The main rivers in Rajasthan are Chambal, Banas and Luni, among which Chambal is the only river that is perennial. Important lakes such as Pichola, Sambhar (the largest inland salt lake in India), and Fatehsagar are ecologically as well as a tourist attraction. Important dams Rana Pratap Sagar, Jawai Dam and Mahi Bajaj Sagar are used to support irrigation and provision of drinking water. Another lifeline is the Indira Gandhi Canal that brings water from Sutlej and Beas into the Thar. All these water bodies actually comprise the infrastructure of the water resource system of Rajasthan.

Key Points for RAS Mains

• As far as Rajasthan is concerned, it is a dry, semi-arid area which is experiencing a water crisis.
• There are few permanent rivers, water provision therefore relies on other sources of water.
• Along with dams, seasonal rivers and artificial lakes are significant in order to satisfy the state water demands.

Drainage Systems in Rajasthan for RPSC RAS

Rajasthan's drainage system is broadly classified into three categories:

Major Rivers of Rajasthan for RPSC

Chambal River

• Place of Origin: Mhow (MP) Janapav Hills
• Through: Kota, Sawai Madhopur
• Tributaries Kali Sindh, Parvati, Banas
• Importance: unique in Rajasthan, as it is a perennial river; belongs to Yamuna basin.

Banas River

• Place of origin: Aravalli hills (Kumbhalgarh, Rajsamand)
• Tributery to: Chambal
• Flows off: Rajsamand, Tonk Sawai Madhopur
• Place: Completely in the state of Rajasthan

Luni River

• Origin place: Nag Pahar (Ajmer district)
• Conditions of percolation: Pali, Jodhpur, Barmer, Jalore
• End point: Rann of Kutch (Arabian Sea basin, but it evaporates)
• The tributaries that flowed into the water body include Jawai, Sukri, Bandi and Jojari.
• Type of nature: Saline, seasonal

Sabarmati River

• Source: Aravalli Hills (Udaipur)
• Diversions to: Arabian Sea
• Importance: Passes through Gujarat past Rajasthan

Mahi River

• Origin Name: Madhya Pradesh
• Originated as: Banswara, Dungarpur
• Arabian Sea
• Characteristic: Runs in a tropic like circle flowing into and back into Rajasthan

Banganga River

• Source: Bairath Hills (Jaipur-Alwar)
• Tributary: Gambhir V Yamuna
• Significance: Mythological river of godlike value

River Ghaggar-Hakra (Ancient Saraswati)

Seasonal river

• Assists in the flow: Hanumangarh, Sriganganagar
• Pakistan desert is where it ends.

River Basins in Rajasthan (with Area)

Significant Dams of Rajasthan for RPSC

1. Bisalpur Dam

• River: Banas
• Tonk District
• Purpose: Drinking water of Jaipur on main channel
• Completed: 1999

2. Mahi Bajaj Sagar Dam

• River: Mahi
• Location: Banswara
• Aspects: It is the second largest dam in Rajasthan and a multipurpose dam.

3. Jawai Dam

• A river: Jawai (Tributary of Luni)
• Location: Pali
• Use: Western Rajasthan biggest dam to irrigate agricultural land

4. Rana Pratap Sagar Dam

• River: Chambal
• Rawatbhata, Chittorgarh
• A constituent of: Chambal Valley Project
• Power Generation: Yes

5. Gandhi Sagar dam

• River: Chambal (in MP, but utilised by Rajasthan)
• Built: 1960
• Hydropower and irrigation

6. Meja Dam

• River: Kothari tributary of Banas
• Location: Bhilwara
• Use: Water supply and irrigation

7. Jaswant Sagar Dam

• River: Luni
• Place: Jodhpur, Pichiyak
• Construction: Maharaja Jaswant Singh (1892)
• Use: In western Rajasthan Irrigation

Lakes of Rajasthan

Natural & Saltwater Lakes

Artificial Lakes

Ancient Rivers & Paleo-channels

• Some waters of Saraswati & Drishadvati rivers referenced in the Vedic literature probably went through western Rajasthan.
• Ghaggar-Hakra paleo-channel that is thought to be the remains of Saraswati, which was confirmed using satellite imagery.
• Value: Abundant sub-surface ground water supply suitable to desert irrigation.

Interlinking River Projects (Proposed/Planned)

Conclusion

Its hydrological biological formation is a combination of natural saline lakes, man-made reservoirs and seasonal rivers, along with its geography and topography of arid deserts and Aravalli hills. Water security in the state requires conservation, efficiency in water usage and connections between water bodies.