Q. Discuss the distribution and density of population in the Ganga River Basin with special reference to land, soil and water resources.
Possible Introductions
Contextual
The Ganga River Basin, spanning ~1.1 million sq km across 11 states (Uttarakhand to West Bengal and Bangladesh), sustains nearly 43% of India’s population, making it one of the most densely populated river basins in the world
Fact-based
According to Census 2011, the Ganga basin supports ~525 million people, with average population density exceeding 500 persons/km², far higher than the national average (~382/km²)
Philosophical
The Ganga basin epitomizes the interlinkage of resources and human settlement, where fertile land, rich soils, and perennial water have shaped demographic concentration for millennia
Main Body
1. Distribution of Population
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Upper Ganga (Uttarakhand, Himachal): Sparse population due to rugged relief, forests, limited cultivable land
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Middle Ganga Plain (UP, Bihar): Very high densities (>1000 persons/km² in districts like Varanasi, Patna)
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Lower Ganga Plain (West Bengal): High density (>900/km²), Kolkata metropolitan region one of the densest urban agglomerations
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Deltaic Region (Sundarbans): Moderately high but uneven due to mangroves, swampy land, and flood hazards
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2. Determinants: Land, Soil & Water Resources
(a) Land Resources
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Flat alluvial plains → ease of settlement, transport, agriculture
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Fragmented but intensively cultivated holdings
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High man-land ratio → rural population pressure
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(b) Soil Resources
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Fertile alluvial soils (new khadar, old bhangar) ideal for rice, wheat, sugarcane, pulses
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Soil replenishment through annual floods
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Agro-based industries (sugar, jute, rice mills) encourage dense settlement
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(c) Water Resources
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Perennial Ganga & tributaries (Yamuna, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi, Hooghly): Assured irrigation & drinking water
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Groundwater-rich aquifers → tube wells supporting Green Revolution
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Navigable rivers → inland water transport & trade hubs
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High rainfall (>100 cm in east) supports paddy cultivation, contrasting with less rainfall (~70–90 cm) in western UP requiring irrigation canals
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3. Resulting Population Density Patterns
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High Density Zones: Central UP, Bihar, West Bengal plains → fertile soils + abundant water
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Moderate Density: Deltaic Sundarbans, Western UP
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Low Density: Himalayan headwaters (Uttarakhand, Himachal)
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Sweet Spot – Table
|
Resource Factor |
Influence on Population |
Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Fertile Soils |
Intensive agriculture, rural density |
Bihar, East UP |
|
Flat Plains |
Urban-industrial growth |
Kanpur, Varanasi, Kolkata |
|
Abundant Water |
Irrigation, navigation, fisheries |
Ganga-Yamuna Doab, Hooghly belt |
|
Fragile Terrain |
Sparse settlement |
Uttarakhand Himalayas |
Possible Conclusions
Balanced
The Ganga basin’s high population density reflects the synergy of fertile soils, abundant water, and flat plains, making it India’s demographic heartland
Critical
However, overpopulation has strained land, led to groundwater depletion, floods, and pollution, threatening long-term sustainability
Policy-linked
Schemes like Namami Gange, PMKSY (irrigation), Jal Jeevan Mission must integrate resource management with population pressures
Forward-looking
For India@2047, sustainable planning in the Ganga basin is vital — balancing resource richness with ecological preservation to ensure livelihood security for millions
