Indian Geography: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Geography)

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Red Panda is naturally found in the Eastern Himalayas and not in the Western Himalayas. The red panda, a small arboreal mammal, is native to the temperate forests of the Eastern Himalayas, spanning from Nepal, Bhutan, and India to southwestern China. Its distribution includes parts of southern Tibet, Sikkim, Assam, Bhutan, northern Myanmar, and the Hengduan and Gongshan Mountains of south-western China. The species thrives in temperate forests with dense bamboo undergrowth at elevations of 2,000-4,300 meters. Fig: Red Panda

Statement 2 is correct: The slow loris, a primate, inhabits South and Southeast Asia. Its range extends from Northeast In-dia across Indochina, eastward to Southeast Asia, and southward to Java, encompassing Borneo, Sumatra, and numerous smaller islands. While both species share a portion of their geographical range in Northeast India, their overall distributions differ significantly, with the red panda primarily confined to the Himalayas and the slow loris widespread across Southeast Asia. Fig: Slow Loris

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: As per the 2006 data, Petronet LNG Ltd. was setting up another LNG terminal at Kochi, Kerala (not Mangalore).

Statement 2 is correct: The Head Office of the Dredging Corporation of India is at Visakhapatnam. DCI is a crucial organization for maintaining and developing India’s waterways. They are responsible for dredging harbors, ports, and shipping channels, ensuring safe and efficient navigation for vessels.

Statement 3 is correct: The Narwapahar Mine is operated by the Uranium Corporation of India Limited. UCIL is the primary company responsible for uranium mining and processing in India, and the Narwapahar Mine in Jharkhand is one of their key operations. It’s an important source of uranium ore, which is essential for India’s nuclear power program.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Electricity-related appeals are handled through a structured system. While each state has a State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) to oversee its electricity sector, including tariffs, licensing, and consumer complaints, appeals against SERC orders don’t go to a state-level body. Instead, they are directed to the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL), a national-level tribunal. The APTEL also hears appeals against orders from the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) and adjudicating officers. While the idea of having accessible avenues for appeals related to electricity matters is important, the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) is actually a national-level body, not one established by each individual state government.

Statement 2 is correct: The Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (APDRP), later revamped and renamed as the Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP) and now subsumed under the Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS), did indeed have a strong focus on upgrading the sub-transmission and distribution network as a core component.

Explanation

Assertion (A) is true: Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal exhibit contrasting agricultural land use patterns. Andhra Pradesh has a net sown area of approximately 40%, while West Bengal utilizes about 60% of its land for cultivation. This difference in land utilization makes the initial assertion about their respective net sown areas correct. Reason (R) is false: Most of Andhra Pradesh has red sandy soils, black cotton soils, and alluvial soils, not predominantly laterite soils. Laterite soils are found in parts of the Eastern Ghats and some upland areas, but they do not dominate the state’s agricultural landscape.

Explanation

Gandhi Sagar Dam is a crucial part of the Chambal River Project, a major hydroelectric and irrigation project in In-dia. This project involves a series of dams built on the Chambal River, and Gandhi Sagar Dam is one of the key components. The dam is located in the Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh and serves multiple purposes.

Explanation

The arrangement of these hill ranges in India, from north to south, follows a specific order. Beginning in the north are the Nallamalai Hills, located primarily in Andhra Pradesh. Moving southward, the Javadi Hills, situated in Tamil Nadu, come next. Further south lies the prominent Nilgiri Hills, also in Tamil Nadu, known for their biodiversity and hill stations. Finally, the southernmost range in this sequence is the Anamalai Hills, straddling the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and home to the highest peak in the Western Ghats, Anamudi. Therefore, the correct north-to-south sequence is Nallamalai Hills, followed by the Javadi Hills, then the Nilgiri Hills, and finally the Anamalai Hills.

Explanation

Biosphere Reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems promoting solutions to reconcile the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use. They are designated by UNESCO under its Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme. Currently, India has 18 Biosphere Reserves, designated to con-serve biodiversity, ecosystems, and traditional lifestyles.

Option (b) is correct: Agasthyamalai, Nilgiri, and Panchmarhi are all recognized Biosphere Reserves in India. The Nallamalai Hills, while a significant geographical feature, are not currently designated as a Biosphere Reserve.

Explanation

Kochi receives the highest rainfall (~3000 mm) due to the Southwest Monsoon and its proximity to the Western Ghats, making it one of the wettest cities in India. Kolkata follows with around 1600 mm of rainfall, heavily influenced by the Bay of Bengal branch of the monsoon, with most rain occurring between June and September. Patna, with approximately 1200 mm of annual rainfall, experiences moderate monsoon rains, though lesser than Kolkata. Delhi, receiving around 800 mm of rainfall, has a semi-arid climate, with monsoon rains but significantly lower precipitation than the other cities. Thus, the correct sequence in decreasing order of rainfall is Kochi-Kolkata-Patna-Delhi.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Silent Valley National Park is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and is located in Kerala’s Western Ghats. It is not situated in the Nallamalai range. The park is known for its untouched tropical rainforest, rich bio-diversity, and ecological importance. It is home to rare species like the lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, and Malabar giant squirrel. The park also has 960 plant species and 170 bird species. In the 1970s, the "Save Silent Valley" movement helped protect it. This movement stopped a hydroelectric project that threatened the park’s ecosystem. Silent Valley was declared a na-tional park in 1984.

Statement 2 is correct: The Pathrakkadavu Hydro Electric Project was proposed near the Silent Valley National Park. This proposal sparked significant environmental concerns and debate due to the potential impact on the park’s fragile ecosystem.

Statement 3 is correct: The Kunthi River, originating from the Anginda peak in the Silent Valley National Park, Kerala, is a tributary of the Bharathapuzha River. Known for its perennial flow due to its source in dense tropical rainforests, the river supports biodiversity and local communities. The river is undammed so far, preserving its natural ecosystem.

Explanation

A is matched with 4: Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary (Goa) is the smallest wildlife sanctuary in Goa, making it easy to visit and popular with tourists. Despite its small size, it has a good variety of animals like leopards, deer, wild boars, and many birds. B is matched with 3: Kanger Valley National Park is also known as Kangerghat National Park, this park is located in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. The park is named after the Kanger River that flows through it. C is matched with 2: Orang National Park (Assam) is known as the "Mini Kaziranga" because it has a similar landscape and wildlife. It lies on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River and is home to one-horned rhinoceroses, tigers, elephants, and deer. D is matched with 1: Ushakothi Wildlife Sanctuary (Odisha) is covered with dry deciduous forests and is an important home for Indian elephants, along with other animals.