22 Abode ofGodz
(ii) The Great Himalopan Rivers-ln this category fall the-
famed Ganges, Kali, Gori, Gandak and Teetsa,
(iii) The lesser known Himalayan rivers—The geologists have
counted Beas, Ravi, Chenab and Jhelem etc,
(iv) The Shivalik rivers—Tons, Hindon and Satlaj are counted,
as Shivalik rivers.
The Himalayan rivers get maximum water from melting of
ice and snow as has been pointed out by Dr. S.K. Banerji:
"An analysis of the river discharge data and precipitation in
the catchments in the froms of rain and snow shows that the-
Himalayan rivers get nearly 60% from precipitation
that falls as rain in the lower catchment. During July to
November, when the sky remains cloudy, the contribution,
from snow and glaciers is reduced to about 35 percent. In
fact, Himalayan hydrography forms an independent branch,
of study which may prove helpful for planning our irrigation
and hydei projects,"1
Civilisations have risen and fallen on the banks of these-
' famed rivers. Men have solemnly pursued the silent paths,
lying above treacherous rock faces, to the source of these
rivers. Probably for this reason alone our ancient sages
located the famed Dhams of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath
and Badrinath and the perennial source of these life-giving;
rivers. Is it not a wonder of nature or divine will that
Bhagirathi and Alakhnanda meet at Deoprayag and become
Ganga while Yamuna meets Ganga at Allahabad after taking,
a bend of a quarter of North India.
Truely, the Himalayas are the moisture reservoir of the-
whole of'north India. The future of entire human conglomera-
tion in the vast plains of North India rests on how efficiently we
plan the conservation of water which can be best done with
the conservation of our forests and digging up of diversionary
irrigation canal and small dams which will not only generate-
power but will also provide water for irrigation canalsr
drinking purpose and growing fruits and vegetable.
The exploration and study of Himalayan geography, geo-
logy, flora, fauna and its climatological phenomenon and a.
1. S.K. Banerji, Himalaya, Gol 1,1952, P. 26.