Jammu and Kashmir Geography for UPSC: Interactive Map, Rivers and Protected Areas
a union territory spanning the Pir Panjal range and the Kashmir and Jammu valleys
11
Protected areas mapped
5
Rivers mapped
At a glance
Capital
Srinagar (Summer), Jammu (Winter)
Language
Kashmiri, Urdu
Dance
Rouf
Area
42,241 km²
Coastline
Landlocked
Highest peak
Nun Kun · 7,135 m
Borders
Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Pakistan (international), China (international)
Why UPSC asks about Jammu and Kashmir
The UT of Jammu and Kashmir spans the Pir Panjal and the Kashmir valley: the Jhelum and Chenab rivers, the Dal and Wular lakes, and the Siwalik-to-Karakoram relief. UPSC tests the 2019 reorganisation (Articles 370/35A), the Indus Waters Treaty rivers, and Kashmir valley's lacustrine geography.
Did you know
Jammu and Kashmir has no biosphere reserve. India's 18 biosphere reserves are spread across only 16 states, and Jammu and Kashmir is not among them. The nearest is Nanda Devi (Uttarakhand).
Jhelum
Rises Verinag spring, Anantnag district, Kashmir Valley; flows to Flows through Srinagar and Wular Lake into Pakistan-administered territory · 142 km
The Jhelum rises at the Verinag spring and drains the Kashmir valley, expanding into Wular, India's largest freshwater lake.
Chenab
Rises Himachal Pradesh (Chandra-Bhaga confluence); flows to Flows through Jammu region towards Pakistan · 202 km
The Chenab (Chandrabhaga) is the largest of the Indus-system rivers by discharge; the Baglihar and Ratle dams are on it.
Tawi
Rises Kailash Kund (Seoj) in the Shivaliks; flows to joins the Chenab in Pakistan · 356 km
The Tawi flows through Jammu city.
Sindh
Rises Machoi glacier near the Zojila pass; flows to joins the Jhelum near Srinagar · 117 km
A right-bank Jhelum tributary of the Kashmir valley.
Lidder
Rises Kolahoi glacier; flows to joins the Jhelum near Anantnag · 84 km
The Lidder drains Pahalgam's pine-and-glacier valleys.
Wular Lake
One of Asia's largest freshwater lakes, on the Jhelum in Bandipora district, designated Ramsar in 1990. A vital flood buffer for the Kashmir valley and habitat for migratory waterfowl, it has shrunk under siltation and encroachment.
Ramsar (1990); among Asia's largest freshwater lakes, on the Jhelum.
Hokersar Wetland
A wetland near Srinagar designated Ramsar in 2005, the most important wintering ground for migratory waterfowl in the Kashmir valley.
Ramsar (2005); Kashmir's key wintering wetland.
Surinsar-Mansar Lakes
Twin lakes in Jammu region designated Ramsar in 2005, sacred to local communities and rich in aquatic life.
Ramsar (2005); twin sacred lakes of Jammu.
Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve
A wetland conservation reserve in Baramulla on the Jhelum floodplain, designated Ramsar in 2025, wintering ground for waterfowl.
Ramsar (2025); Jhelum floodplain wetland in Baramulla.
Shallbugh Wetland Conservation Reserve
A wetland reserve in Ganderbal district designated Ramsar in 2025, part of the Kashmir valley's network of wintering wetlands.
Ramsar (2025); wintering wetland of Ganderbal.
Dachigam NP
A park near Srinagar, once the Maharaja's hunting reserve, protecting the catchment of the Dagwan river. It is the last stronghold of the hangul (Kashmir stag), a critically endangered red deer subspecies.
Last stronghold of the hangul (Kashmir stag).
Kishtwar NP
A park in Kishtwar district on the upper Chenab, with Himalayan alpine forests home to the snow leopard, Himalayan brown bear and musk deer.
Upper Chenab high forest; snow leopard and brown bear.
Salim Ali (City Forest) NP
A national park within Srinagar city, named after the ornithologist Salim Ali, protecting a wetland and forest patch known as the city's green lung.
Srinagar's city forest, named after Salim Ali.
Hokersar WLS
A wetland sanctuary near Srinagar, a Ramsar site (2005) and the most important wintering ground for migratory waterfowl in the Kashmir valley.
Ramsar site (2005); Kashmir's key wintering wetland.
Gulmarg WLS
A sanctuary around the Gulmarg meadow in Baramulla district, protecting high-altitude forests with musk deer, leopard and many Himalayan birds.
High forests around Gulmarg; musk deer country.
Overa-Aru WLS
A sanctuary in Anantnag district near Pahalgam, protecting the Lidder valley forests, home to the hangul, musk deer and Himalayan black bear.
Lidder valley near Pahalgam; hangul and musk deer.
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