Bhagirathi River Research Articles

Fisheries of Indian Shad (Tenualosa ilisha) in the Hooghly–Bhagirathi stretch of the Ganga River system

Tenualosa ilisha, the Indian Shad, is one of the most important commercial fish of the Indo-Pacific region and the Hilsa fishery in India is dependent on this species. Presently, the fishery resource of the species lies largely within the Bhagirathi–Hooghly component of the Ganga River system. The annual fish catch of Hilsa from the Bhagirathi–Hooghly River has fluctuated over the years ranging between 12,733 and 20,000 t between 2000–2001 and 2010–2012. The monsoon migration of Hilsa commences in July and gradually picks up in August. From September onwards, the magnitude of migration to the freshwater system showed a declining trend. Stretches between Nischintapur and Diamond Harbour downstream, Hooghly Ghat and Kalna in the freshwater tidal zone, and Lalbagh to Farakka in the Bhagirathi River have been delineated as potential breeding grounds for Hilsa. The intense fishing pressure in the coastal estuarine zone almost year round, especially in breeding season, adversely affects the breeding migration, spawning, and recruitment success vis a vis overall fishery of Hilsa in the system. There is an immediate need to implement effective conservation measures to protect breeders, potential breeding grounds, and juveniles for the cause of sustainable Hilsa fishery.

People's perception on impacts of hydro-power projects in Bhagirathi river valley, India.

The people's perception on environmental and socio-economic impacts due to three hydro-electric projects (HEPs; commissioned and under construction) were studied in the north-west Indian Himalaya. Surveys among 140 project-affected people (PAPs) using a checklist of impacts indicate that among the negative impacts, decrease in flora/fauna, agriculture, flow of river, aesthetic beauty; and increase in water pollution, river bed quarrying for sand/stone, human settlement on river banks and social evils; and among the positive impacts, increase in standard of living, road connectivity, means of transport, public amenities, tourism and environmental awareness were related with HEPs. The PAPs tend to forget the negative impacts with the age of the HEPs after it becomes functional, and the positive impacts seem to outweigh the negative impacts. Study concludes that it is difficult to separate the compounding impacts due to HEP construction and other anthropogenic and natural factors, and in the absence of cause-and-effect analyses, it is hard to dispel the prevailing notion that HEPs are undesirable in the study area that led to agitations by the environmentalists and stopped construction of one of these HEPs. To overcome the situation, multi-disciplinary scientific studies involving the PAPs need to be carried out in planning and decision-making to make HEPs environment friendly and sustainable in this region. There is also a need to adopt low carbon electric power technologies and promote a decentralized energy strategy through joint ventures between public and private companies utilizing locally available renewable energy resources.

Role of hydrological regime and floodplain sediments in channel instability of the Bhagirathi River, Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta, India

This research deals with the surface dynamics and key factors – hydrological regime, sediment load, and erodibility of floodplain facies – of frequent channel shifting, intensive meandering, and lateral instability of the Bhagirathi River in the western part of the Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta (GBD). At present, the floodplain of the Bhagirathi is categorized as a medium energy (specific stream power of 10–300 W m−2), non-cohesive floodplain, which exhibits a mixed-load and a meandering channel, an entrenchment ratio >2.2, width–depth ratio >12, sinuosity >1.4, and channel slope <0.02. In the study area, since 1975, four meander cutoffs have been shaped at an average rate of one in every 9–10 years. In the active meander belt and sand-silt dominated floodplains of GBD, frequent shifting of the channel and meander migration escalate severe bank erosion (e.g. 2.5 × 106 m3 of land lost between 1999 and 2004) throughout the year. Remote sensing based spatio-temporal analysis and stratigraphic analysis reveal that the impact of the Farakka barrage, completed in 1975, is not the sole factor of downstream channel oscillation; rather, hydrogeomorphic instability induced by the Ajay–Mayurakshi fluvial system and the erodibility of floodplain sediments control the channel dynamics of the study area.

