing through the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, India and Bangladesh. The river originates from Chemayungdung glacier near Manasarovar Lake near Mount Kailash in Tibet. Here it is called as Yarlung Tsangpo. As it approaches east breaking through Himalayas, it gains strength and enters India through Arunachal Pradesh as Dihang River after carving out a deep gorge near Namcha Barwa. Flowing through Assam, the river receives many tributaries along its journey and enters Bangladesh as Jamuna. It merges with Ganges and becomes Meghna and finally drains into Bay of Bengal.

Features of Brahmaputra River System

  • 6th Longest in Asia: Brahpamutra's length of 3969 km, and average depth of 30 m makes it one of the longest rivers with a catchment area of 580,000 sq. km.
  • Braiding: Before entering Assam valley, the slope of the river is steep, and thereafter the gradient significantly reduces and it leads to braiding in the course of river.
  • Diverse Catchment: The vast drainage system of Brahmaputra includes various geographical features, such as parts of Tibetan plateau, northern slopes of Meghalaya hills, the Assam plains, portions of Himalayas to the east of Indo-Nepal border and even the northern Bangladesh.
  • Aggradational plain: built up by the depositional work of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries which carry high sediments.
  • Disaster Potential: The Brahmaputra river system witnesses one of the heaviest rainfall patterns and this makes river prone to annual floods and riverbank erosion. Located in a high seismic zone, the area is unstable.
  • Riverine Islands: In Assam there is a riverine island formed by the river known as Majuli, and it is regarded as the largest river island in the world.
  • Hydropower potential: of the river is around 66 thousand megawatts. Some of the dams on river Brahmaputra and its tributaries are Subansiri Lower Dam (on River Subansiri), Dibang Dam, Kopili Dam (on river Kopili).

Tributaries of river Brahmaputra

  • North/ Right Bank Tributaries: Siang, Subansiri, Kameng, Teesta, Sankosh, Champamati, Manas, Baranadi
  • South/ Left Bank Tributaries: Dibang, Lohit, Dhanasiri, Digaru, Kopili, Kulsi, Jinjiran, Lhasa, Krishnai

About some Major tributaries

  • Subansiri River: Originating in China, passing through Tibet and joins Brahmaputra in Assam's Lakhimpur district. The river is significant for its contribution to hydroelectric power generation (through Subansiri Lower Dam) and region’s fishing industry.
  • Siang River: It rises in Eastern Himalayas and important for irrigation and navigation.
  • Manas River: Flowing through Assam and Southern Bhutan. The river supports a number of endangered species such as Bengal Florican and Hispid Hare.
  • Kameng River: Also known as Jia Bharali River, is a popular fishing site and has many dams including Kameng Hydroelectric Project, used for agriculture, flood control and hydroelectric power generation.
  • Tista (Teesta) River: Rising in Sikkim Himalayas and running through West Bengal, Assam and joining Brahmaputra in Bangladesh. It serves as home to many endangered animals, notably the Ganges river Dolphin.
  • Kopili River: Rises in Assam's Karbi Anglong hills, the river runs through Meghalaya and Assam before joining Brahmaputra is a significant source of freshwater fish and irrigation.
  • Dhansiri River: Originates from Nagaland's Laisang Peak, meandering through Dimapur and Golaghat districts before merging with the Brahmaputra near Kaziranga National Park.
  • Lohit River: Originating in Tibet, the river traverses Arunachal Pradesh before entering Assam Plains. It converges with Siang river to form Brahmaputra.
  • Sankosh River: Rises in Bhutan, the river is also known as Puna Tsang Chu and empties into Brahmaputra in the state of Assam.

Significance of River Brahmaputra River System

  • Ecological Support: The river sustains a large variety of flora and fauna such as endangered Indian rhinoceros, famous golden mahseer and is a home to several wildlife sanctuaries and National Park, including Kaziranga National Park, Laokhowa wildlife sanctuary, Burachaporri Wildlife Sanctuary.
  • Economic Importance: River provides fertile soil sustaining agriculture and facilitates trade, transportation and connecting remote villages and busting cities.
  • Electricity Generation: The river is a source of hydroelectric power in the region.
  • Religious Significance: The river is considered as sacred by Hindus and many religious festivals are being celebrated on its banks.
  • Fisheries: It is a major source of sediment and nutrients for the fisheries in the region.
  • Inland Water Transport: The National Waterway-2 on Brahmaputra between Sadiya and Dhubri is navigable by streamers thus, provides inland water transport and is shared by India and Bangladesh.

Challenges of Brahmaputra River System

  • The Brahmaputra river is facing challenges like erosion, frequent flooding, accumulation of sediments and loss of livelihood for people.
  • Lack of proper mechanism and adherence for sharing important data on the upstream flow of the river is a major issue.
  • Climate change is posing a challenge to Himalayan Rivers such as Ganga, Brahmaputra and Indus as the melting of glaciers and ice caps is reducing the flow of these rivers, as pointed out by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
  • The construction of dams puts region at risk of flooding.
  • The degradation and destruction of wetlands around the river have considerable impact on flood hazard management.

Measures for Conservation of Brahmaputra River

  • The Brahmaputra River Board: An autonomous statutory body which oversees preparation and implementation of plans related to flood management, erosion control, drainage management and water resource development in the Brahmaputra Valley.
  • 'Save the Brahmaputra River' Campaign: It is an Indo-British environmental project to create awareness about ecological challenges faced by the river. Its agendas include prevention of waste disposal, tree-felling on the banks of river and finding scientific, eco-friendly ways to prevent flood and erosion by Brahmaputra.
  • The Brahmaputra Dialogue Initiative: An initiative by water scientists and journalists co-hosted by IIT Guwahati to promote transnational dialogue and improved water governance of Brahmaputra river.

Conclusion for Brahmaputra River System

Lives of millions of people living in India and Bangladesh are dependent on the river and its tributaries. It is a source of great spiritual and cultural significance. The associated countries must expeditiously evolve mechanisms to control the flood and bank erosion. It is essential to take measures to protect such a vital river system from degradation and preserving this majestic river and securing its invaluable contributions for current and future generations.

Prelims PYQS Of Tributaries of Brahmaputra River

Which of the following is/are tributaries of Brahmaputra? [2016]
1. Dibang 2. Kameng 3. Lohit
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer :(D) 1, 2 and 3
With reference to river Teesta, consider the following statements: (2017)
1. The source of river Teesta is the same as that of Brahmaputra but it flows through Sikkim. 2. River Rangeet originates in Sikkim and is a tributary of river Teesta. 3. River Teesta flows into the Bay of Bengal on the border of India and Bangladesh.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer :(B) 2 only
The Brahmaputra, Irrawady and Mekong rivers originate in Tibet and flow though narrow and parallel mountain ranges in their upper reaches. Of these rivers, Brahmaputra makes a “U” turn in its course to flow into India. This “U” turn is due to [2011]
(a) Uplift of folded Himalayan series
(b) Syntaxial bending of geologically young Himalayas
(c) Geo-tectonic disturbance in the tertiary folded mountain chains
(d) Both (a) and (b) above

Correct Answer :(B) Syntaxial bending of geologically young Himalayas
Consider the following pairs: (2023)
Tributary River Main River
1. Chambal Narmada
2. Sone Yamuna
3. Manas Brahmaputra
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 3 only

Correct Answer :(D) 3 only

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