List of TablesList of Figures
Glossary and Abbreviation
Chapter 1: Introduction
Abstract
1.1 Origin and Extension of the Ganga River
1.2 Historical Perspectives of the Ganga
1.3 Cultural and Economic Importance of the Ganga
1.4 Importance of Water in Hindu Scriptures
1.5 Description of the Ganga in Hindus Religious Wisdom
1.6 Objectives and Significance of the Study
1.7 Organization of the Study
References
Chapter 2: The Ganga Basin
Abstract
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Salient Features of the Ganga and its Tributaries
2.3 State-Wise Distribution of Drainage Area
2.4 Area, Population, and Density of the Ganga Basin
2.5 Conclusions
References
Chapter 3: Geography of the Ganga Basin
Abstract
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Climate
3.3 Faunal Resources
3.4 Floral Resources
3.5 Ganga's Topography
3.5.1 The First Stage (Youthful) 3.5.2 The Second Stage (Mature)
3.5.3 Third Stage (Old Stage)
3.6 Conclusions
References
Chapter 4: The Ganga and its Tributaries
Abstract
4.1 Introduction
4.2 The Ganga River
4.3 The Yamuna River
4.4 Tons River
4.5 The Bhilangana River
4.6 The Alaknanda River
4.7 The Saraswati River
4.8 The Dhauli Ganga
4.9 The Nandakini River
4.10 The Pindar River
4.11 The Mandakini River 4.12 Kali Ganga
4.13 Son Ganga
4.14 Madhyamaheshwar Ganga
4.15 The Nayar River (E)
4.16 The Nayar River (W)
4.17 Ramganga (W)
4.18 The Kosi River
4.19 The Kali River
4.20 The Dhauli Ganga (E)
4.21 The Goriganga
4.22 The Ramganga (E)
4.23 The Saryu River
4.24 The Gomati River
4.25 Conclusions
References
Chapter 5: The Ganga between Gaumukh and Uttarkashi
Abstract
5.1 Introduction
5.2 A Journey from Uttarkashi to Gangotri
5.3 Case Study of Some Important Villages
5.3.1 Gaumukh
5.3.2 Gangotri
5.3.3 Bhaironghati
5.3.4 Lanka
5.3.5 Mukhimath (Mukhawa)
5.3.6 Dharali
5.3.7 Harshil
5.3.8 Jaspur 5.3.9 Sukhi
5.3.10 Gangnani
5.3.11 Bhatwadi
5.3.12 Uttarkashi 5.4 Conclusion
References
Chapter 6: The Major Cultural Towns
Abstract
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Major Cultural Towns Situated on the Bank of the Ganga
6.2.1 Gaumukh
6.2.2 Gangotri
6.2.3 Uttarkashi
6.2.4 Devprayag
6.2.5 Rishikesh
6.2.6 Haridwar
6.2.7 Prayagraj
6.2.8 Varanasi
6.2.9 Gangasagar
6.3 Other Major Cultural Towns Situated on the Tributaries of the Ganga
6.3.1 Kedarnath
6.3.2 Badrinath
6.3.3 The Main Prayags
6.3.4 Yamunotri
6.3.5 Hanol
6.3.6 Bageshwar
6.3.7 Jageshwar
6.4 Some Important Tirthas on the Bank of the Ganga
6.5 Conclusions
References
Chapter 7: Major Fairs and Festivals
Abstract
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Important Fairs and Festivals
7.2.1 Magh Mela
7.2.2 Kumbh Mela
7.2.3 Baishakhi
7.2.4 Akshaya Tritiya
7.2.5 Ganga Dashami/Dussehra
7.2.6 Kanwar Yatra
7.2.7 Ganga Mahotsav
7.3 Conclusions
Chapter 8: Economic Significance of the Ganga
Abstract
8.1 Introduction 8.2 Ganga: The Life Line of India
8.3 The Agro-climatic Zones a
About the Author: Vishwambhar Prasad Sati (b. 1966), D.Litt. and Ph.D., a professor of Geography andResource Management, is currently working at the Mizoram University (A CentralUniversity), Aizawl, India. With a teaching career of about three decades, he has served inseveral higher education institutions within and outside India, some of them being EritreaInstitute of Technology, Asmara, Eritrea (NE Africa), Institute of Mountain Hazards andEnvironment, Chengdu, China, Madhya Pradesh Higher Education, and HNB GarhwalUniversity, Srinagar Garhwal. In the same field, he has deeply been involved in research, and has worked as a Visiting Professor and Visiting Scholar in the worlds variousrenowned research and academic institutions, including The World Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Indian National Science Academy, Indian Council of SocialScience Research, and Indian Institute of Advanced Studies. Besides, he has travelledwidely 36 countries and all over India. He has an impactful expertise in the fields ofNatural Resource Management, Environment-Development Interface, Climate Change, Rural Livelihoods, Disaster-Related issues, and Culture of the Himalayan region. He hasdeveloped several models and action plans for environmental conservation and economicdevelopment of the fragile Himalayan ecosystems/landscapes. More than a dozen ofnational individual projects and projects with international collaboration have beenconducted by him. With more than 150 research papers and articles, and more than 30books published, his academic contribution is well-documented at national andinternational levels.
