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Question

Indus river basin is extended up to  

This question was previously asked in
CDS I 2023 English Previous Year Paper (16-April-2023)
The correct answer is

Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan

Exploring the Indus River Basin in India

The Indus River Basin is one of the largest river basins in the world, covering parts of China (Tibet), India, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. In India, the Indus River and its tributaries drain a significant area, contributing to the geography and agriculture of several states and union territories.

Understanding the extent of the Indus river basin in India requires knowing which regions are drained by the Indus main stem and its major tributaries like the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers.

Regions Covered by the Indus River Basin in India

The Indus river basin extends across several administrative regions in India. These include:

  • Ladakh: The upper reaches of the Indus River itself flow through Ladakh.
  • Jammu and Kashmir: The Jhelum and Chenab rivers, major tributaries of the Indus, drain significant parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
  • Himachal Pradesh: The Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers originate in or flow through Himachal Pradesh.
  • Punjab: The name 'Punjab' means 'land of five rivers' (referring to Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej), all of which are part of the Indus river system and flow through this state.
  • Haryana: Parts of Haryana are also included in the Indus river basin, particularly areas influenced by the Sutlej and Yamuna (though Yamuna is part of the Ganga basin, there's some historical/geographical overlap discussion regarding the Ghaggar which is an inland basin but historically linked to the Sutlej). However, major irrigation canals from the Sutlej and Yamuna systems serve Haryana, linking it hydrologically to the basin in terms of water use, and parts of the state lie within the basin's geographical extent.
  • Rajasthan: The Indira Gandhi Canal, drawing water from the Sutlej and Beas rivers (Indus tributaries) at the Harike Barrage in Punjab, irrigates vast areas in Rajasthan, particularly the Thar Desert region. Geographically, parts of northern Rajasthan are also considered within the basin's influence or extent.

Analysing the Options for Indus River Basin Extent

Let's examine the provided options based on the areas included in the Indus river basin in India:

  1. Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab
  2. Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana
  3. Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan
  4. Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan

Comparing these options with the known extent of the Indus river basin in India:

  • Option 1 misses Haryana and Rajasthan.
  • Option 2 misses Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan.
  • Option 3 misses Himachal Pradesh.
  • Option 4 includes Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. This option covers all the major administrative regions in India that are considered part of the Indus river basin or are significantly dependent on its water resources.

Therefore, the most comprehensive and accurate representation among the given choices for the extension of the Indus river basin in India is the one that lists Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.

Revision Table: Key Regions of Indus Basin in India

Region (State/UT) Contribution to Indus Basin
Ladakh Main Indus River flow
Jammu and Kashmir Jhelum and Chenab River valleys
Himachal Pradesh Origin/flow of Ravi, Beas, Sutlej rivers
Punjab Flow of Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej rivers
Haryana Parts of basin, water usage from canals
Rajasthan Significant irrigation via canals, parts of basin

Additional Information on Indus River System

The Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan governs the use of the waters of the Indus River and its tributaries. The treaty allocates the waters of the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India and the waters of the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) primarily to Pakistan, with certain permitted uses by India.

The Indus is one of the longest rivers in Asia. Its total drainage area is vast, supporting diverse ecosystems and large populations across multiple countries.

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