Context:
West Bengal has decided to supply water to farmlands through pipelines from the Teesta river.
Teesta River:
- A tributary of the Jamuna River (Brahmaputra River)
- Originates from – Pahunri (or Teesta Kangse) glacier in the Himalayas.
- Flows through the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal, and enters Bangladesh.
- Tributaries –
- Left-bank: Lachung Chhu, Chakung Chhu, Dik Chhu, Rani Khola, Rangpo Chhu.
- Right-bank: Zemu Chhu, Rangyong Chhu, Rangit River.
- Important for irrigation in the plains of North Bengal through the Teesta Barrage Project.
- Subject of water-sharing disputes between India and Bangladesh
Brahmaputra:
- Origin – Chemayungdung glacier in southwestern Tibet
- Known in different names in different regions –
| Region | Name |
| Tibet | Tsangpo |
| Assam valley | Dihang |
| Bangladesh | Jamuna |
| Bangladesh | Padma River (Combined Waters of Ganga and Brahmaputra) |
| Bangladesh | Meghana (From the confluence of Padma and Meghna) |
- Major Tributaries –
- Left bank – Dhansiri, Lohit, Dibang
- Right Bank – Subansiri, Kameng, Manas, Sankosh
- Home to the world’s largest river island, Majuli in Assam
Source: The Telegraph
Previous Year Question
Which of the following is/are tributary/tributaries of Brahmaputra?
1. Dibang
2. Kameng
3. Lohit
Select the correct answer using the code given below
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2016 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
