Indian Geography: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Geography)

Explanation

Statement (a) is incorrect: Water of the Ghaggar River is not utilized in the Indira Gandhi Canal. The Indira Gandhi Canal, which primarily serves the Thar Desert region in Rajasthan, is fed by waters from the Satluj River, not the Ghaggar. The Ghaggar River is primarily seasonal and dries up during the summer months. It is sometimes considered to be a remnant of the ancient Sarasvati River, but its flow is not regular enough to be utilized for the Indira Gandhi Canal. Statements (b), (c) and (d) are correct:

The Narmada River originates from the Amarkantak Plateau in Madhya Pradesh and flows westward to the Arabian Sea. Nizam Sagar is located on the Manjira River in the state of Telangana. It is part of the water supply system for the region. The Penganga River is a tributary of the Godavari River that flows through Maharashtra and Telangana.

Explanation

Option (c) is correct: India’s first marine sanctuary was established in the Gulf of Kutch in 1980. This sanctuary is located on the west coast of India, in the state of Gujarat, and is known for its rich biodiversity. It includes coral reefs, molluscs, dolphins, tortoises, and various sea birds. The Gulf of Kutch is one of the most important coastal ecosystems in India and serves as a critical habitat for marine life. Options (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect:

The Sundarbans is a delta formed by the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers. It is primarily a mangrove forest and a UNESCO World Heritage site but is not a marine sanctuary. It is known for being home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, but not for coral reefs or other marine life like dolphins and tortoises. Chilka Lake, located on the east coast of India, is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the second largest in the world. While it is an important ecological site, it is not India’s first marine sanctuary. Chilka Lake is known for its rich biodiversity, including various migratory birds, and the presence of the Irrawaddy dolphins, but it does not encompass coral reefs. Lakshadweep is a group of islands in the Arabian Sea, known for its coral reefs, atolls, and rich marine life. While there are marine reserves in Lakshadweep, it was not the first marine sanctuary to be established in India. The Gulf of Kutch predates Lakshadweep’s marine conservation areas.

Explanation

Pair (a) is correctly matched: The Miri tribe is an indigenous tribe found in Assam. They are primarily located in the northeastern part of the state, mainly in the areas around the Brahmaputra River. The Miri tribe is known for its traditional agricultural practices and social structure. Pair (b) is correctly matched: The Konyak tribe is one of the prominent tribes of Nagaland, particularly known for their rich cultural heritage, including headhunting traditions, elaborate tattoos, and distinctive attire. The Konyaks reside mainly in the Mon district of Nagaland. Pair (c) is correctly matched: The Apatani tribe is one of the major tribes in Arunachal Pradesh. They are found primarily in the Ziro Valley of the state and are known for their unique agricultural techniques, including rice cultivation. The women of the Apatani tribe are known for their traditional face tattoos and nose plugs. Pair (d) is incorrectly matched: The Lambada tribe is not indigenous to Madhya Pradesh. They are predominantly found in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. The Lambadas, also known as Banjara or Gor in various regions, are a nomadic tribe with a rich cultural history, mainly located in the Deccan plateau and the western parts of India.

Explanation

Option (c) is correct: The floating islands in Manipur, known as Phoomdis, are composed of weeds, decaying vegetation, and suspended silt. These islands provide a unique habitat for the people living in the region and have been a part of the local culture and ecology for centuries. Options (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect:

Tipis are traditional conical tents used by some Indigenous tribes of North America, especially the Plains Indians. They are made from wooden poles and animal skins, and they are not related to the floating islands in Manipur. Barkhans are crescent-shaped sand dunes typically found in deserts like the Sahara Desert. They are not related to floating vegetation islands and do not exist in Manipur. Izba is a term used for traditional wooden houses or cabins, typically in Russia or Slavic regions, and it does not relate to floating islands or structures in Manipur.

Explanation

Option (a) is correct: Damodar River is the east-flow-ing river that has a rift valley due to down warping. The river flows through the Damodar Valley, which is one of the most important industrial regions in India, situated between the Chota Nagpur Plateau and the Bengal Basin. The valley formed due to geological processes like down warping and faulting, which allowed the river to cut through the region.

Option (b) is incorrect: The Mahanadi is an east-flowing river that does not flow through a rift valley. It originates from the Chhattisgarh Plateau and flows towards the east into the Bay of Bengal.

Option (c) is incorrect: The Sone River is a tributary of the Ganga and flows in the region of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, but it does not have a rift valley.

Option (d) is incorrect: The Yamuna River is another major river in India, but it does not have a rift valley. It flows through the Himalayan foothills and North India before joining the Ganga.

Explanation

A is matched with 5: Chennai (formerly Madras) is located at approximately 13°N latitude, while Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) is located at around 22.5°N latitude. The closer a location is to the equator, the higher the average temperature due to more direct sunlight throughout the year. This is why Chennai is warmer than Kolkata, as it is situated closer to the equator. B is matched with 2: Snowfall in the Himalayas is primarily due to high altitude, rather than latitude. The Himalayas have several peaks above 6,000 meters (20,000 feet), where temperatures remain below freezing for most of the year. C is matched with 4:West Bengal is closer to the Bay of Bengal, which brings heavy monsoon rains during June-September. As you move inland towards Punjab, the moisture-laden winds lose their strength and moisture due to the continental effect (distance from the sea). D is matched with 3: During winter (December-February), the Western Disturbances (low-pressure systems from the Mediterranean region) bring rainfall to northern India, especially in Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh.

Explanation

A is matched with 3: The Deccan Traps are one of the largest volcanic provinces in the world, formed due to massive volcanic eruptions during the late Cretaceous and early Eocene periods (about 66 million years ago). These lava flows cover a vast part of western and central India. B is matched with 1: The Western Ghats, that include Sahyadri Hills, are part of the Late Cenozoic formations, meaning they formed relatively recently in geological history. These mountains are the result of faulting and uplift processes. C is matched with 2: The Aravalli Range is one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, dating back to the Pre-Cambrian era. It is heavily eroded and was once part of a much larger mountain system. D is matched with 5: The river valleys of the Narmada and Tapi belong to the Pleistocene era (about 2.5 million to 11,700 years ago). They have alluvial deposits from recent geological periods due to sedimentation from river action.

Explanation

The 18°C January isotherm is used as the dividing line between the tropical and subtropical zones in India. This isotherm runs roughly along the Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N latitude) and helps distinguish the warmer tropical climate of southern India from the relatively cooler subtropical climate of northern India. Areas south of the 18°C isotherm (covering most of Peninsular India) experience tropical climate with higher temperatures, minimal winter, and a distinct monsoon pattern. Areas north of the 18°C isotherm (including northern states like Punjab, Haryana, and parts of Uttar Pradesh) fall under the subtropical zone, experiencing cooler winters and greater temperature variations between seasons.

Explanation

The Alamatti Dam is constructed on the Krishna River in Karnataka. It is a part of the Upper Krishna Irrigation Project and is located in Bagalkot district. The dam plays a crucial role in irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, and water management in Karnataka. It is one of the largest reservoirs in South India and helps regulate the flow of the Krishna River.

Explanation

The Farakka Barrage was constructed across the Ganga River in West Bengal with the aim of diverting water to the Hooghly River to ensure that the Kolkata Port remains navigable. The Farakka Feeder Canal is responsible for carrying the diverted water into the Hooghly River. Canal Capacity: The canal has a designed carrying capacity of 40,000 cusecs, which is the amount of water it can carry per second. This is an important feature of the Farakka Barrage, as it ensures the flow of sufficient water into the Hooghly River to prevent silting and to support the navigation in Kolkata’s port.