Estimation of Snow Cover Area, Snow Physical Properties and Glacier Classification in Parts of Western Himalayas Using C-Band SAR Data

Snow physical properties, snow cover and glacier facies are important parameters which are used to quantify snowpack characteristics, glacier mass balance and seasonal snow and glacier melt. This study has been done using C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data of Indian radar imaging satellite, radar imaging satellite-1 (RISAT)-1, to estimate the seasonal snow cover and retrieve snow physical properties (snow wetness and snow density), and glacier radar zones or facies classification in parts of North West Himalaya (NWH), India. Additional SAR data used are of Radarsat-2 (RS-2) satellite, which was used for glacier facies classification of Smudra Tapu glacier in Himachal Pradesh. RISAT-1 based snow cover area (SCA) mapping, snow wetness and snow density retrieval and glacier facies classification have been done for the first time in NWH region. SAR-based inversion models were used for finding out wet and dry snow dielectric constant, dry and wet SCA, snow wetness and snow density. RISAT-1 medium resolution scan-SAR mode (MRS) in HV polarization was used for first time in NWH for deriving time series of SCA maps in Beas and Bhagirathi river basins for years 2013–2014. The SAR-based inversion models were implemented separately for RISAT-1 quad pol. FRS2, for wet snow and dry snow permittivity retrieval. Masks for layover and shadow were considered in estimating final snow parameters. The overall accuracy in terms of R2 value comes out to be 0.74 for snow wetness and 0.72 for snow density based on the limited ground truth data for subset area of Manali sub-basin of Beas River up to Manali for winter of 2014. Accuracy for SCA was estimated to be 95 % when compared with optical remote sensing based SCA maps with error of ±10 %. The time series data of RISAT-1 MRS and hybrid data in RH/RV mode based decompositions were also used for glacier radar zones classification for Gangotri and Samudra Tapu glaciers. The various glaciers radar zones or facies such as debris covered glacier ice, clean or bare glacier ice radar zone, percolation/refreeze radar zone and wet snow, ice wall etc., were identified. The accuracy of classified maps was estimated using ground truth data collected during 2013 and 2014 glacier field work to Samudra Tapu and Gangotri glaciers and overall accuracy was found to be in range of 82–90 %. This information of various glacier radar zones can be utilized in marking firn line of glaciers, which can be helpful for glacier mass balance studies.

Analysis of unusual meteorological conditions that led to recent floods in Bhagirathi basin (Uttarakhand Himalayas)

ABSTRACTThe Bhagirathi River that originates from the snout of Gangotri Glacier at an elevation of about 4000 m is traditionally considered as the source of Ganga River. In June 2013, a multi-day cloudburst centred on the North Indian state of Uttarakhand caused devastating floods and landslides which resulted in massive loss of lives and property. This unusual rain event occurred during the tourist season in June, consequently trapping a large number of tourists and vendors in this area. Sudden release of stored water generated floods that created havoc downstream of most of the rivers in this area. This paper presents a description of the meteorological conditions which led to the catastrophic hydrological situation and flash flood as experienced in the large part of Bhagirathi basin in June 2013. The hydro-meteorological and discharge data for 14–18 June 2013 collected at an observatory near the snout of the Gangotri Glacier are analysed. This area normally receives less rainfall; the maximum monthly rainfall for June in previous years hardly exceeded 93 mm, while the total rainfall during this 5-day storm was 178 mm. A sudden increase of water discharge in the river resulted in flooding downstream. Flows at the gauging site peaked at 163 m3 s-1 on 16 June 2013. The mean runoff depths for June varied between 12 and 14 mm, whereas runoff depths recorded up to the study site were much higher, being highest on 16 June 2013.Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz; Associate editor A. Viglione

Bank vulnerability and avulsion modeling of the Bhagirathi-Hugli river between Ajay and Jalangi confluences in lower Ganga Plain, India

The emergence of the study of fluvial dynamics of the alluvial monsoon rivers especially in India is being enriched through the application of remote sensing and GIS techniques. To study fluvial dynamics over time, channel avulsion no doubt is one of the most considerable phenomena. The study section (~75 km) in between the two confluences of the Bhagirathi River i.e., Ajay (Katwa) and Jalangi River (Nabadwip) confluence in Lower Ganga Plain of West Bengal is highly oscillatory in nature. Several satellite images and toposheets of different time periods (1955, 1973, 1990 and 2011) have been used in order to analyse the avulsive nature in this section of the river. These fluvial features (cut offs, ox-bow lakes, point bars etc.) form as a result of channel avulsion and have been identified with the help of Landsat satellite images. The decadal differences in sinuosity ratio in different parts of the studied section, channel migration rate and avulsion model explain the dynamic nature and crucial portions of high bank erosion rate of the channel in the mentioned time period. For both the reaches (R1 and R2), meander loop cut offs are dominant rather than lateral avulsion in the context of aggregate channel migration that also reflects the instability and erosional vulnerability at different meander bends.

