The Krishna River is India's fourth-largest river in terms of water inputs and basin area after the Ganges, Godavari, and Brahmaputra. Krishna river, also known as Krishnaveni, stretches for about 1,288 kilometres (800 miles). Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh in India rely heavily on it for irrigation. In terms of ecology, this is one of the world's most devastating rivers, since it causes extensive soil erosion during the monsoon season. This article will explain to you about Krishna which will be helpful in Geography preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Krishna River

• The Krishna is the Peninsula's second-biggest east-flowing river.
• With a total size of 2.6 lakh sq km, the Krishna Basin spans Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
• It is bordered on the north by the Balaghat range, on the south and east by the Eastern Ghats, and on the west by the Western Ghats.
• The Krishna River rises near Jor village in Maharashtra's Satara district, at an elevation of 1,337 metres, just north of Mahabaleshwar, from the Western Ghats.
• The river is 1,400 kilometres long from its source to its mouth in the Bay of Bengal.
• Agricultural land covers the majority of the basin, accounting for 75.86 percent of the total area.
• Krishna produces a vast delta with a 120-kilometre coastline. The Krishna delta looks to merge with the Godavari delta and stretches 35 kilometres into the sea.
• Drought-prone areas of the basin include Andhra Pradesh's Rayalaseema region, Karnataka's Bellary, Raichur, Dharwar, Chitradurga, Belgaum, and Bijapur districts, and Maharashtra's Pune, Sholapur, Osmanabad, and Ahmednagar districts.
• Flooding occurs in the delta portion of the basin.
• The river bed in the delta area has been constantly increased owing to silt deposition, resulting in a decline in the channel's carrying capacity.
• The flood problem is exacerbated by high-intensity, short-duration coastal cyclonic rainfall.
• The Tungabhadra, Ghataprabha, Nagarjunasagar, Malaprabha, Bhima, Bhadra, and Telugu Ganga are among the most important.
• Koyna, Tungabhadara, SriSailam, Nagarjuna Sagar, Almatti, Naryanpur, and Bhadra are the basin's largest hydropower stations.
• In the basin, Tunagabhadra is an important inter-State project. In order to run the project and govern the flows between the Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh recipient states.

Tributaries of Krishna

• Ghatprabha, Malprabha, and Tungabhadra are on the right bank.
• The Bhima, Musi, and Munneru are on the left bank.
• Although the Koyna is a minor tributary, it is famous for the Koyna Dam. This dam may have been the primary cause of the disastrous earthquake (magnitude 6.4 on the Richter scale) that killed 150 people in 1967.
• The Bhima starts in the Matheron Hills and flows for 861 kilometres until joining the Krishna at Raichur.
• The Tungabhadra is emerged by the confluence of the Tunga and Bhadra rivers, both of which originate in Gangamoola in Central Sahyadri. It has a total length of 531 kilometres.
• It gets its last major tributary, the Musi, near Wazirabad, on whose banks the city of Hyderabad is situated.

Industries in Krishna Basin

• Pune and Hyderabad are the two largest cities in the Basin.
• Telangana's state capital, Hyderabad, is now a significant IT centre.
• Pune, Maharashtra, has a large car and information technology sector and is a significant educational centre.
• Mineral reserves abound in the region, and industrial growth is a distinct possibility.
• In the basin today, iron and steel, cement, sugar cane vegetable oil extraction, and rice milling are all key industrial operations.
• Recently, oil was discovered in this basin, which will undoubtedly have an impact on the basin's future industrial scenario.

Krishna River Basin

• The Krishna Basin spans Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka and has a total area of 2,58,948 square kilometres, accounting for roughly 8% of the country's entire geographical area.
• The majority of the basin is covered by agricultural land, accounting for 75.86 percent of the total area, and water bodies cover 4.07 percent of the basin.
• The Krishna basin's geology is characterised by the Deccan Traps in the northwest, undifferentiated crystallines in the centre, and the Cuddapah Group in the east.
• The Dharwars (southwest central) and Vindhian (east central) make up a large portion of the unidentified crystalline outcrops.
• The Krishna delta is primarily composed of Pleistocene to modern sediments.

