Tags:EnvironmentDelhiUPSC
For Prelims: Yamuna River System, Floodplain, Bourgeois Environmentalism, Origin, Total Length, Confluence, Longest Tributary of, First Irrigation Canal Built By
For Mains: Urbanisation v. ecology, Bourgeois environmentalism, Floodplain encroachment, Yamuna riverfront development
Source:
Indian Express
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- The Yamuna is the longest tributary of the Ganga.
- The Yamuna originates from the Yamunotri Glacier in Uttarakhand.
- The Yamuna flows for about 1,376 km before merging with the Ganga at Prayagraj.
- The Tajewala Barrage was built during British rule to divert Yamuna water.
- Delhi's floodplains are being encroached upon, increasing urban flood risk.
Why in the news?
The Yamuna, Delhi's sacred river and historical lifeline, is drying up, polluted, and encroached upon. Urbanisation, concretisation, and elite riverfront development have marginalised dependent communities and increased flood risk. The river's floodplains are critical for groundwater recharge and flood control but are being commodified as real estate.
Summary
- The Yamuna originates from the Yamunotri Glacier in Uttarakhand, flows ~1,376 km, and is the longest tributary of the Ganga.
- Urbanisation, barrages (e.g., Tajewala Barrage), and post-1982 Asian Games construction have diverted water and altered the river's course.
- Delhi's floodplains are being encroached upon by settlements and development projects, reducing the river's ability to absorb monsoon floods.
Highlights
Historical and Sacred Significance
The Yamuna is worshipped as a goddess, associated with Lord Krishna, and its banks hosted ancient cities like Indraprastha and Shahjahanabad.
Urbanisation and Encroachment
Post-1982 Asian Games construction, barrages, and resettlement colonies (Mayur Vihar, Patparganj) have concretised the floodplains and diverted water.
Flood Risk and Ecological Decline
Concretisation blocks drainage, causing urban floods; the river is drying up while floodplains are commodified as real estate.
Background
The Yamuna is the longest tributary of the Ganga, originating from the Yamunotri Glacier. It has shaped Delhi's geography and culture for millennia, with successive cities built on its banks. Its floodplains provided fertile land, groundwater recharge, and a navigation route.
Key Analysis and Impact
Urbanisation, especially after the 1982 Asian Games, led to massive construction on the floodplains, violating master plans. Barrages (Tajewala, Okhla) diverted water for irrigation, reducing flow. Settlements of migrant labourers and resettlement colonies (Mayur Vihar, Patparganj) encroached on the riverbed. 'Bourgeois environmentalism' prioritised manicured riverfronts over the livelihoods of dhobis, fisherfolk, and women bathers, forcibly displacing them.
Way Forward
Ecologists recommend preserving the floodplains intact for groundwater recharge and flood absorption. Instead, more commodification and real estate projects are proposed. A shift towards recognising the Yamuna as a living ecosystem, not just a development frontier, is needed.
Background GK
Textbook concepts you need to understand this news
- Yamuna River System
- The Yamuna is the longest tributary of the Ganga, originating from the Yamunotri Glacier in Uttarakhand. It flows through Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh before merging with the Ganga at Prayagraj.
- Floodplain
- A floodplain is a flat area of land next to a river that experiences periodic flooding. It acts as a natural sponge, absorbing excess water, recharging groundwater, and supporting rich biodiversity.
- Bourgeois Environmentalism
- A term used by sociologist Amita Baviskar to describe environmentalism that prioritises elite aesthetic and recreational interests (e.g., manicured riverfronts) over the livelihoods and everyday practices of poorer communities.
Facts to remember
Tap a card to see the answer. Try to recall it first.
How exams will ask this
- Data: Yamuna length ~1,376 km; longest tributary of Ganga; record flood level 208.66 m (July 2023, Delhi)
- Nodal Body: Delhi Development Authority (DDA)
Don't make this mistake!
Examiners may swap the Yamuna's length with that of the Ganga (~2,525 km) or confuse it with the Brahmaputra. They may also ask about the Tajewala Barrage but attribute it to the wrong ruler or period.
Write these in mains answers
- Urbanisation v. ecology, Bourgeois environmentalism, Floodplain encroachment, Yamuna riverfront development
Stuck? Get it in one tap
The Yamuna is a sacred river that flows through Delhi. Over time, construction, barrages, and settlements have reduced its flow and blocked its floodplains. This has made Delhi more prone to flooding and dried up parts of the river. The floodplains are important because they soak up extra water during rains and refill groundwater.
- The Yamuna is the longest tributary of the Ganga.
- The Yamuna originates from the Yamunotri Glacier in Uttarakhand.
- The Yamuna flows for about 1,376 km before merging with the Ganga at Prayagraj.
- The Tajewala Barrage was built during British rule to divert Yamuna water.
- Delhi's floodplains are being encroached upon, increasing urban flood risk.
- Geography: Indian River Systems and Drainage
- Environment: Urbanisation and Environmental Degradation
Related concepts: Yamuna River System, Floodplain, Bourgeois Environmentalism
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which river is the longest tributary of the Ganga?
Explanation: The Yamuna is the longest tributary of the Ganga, flowing for about 1,376 km before merging at Prayagraj. The Ghaghara, Son, and Gandak are also tributaries but shorter.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements about the Yamuna River:
- 1.The Yamuna originates from the Gangotri Glacier in Uttarakhand.
- 2.The Tajewala Barrage was constructed during British rule to divert water into the Western and Eastern Yamuna Canals.
- 3.The Yamuna's floodplains are critical for groundwater recharge and flood control.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect: the Yamuna originates from the Yamunotri Glacier, not the Gangotri Glacier. Statement 2 is correct: the Tajewala Barrage was built by the British. Statement 3 is correct: floodplains naturally recharge groundwater and absorb floodwaters.
- Q3Medium
What was the record water level of the Yamuna at Delhi's Old Railway Bridge during the July 2023 floods?
Explanation: The Yamuna reached a record level of 208.66 metres at Delhi's Old Railway Bridge in July 2023.
- Q4Medium
What is the primary environmental consequence of concretising Yamuna's floodplains in Delhi?
Explanation: Concretisation blocks water from draining into the river and prevents groundwater recharge, leading to street flooding. The other options are opposite effects.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the length of the Yamuna river?
The Yamuna river is approximately 1,376 kilometres long, making it the longest tributary of the Ganga.
2. Where does the Yamuna originate?
The Yamuna originates from the Yamunotri Glacier in Uttarakhand.
3. What was the record flood level of the Yamuna in Delhi in July 2023?
The Yamuna reached a record level of 208.66 metres at Delhi's Old Railway Bridge in July 2023.
4. Who is the current Chief Minister of Delhi?
Rekha Gupta is the current Chief Minister of Delhi.
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- Original10 November 2026 · Read story