Draft Genome Sequence of Acinetobacter baumannii IITR88, a Bacterium Degrading Indoles and Other Aromatic Compounds.

Here, we report the 4.16-Mb draft genome sequence of an indole-degrading bacterium, Acinetobacter baumannii IITR88, isolated from the Bhagirathi river in India. A total of 4,069 coding regions (CDSs), 3 rRNAs, and 52 tRNAs were predicted. Genes for the degradation of indoles, phenylacetaldehyde, anthranilate, and several other aromatic compounds were present.

The Himalayan cryosphere: A critical assessment and evaluation of glacial melt fraction in the Bhagirathi basin

The cryosphere constitutes an important subset of the hydrosphere. The Himalayan cryosphere is a significant contributor to the hydrological budget of a large river system such as the Ganges. Basic data on the cryosphere in the Himalaya is inadequate and also has large uncertainties. The data on glacial melt component in the Himalayan rivers of India also shows high variability. The Gangotri glacier which constitutes nearly a fifth of the glacierized area of the Bhagirathi basin represents one of the fastest receding, large valley glaciers in the region which has been surveyed and monitored for over sixty years. The availability of measurement over a long period and relatively small glacier-fed basin for the Bhagirathi river provides suitable constraints for the measurement of the glacial melt fraction in a Himalayan river. Pre- and post-monsoon samples reveal a decreasing trend of depletion of δ18O in the river water from glacier snout (Gaumukh) to the confluence of the Bhagirathi river with the Alaknanda river near Devprayag. Calculations of existing glacial melt fraction (∼30% at Rishikesh) are not consistent with the reported glacial thinning rates. It is contended that the choice of unsuitable end-members in the three component mixing model causes the overestimation of glacial melt component in the river discharge. Careful selection of end members provides results (∼11% at Devprayag) that are consistent with the expected thinning rates.

Landslide hazards around Uttarkashi township, Garhwal Himalaya, after the tragic flash flood in June 2013

Garhwal Himalaya has witnessed extreme climatic conditions in the form of incessant rainfall during June 15–17, 2013, generating numerous primary as well as secondary landslide hazards due to flooding event in the Bhagirathi River. This was probably the second highest flood after the 1978 flood in the area. The paper documents the spatial distribution of landslides and its consequences in the lower reaches of the Bhagirathi Valley between Bhatwari and Uttarkashi. It has been observed that within a stretch of 28 km in the study area, the river gradient is highly variable ranging from 3.6 to 66.6 m/km and is marked by three major knick points. These knick points are well correlated with the disposition of thrusts and a fault present in the area. An inventory of 23 active landslides has been prepared. Based on these knick points, the entire area has been divided into four zones. The area between Bhatwari and Ganeshpur is marked by the zone of transportation and between Ganeshpur and Uttarkashi, the zone of deposition of river sediments. It has been estimated that there is an average aggradation of about 0.5 m/year in the Bhagirathi River around Uttarkashi. Further, the huge volume of material deposited in the river around Uttarkashi township is posing serious threat to the slope stability on either banks of river. This calls for an urgent need for the formulation of policy for dredging the material from riverbed in order to maintain the continuous and uninterrupted flow of water during high discharge, in order to mitigate the problems of slope stability along the course of the river.

Carbon stock estimation in the catchment of Kotli Bhel 1A hydroelectric reservoir, Uttarakhand, India

