UPSC 2007 Geography Questions with Answers

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

The Bhoodan Movement (Land Gift Movement) was initiated by Acharya Vinoba Bhave in 1951. The movement began in Pochampalli, a village in the Nalgonda district of present-day Telangana (then part of Hyderabad State). The movement was inspired when landless farmers in Pochampalli requested land and local landlord Vedire Ramachandra Reddy donated 100 acres of land. This event sparked a nationwide movement, where landowners voluntarily donated land to landless peasants. Acharya Vinoba Bhave was a prominent Indian social re-former and spiritual leader, who played a pivotal role in the country’s post-independence era. He was deeply influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence and social justice and dedicated his life to working for the upliftment of the marginalized and the establishment of a more equitable society. He is particularly renowned for initiating the Bhoodan Movement was a unique land reform initiative that aimed to redistribute land from wealthy landowners to landless peasants through voluntary donations.

Explanation

The Stilwell Road, also known as the Ledo Road, was constructed during World War II. It was a crucial supply route for the Allied forces, connecting Ledo in Assam, India to Kunming in Yunnan province of China, via northern Myanmar. It was built to transport supplies to China after the Burma Road was cut off by the Japanese. Ledo was a railhead, a natural and logical starting point for the arduous overland route. The route traversed the formidable Patkai Range, with peaks reaching over 9,000 feet, and dense, often impenetrable jungles. The construction was primarily undertaken by American engineers and laborers with support from local workers. General Joseph Warren Stilwell, the namesake of the road. The Stilwell Road remains a powerful symbol of wartime cooperation and a reminder of the complex geopolitical dynamics of the era.

Explanation

Option (d) is correct:

Assertion (A) is false: Kali River (Kalinadi) flows westward, not eastward. It originates from Diggi village in Karnataka’s Western Ghats and drains into the Arabian Sea near Karwar, Karnataka. The river’s course is influenced by the Western Ghats, which cause many rivers in peninsular India to flow westward. Kali River is an important source of hydroelectric power, with several dams like Supa Dam built on it. Reason (R) is true: The Deccan Plateau is a vast elevated landform in peninsular India. It has a gradual eastward slope which makes most rivers in peninsular India (like the Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri) flow eastward towards the Bay of Bengal. The Western Ghats form a natural barrier that causes some rivers, like the Kali, Sharavathi, and Netravati, to flow westward into the Arabian Sea.

Explanation

National Highway 53, formerly known as NH 6, is a major east-west artery in India’s National Highway network. It originates in Hazira, Gujarat, on the western coast and ter-minates in Kolkata, West Bengal, on the eastern coast. This extensive route traverses a significant swathe of central India, connecting diverse regions and facilitating the movement of people and goods across the country. The highway runs through six states: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. This broad coverage underscores its importance as a vital link between different parts of the nation.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Balaghat (Madhya Pradesh) is not known for diamond mines. It is famous for its copper deposits and manganese reserves. The largest copper mines in India, operated by Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL), are located here. Balaghat is famous for its manganese deposits.

Statement 2 is incorrect:

Majhgawan (Panna, Madhya Pradesh) is not known for manganese. It is famous for its diamond mines. It is operated by National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC).

Explanation

The Damodar River originates in the Chota Nagpur Plateau. It flows eastward through Jharkhand and West Bengal before joining the Hooghly River, a distributary of the Ganges. It is known as the "Sorrow of Bengal" due to its frequent flooding in the past. The Damodar River basin is heavily industrialized and densely populated, making it a crucial river for the region, though it also faces significant environmental challenges.

Option (b) is incorrect: Mahanadi originates in the highlands of the Sihawa district in the state of Chhattisgarh. It flows generally eastward through Chhattisgarh and Odisha before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. The Hirakud Dam is India’s longest earthen dam which is built on this river.

Option (c) is correct: The Narmada River’s source is in the Amarkantak hills in the Anuppur district of Madhya Pradesh. Amarkantak is a significant pilgrimage site and a biodiversity hotspot. The Narmada flows westward through Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra before emptying into the Arabian Sea.

Option (d) is incorrect: The Tapi River originates in the Multai Reserve Forest in the Betul district of Madhya Pradesh. It flows westward through Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat before also emptying into the Arabian Sea. Like the Narmada, the Tapi is a west-flowing river and is an important river for the regions it traverses, supporting agriculture, industry, and domestic needs. It is known for its relatively rapid flow and its significance in the local economies.

Explanation

The approximate location coordinates for each city:

Hyderabad: 17.4065°N, 78.4772°E Bhopal: 23.2599°N, 77.4126°E Lucknow: 26.8467°N, 80.9462°E Bengaluru (Bangalore): 12.9716°N, 77.5946°E As Lucknow has the highest longitude value, making it the most eastwardly located city among the four.

Explanation

Option (b) is correct: Karnataka shares its boundaries with the maximum number of other Indian states. Karnataka’s borders touch six different states: Maharashtra and Goa to the north, Kerala to the southwest, Tamil Nadu to the southeast, and Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to the east.

Option (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

Andhra Pradesh shares boundaries with 5 states: Tamil Nadu (south), Karnataka (west), Telangana (northwest), Odisha (northeast) and Chhattisgarh (north). Kerala shares boundaries with 2 states: Tamil Nadu (east) and Karnataka (north). Tamil Nadu shares borders with 3 states: Andhra Pradesh (north), Karnataka (north-west) and Kerala (west)

Explanation

A is correctly matched with 2: BALCO’s primary operations are centered in Korba, Chhattisgarh. BALCO operates a large aluminum smelter and alumina refinery in Korba. The availability of coal in the region is a key factor in BALCO’s operations, as it provides the energy needed for aluminum production. B is correctly matched with 4: HINDALCO (Hindalco Industries Limited) ahas a significant presence in Renukoot, Uttar Pradesh. Renukoot is known for its aluminum industry, and HINDALCO’s operations are a major employer in the area. HIN-DALCO’s Renukoot facility includes an aluminum smelter and a captive power plant. C is correctly matched with 1: Indian Aluminium Company (INDAL) had operations in Hirakud, Odisha. Hirakud is known for the Hirakud Dam, a major dam on the Mahanadi River. The availability of hydroelectric power from the dam was a key factor in the establishment of INDAL’s aluminum smelter in Hirakud. D is correctly matched with 3: NALCO (National Aluminium Company) has operations in Koraput, Odisha. Koraput is rich in bauxite deposits, the primary raw material for aluminum production. NALCO operates an alumina refinery and an aluminum smelter in Koraput, utilizing the locally available bauxite.