UPSC 2016 Geography Questions with Answers

Explanation

Shale gas is a type of natural gas that is trapped within shale formations, which are fine-grained sedimentary rocks. Un-like conventional natural gas, which is found in porous reservoirs like sandstone, shale gas is tightly bound within the rock and requires advanced extraction techniques to release it.

Option (d) is correct: The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MOPNG) has identified six basins as potentially shale gas bearing. These are: Cambay, Assam-Arakan, Gondwana, Krishna-Godavari Basin, Cauvery Basin and the Indo Gangetic plain.

Explanation

Drip irrigation is a highly efficient water-saving irrigation technique where water is directly supplied to the plant roots through a network of pipes, valves, and emitters.

Statement 1 is correct: Drip irrigation delivers water only to plant roots, preventing water wastage in surrounding soil areas. Since weeds grow in moist conditions, less water in non-target areas leads to reduced weed growth.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Drip irrigation does not reduce soil salinity. Instead it may lead to salt accumulation near the root zone over time due to limited leaching of salts from the soil. Flood irrigation is more effective in reducing soil salinity as it washes away excess salts.

Statement 3 is correct: Since drip irrigation supplies water at a slow and controlled rate there is minimal surface runoff, preventing soil erosion. Unlike traditional irrigation methods like flood or sprinkler irrigation, which cause water runoff and soil displacement, drip irrigation keeps soil structure intact.

Explanation

Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: Bodhgaya is located in the Magadh region of Bihar not Baghelkhand (which is in Madhya Pradesh and parts of Uttar Pradesh). It is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world. It is where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree around 5th-6th century BCE. The Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a major pilgrimage center for Buddhists. The Great Buddha Statue, monasteries built by Buddhist communities worldwide, and the annual Kalachakra festival add to its spiritual significance.

Pair 2 is correctly matched: Khajuraho is in Madhya Pradesh, part of the Bundelkhand region, which spans Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. It is famous for its Hindu and Jain temples, built between the 10th-12th centuries by the Chandela dynasty. The temples are known for their intricate carvings and erotic sculptures which symbolizes Kama (desire) as one of the four goals of life (Purusharthas) in Hindu philosophy. Important temples include Kandariya Mahadev, Lakshmana, Vishwanath, and Parshvanath Jain Temple.

Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: Shirdi is located in Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra which is not part of Vidarbha region. Vidarbha is in eastern Maharashtra, covering districts like Nagpur, Amravati, and Chandrapur. It is known as the holy town of Sai Baba, one of India’s most revered saints, who preached love, unity, and service to humanity in the late 19th-early 20th century. