Chapter 2 — Journey of a River

Chapter 2 of the Class 5 The World Around Us NCERT textbook (Our Wondrous World), "Journey of a River", follows the Godavari river from its origin in the Western Ghats to the Bay of Bengal — download the PDF and read a summary of how rivers form, support life, face pollution, and cause floods.

• How a River Forms and Flows — The chapter narrates the journey of the Godavari, which starts as a stream at Trimbakeshwar in Maharashtra's Western Ghats. Smaller streams called tributaries join along the way, making the river wider and stronger before it travels 1,465 kilometres to reach the Bay of Bengal.
• Perennial vs Seasonal Rivers — The Godavari is a perennial river, meaning it flows throughout the year. The chapter contrasts this with seasonal rivers, which only carry water during the rainy season — an important distinction for understanding water availability.
• How Rivers Support Human Life — Rivers supply drinking water, water for cooking and washing, irrigation for crops, and water for factories. The chapter explains that water is carried through pipes and canals from rivers to homes, schools, and fields in surrounding towns and villages.
• Dams: Benefits and Costs — India has more than 900 dams that store river water for use during dry seasons and for generating electricity. The chapter also explains that dams flood land that was once home to forests, animals, and people, who must then relocate.
• River Pollution and Floods — Waste, plastic, dirty water, and fertiliser runoff from farms all pollute rivers. Excess fertilisers cause plants to cover the river surface like a 'green blanket', choking aquatic life. Heavy rainfall can cause rivers to overflow their banks, flooding homes, fields, and roads.

1. 01The Godavari originates at Trimbakeshwar in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra and is India's second longest river after the Ganga, travelling 1,465 kilometres to reach the Bay of Bengal.
2. 02Small streams called tributaries join a river along its journey, making it wider and stronger as it moves across the land.
3. 03A perennial river like the Godavari flows all year round, while seasonal rivers only flow during the rainy season.
4. 04When a river reaches the sea it can spread into many small streams forming a delta; the Godavari ends at the Coringa Mangrove Forests.
5. 05Dams store water for drinking, farming, and electricity, but they also flood land that was home to animals and people, forcing them to move.
6. 06Waste, plastic, chemicals, and fertiliser runoff pollute rivers; fertilisers can cause excessive plant growth that creates a 'green blanket' and makes the water unsafe to drink.
7. 07When heavy rains cause rivers to flood, they damage homes, crops, and roads; trees help slow down rainwater and reduce flooding by allowing soil to absorb water.