Ganga River System

The Ganga River System is the largest river system in India, starting from the Gangotri Glacier in Uttarakhand and flowing through Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal before entering Bangladesh. It includes many tributaries like the Yamuna, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi, and Son. The Ganga River Basin in India hosts various flora and fauna, including wildlife sanctuaries, parks, and reserves. Notable ones include the Corbett Tiger Reserve, Dudhwa National Park, and the Sundarbans and These support diverse species like tigers, elephants, dolphins, and numerous bird species. Efforts like the Namami Gange Programme aim to address pollution challenges in the basin.

On November 4, 2008, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declared the Ganga River, also known as the Ganges, as the national river of India. Ganga river plains have created the agriculturally rich alluvial plains of India. This has given life and livelihood to people and sustained many creatures. They depended on the Ganga for water, food, and transportation. Over time, the river became a central part of India's culture and spirituality. But, there was a problem. As more people used the river, it became polluted. Industries and cities dumped waste into it. Hence, steps need to be taken to protect the river.

The Ganga starts from the Gangotri Glacier near Gaumukh at 3,900 meters in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district and is 1st called the Bhagirathi. It carves through the Central and Lesser Himalayas in narrow gorges. At Devprayag, the Bhagirathi meets the Alaknanda, and from this point, it is referred to as the Ganga. The Alaknanda's source is the Satopanth Glacier above Badrinath, comprising the Dhauli and Vishnu Ganga, which meet at Joshimath or Vishnu Prayag. The Alaknanda also receives waters from other tributaries like the Pindar at Karnaprayag and the Mandakini (The Mandakini River originates from the Chorabari Glacier, which is located near Kedarnath in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India) at Rudraprayag. The Ganga then enters the plains at Haridwar.

• Devprayag: Confluence of Bhagirathi and Alaknanda.
• Rudraprayag: Confluence of Mandakini and Alaknanda.
• Karnaprayag: Confluence of Pindar and Alaknanda.
• Vishnuprayag: Confluence of Dhauliganga and Alaknanda.

The Ganga River flows from Haridwar, initially heading south, then southeast and east, before splitting into two smaller rivers, the Bhagirathi and the Hugli. Its total length is 2,525 kilometers. The river runs through several Indian states:

The Ganga basin, which covers about 8.6 lakh sq. km in India, making it India's largest river system.

Yamuna River:

• Origin: The Yamuna, the Ganga's longest and most western tributary, starts from the Yamunotri Glacier on the western slopes of the Bandarpunch range (6,316 km). It joins the Ganga at Prayag (Allahabad).
• Tributaries: The Yamuna receives water from smaller rivers like the Hindan, Rind, Sengar, and Varuna on its left bank, and the Chambal, Sind, Betwa, and Ken from the Peninsular Plateau on its right bank. Much of its water is used for irrigation, feeding the western, eastern, and Agra canals.

Chambal River:

• Course: The Chambal starts near Mhow on the Malwa Plateau in Madhya Pradesh. It flows through a gorge north of Kota, Rajasthan, where the Gandhisagar Dam is located. After passing through Bundi, Sawai Madhopur, and Dholpur, it joins the Yamuna.
• Features: The Chambal is famous for its ravines, which are part of a rugged, eroded landscape.

Gandak River:

• Composition: The Gandak includes the Kali Gandaki and Trishul Ganga streams.
• Origin: It begins in the Nepal Himalayas, between Dhaulagiri and Mount Everest, and flows through central Nepal.
• Entry into India: The Gandak reaches the Ganga plain in Bihar's Champaran district and joins the Ganga near Patna at Sonpur.
  • Kanwar Taal/Kabar Taal/Kabartal Wetland: Asia's largest freshwater oxbow lake in Bihar, India.
  • Designated first Ramsar site in Bihar by MoEFCC in November 2020.
  • Formed by meandering of Burhi Gandak river, a Ganga tributary.

Ghaghara River:

• Source: The Ghaghara originates from the Mapchachungo glaciers.
• Course: It flows through a vast chasm near Shishapani after receiving water from tributaries like the Tila, Seti, and Beri. The river Sarda, also known as Kali or Kali Ganga, joins the Ghaghara on the plains before it meets the Ganga at Chhapra.

