4.5. Comparison Between Himalayan and Peninsular Rivers

Difference between the rivers rising in the Himalayas and those rising in the Peninsular plateau are primarily a result of the differences between the two areas in terms of relief and climate. Following table shows major differences between these two groups.

S.N.	Aspects	Himalayan River				Peninsular River
1	Place of Origin	Himalayan mountain covered with glaciers				Peninsular plateau highland	and central
2	Nature of flow	Perennial				Ephemeral
3	Type of drainage	Antecedent and Consequent leading to dendritic pattern				Super imposed, resulting in trellis, rectangular Patterns	rejuvenated radial and
4	Nature of river	Long course, flowing through the rugged mountains experiencing headward erosion and river capturing; In plains meandering and shifting of Course;				Smaller, fixed course with well- adjusted valleys;
5	Catchment area	Very large basins				Relatively smaller basin
6	Age of the river	Young, active and deepening of valley				Old rivers with graded profile and lateral erosion
7	Irrigation	Flows through plains and canal system				Flows over uneven plateau; canals only in deltaic region
8	Hydro- electricity	Eastern region potential and building up	has large	very dams	high are	Natural waterfalls for generating electricity