All About Indus River System Originates Tributaries and Treaty UPSC Prelims & Mains
Let’s discuss the Indus River system, its origin, and its tributaries. The Indus River originates from the Senge Khabab Spring near Lake Mansarovar in Tibet, which is located 5,000 meters above sea level. After a flow of 320 km in Tibet, it entered India from the place of Demchok, and then it took a sharp turn from Dugti to the southwest direction. The Indus River system, approximately 1,114 kilometers long, flows northwest in Ladakh (India) and enters Pakistan. Before draining into the Arabian Sea near Karachi, the Indus River flows 3,180 km in Pakistan.
Tributaries of the Indus River System
| Left-Bank Tributaries | Right-Bank Tributaries |
|---|---|
| Zaskar River | Shyok River |
| Suru River | Gilgit River |
| Soan River | Hunza River |
| Ravi River | Tochi River |
| Beas River | Kabul River |
| Sutlej River | Swat River |
| Panjnad River | Kunnar River |
| Jhelum River | Kurram River |
| Chenab River | Gomal River |
Indus Water Treaty 1960 UPSC
The world’s most successful water-sharing agreement is known as the Indus Waters Treaty, which was established between India and Pakistan. On September 19, 1960, India’s Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan’s second President Ayub Khan signed the treaty with the assistance of the World Bank.
According Indus Water treaty
This treaty mainly focuses on six rivers: the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. It outlines how water from these six rivers can be utilized. India can exclusively use the eastern rivers—Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej—for any purpose. But the Western Rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab—India has limited control over these rivers. India can only use them for non-consumptive purposes (like hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, and transport); India cannot store or divert the water. However, according to this treaty, Pakistan has full rights to the western rivers.
Summary Siachen Glacier UPSC
The Siachen Glacier is a 76 km-long glacier in the Karakoram Range, Ladakh. Geographically, the Siachen Glacier holds significant importance for India. This glacier feeds the Indus River and many others, and the Siachen Glacier is also the world’s highest battlefield. In 1984, Siachen Glacier became the point of conflict between India and Pakistan. India launched Operation Meghdoot, and since that day, India has controlled the majority of the glaciers.
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