Kosi River:

• Origin: The main stream of the Kosi, the Arun River, starts north of Mount Everest in Tibet.
• Confluence: As it passes through Nepal's Central Himalayas, the Son Kosi from the west and the Tamur Kosi from the east join it. After merging with the Arun, it forms Sapt Kosi.

Ramganga River:

• Source: The Ramganga is a smaller river that begins near Gairsain in the Garhwal mountains.
• Path: It changes direction to the southwest after crossing the Shiwalik and enters the plains of Uttar Pradesh near Najibabad. It eventually joins the Ganga near Kannauj.

Damodar River:

• Location: The Damodar lies on the eastern edge of the Chotanagpur Plateau.
• Flow: It travels through a rift valley before joining the Hugli River.

Sarda River:

• Origin: Also called the Goriganga, the Sarda or Saryu River begins in the Milan Glacier in the Nepal Himalayas.
• Course: Along the Indo-Nepal border, it's known as Kali or Chauk, before joining the Ghaghara.

Mahananda River:

• Source: This important tributary of the Ganga originates in the Darjeeling hills.
• Confluence: It joins the Ganga as the last left bank tributary in West Bengal.

Son River:

• Significance: A major right bank tributary of the Ganga.
• Origin: It starts on the Amarkantak Plateau and creates several waterfalls at the plateau's edge.
• Joining Point: The Son meets the Ganga near Arrah, west of Patna.

• The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) conducted a survey revealing that 49% of the Ganga river has high biodiversity. The study was initiated by WII on behalf of the National Mission for Clean Ganga, a flagship project of the Ministry of Jalshakti.
• Increased sightings of Gangetic Dolphin and Otters indicate reduced pollution levels, reflecting a healthier state of the river.
• Notable high biodiversity areas, comprising 10%, are adjacent to national parks and sanctuaries like Rajaji National Park, Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary, and Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary.
• The institute monitored key species such as Gangetic Dolphins, gharials, otters, turtles, and water birds to track biodiversity changes.
• Historic decline in aquatic species attributed to habitat loss, dam construction, and other anthropogenic activities.
• The National Green Tribunal imposed a ban on waste disposal in the Ganga.
• These efforts align with Sustainable Development Goal 15, emphasizing the protection of terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity.

Ganga Action Plan (GAP)

• Launched in 1986 by the Central Government.
• Goal: Clean up the Ganga River by reducing and removing pollution from cities along its banks.
• Initiatives: Establishment of sewage treatment plants, industrial effluent monitoring, and public awareness campaigns.

National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)

• Constituted in February 2009 under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
• Aim: conservation of the Ganga River.
• Chair: Prime Minister.
• Implementation: Spearheaded at the national level by NGRBA, with implementation by State Agencies and Urban Local Bodies.

Namami Gange Programme

• Launched in June 2014 by the Union Government.
• Goal: Reduce pollution, conserve, and rejuvenate River Ganga.
• Implemented by: Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• Initiatives: Sewerage treatment infrastructure, river-surface cleaning, afforestation, industrial effluent monitoring, river-front development, biodiversity conservation, public awareness campaigns, Ganga Gram project.

National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)

• Established under National Council for River Ganga Act, 2016.
• Aim: Rejuvenation, protection, and management of River Ganga.
• Collaboration: Works with State Program Management Groups (SPMGs).

Mekong–Ganga Cooperation: Intergovernmental organization of Southeast Asian countries

• The Mekong–Ganga Cooperation (MGC) was established on November 10, 2000, at Vientiane, Laos at the First MGC Ministerial Meeting.
• It comprises 6 member countries, namely India (Look-East connectivity projects), Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.
• The 4 areas of cooperation are tourism, culture, education, and transportation. The organization takes its name from the Ganga and the Mekong, two large rivers in the region.

The Ganga River, together with its tributaries like the Yamuna, Ghaghara, and Kosi, is a key part of India's water resources, supporting millions through drinking water, agriculture, and industry. However, the river system faces significant challenges such as pollution and overuse. Addressing these issues requires an integrated river basin management approach, viewing the Ganga and its tributaries as a cohesive unit. This strategy focuses on minimizing pollution, sustainably managing water resources, and conserving the ecosystem, with programs like Namami Gange showcasing efforts to rejuvenate and protect the river.