Geography: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Prelims)

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.

Explanation

Option 1 is correct: Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park is located in Gujarat. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features a blend of Hindu and Islamic architecture, including temples, mosques, and water installations. It is renowned for the Kalika Mata Temple and its 16th-century pre-Mughal city remains.

Option 2 is correct: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004, this Victorian Gothic Revival railway station blends British and Indian architectural styles. Built in 1887, it is a bustling hub and an iconic symbol of Mumbai’s heritage.

Option 3 is correct: Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) is situated in Tamil Nadu. This UNESCO site showcases 7th-8th century Pallava dynasty rock-cut temples, monolithic structures, and bas-relief sculptures like Arjuna’s Penance. The Shore Temple is its most prominent landmark.

Option 4 is correct: Sun Temple (Konark Temple) was built in the 13th century in Odisha. The Konark Sun Temple is designed as Surya’s chariot with intricately carved wheels and horses. This UNESCO site is a masterpiece of Kalinga architecture and Hindu symbolism.

Explanation

A is correctly matched with 3: The Thal Heavy Water Plant, located in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, is a crucial facility for the production of heavy water. Heavy water (deuterium oxide) is essential in nuclear reactors as a moderator and coolant. The Thal plant uses a process involving ammonia-hydrogen exchange to enrich deuterium from natural water. It’s a vital component of India’s nuclear program. B is correctly matched with 1: The Manuguru Heavy Water Plant is situated in the Bhadradri Kothagudem district of Telangana (it was formerly in Andhra Pradesh before the state bifurcation). It houses a Heavy Water Plant (HWP) that plays a crucial role in supplying heavy water for pressurized heavy-water reactors (PHWRs) in India. C is correctly matched with 2: The Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) is located near Kakrapar village in the Surat district of Gujarat. It houses two units of pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs). These reactors use heavy water as a moderator and coolant and natural uranium as fuel. KAPS is an important source of nuclear power in India and is operated by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). D is correctly matched with 5: The Kaiga Generating Station is a nuclear power plant located near Kaiga village in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. It also consists of pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs). It consists of four PHWR reactors, each generating 220 MW of electricity.

Explanation

The State of Uttar Pradesh shares its boundaries with eight Indian states and the National Capital Territory of Delhi. These adjacent states include Rajasthan, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh. Uttar Pradesh shares an inter-national border with the nation of Nepal. Punjab situated in the northwest shares its boundaries with Jammu and Kashmir (Union Territory), Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan. Chhattisgarh located in central India is surrounded by Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Jharkhand. Jharkhand in the east, shares borders with Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and West Bengal. Rajasthan in the west, is bordered by Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

Explanation

A is correctly matched with 1: Kothagudem, a city in Telangana (earlier part of Andhra Pradesh), India, is the administrative center of the Bhadradri Kothagudem district. With historical roots in the Nizam’s dominion, it is geographically situated with an average elevation of 89 meters. As of the 2011 census, its population was 119,501. The city is a crucial hub for coal reserves, featuring the Singareni Collieries Company, and houses a thermal power station along with an ITC paperboard factory. Culturally significant, it’s located near the revered Bhadrachalam Temple, making it a blend of industrial and cultural importance. The Kothagudem Thermal Power Station, located in Palwan-cha, Telangana, is a major coal-based power plant operated by TSGENCO. B is correctly matched with 3: Raichur, the administrative center of its namesake district in Karnataka, India, lies between the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers. With a history spanning from the Mauryan era and subsequent rule by various empires, Raichur boasts the historic Raichur Fort. Its economy is primarily agricultural, earning it the nickname "Rice Bowl of Karnataka," though it also has some industry and gold resources. Culturally diverse, Raichur blends Hindu and Muslim influences, and is well-connected by road and rail, featuring a major railway junction. Located at Shaktinagar in Karnataka’s Raichur district, the Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS) is a coal-fired power plant operated by the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL). Commissioned in stages starting in 1985, RTPS, Karnataka’s first thermal power plant, is situated 18km from Raichur City and its nearest railway station. It generates approximately 70% of the state’s total electricity, making it a crucial power source for Karnataka. C is correctly matched with 4: Mettur, a town in Tamil Nadu’s Salem district, is renowned for the massive Mettur Dam, one of India’s largest. Built on the Cauvery River, the dam provides crucial irrigation and drinking water, generates hydroelectric power, and forms the Stanley Reservoir. Beyond the dam, Mettur is an industrial hub with chemical and aluminium production. The dam and surrounding areas also make it a popular tourist destination. The Mettur Thermal Power Station, operated by TANGEDCO in Salem district, Tamil Nadu, is a major coal-fired power plant. With a total installed capacity of 1,440 MW across multiple units commissioned since 1987, it plays a vital role in meeting Tamil Nadu’s energy needs. D is correctly matched with 2: Wanakbori, in Gujarat, In-dia, is primarily known for its major coal-fired Wanakbori Thermal Power Station. Operated by GSECL, this plant boasts a capacity exceeding 2,000 MW across multiple units, including a large 800 MW unit. Using coal as fuel, it’s a crucial electricity source for Gujarat, significantly contributing to the state’s indus-trial and economic growth.

Explanation

The Balearic Islands are an archipelago located in the western Mediterranean Sea, near the eastern coast of Spain. They are a popular tourist destination known for their scenic landscapes, beaches, and cultural heritage. They are an autonomous community of Spain and consist of four main islands.

Explanation

Pair (a) is correctly matched: Nassau is the capital city of The Bahamas and its largest city. It is located on New Providence Island and is a major tourist hub. Pair (b) is correctly matched: San José is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica. It is the political, economic, and cultural center of the country. Pair (c) is incorrectly matched: Belmopan is actually the capital of Belize, not Nicaragua. The correct capital of Nicaragua is Managua. Pair (d) is correctly matched: Santo Domingo is the capital and largest city of the Dominican Republic. It is one of the old-est European settlements in the Americas, founded in 1496.

Explanation

Option (d) is correct: Mount St. Helens is in Washington State, USA, within the Pacific Ring of Fire. Mount St. Helens is an active stratovolcano located in Washington State, USA. It is part of the Cascade Range and is known for its catastrophic eruption on May 18, 1980, which was one of the most destructive volcanic events in U.S. history. Options (a), (b) and (c) are incorrect:

Chile has several active volcanoes, including Villarrica and Llaima. Japan has famous volcanic mountains like Mount Fuji and Sakurajima. The Philippines has Mount Pinatubo and Mayon Volcano.

Explanation

Option (b) is correct: Lithuania is a Baltic country in Northern Europe. It shares land borders with Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east and south, Poland to the south, and Russia (Kaliningrad) to the west. Ukraine does not share a border with Lithuania. Belarus lies between them.