Constructions of dams/reservoirs all over the world are reported to emit significant amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and are considered as environmental polluters. Organic carbon is contributed by the forest in the catchment, part of soil organic carbon is transported through the runoffs to the reservoir and undergoes aerobic and anaerobic degradation with time to release GHGs to the atmosphere. Literature reveals that no work is available on the estimation of ‘C’ stock of trees of forest catchment for assessing/predicting the GHGs emissions from the reservoirs to atmosphere. To assess the GHGs emission potential of the reservoir, an attempt is made in the study to estimate the ‘C’ stock in the forest catchment of Kotli Bhel 1A hydroelectric reservoir located in Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, India. For this purpose, the selected area was categorized into the site-I, II and III along the Bhagirathi River based on type of forest available in the catchment. The total carbon density (TCD) of tree species of different forest types was calculated using diameter at breast height (dbh) and trees height. The results found that the TCD of forest catchment was found 76.96MgCha−1 as the highest at the site-II and 29.93MgCha−1 as lowest at site-I with mean of 51.50MgCha−1. The estimated forest ‘C’ stock shall be used to know the amount of carbon present before and after construction of the dam and to predict net GHGs emissions. The results may be helpful to study the potential of a given reservoir to release GHG and its subsequent impacts on global warming/climate challenges.

ANN modelling of sediment concentration in the dynamic glacial environment of Gangotri in Himalaya.

The present study explores for the first time the possibility of modelling sediment concentration with artificial neural networks (ANNs) at Gangotri, the source of Bhagirathi River in the Himalaya. Discharge, rainfall and temperature have been considered as the main controlling factors of variations in sediment concentration in the dynamic glacial environment of Gangotri. Fourteen feed forward neural networks with error back propagation algorithm have been created, trained and tested for prediction of sediment concentration. Seven models (T1-T7) have been trained and tested in the non-updating mode whereas remaining seven models (T1a-T7a) have been trained in the updating mode. The non-updating mode refers to the scenario where antecedent time (previous time step) values are not used as input to the model. In case of the updating mode, antecedent time values are used as network inputs. The inputs applied in the models are either the variables mentioned above as individual factors (single input networks) or a combination of them (multi-input networks). The suitability of employing antecedent time-step values as network inputs has hence been checked by comparative analysis of model performance in the two modes. The simple feed forward network has been improvised with a series parallel non-linear autoregressive with exogenous input (NARX) architecture wherein true values of sediment concentration have been fed as input during training. In the glacial scenario of Gangotri, maximum sediment movement takes place during the melt period (May-October). Hence, daily data of discharge, rainfall, temperature and sediment concentration for five consecutive melt periods (May-October, 2000-2004) have been used for modelling. High Coefficient of determination values [0.77-0.88] have been obtained between observed and ANN-predicted values of sediment concentration. The study has brought out relationships between variables that are not reflected in normal statistical analysis. A strong rainfall: sediment concentration and temperature: sediment concentration relationship is shown by the models which are not reflected in statistical correlation. It has also been observed that usage of antecedent time-step values as network inputs does not necessarily lead to improvement in model performance.

Fishing methods in upper Ganga River system of Central Himalaya, India

Present study on fishing methods in the upper Ganga River system was conducted during the period 2010-2012. Upper Ganga river system consists of two major rivers basins viz. Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers and number of their 1st and 2nd order tributaries which flows through Garhwal region (Central Himalaya). This large network of fluvial water resources harbours rich Ichthyofaunal diversity. The varied potential of fish resources from these water bodies permits the utilization of wide array of fishing methods. Most of the fishing methods of the Garhwal region are primitive, based on indigenous traditional knowledge and well suited to turbulent nature of the streams. In present study eighteen fishing methods and gears have been documented from the upper Ganga River system. Study observed season, habitat and species specificity of the fishing methods. The utilization of crude and unscientific fishing methods is frequent in the streams of remote areas resulting into decline in fish resource. All the fishing methods employed in upper Ganga River system are classified into four types. The classification is based on their utilisation up to the level which will allow the sustainable harvesting and proper management of valuable fish resources.

Fishing methods in upper Ganga River system of Central Himalaya, India

Present study on fishing methods in the upper Ganga River system was conducted during the period 2010-2012. Upper Ganga river system consists of two major rivers basins viz. Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers and number of their 1st and 2nd order tributaries which flows through Garhwal region (Central Himalaya). This large network of fluvial water resources harbours rich Ichthyofaunal diversity. The varied potential of fish resources from these water bodies permits the utilization of wide array of fishing methods. Most of the fishing methods of the Garhwal region are primitive, based on indigenous traditional knowledge and well suited to turbulent nature of the streams. In present study eighteen fishing methods and gears have been documented from the upper Ganga River system. Study observed season, habitat and species specificity of the fishing methods. The utilization of crude and unscientific fishing methods is frequent in the streams of remote areas resulting into decline in fish resource. All the fishing methods employed in upper Ganga River system are classified into four types. The classification is based on their utilisation up to the level which will allow the sustainable harvesting and proper management of valuable fish resources.

