Uttarakhand Geography for UPSC: Interactive Map, Rivers and Protected Areas

Ganga

Rises Gaumukh, Gangotri glacier; flows to Bay of Bengal (through UP, Bihar, Bengal)

The Bhagirathi becomes the Ganga at Devprayag after meeting the Alaknanda.

Ganges

Rises Gangotri Glacier (Gaumukh), Uttarkashi district; flows to Enters the plains at Haridwar

Yamuna

Rises Yamunotri glacier, Uttarkashi; flows to joins the Ganga at Prayagraj

The Yamuna's Tons tributary is its largest; the Tehri dam is in the Bhagirathi basin.

Alaknanda

Rises Satopanth and Bhagirath Kharak glaciers, near Badrinath; flows to Joins the Bhagirathi at Devprayag to form the Ganga

Mandakini

Rises Chorabari Glacier, near Kedarnath; flows to Joins the Alaknanda at Rudraprayag

A catastrophic glacial-lake outburst and flash flood on this river in June 2013 devastated Kedarnath town.

Kosi

Ramganga

Asan Conservation Reserve

Uttarakhand's first Ramsar site (2020), a wetland on the Asan river near Dehradun, wintering ground for the red-crested pochard and other migratory waterfowl.

Ramsar (2020); Asan river wetland near Dehradun.

Nanda Devi Biosphere

A biosphere reserve in the Garhwal Himalaya around the Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers national parks, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with alpine meadows, glaciers and snow leopard habitat.

Garhwal reserve around Nanda Devi; UNESCO World Heritage core.

Jim Corbett NP

India's oldest national park, set in the Shivalik-bhabar foothills along the Ramganga river in Nainital district. Its grasslands, sal forests and riverine belts shelter a healthy tiger population, elephants and gharials.

India's first national park (1936) and first tiger reserve under Project Tiger (1973).

Nanda Devi NP

A high-altitude wilderness in the Garhwal Himalaya surrounding the Nanda Devi peak (7,816 m), India's second-highest mountain. Part of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its inaccessible terrain supports snow leopard, Himalayan musk deer and bharal.

UNESCO World Heritage Site within the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve.

Valley of Flowers NP

A high-altitude alpine meadow in Chamoli district adjoining Nanda Devi NP, famous for its rich endemic flora, over 600 species including the blue Himalayan poppy and the Brahma kamal. Declared a national park in 1982 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.

UNESCO World Heritage Site (2005), famed for endemic alpine flora and the Brahma kamal.

Rajaji NP

Spread over the Shivaliks across Haridwar, Dehradun and Pauri districts, named after C. Rajagopalachari. It is a key node in the proposed Rajaji-Corbett corridor and is known for its Asian elephant population.

Known for Asian elephants; part of the proposed Rajaji-Corbett tiger corridor.

Gangotri NP

A high-altitude park in Uttarkashi district around the Gangotri glacier, the source of the Bhagirathi (Ganga). Its alpine meadows and moraines support snow leopard, Himalayan tahr, bharal and musk deer.

Contains the Gangotri glacier, source of the Bhagirathi (Ganga).

Kedarnath WLS

A sanctuary around the Kedarnath temple in Rudraprayag district, protecting high Himalayan habitats between about 1,160 m and 7,068 m, home to snow leopard, Himalayan musk deer and the Himalayan monal.

Protects high-altitude habitats around Kedarnath; snow leopard and musk deer country.

Govind Pashu Vihar

A sanctuary in Uttarkashi district around the Har-ki-Dun valley and Ruinsara lake. Its upper reaches form the catchment of the Tons river and shelter snow leopard and Himalayan black bear.

Includes Har-ki-Dun valley; designated for snow leopard conservation.

Askot WLS

A sanctuary in Pithoragarh district (Kumaon), named after the Askot peak. It protects temperate and alpine forests with musk deer, snow leopard and rich rhododendron belts.

Named after the Askot peak in Pithoragarh; musk deer habitat.