PLACES IN NEWS : CHAUKHAMBHA PEAK, SARYU RIVER, CONGO BASIN

About Chaukhambha Peak

Chaukhamba is a mountain massif in the Gangotri Group of the Garhwal Himalaya.

It's main summit, Chaukhamba I, is the highest peak in the group. It lies at the head of the Gangotri Glacier and forms the eastern anchor of the group.

It is located in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, west of the Hindu holy town of Badrinath.

It has four summits, along a northeast-southwest trending ridge, ranging in elevation from 7,138 meters (23,419 ft) to 6,854 m (22,487 ft) with an average elevation 7,014 m; the main summit is at the northeast end.

• Chaukamba I     7,138 m
• Chaukamba II    7,070 m
• Chaukamba III   6,995 m
• Chaukamba IV   6,854 m

Chaukhamba I is an ultra-prominent peak, with a prominence of more than 1,500m. Mana Pass is the key col for Chaukhamba I.

Name

Sarju (also known as Sarayu)

Location

Central Kumaon region, Uttarakhand, India

Origin

Sarmul (Sarmool), Bageshwar district, Uttarakhand

Cities on Course

Kapkot, Bageshwar, Seraghat

Confluence

Joins Mahakali at Pancheshwar

Largest Tributary

Sharda River

Border Formation

South-eastern border between Pithoragarh and Almora districts

Forest Coverage

Temperate and sub-Tropical forests in the catchment area

Etymology

Derived from Sanskrit root "to flow"; the feminine form refers to the river

Total Length

130 km

Tributaries

Gomati

Originates in Bhatkot, merges with Sarju at Bageshwar

Kuloor

Originates near Bhadrkali Temple, joins Sarju at Seraghat

Punger

Originates near village Sangar, joins from left at Sartana

Lahor

Small river, joins from right

Panar

Originates from Mornaula Range, joins near Rameshwar

Ramganga East

Originates from Namik Glacier, joins Sarju at Rameshwar

Significant Confluence Points

Gomati at Bageshwar, Ramganga at Rameshwar, Pancheshwar at Sharda River

Location

West-central Africa, straddling the equator, encompassing the Congo River basin.

Geographic Borders

Bordered by the Sahara (north), Atlantic Ocean (south and west), East African Lakes (east).

Bordering Countries

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon.

Climate

It contains some of the largest tropical rainforests in the world and is an important source of water used in agriculture and energy generation. Tropical climate with high temperatures, abundant rainfall, and high humidity.

Rainforest

Home to the second-largest rainforest globally (Congo Rainforests, also known as Ituri rainforest).

Highlands

Central African Highlands in the eastern part, featuring significant elevation.

Peatlands

One of the world’s largest tropical peatlands, significant carbon sink.

Dominant River

Congo River, the second-largest river in Africa.

Drainage Area

Includes almost the entire Republic of the Congo, DRC, Central African Republic, western Zambia, northern Angola, parts of Cameroon and Tanzania.

Lakes

Lakes include Lake Tanganyika (second-deepest lake globally), Lake Albert, Lake Edward, Lake Kivu, Lake Tumba, Lake Mai-Ndombe.

Mineral Resources

Rich in oil, diamonds, gold, and timber.

Biodiversity

Considered a biodiversity hotspot, home to gorillas, chimpanzees, elephants, and various bird species.

Carbon Sink

Largest carbon sink globally, absorbing more carbon than the Amazon rainforest. Approximately 29 billion tons of carbon stored, equivalent to three years’ worth of global greenhouse gas emissions.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.It is a major river draining Central Kumaon region in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is the largest tributary of the Sharda River. The right-side tributaries of the river are Gomti and pannar. Bhuni, Sup, and Khatiare some of the famous ghats on this river's bank. 

In the above-given passage, which among the following rivers is described?

(a) Tons River

(b) Mandakini River

(c) Sarayu River

(d) Pindar River

Answer: c

Explanation:

The Sarayu originates from Lake Mansarovar in the Himalayas and is also known as the Ghaghra and the Manas Nandini.

The Sarayu is the largest tributary of the Sharda River.

The length of the river is 350 km. Saryu is a major river draining the Central Kumaon region in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.  It merges into the Sharada River at Pancheshwar at the India-Nepal border. The Saryu river tributaries on the Right side are Gomti, pannar  Lohar Left side Ramganga and Punger.

Sarayu flows through the cities of Kapkot, Bageshwar and Seraghat in the state of Uttarakhand.  The famous city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh is situated on the bank of the Sarayu river. The Sarayu River, revered in Hindu scriptures, is the lifeline of Ayodhya, offering a serene backdrop for spiritual rituals and contemplation.  Bhuni, Sup, and Khatiare some of the famous ghats on this river's bank. Temperate and sub-Tropical forests cover the entire catchment area of the Sarayu River.