Fish assemblage structure and habitat use of the snow fed stream Assiganga - a major tributary of river Bhagirathi in Central Himalaya (India)

Assiganga stream is an important tributary of Bhagirathi River in central Himalaya (India). The stream is characterized by heterogeneity in habitat and substratum features harboring diverse fish fauna. At present this stream is facing threat of being fragmented by the construction of two hydro-electric projects. Present study aimed to study fish diversity and their habitat use in Assiganga stream. This study reports fifteen species (14 indigenous and 1 exotic) belonging to 8 genera, 4 families and 3 orders. Snow trout, Schizothorax richardsonii (Cyprinidae family) and Salmo trutta (Salmonidae family) were the dominant species (> 65% of total fish catch) throughout the entire length of stream. The presence of rich benthic food, clear water, low turbidity (01-05 NTU), high DO (8.75-10.75 mg-l), and high water velocity (1.10-1.40 m-s) with characteristic rapids and cascades in upper reaches provides ideal habitat for the existence of native snow trout and exotic trout species. Few cat fishes, loaches, Tor spp. and lesser barils also have been reported during the study.

Integrated approach for snowmelt run-off estimation using temperature index model, remote sensing and GIS

The snow and glacier melt run-off is one of the most important sources of freshwater for the perennial Himalayan rivers. The water from these rivers sustains billions of people in South Asia, especially during lean season. The study has been done to integrate temporal snow cover area (SCA) and digital elevation model (DEM) derived from satellite remote sensing data with Geographic Information System (GIS) and finally into temperature index-based snowmelt run-off estimation model. The study area for snowmelt run-off estimation is part of head reach sub-basins of Ganga river, i.e. Alakhnanda and Bhagirathi river basins up to Joshimath and Uttarkashi respectively. The temporal SCA (2002-07 for Bhagirathi river and 2000, 2008 for Alakhnanda river) was derived from remote sensing data and DEM was used to find elevation zones and aspect maps. Snowmelt run-off model (SRM) is a temperature index-based snowmelt run-off simulation model, which has been used in this study for simulating snowmelt run-off. The daily hydro meteorological data from India Meteorological Department and Central Water Commission were used for estimating snowmelt. Overall accuracy of SRM for Alakhnanda river in terms of coefficient of correlation (R 2 ) is 0.84-0.90 for years 2000 and 2008, and 0.74-0.84 in Bhagirathi river for 2002-2007.

Stable isotopic composition of precipitation in the River Bhagirathi Basin and identification of source vapour

River Ganges one of important rivers in the northern part of India receives water from two of its tributaries, Alaknanda and Bhagirathi. In this present study, we have tried to characterise the precipitation in the Bhagirathi River Basin. The study shows that isotopic composition of precipitation shows depleted nature during monsoon period due to moisture source from the oceanic region and from African region of Indian Ocean and enriched isotopic composition during non-monsoon period due to moisture source from westerlies and local evaporation. The study also shows that temperature and amount show expected positive and negative relationship with individual locations. A positive relationship is exhibited by amount for the entire region due to depleted isotopic composition with increase in altitude. The altitude effect shows that there is a depletion of up to −0.24 to −0.29 ‰ of isotopic composition with an increase in 100 m of elevation.

Insight into adsorption equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamics of lead onto alluvial soil

In the present study, adsorption of lead (II) ions from aqueous solution by alluvial soil of Bhagirathi River was investigated under batch mode. The influence of solution pH, sorbent dose, initial lead (II) concentration, contact time, stirring rate and temperature on the removal process were investigated. The lead adsorption was favored with maximum adsorption at pH 6.0. Sorption equilibrium time was observed in 60 min. The equilibrium adsorption data were analyzed by the Freundlich, Langmuir, Dubinin–Radushkevich and Temkin adsorption isotherm models. The kinetics of lead (II) ion was discussed by pseudo first-order, pseudo second-order, intra-particle diffusion, and surface mass transfer models. It was shown that the adsorption of lead ions could be described by the pseudo second-order kinetic model. The activation energy of the adsorption process (E a) was found to be −38.33 kJ mol−1 using the Arrhenius equation, indicating exothermic nature of lead adsorption onto alluvial soil. Thermodynamic parameters, such as Gibbs free energy (∆G 0), the enthalpy (∆H 0), and the entropy change of sorption (∆S 0) have also been evaluated and it has been found that the adsorption process was spontaneous, feasible, and exothermic in nature. The results indicated that alluvial soil of Bhagirathi River can be used as an effective and low cost adsorbent to remove lead ions from aqueous solutions.

