Bihar Geography for UPSC: Interactive Map, Rivers and Protected Areas
a state of flat Gangetic plains shaped by the Ganga and its north Bihar tributaries
10
Protected areas mapped
8
Rivers mapped
At a glance
Capital
Patna
Language
Hindi
Dance
Bidesia
Area
94,163 km²
Coastline
Landlocked
Highest peak
Someshwar hills · 880 m
Borders
Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Nepal (international)
Why UPSC asks about Bihar
Bihar is the north Gangetic plain: the Gandak, Kosi and Son rivers, the Kosi's notorious westward shifting, and the Terai edge along Nepal. UPSC tests flood-management schemes (Kosi barrage), the Ganga's north-bank tributaries, and the state's alluvial and mineral (mica) geography.
Did you know
Bihar has no biosphere reserve. India's 18 biosphere reserves are spread across only 16 states, and Bihar is not among them. The nearest is Simlipal (Odisha).
Ganga
Rises Gangotri Glacier, Uttarakhand; flows to Flows east through Bihar past Patna and Bhagalpur into West Bengal · 180 km
The Ganga enters Bihar at Chausa; the Mahatma Gandhi Setu at Patna is among India's longest river bridges.
Kosi
Rises Himalayas of Tibet and Nepal (Saptakoshi system); flows to Joins the Ganga near Kursela, Bihar · 223 km
The 2008 Kosi floods, caused by an embankment breach near the Nepal border, displaced millions across north Bihar.
Dams
- Kosi Barrage (Bhimnagar)
Gandak
Rises Nepal Himalayas; flows to Joins the Ganga near Sonepur/Hajipur, Bihar · 9 km
The Gandak (Narayani) drains central Nepal; the Gandak barrage at Valmikinagar feeds Bihar's Saran-Champaran canals.
Dams
- Gandak Barrage (Valmiki Nagar)
Son
Rises Amarkantak plateau, Madhya Pradesh; flows to Joins the Ganga near Patna · 203 km
The Ganga's largest south-bank tributary, joining near Patna; the Rihand and Bansagar projects are in its upper basin.
Ghaghara
Rises Mapchachungo glacier, Tibet (Karnali in Nepal); flows to joins the Ganga at Chhapra · 61 km
The Ganga's largest north-bank tributary; the Saryu in eastern UP.
Bagmati
Rises Shivapuri hills, Nepal; flows to joins the Kosi near Kursela · 366 km
The Bagmati passes Kathmandu and north Bihar; it floods frequently in the Sitamarhi-Darbhanga belt.
Falgu
Rises Confluence of the Lilajan and Mohana near Gaya; flows to dissipates in the Ganga's south Bihar plains · 207 km
A seasonal river of the Gaya (Phalgu) pilgrimage landscape.
Punpun
Rises Palamu plateau, Jharkhand; flows to joins the Ganga at Fatuha · 216 km
A south-bank Ganga tributary through Gaya and Patna districts.
Kabartal Wetland (Kanwar Lake)
Bihar's first Ramsar site (2020), an oxbow lake in Begusarai district, Asia's largest freshwater oxbow, formed by the meandering Burhi Gandak. Wintering ground for migratory birds including the red-crested pochard.
Bihar's first Ramsar site (2020); Asia's largest freshwater oxbow lake.
Nagi Bird Sanctuary
A bird sanctuary wetland in Jamui district, designated Ramsar in 2024, hosting migratory waterfowl and resident wetland birds in a man-made reservoir.
Ramsar (2024); wetland bird sanctuary in Jamui.
Nakti Bird Sanctuary
A bird sanctuary in Jamui district designated Ramsar in 2024, created around a reservoir, a wintering stop for migratory ducks and waders.
Ramsar (2024); reservoir sanctuary in Jamui.
Gokul Jalashay
A wetland in Begusarai district designated Ramsar in 2025, supporting waterbirds and local fisheries on the Gangetic floodplain.
Ramsar (2025); Gangetic floodplain wetland in Begusarai.
Udaipur Jheel
A wetland near Udaipur (Bihar) designated Ramsar in 2025, providing habitat for migratory waterbirds and regulating local hydrology.
Ramsar (2025); wetland of Udaipur, Bihar.
Gogabil Lake
An oxbow wetland in Katihar district designated Ramsar in 2025, a birding site on the Ganga's floodplain.
Ramsar (2025); oxbow lake of Katihar.
Valmiki NP
Bihar's only national park, in West Champaran district on the Nepal border, forming the Valmiki Tiger Reserve with Chitwan NP across the border. Terai grasslands and sal forests hold tigers and one-horned rhinoceros returning from Chitwan.
Bihar's only national park; transboundary with Chitwan NP, Nepal.
Rajgir WLS
A sanctuary in the Rajgir hills of Nalanda district, associated with the ancient Magadha kingdom and early Buddhism. Dry deciduous forests shelter leopards, sloth bears and rich birdlife.
Rajgir hills of ancient Magadha; leopard and sloth bear habitat.
Bhimbandh WLS
A sanctuary in Munger district in the Kharagpur hills, known for its hot springs and mixed deciduous forests with tiger and leopard.
Kharagpur hills of Munger; known for hot springs.
Kaimur WLS
A sanctuary in the Kaimur hills of Rohtas district, with dry deciduous forest and ancient rock art, home to leopards, sloth bears and vultures.
Kaimur plateau of Rohtas; rock art and vulture habitat.
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