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Source- This post on Sunkoshi River has been created based on the article “River Sunkoshi Cleanup In Nepal Removes 24,575 Kg Of Plastic In 36 Hours” published in “DD News” on 3 June 2024.
Why in News?
Under the PLEASE (Plastic Free Rivers and Seas of South Asia) program, a river cleanup campaign has successfully removed 24,575 kg of waste from the Sunkoshi River banks and waste hotspots.
About Sunkoshi River
| Aspects | Description |
| About | 1. It is also known as the “river of gold,” the Sunkoshi is located in Nepal and is part of the Koshi or Saptkoshi River system. 2. This river is among the longest and most rafted in Nepal. |
| Course | 1. The Sunkoshi originates from the Zhangzangbo Glacier in Tibet. 2. It merges with the Saptkoshi River and eventually joins the Ganga (known as the Ganges) in the Katihar district of Bihar, India. 3. It drains into the Bay of Bengal in Bangladesh. |
About Koshi River
| Aspects | Description |
| About | 1. The Koshi River is a transboundary river that flows through China, Nepal, and India. 2. It serves as a prominent tributary of the Ganges. 3. The Kosi River has earned the nickname “the sorrow of Bihar” due to its history of flooding and frequent alterations in its course as it flows from Nepal to Bihar |
| Course | 1. It originates from the Tibetan Plateau and crosses the Himalayas and flows through the Mahabharat range and Siwalik hills. 2. It reaches the plains of eastern Nepal and finally meets the Ganges in Bihar, India. 3. The Kosi drains an area of 74,500 sq.km, with only 11,070 sq.km lying within Indian Territory. The Koshi River system drains about 45% of Nepal. 4. The Kosi River valley is bounded by steep margins, disconnecting it from other rivers such as the Yarlung Zangbo River, Mahananda River, Gandaki, and Ganga. 5. The Koshi River is known for its tendency to change course, often flowing westward. Over the last 200 years, it has shifted westwards by approximately 112 km, causing significant changes to agricultural land. |
| Tributaries | The Koshi River has seven major tributaries: Sun Koshi, Tama Koshi (or Tamba Koshi), Dudh Koshi, Indravati, Likhu, Arun, and Tamore (or Tamar). |
UPSC Syllabus: Geography