Higher Himalaya in the Bhagirathi section (NW Himalaya, India): its structures, backthrusts and extrusion mechanism by both channel flow and critical taper mechanisms

The Higher Himalayan Crystalline (HHC) in the Bhagirathi river section (India) on fieldwork reveals two extensional ductile top-to-N/NE shear sub-zones—the ‘South Tibetan Detachment System’ and the ‘Basal Detachment’—besides a preceding top-to-S/SW ductile shear. A top-to-N/NE brittle shear was identified as backthrusts from the HHC (except its northern portion) that occur repeatedly adjacent to numerous top-to-S/SW brittle shears as fore-thrusts. The northern portion of the HHC—the Gangotri Granite—exhibits infrequent total six extensional and compressional brittle shear senses. The backthrusts could be due to a low friction between the lower boundary of the HHC (i.e. the Main Central Thrust-Zone) and the partially molten hot rock materials of the HHC. Subduction of the Eurasian plate towards S/SW below the Indian plate more extensively in the Garhwal sector could be the second possible reason. Presence of two ductile extensional shear sub-zones may indicate channel flow (or several exhumation mechanisms) of the HHC in a shifting mode (similar to Mukherjee et al. in Int J Earth Sci 101:253–272, 2012). The top-to-S/SW extensional brittle shear exclusively within the upper (northern portion) of the HHC and a top-to-S/SW brittle shear within the remainder of it is a possible indicator of critical taper deformation mechanism. Thus, this work provides the field evidences of possibly both channel flow and critical taper conditions from a Higher Himalayan section, besides that by Larson et al. (Geol Soc Am Bull 122:1116–1134, 2010).

Application of Response Surface Methodology for Hexavalent Chromium Adsorption onto Alluvial Soil of Indian Origin

In the present study adsorption of chromium (VI) ions from aqueous solution by alluvial soil of Bhagirathi River was investigated under batch mode. The removal of hexavalent chromium was optimized by using response surface methodology. The influence of various process parameters such as initial chromium(VI) concentration, solution pH, sorbent dose and contact time on the removal process were investigated. A total of 29 sorption experimental runs were carried out employing the detailed conditions designed by response surface methodology based on the Box-Behnken design. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) depicted that the quadratic model was suitable for all the responses. Contour and response surface plots were used to determine the interaction effects of main factors and optimum conditions of process, respectively. From the experimental result, maximum chromium(VI) removal of 93 % was obtained at the optimum condition of initial chromium (VI) concentration (10 mg/L), pH (2), adsorbent dose (1.5 g) and contact time (62.5 min). The experimental removal efficiency (93 %) agreed very well with the predicted one (91.79 %), indicating the suitability of the model employed and the success of response surface methodology in optimizing the conditions of the removal of chromium (VI) ions from aqueous solution.

Drainage basin morphometric analysis and its relationship with altitude of Uttarkashi District

The area of investigation lies between Maneri and Gangnani along the Bhagirathi river in the lesser and central Himalayan block of Garhwal Himalayas. The rocks of Garhwal group are represented by quartzites, sericite quartzite’s and talc chlorite schist intruded by metabasics, whereas the Central crystallines are constituted by gneisses, schists, migmatites and amphibolites. For the purpose of drainage basin morphometric analysis 100 third order drainage basins were marked. Drainage basin morphometric parameters of 100 basins were calculated. On the basis of lithology and tectonic setup,the area was divided into three morphogenetic units viz Central crystallines, Thrust zone and Garhwal group. The basins which were situated below 2500 mts are categorized under low altitudes and above 2500 as basins of higher altitudes.The relationship between deainage basinmorphometric parameters and altitude suggest that basins situated at higher altitude have higher value of stream frequency, number of first and second order streams,fine texture and low drainage density.