Any elevated area, such as a mountain or an upland, which separates two drainage basins is called an upland. Such an upland is also known as a water divide. For example, the water divide between the Indus and the Ganga River Systems.
(ii) Which is the largest river basin in India?
The Ganga River Basin is the largest river basin in India.
(iii) Where do the rivers Indus and Ganga have their origin?
Indus River origin – Near Manasarovar Lake, Tibet
Ganga River origin – Gangotri glacier in Uttaranchal
(iv) Name the two headstreams of the Ganga. Where do they meet to form the Ganga?
The two headstreams of the Ganga are Alaknanda and Bhagirathi. They both meet to form Ganga at Devprayag.
(v) Why does the Brahmaputra in its Tibetan part have less silt, despite a longer course?
In Tibet, the river carries a smaller volume of water and less silt, as it is a cold and dry area. In India, it passes through a region of high rainfall. Hence, the river carries a large volume of water and a considerable amount of silt.
(vi) Which two Peninsular rivers flow through a trough?
Narmada and Tapi are the two Peninsular rivers that flow through a trough.
(vii) State some economic benefits of rivers and lakes.
Rivers have been of fundamental importance throughout human history. Water from rivers is a basic natural resource, essential for various human activities. Therefore, riverbanks have attracted settlers from ancient times. Using rivers for irrigation, navigation and hydropower generation is of special significance — particularly to a country like India, where agriculture is the major source of livelihood for the majority of its population.