UPSC Prelims 2019 Q38: Geography – Indian Physical Geography
Consider the following pairs:
Glacier - River
1. Bandarpunch : Yamuna
2. Bara Shigri : Chenab
3. Milam : Mandakini
4. Siachen : Nubra
5. Zemu : Manas
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
- (a) 1, 2 and 4
- (b) 1, 3 and 4
- (c) 2 and 5
- (d) 3 and 5
Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 4
Explanation
Glacier - River Pairs
| Pair | Claim | Verdict | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bandarpunch - Yamuna | CORRECT | Bandarpunch glacier (Uttarakhand) is the source of the Yamuna (Yamunotri). |
| 2 | Bara Shigri - Chenab | CORRECT | Bara Shigri (Himachal Pradesh, Lahaul-Spiti) feeds Chandra River, which joins Bhaga to form Chenab. |
| 3 | Milam - Mandakini | FALSE | Milam glacier (Uttarakhand) is the source of the Goriganga (a Kali/Sarju tributary), NOT Mandakini. Mandakini's source is Chorabari glacier (Kedarnath). |
| 4 | Siachen - Nubra | CORRECT | Siachen glacier (Karakoram) feeds the Nubra river, a tributary of the Shyok/Indus. |
| 5 | Zemu - Manas | FALSE | Zemu glacier (Sikkim) is the source of the Teesta, NOT the Manas (which rises in Bhutan). |
Correct pairs: 1, 2, 4. Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 4.
Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 4.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Bandarpunch-Yamuna, Bara Shigri-Chenab, Siachen-Nubra are all correctly matched. Milam-Mandakini and Zemu-Manas are wrong.
- (b) Incorrect. Pair 3 (Milam-Mandakini) is wrong; pair 2 (Bara Shigri-Chenab) is right.
- (c) Incorrect. Pair 5 (Zemu-Manas) is wrong; pairs 1 and 4 are right.
- (d) Incorrect. Pairs 3 and 5 are both wrong.
Key point
Correct: Bandarpunch -> Yamuna. Bara Shigri -> Chenab. Siachen -> Nubra. Wrong: Milam feeds Goriganga (not Mandakini). Zemu feeds Teesta (not Manas).
Remember
Correct glacier-river pairs: Bandarpunch feeds the Yamuna; Bara Shigri feeds the Chenab (via Chandra); Siachen feeds the Nubra (Shyok/Indus tributary). Milam glacier feeds the Goriganga (NOT Mandakini), and Zemu glacier feeds the Teesta (NOT Manas).
Common mistakes
- Confusing Milam (Goriganga) with Chorabari (Mandakini) - both Uttarakhand, but different rivers.
- Assuming Zemu feeds Brahmaputra tributary Manas - it actually feeds Teesta.
- Not knowing Siachen is the source of Nubra, a tributary of Shyok, itself a tributary of the Indus.
Exam tip
Glacier source anchors: Gangotri -> Bhagirathi (Ganga). Yamunotri/Bandarpunch -> Yamuna. Chorabari -> Mandakini. Milam -> Goriganga (Kali). Pindari -> Pindar (Alaknanda). Bara Shigri -> Chenab. Siachen -> Nubra. Zemu -> Teesta.
Sources
- NCERT Class 11 - India: Physical Environment (Himalayan glaciers and rivers)
- Survey of India - Glacier atlas of Himalayas