Geography: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Prelims)

Explanation

Assertion (A) is False: The natural sex ratio at birth worldwide, including in India, favors male births. Typically, about 105 male births occur for every 100 female births. In India, this ratio is similar or sometimes even more skewed toward males, due to both biological factors and socio-cultural practices. For instance, data from the 2011 Census of India show an overall sex ratio of about 940 females per 1,000 males, indicating that more male children are born than female children. Reason (R) is True: Biologically, male infants are known to be more vulnerable to certain health complications, including infections and genetic disorders. Consequently, male children tend to have a slightly higher mortality rate in infancy compared to female children. This phenomenon is observed in many populations worldwide, including India.

Explanation

Eco-friendly agriculture is a farming approach that focuses on reducing environmental harm while ensuring long-term sustainability and benefiting farmers, communities, and consumers. Sustainable agriculture is crucial for human health, food safety, environmental conservation, long-term food security, soil health, farmer empowerment, water conservation, biodiversity preservation, and addressing climate change.

Option (a) is correct: Organic Farming is eco-friendly. It avoids synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms. It relies on natural inputs like compost, crop rotation, and biological pest control, promoting soil health, biodiversity, and reduced pollution. Options (b), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

Shifting Cultivation is not eco-friendly. Also known as "slash and burn" agriculture, it involves clearing forests for temporary farming. This practice leads to deforestation, soil degradation, and loss of biodiversity. Cultivation of High-Yielding Varieties (HYVs) is not eco-friendly. These varieties often require significant inputs of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and water, which can lead to environmental degradation, including soil depletion, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity. Growing Plants in Glasshouses is not eco-friendly. Glasshouses typically rely on significant energy inputs for heating, cooling, and artificial lighting, which contribute to carbon emissions unless renewable energy is used.

Explanation

Assertion (A) is true: Bt cotton is a genetically modified (GM) crop that has been engineered to produce a protein toxic to certain insect pests, particularly bollworms. The gene responsible for this trait is derived from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). When the Bt gene is inserted into the cotton plant, the plant produces the Bt toxin, which kills specific insect pests when they feed on the plant. Reason (R) is true: The Bt gene is derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. This bacterium naturally produces a protein (Cry protein) that is toxic to certain insects. Scientists isolated the gene responsible for producing this protein and inserted it into the cotton plant’s genome to create insect-resistant transgenic cotton. Reason (R) correctly explains Assertion (A): The insertion of the Bt gene from Bacillus thuringiensis into cotton plants enables these transgenic plants to produce the Bt toxin internally. The Bt gene encodes a protein that is toxic to certain insects but harmless to humans and other non-target organisms. When the gene is inserted into the cotton plant, the plant itself produces the toxin, reducing the need for chemical insecticides.

Explanation

A is matched correctly with 2: Cotton cultivation needs 1500-2000 mm of rainfall and the suitable temperature range required for cotton growth is 25° - 35°C. Cotton is a tropical and subtropical crop that needs a long growing season with plenty of sunshine. Excessive rainfall can damage the crop, so moderate rainfall is ideal. The states of India with significant cotton production are Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. B is matched correctly with 3: Flax cultivation needs 600-800 mm of rainfall and temperature requirement varies from 5° - 18°C. The major flax growing states in India are Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Nagaland and Assam accounting for about 97 percent of total area of the country. Flax prefers cooler temperatures and moderate rainfall. It is commonly grown in regions with mild summers and well-distributed rainfall. C is matched correctly with 5: The suitable climatic condition for sugar beet requires 500-600 mm and temperature 18°-22°C. D is matched correctly with 4: Jute cultivation needs 500-1000 mm rainfall and temperature between 18°-22°C. The jute industry is among the oldest and most prominent industries in India. It is primarily grown in the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta region of India and Bangladesh. The major jute-producing states in India are West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Orissa, and Andhra Pradesh.

Explanation

The Indian elephant is the largest population of the Asian elephant species, and India is home to about 60-70% of the total population of Asian elephants. The passage refers to the distribution of the population in north-west India (Dehradun, Bijnor), western Ghats (Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu), central India (Southern Bihar, Orissa), and the eastern parts (Assam, North Bengal), all of which are areas where elephants are found in the wild. Elephants predominantly inhabit moist deciduous forests, dry thorn forests, and grasslands, which align with the habitats described. Distinctive Features:

They have smaller ears compared to their African counterparts. Their trunks are highly sensitive and versatile, used for feeding, drinking, bathing, and social interactions. Adult males typically weigh up to 5,000 kg and stand about 2.5 to 3 meters tall at the shoulder. Males have large tusks, although not all elephants have visible tusks (especially females).

Explanation

India’s National Forest Policy (1988) recommends that at least 33% of the total geographical area of the country should be under forest cover to maintain proper ecological balance. Forests play a crucial role in maintaining the environment by preventing soil erosion, conserving water, supporting biodiversity, and regulating the climate. Currently, India’s forest cover is around 24% of its total geographical area, according to the Forest Survey of India (FSI) report. While the target of 33% forest cover is still not fully achieved, ongoing afforestation and conservation programs aim to increase the forest cover to meet this goal.

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

Indian Standard Time (IST) is calculated based on the 82.5°E longitude, which passes through Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh. IST is 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+5:30). Since the Earth rotates 360° in 24 hours, it covers 15° of longitude per hour which means that for every degree of longitude, there is a 4-minute difference in local time. Shillong is located at 92°E longitude, which is 9.5° east of the IST reference meridian. By multiplying this difference with 4 minutes per degree, we get a time difference of 9.5 × 4 = 38 minutes. Since local time increases towards the east, Shillong will be 38 minutes ahead of IST. Therefore, if it is 10:00 AM IST then the local time in Shillong will be 10:38 AM.