UPSC Prelims 2023 Q1: Geography – Indian Rivers & Water Resources
Consider the following statements:
1. Jhelum River passes through Wular Lake.
2. Krishna River directly feeds Kolleru Lake.
3. Meandering of Gandak River formed Kanwar Lake.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) All three
- (d) None
Answer: (a) Only one
Explanation
Indian Lakes and Their River Sources
| Statement | Lake | River Claimed | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wular Lake | Jhelum passes through it | TRUE | Jhelum flows through Wular Lake in Kashmir — it enters and exits the lake. |
| 2 | Kolleru Lake | Krishna directly feeds it | FALSE | Kolleru Lake lies between Krishna and Godavari deltas in Andhra Pradesh. It receives water from seasonal streams (Budameru, Tammileru), NOT directly from Krishna River. |
| 3 | Kanwar Lake | Formed by Gandak meandering | FALSE | Kanwar (Kabar Tal) in Bihar is a oxbow lake formed by the Budhi Gandak (a distributary), not the main Gandak. Meandering of the main river created it, but attribution to 'Gandak River' directly is incorrect. |
Only Statement 1 is correct.
Answer: (a) Only one.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Only Statement 1 (Jhelum passes through Wular Lake) is true. Krishna feeds Kolleru indirectly via streams, and Kanwar is formed by Budhi Gandak, not Gandak itself.
- (b) Incorrect. 'Only two' would mean one more statement is correct — but Statement 2 is clearly wrong (Krishna does not directly feed Kolleru).
- (c) Incorrect. 'All three' — Statement 2 and 3 contain specific factual errors about direct river-lake connections.
- (d) Incorrect. 'None' — Statement 1 is well-established: the Jhelum River enters Wular Lake and exits it near Sopore.
Key point
Wular Lake (Kashmir) — Jhelum passes through it. Kolleru Lake (AP) — fed by seasonal streams, NOT directly by Krishna. Kanwar Lake (Bihar) — oxbow lake of Budhi Gandak, not main Gandak.
Remember
Jhelum River passes through Wular Lake in Kashmir — it enters and exits the lake. Kolleru Lake is NOT directly fed by Krishna River.
Common mistakes
- Assuming any large river near a lake directly feeds that lake — Kolleru is near Krishna-Godavari delta but gets water from smaller seasonal streams.
- Confusing Gandak with Budhi Gandak — Kanwar Lake is attributed to Budhi Gandak meandering, not the main Gandak.
- Not knowing that Wular Lake is unique: a river (Jhelum) actually flows through it, entering at one point and exiting at another.
Exam tip
Wular = Jhelum flows THROUGH it (not just feeds it — enters and exits). Kolleru = between two deltas, fed by streams. Kanwar = Bihar's oxbow lake. Remember: only Wular has a river passing through.
Sources
- NCERT Class 11 Geography — India: Physical Environment, Chapter 3: Drainage
- Geographical Survey of India — Indian Lakes and Wetlands