In this topic, we'll study one of the world's most famous river basins, the Ganga Brahmaputra basin which is driven by the two important rivers, i.e., the Ganga and the Brahmaputra which flows in the Indian subcontinent. We'll cover the life in Ganga Brahmaputra Basin including the location, topography, agriculture, tourism, transport, etc.
Ganga Brahmaputra River Basin
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The basin formed by the tributaries of the Ganga and the Brahmaputra rivers is called the Ganga Brahmaputra Basin. The fertile plains, the Himalayas, and the delta of Sunderbans are the main features of this basin. This area is also replenished by the heavy showers of the monsoon season, bringing rainfall from June to September every year. This basin is having hot summers and cold winters.
Ganga Brahmaputra Basin Location
The Ganga Brahmaputra basin lies in the Indian subcontinent. It lies in the subtropical regions situated between 10°N to 30°S latitudes.
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States in Which Ganga Brahmaputra Basin Lies
The Ganga Brahmaputra Basin covers a large area in the continent of Asia. It is not limited to any one country or state. It is spread across five countries. The countries that the Ganga Brahmaputra Basin covers are as follows:
India
Nepal
China
Bhutan
Bangladesh
In India, it is spread across 10 states and 1 Union Territory. The names of the States or Union Territories that the Ganga Brahmaputra Basin covers are as follows:
Uttar Pradesh
Uttarakhand
Madhya Pradesh
Rajasthan
Himachal Pradesh
Haryana
Chattisgarh
Jharkhand
Bihar
West Bengal
Delhi
Tributaries of Ganga Brahmaputra Basin
The Ganga and the Brahmaputra rivers have several left bank and right bank tributaries. Ghaghra, Gandhak, Son, Chambal, and Kosi rivers are the tributaries of the Ganga river which join the basin whereas Teesta and Meghna are the tributaries of the Brahmaputra river which joins the basin. Check out the map given above to get a clear idea of the tributaries.
Topography of the Ganga Brahmaputra Basin
The topography of the basin is not the same everywhere. It is varied in different places. The plains of the Ganga and the Brahmaputra basin are one of their kind and they are world-famous. However, the basin not only includes the plains but also the mountain regions which are having steep slopes such as the mountain ranges of Uttarakhand, Sikkim, regions of Nepal, etc.
Demography of the Ganga Brahmaputra Basin
The demography of the region depends upon various factors like the topography of the region, the climate, rainfall, infrastructural facilities, livelihood opportunities, etc.
The plains of the basin are densely populated such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, etc.
The mountain regions of the basin are having less population such as Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, etc.
Wildlife in Ganga Brahmaputra Basin
There is a wide range of wildlife found in the Ganga-Brahmaputra basin. The important Ganga Brahmaputra Basin animals are as under.
The common wildlife includes elephants, tigers, monkeys, and deers.
One Horned Rhinoceros of India is also part of this basin, having the maximum population in Kaziranga National Park, Assam which comes under the Brahmaputra Plains.
Bengal Tiger, crocodiles, and alligators are found in the delta region.
Rohu, Catla, and Bisla are the most popular fishes found here.
A unique variety of dolphins is found in the freshwater of the Ganga and the Brahmaputra rivers, namely the Susu Dolphin which is also called a Blind dolphin. The presence of this dolphin indicates the good health of the rivers.
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Vegetation and Agriculture of the Ganga Brahmaputra Basin
The basin is a mixture of different kinds of landforms which leads to different vegetation and agricultural activities.
In the plain areas, tropical deciduous trees are there. The bamboo groves are common in the plains of the Brahmaputra.
Mangrove forests are found in the delta regions of the basin.
Coniferous trees are found in hilly areas of Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim.
Paddy is the main crop here because of the easy and sufficient availability of water.
Wheat, maize, millets, gram are the other crops.
Cash crops like sugarcane and jute also grown here.
Banana and tea plantations, silk cultivation are also part of agricultural activities here.
Transport and Tourism
All forms of transportation are well developed in the Ganga Brahmaputra Basin.
Roadways are railways that are the major source of transportation developed everywhere in this basin. The two longest National highways ie. NH 44 and NH 27 passes through this basin.
The railway station of Gorakhpur Junction, having the World's longest platform is also situated here.
Among the National Waterways, NW 1 and NW 2 are also developed here.
Various National and International airports are also present and we'll develop here.
A lot of tourist places are also found here in the basin which is one of the major sources of livelihood.
One of the seven wonders of the modern world i.e The Taj Mahal is situated here.
Various National Parks or Tiger reserves or Ramsar Sites are part of the basin. For example Panna National Park, Kaziranga National Park, Sunderbans, etc.
Various temples or stupas are also present here such as the Gaya Buddhist site, temples of Varanasi, etc.
Did You Know?
