The correct option is 1, 2 and 3 only
Explanation
The Luni is the most significant river system in the arid region of western Rajasthan. It is an example of an ephemeral and inland drainage river system, meaning it is seasonal and does not reach the ocean.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: The Luni is the largest river system in Rajasthan located to the west of the Aravalli Range. It serves as the primary drainage for the semi-arid and arid regions of the state.
- Statement 2 is Correct: The river originates in the Pushkar valley of the Aravalli Range, near Ajmer. It begins as two distinct branches, the Saraswati and the Sabarmati (distinct from the major Sabarmati river of Gujarat), which merge at Govindgarh. From this confluence, it is known as the Luni.
- Statement 3 is Correct: After emerging from the Aravallis, the river flows generally westward until it reaches Telwara. From Telwara, it shifts its course to a south-westerly direction.
- Statement 4 is Incorrect: The Luni is not perennial; it is an ephemeral (seasonal) river that flows only during the rainy season. Furthermore, it does not reach the Arabian Sea. Instead, it drains into the marshy lands of the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, making it a river of inland drainage.
Key Takeaway:
The Luni is an ephemeral river of western Rajasthan that originates near Pushkar (as Saraswati and Sabarmati) and disappears into the Rann of Kutch, without reaching the open sea.