Conclusion

After the Ganges, Godavari, and the Brahmaputra, the Krishna River is India's fourth-largest river in terms of water intake and basin area, and the Peninsula's second-largest east-flowing river. The Krishna River has a wide, rich delta that runs parallel to the Godavari River to the northeast. Krishna provides water for irrigation despite the fact that it is not navigable.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which states does the Krishna River flow through?

A) Maharashtra, Gujarat
B) Karnataka, Tamil Nadu
C) Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana
D) Andhra Pradesh, Kerala

2. What is the length of the Krishna River?

A) Approximately 1,000 km
B) Approximately 1,400 km
C) Approximately 1,800 km
D) Approximately 2,000 km

3. Which of the following is a major tributary of the Krishna River?

A) Godavari
B) Ganges
C) Tungabhadra
D) Yamuna

4. What is one of the primary uses of the Krishna River?

A) Hydroponic farming
B) Irrigation for agriculture
C) Transportation of goods
D) Fishing industry

5. Which dam is associated with the Krishna River for irrigation purposes?

A) Bhakra Nangal Dam
B) Sardar Sarovar Dam
C) Nagarjuna Sagar Dam
D) Hirakud Dam

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the significance of the Krishna River for the states it flows through. How does it impact agriculture and water supply in peninsular India?

Answer: The Krishna River is of immense significance for the states it traverses, particularly in terms of agriculture and water supply. It supports extensive irrigation systems, enabling farmers to cultivate a variety of crops throughout the year, thus contributing to the food security of the region. The river's flow is essential for maintaining groundwater levels and supplying water to urban centers. Dams and reservoirs along the Krishna enhance its utility by regulating water distribution, which is crucial for managing water resources in a region characterized by seasonal rainfall. The river thus plays a vital role in sustaining agricultural productivity and ensuring access to clean water.

Q2: Evaluate the environmental challenges faced by the Krishna River. What measures can be implemented to address these challenges?

Answer: The Krishna River faces several environmental challenges, including pollution from industrial waste and agricultural runoff, which degrade water quality and threaten aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, the over-extraction of water for irrigation has led to decreased river flow and impacts on surrounding habitats. To address these challenges, it is essential to implement stringent pollution control measures, promote sustainable agricultural practices, and engage local communities in conservation efforts. Restoring riparian vegetation and improving wastewater treatment processes can also help rehabilitate the river ecosystem and enhance its resilience.

Q3: Analyze the role of the Krishna River in the socio-economic development of the region. How does it contribute to the livelihoods of local populations?

Answer: The Krishna River plays a crucial role in the socio-economic development of the region it flows through. It serves as a primary water source for irrigation, which is fundamental for agricultural activities that provide livelihoods for millions of farmers. The river also supports fishing communities, contributing to local economies. Additionally, water from the Krishna is vital for industrial activities and urban water supply, making it a linchpin for economic growth. The multifaceted use of the river underscores its importance in enhancing the quality of life and supporting sustainable development in peninsular India.

Previous Year Questions on Krishna River

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021:

Question: The Krishna River originates from which location?

A) Western Ghats
B) Eastern Ghats
C) Himalayas
D) Vindhya Range

Answer: (A)

Explanation: The Krishna River originates from the Western Ghats in Maharashtra.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020 (GS Paper 1):

Question: "Evaluate the importance of the Krishna River for irrigation and water supply in southern India. Discuss the challenges it faces."

Answer: The Krishna River is crucial for irrigation and water supply in southern India, supporting agriculture and urban areas. Its significance lies in its extensive irrigation network, which enables cultivation across diverse climatic zones. However, challenges such as pollution, over-extraction, and climate variability threaten its sustainability. Comprehensive management strategies are necessary to balance agricultural needs with environmental conservation and ensure the river continues to support the livelihoods of local populations.