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2018 | OriginalPaper | Chapter

The Ganga River: A Summary View of a Large River System of the Indian Sub-Continent

Authors : S. K. Tandon, R. Sinha

Published in: The Indian Rivers

Publisher: Springer Singapore

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Abstract

The Ganga River is one of the largest rivers in the world supporting a population of 500 million people in India alone. Originating in the mighty Himalaya, the river traverses through more than 2500 km and drains through the vast Gangetic alluvial plains before falling into the Bay of Bengal. The river is joined by several tributaries from the Himalaya as well as from the cratonic highlands and is therefore described as a river with two-hinterland systems. Significant spatio-temporal variability in morphology, hydrology, and sediment transport characteristics in different stretches of the river makes this a complex system. In addition, river dynamics and floods cause severe destruction of life and property, particularly in the eastern plains. Large population and severe pollution in certain stretches have made this river extremely vulnerable, and it requires an enormous effort for restoration.

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Metadata
Title
The Ganga River: A Summary View of a Large River System of the Indian Sub-Continent
Authors
S. K. Tandon
R. Sinha
Copyright Year
2018
Publisher
Springer Singapore
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-2984-4_5