Origin and Course
- Originates as Yarlung Tsangpo near Angsi Glacier in Tibet (China), close to Mount Kailash
- Flows eastward across the Tibetan Plateau, then takes a sharp U-turn (Great Bend) around Namcha Barwa
- Enters India through Arunachal Pradesh as Siang/Dihang
- In Assam, it is known as the Brahmaputra
- Enters Bangladesh as Jamuna, later joining the Padma (Ganga) and Meghna
- Finally drains into the Bay of Bengal
Length and Basin
- Approximate length: 2,900 km
- Drainage basin spreads across China, India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh
- One of the largest river basins in South Asia
- In India, the basin covers Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and parts of Sikkim
Major Tributaries
Left Bank (North of river in Assam):
- Subansiri
- Kameng (Jia Bharali)
- Manas
- Sankosh
Right Bank (South of river):
- Dibang
- Lohit
- Dhansiri
- Kopili
Physiographic and Hydrological Features
- A classic braided river with multiple channels
- Carries one of the highest sediment loads among world rivers
- Creates extensive floodplains, sandbars (chars), and ox-bow lakes
- Highly dynamic channel migration, especially in Assam valley
- Annual floods are both ecologically beneficial and socio-economically disruptive
Ecological Significance
- Sustains fertile alluvial plains of Assam and Bangladesh
- Supports rich biodiversity, wetlands, and grasslands
- Forms the ecological base for Kaziranga National Park and other protected areas
- Flood pulses maintain soil fertility and aquatic ecosystems
Economic and Cultural Importance
- Lifeline for agriculture, fisheries, and inland navigation
- Supports livelihoods of millions in Northeast India and Bangladesh
- Integral to Assamese culture, folklore, and identity
- National Waterway-2 in India (Sadiya to Dhubri stretch)
Floods and Erosion
- Subject to severe annual flooding due to:
- Monsoonal rainfall
- Snowmelt from Himalayas
- High sediment load causing riverbed aggradation
- Causes large-scale riverbank erosion, loss of land, and displacement
- At the same time, floods rejuvenate soil and wetlands
Geopolitical and Strategic Significance
- A transboundary river, making water management geopolitically sensitive
- China’s hydropower projects on Yarlung Tsangpo raise downstream concerns
- India focuses on flood management, navigation, and ecological security
- Requires cooperative river governance among basin countries
Environmental Challenges
- Increasing flood intensity due to climate change
- Riverbank erosion and loss of chars
- Pollution from urban waste and agriculture
- Infrastructure development impacting natural flow dynamics
Conclusion
The Brahmaputra is not merely a river but a dynamic Himalayan river system shaping geography, ecology, economy, and geopolitics of South Asia. Its seasonal floods, sediment-rich waters, and transboundary nature make it both a source of life and vulnerability, demanding integrated basin-level management rooted in science, diplomacy, and sustainability.
