Understanding River Basins and Towns in Uttarakhand

This question asks us to match different river basins in the region of Uttarakhand with specific towns. To correctly answer this, we need to know the geographical location of these towns relative to the given rivers.

Let's examine the pairings provided in the correct option:

• A. Bhagirathi - 3. Uttarkashi: The town of Uttarkashi is famously located on the banks of the Bhagirathi river in Uttarakhand. This river is considered one of the two main headstreams of the holy river Ganga. This pairing is accurate based on geographical location.
• B. Alaknanda - 4. Pauri: Pauri is a significant town and the administrative headquarters of the Pauri Garhwal district. While Pauri town itself is not directly situated on the banks of the Alaknanda river, the district lies within the Alaknanda basin, and many areas and towns within the district are closely associated with the Alaknanda river system. This pairing links the town to the broader river basin area.
• C. Nayar - 1. Lansdowne: Lansdowne is a popular hill station also located in the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. The Nayar river system, comprising the Eastern Nayar and Western Nayar, flows through parts of this district. Lansdowne is situated in the catchment area or proximity of the Nayar rivers, making this a plausible match.
• D. Ganga - 2. Narendra Nagar: Narendra Nagar is a town located in the Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. This region is part of the upper Ganga basin. Narendra Nagar is situated near Rishikesh and Devprayag, which is the confluence point where the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers meet to form the Ganga. Therefore, Narendra Nagar is located within the Ganga river basin area.

Based on this analysis, the correct matches are:

This set of matches corresponds to the option A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2.

Revision Table: Key River Basin and Town Matchings

Additional Information on Uttarakhand Rivers and Towns

Uttarakhand is known for its rich river systems, many of which are considered sacred. The Ganga river system is particularly prominent, with the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda being its major headstreams that originate from glaciers in the upper Himalayas.

• The Bhagirathi river originates from the Gangotri Glacier and flows down through towns like Uttarkashi.
• The Alaknanda river originates from the Satopanth Glacier and passes through important towns like Badrinath, Joshimath, and Srinagar before meeting the Bhagirathi at Devprayag.
• The confluence points of different rivers with the Alaknanda are known as Prayags, such as Rudraprayag (Alaknanda and Mandakini), Karnaprayag (Alaknanda and Pindar), and Devprayag (Alaknanda and Bhagirathi).
• The Nayar river is an important tributary joining the Ganga in the Pauri Garhwal district. It is formed by the confluence of Eastern Nayar and Western Nayar.
• Towns are often established near river systems due to the availability of water resources and historical significance. Understanding which towns are located on or near major rivers and within their basins is important for geographical knowledge and is often tested in examinations related to the geography of India, particularly Uttarakhand.