The Ganga is a sacred river in the country. The water of the Ganga got polluted so much over the years because of heavy industries and various rituals. Thus, the Government of India launched Namami Ganga Programme for the conservation and cleanliness of the water of the Ganga.
Here we have covered life in the Ganga Brahmaputra basin. Under this, we learned about Ganga Brahmaputra Basin location, tributaries of and wildlife in Ganga Brahmaputra basin or states in which Ganga Brahmaputra basin lies, etc. These notes will help the students of Class 7 and 9. Not only this, but these will also help in enriching your General Knowledge.
FAQs on Life in Ganga Brahmaputra Basin
1. What defines the Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin and what are its main geographical features?
The Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin is a vast plain formed by the river Ganga, the river Brahmaputra, and their numerous tributaries. Its main geographical features include:
The fertile Ganga-Brahmaputra plains, which are ideal for agriculture.
The mountains and foothills of the Himalayas to the north.
The Sunderban delta, the world's largest delta, formed at the confluence of these rivers.
Distinctive ox-bow lakes scattered across the plain area.
2. Which major tributaries form the Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin?
The basin is formed by the confluence of many rivers. Major tributaries of the River Ganga include the Ghaghara, Son, Chambal, Gandak, and Kosi. The River Brahmaputra is joined by its key tributaries like the Teesta and Meghna before they merge to form the world's largest delta.
3. In which states of India does the Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin lie?
The Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin is spread across several states in northern and eastern India. The main states are Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and parts of Assam. The basin covers a significant portion of the Indian subcontinent.
4. What is the climate like in the Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin?
The Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin is dominated by a monsoon climate. This means it experiences hot summers and cool winters. The region receives most of its rainfall during the monsoon season, which typically lasts from mid-June to mid-September, making it crucial for agriculture.
5. Describe the lifestyle and main occupations of people living in the Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin.
The primary occupation in the basin is agriculture, thanks to the flat, fertile land and abundant water. People cultivate crops like paddy, wheat, maize, and gram. In some areas, cash crops like sugarcane and jute are also grown. Fishing is a common occupation in riverine and deltaic areas. The region is also home to many large cities and industries, providing diverse employment opportunities.
6. What are the main crops grown in the Ganga-Brahmaputra plains?
The fertile soil of the Ganga-Brahmaputra plains supports a variety of crops. The main crop is paddy (rice), which requires sufficient water. Other important food crops include wheat, maize, sorghum, gram, and millets. Cash crops like sugarcane and jute are also cultivated extensively in specific regions like West Bengal, Bihar and Assam.
7. What kind of wildlife and vegetation is found in the Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin?
The basin has diverse flora and fauna. The vegetation is primarily tropical deciduous forests with trees like teak, sal, and peepal. In the delta region, mangrove forests, especially the Sundari trees in the Sunderbans, are prominent. The wildlife includes animals like elephants, tigers (especially the Royal Bengal Tiger), deer, and monkeys. The rivers are home to aquatic life such as the endangered Ganges River Dolphin (Susu) and various species of fish like rohu and hilsa.
8. Why is the population density so high in the Ganga-Brahmaputra plains?
The population density is very high in this region primarily because the flat, fertile plains are extremely suitable for agriculture. The abundance of water from the rivers supports extensive farming, which can sustain a large population. The favourable climate and the development of a dense network of transport and communication have also attracted settlement and led to the growth of large cities and towns.
9. How does the monsoon climate specifically impact agriculture and life in the basin?
The monsoon climate is the lifeline of the Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin. It directly impacts life in two major ways:
Agriculture: The seasonal rainfall is crucial for the cultivation of kharif crops like paddy, which is a staple food. The timing and amount of rainfall determine the success of the harvest each year.
River Systems: The monsoons replenish the rivers, which are essential for irrigation and transportation. However, heavy monsoons can also lead to frequent floods, which cause widespread damage to crops, property, and life, especially in states like Assam and Bihar.
10. What makes the Sunderban delta a unique feature of the Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin?
The Sunderban delta is unique for several reasons. It is the world's largest river delta, formed by the deposition of silt from the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers. It is famous for its dense mangrove forests, which are specially adapted to survive in the brackish water. These forests are home to the iconic Royal Bengal Tiger and are a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, highlighting their global ecological importance.
11. How has urbanisation, with cities like Kolkata and Varanasi, affected the traditional way of life and the environment in the Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin?
Urbanisation has brought both positive and negative changes. On one hand, cities like Kolkata, Patna, and Varanasi have become major centres of trade, industry, and education, providing jobs and modern facilities. On the other hand, this rapid growth has put immense pressure on the environment. Problems like water pollution from industrial and domestic waste, deforestation for expansion, and loss of agricultural land are significant challenges affecting both the river ecosystems and the traditional, agriculture-based lifestyle of the region.
