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Geology of the Saraswatiriver -the Lost Natural Heritage of the Indian Subcontinent.


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1 Department of Geology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra 136 119, Haryana., India
     

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The Saraswati River supports the development of Vedic Civilisation in India. The river along with its tributaries constitutes the unique natural heritage of the country. Geological studies carried out to ascertain the existence of a huge paleo-river channel in the north-western alluvial plains point towards the presence of a mighty river system in near geologic past. The sedimentological characteristics of the alluvium in parts of Haryana point towards the presence of a trans-Himalayan river system. Remote sensing investigations carried out during the course of study to investigate the probable reasons for desiccation of this mega river reveal that major drainage diversions were caused due to Quaternary tectonics in the Lesser Himalayan terrain. This scientifically justified mythology, which has numerous religious monuments and structures associated with it, has a huge tourist potential.

Keywords

Natural Heritage, Saraswati River, Geology, Tourism
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  • Geology of the Saraswatiriver -the Lost Natural Heritage of the Indian Subcontinent.

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Authors

A. R. Chaudhri
Department of Geology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra 136 119, Haryana., India

Abstract


The Saraswati River supports the development of Vedic Civilisation in India. The river along with its tributaries constitutes the unique natural heritage of the country. Geological studies carried out to ascertain the existence of a huge paleo-river channel in the north-western alluvial plains point towards the presence of a mighty river system in near geologic past. The sedimentological characteristics of the alluvium in parts of Haryana point towards the presence of a trans-Himalayan river system. Remote sensing investigations carried out during the course of study to investigate the probable reasons for desiccation of this mega river reveal that major drainage diversions were caused due to Quaternary tectonics in the Lesser Himalayan terrain. This scientifically justified mythology, which has numerous religious monuments and structures associated with it, has a huge tourist potential.

Keywords


Natural Heritage, Saraswati River, Geology, Tourism

References