Systems Overview
Himalayan vs Peninsular · Flow Regimes · Catchments
MICRO-REALM 01
Himalayan Drainage
- SNOW & RAIN FED
- ANTECEDENT ORIGINS
- HIGH EROSIONAL CAPACITY
MICRO-REALM 02
Peninsular Drainage
- STRICTLY RAIN FED
- SUPERIMPOSED / CONSEQUENT
- FIXED, STABLE COURSES
MICRO-REALM 03
Coastal Drainage
- SHORT SWIFT STREAMS
- WESTERN GHATS TO ARABIAN SEA
- HIGH GRADIENT DROP
MICRO-REALM 04
Inland Drainage
- TERMINATES IN LAND
- EPHEMERAL STREAMS
- RAJASTHAN (LUNI BASIN)
MICRO-REALM 05
Perennial Rivers
- CONTINUOUS YEAR-ROUND FLOW
- GLACIER MELT IN SUMMER
- MONSOON RAIN IN WINTER
MICRO-REALM 06
Seasonal Rivers
- FLUCTUATING VOLUME
- DEPENDENT ON RAINFALL
- DRY BEDS IN SUMMER
MICRO-REALM 07
Youthful Stage
- V-SHAPED DEEP GORGES
- HEADWARD EROSION
- RAPIDS AND WATERFALLS
MICRO-REALM 08
Mature / Old Stage
- BROAD SHALLOW VALLEYS
- GRADED PROFILES
- LATERAL EROSION DOMINATES
MICRO-REALM 09
Deltaic Endings
- HIGH SEDIMENT LOAD
- EAST FLOWING PENINSULAR
- GANGA-BRAHMAPUTRA
MICRO-REALM 10
Estuarine Endings
- LOW SEDIMENT / HARD ROCK
- WEST FLOWING (NARMADA/TAPI)
- DIRECT PLUNGE TO SEA
MICRO-REALM 11
Catchment Basins
- HIMALAYAN: VERY LARGE BASINS
- PENINSULAR: SMALLER BASINS
- DICTATES WATER VOLUME
MICRO-REALM 12
Comparative Matrix
- HIM: YOUTH, MEANDERING, SNOW
- PEN: OLD, FIXED, RAIN-FED
- FUNDAMENTAL DICHOTOMY