RIVER SUNKOSHI

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Picture Courtesy: https://ddnews.gov.in/en/river-sunkoshi-cleanup-in-nepal-removes-24575-kg-of-plastic-in-36-hours/

Context: River Sunkoshi in Nepal has been cleaned by a campaign organised by Project CAP (Collaborative Approach for Preventing Plastic Leakages in Rivers).

Details

• The cleanup campaign targeted the River Sunkoshi in the Bagmati province of Nepal, aimed to remove plastic waste from the river banks and waste hotspots, contributing to the conservation of freshwater ecosystems.

Sunkoshi River

• The Sunkoshi River is significant in Nepal, forming part of the broader Koshi or Saptkoshi River system.
• The Sunkoshi River has two source streams. One originates within Nepal in Choukati, while the other, more significant stream flows from Nyalam County in the Tibet region of China. This larger stream is known as Bhote Koshi in Nepal and Matsang Tsangpo in Tibet.
• The headwaters of the Sunkoshi River are located in the Zhangzangbo Glacier in Tibet.
• The Sunkoshi flows eastwards through the valley formed between the Mahabharat Range and the Himalayas. It is joined by tributaries such as Tamakosi, Likhu, Dudhkosi, Arun, and Tamor from the left, and the Indravati from the right.
• The Tamur and Arun rivers join the Sunkoshi at Tribenighat to form the Saptkoshi, which then flows through the Chatra Gorge across the Mahabharat Range and into the Gangetic plain.
• The Sunkoshi contributes about 44% of the total water of the Saptakoshi, with the Arun contributing 37% and the Tamur contributing 19%.

Koshi River

• The Kosi River, also known as Saptakoshi (Seven Rivers) in Nepal, is a transboundary river flowing through China, Nepal, and India.
• The Kosi originates in the Himalayas, fed by seven major tributaries including the Tamur, Arun, and Sun Kosi rivers.
• The Kosi is notorious for its frequent course changes due to the heavy silt load picked up during monsoons. This leads to unpredictable and devastating floods in the Indian state of Bihar, earning it the nickname "Sorrow of Bihar."
• The Kosi has built a massive alluvial fan in the plains of Bihar, constantly shifting its course and creating new channels.

Source:

DDNEWS

Wikipedia

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Balancing flood control and environmental concerns is a major challenge. Which of the following represents both flood control and environmental benefits? 1. Building large dams across major rivers. 2. Constructing embankments with natural materials. 3. Implementing rainwater harvesting systems in urban areas. 4. Channelization of rivers with concrete walls. How many of the above statements are correct? A) Only one B) Only two C) Only three D) All four Answer: B