Human and Economic Geography: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Geography)

Explanation

Option 1 is correct: The Integrated Watershed Devel-opment Programme (IWDP) emphasizes soil conservation measures to prevent erosion and runoff. By implementing techniques such as terracing, contour plowing, and afforestation, the programme aims to maintain soil health and fertility, thereby enhancing agricultural productivity.

Option 2 is incorrect: The IWDP does not encompass river interlinking projects. Its focuses is on watershed management at the micro-level which aims to conserve soil and water within specific catchment areas. River interlinking is a separate initiative under India’s National Perspective Plan which seeks to transfer water from surplus to deficit regions through large-scale infrastructure projects.

Option 3 is correct: The IWDP emphasizes rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge through the construction of check dams, percolation tanks, and farm ponds. These structures help capture rainwater, allowing it to percolate into the ground and recharge aquifers. This is particularly important in rainfed and arid regions where groundwater levels are critically low.

Option 4 is correct: The programme promotes afforestation and reforestation activities to restore degraded lands. Regen-erating natural vegetation not only prevents soil erosion but also improves biodiversity, enhances carbon sequestration, and supports the livelihoods of local communities through the provision of forest products.

Explanation

Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: Kinnaur is primarily known for its apple orchards, not for Areca nut production. The region’s agriculture is most famous for apples, along with other fruits like apricots and peaches. Areca nut is mostly produced in states like Karnataka, Kerala, and Assam, which have the ideal climatic conditions for this crop.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Mewat is not particularly famous for mango production. The region is known for agriculture and allied agro-based activities, but mango cultivation is not a primary feature of Mewat. The major mango-growing states in In-dia include Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar, and West Bengal.

Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: Coromandel Coast is primarily known for the production of crops like rice, pulses, sugarcane, cotton, and peanuts. It is not known for soybean production. The major states producing soybeans in India are Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, which together contribute 89% of the total production of soybeans in the country.

Explanation

Option 1 is incorrect: Bhadrachalam is not famous for the production of traditional sarees or fabric. Instead, it is known primarily for its temples, especially the Sri Rama Temple, and its religious significance.

Option 2 is correct: Chanderi, located in Madhya Pradesh, is renowned for the production of Chanderi sarees. These sarees are famous for their fine, lightweight fabric, often woven from silk and cotton, and embellished with intricate zari work. Chanderi sarees are a hallmark of Indian textile heritage and are considered luxurious due to their delicate craftsmanship.

Option 3 is correct: Kancheepuram, in Tamil Nadu, is internationally famous for its Kanjeevaram sarees. These sarees are made of mulberry silk, renowned for their rich texture and festive quality, often highlighted by the use of gold or silver zari (thread made of precious metals). They are considered one of the finest and most durable traditional sarees in India.

Option 4 is incorrect: Karnal is not known for the production of traditional sarees or fabric. It is primarily recognized for its agriculture, particularly in the cultivation of wheat and rice, and is not associated with textile manufacturing.

Explanation

Indian coal is predominantly of the bituminous to sub-bituminous variety, which accounts for over 80% of the non-coking coal reserves in India. Bituminous coal is widely used in India, particularly in power plants, but the high ash content requires effective ash handling and disposal systems.

Option 1 is correct: Indian coal is characterized by a high ash content, which refers to the non-combustible residue left after burning coal. This is a significant characteristic of coal in India, making it less efficient and more environmentally damaging when burned.

Option 2 is correct: Indian coal has a low sulphur content, which makes it relatively cleaner than coals from other regions that have higher sulfur levels. This reduces the emissions of harmful sulfur dioxide when the coal is burned.

Option 3 is incorrect: Indian coal typically has a high ash fusion temperature (about 1,500°C). The ash fusion temperature refers to the temperature at which the ash in coal begins to soften and fuse, and Indian coal is known for its high ash fusion temperature, making it more resistant to fusion during combustion.

Explanation

Cotton, Groundnut and Rice are Kharif Crops in India while wheat is a Rabi Crop.

Explanation

Water is an indispensable resource for various indus-trial processes. In India, different industries use water in varying amounts, but the thermal power sector stands out as the high-est consumer due to its extensive cooling and steam generation requirements. While engineering, paper and pulp, and textiles industries do require water for various operations such as manufacturing, cleaning, and processing, their water consumption is comparatively much lower than that of thermal power plants.

Explanation

Mixed farming is an agricultural system where crop cultivation and livestock rearing are carried out on the same farm. Mixed farming integrates crop production and animal husbandry, balancing risks while recycling nutrients through manure and crop residues. It diversifies income and enhances sustainability. This practice is designed to maximize the use of available resources and diversify the income sources for the farmer. The integration of crops and animals is a key feature that distinguishes mixed farming from other farming systems.

Option (a) is incorrect: It involves crop diversification typical of commercial farming, not mixed farming with livestock.

Option (b) is incorrect: describes intercropping, which lacks the animal component essential to mixed farming.

Explanation

The crops which are predominantly rainfed in India are Groundnut, Sesamum and Pearl millets. Groundnut is a drought-tolerant crop that requires moderate rainfall for its growth and development. Rainfall for cultivation - 500 to 600 mm per annum, distributed rainfall pattern throughout the growing season. Groundnut can withstand a dry spell of 15-20 days during its vegetative stage, but it requires adequate moisture during the flowering and pod formation stages. Sesamum requires temperature is 25°C to 30°C, can tolerate up to 40°C, sensitive to frost required rainfall is 500-600 mm, its drought-tolerant, excessive rainfall during flowering can cause lower yields. It requires well-drained Soil type, rich in organic matter, pH range of 5.5 to 8.0. Pearl millet is a hardy crop that can grow in semi-arid regions. The ideal rainfall for pearl millet cultivation is between 400 to 600 mm per annum, with a well-distributed rainfall pattern throughout the growing season. Pearl millet can tolerate drought conditions and requires moisture during the early growth stages, especially during germination and tillering. Rainfed agriculture is carried out in a wide range of soil types, agro-climatic conditions, and annual rainfall ranges from 400 mm to 1600 mm. Rainfed areas account for percent of millet production, 88 percent of pulses, 73 percent of cotton, 69 percent of oilseeds including groundnut and Sesame.

Explanation

The crop suitable to be grown in the lower Gangetic plain, which is characterized by a humid climate with high temperature throughout the year, is Paddy and Jute. Paddy: It grows well in the plains of north and north-eastern India, coastal areas and the deltaic regions, where there is an abundance of alluvial clayey soil. A high temperature (above 25°C) and significant humidity are necessary for this kharif crop. Jute: Its cultivation is mainly concentrated in eastern India because of the rich alluvial soil of Ganga-Brahmaputra delta. Jute crops need humid conditions with temperature swings between 24 and 38 degrees Celsius.

Explanation

Tamil Nadu is a leading producer of mill-made cotton yarn in India due to the availability of a rich pool of skilled labor, which is crucial for operating the state’s large textile industry. The state has a long tradition of textile manufacturing, supported by well-developed infrastructure and favorable government policies.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Black cotton soil is often considered ideal for cultivating cotton because of its moisture-retaining properties. However, this soil type is not predominant in Tamil Nadu. Instead, black cotton soil is commonly found in states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. The cotton used in Tamil Nadu’s mills is primarily sourced from these cotton-growing regions, rather than being grown locally on black cotton soil.

Statement 2 is correct: Tamil Nadu has a long-established tradition in textile manufacturing. The state is renowned for its skilled and semi-skilled workers who efficiently manage complex mill operations, machinery, and quality control. This expertise is one of the major reasons behind its leading position in the cotton yarn industry.