Part of: Uttarakhand Gk set 2

Name the river which originates from Glacier.

Category: Uttarakhand Gk

Hint: Consider the sources of the Ganga and Yamuna.

Correct Answer: D) Both a and b.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, State PSC

Difficulty: Easy

Explanations:

The question asks about the origin of rivers that start from glaciers. In the context of Indian geography, particularly focusing on Uttarakhand, the Ganga and Yamuna are two significant rivers that originate from glaciers. The Ganga originates from the Gangotri Glacier, which is located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. The Yamuna, on the other hand, originates from the Yamunotri Glacier, situated in the Uttarkashi district as well.

Glaciers are large masses of ice that form over many years in areas where more snow accumulates than melts. As the snow compresses and transforms into ice, it forms a glacier. The melting of these glaciers provides a steady supply of water, which is crucial for the formation and flow of rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna. These rivers are not only important for their ecological and economic roles but also hold significant religious and cultural importance in India.

It is important to note that not all major Indian rivers originate from glaciers. For example, the Mahanadi, which originates from the highlands of the Eastern Ghats in Odisha, does not have a glacial origin. Therefore, when considering the origin of rivers, it is essential to distinguish between those that originate from glaciers and those that do not.

In summary, the Ganga and Yamuna both originate from glaciers, making option D the correct answer. This highlights the importance of glaciers in the hydrological cycle and the formation of major rivers in India, particularly in the context of Uttarakhand's geography.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: The Ganga does originate from a glacier, specifically the Gangotri Glacier. However, this option does not account for the Yamuna, which also originates from a glacier. Therefore, this option is not fully correct.
  • Option B: The Yamuna originates from the Yamunotri Glacier, which is a glacier. However, this option does not include the Ganga, which also originates from a glacier. Thus, this option is not fully correct.
  • Option C: The Mahanadi does not originate from a glacier. It originates from the highlands of the Eastern Ghats in Odisha. This option is incorrect.
  • Option D: Both the Ganga and Yamuna originate from glaciers. The Ganga from the Gangotri Glacier and the Yamuna from the Yamunotri Glacier. This option is correct as it includes both rivers that originate from glaciers.

Mnemonic: G for Ganga, Y for Yamuna, both from glaciers.

Back to Uttarakhand Gk set 2 – Practice all questions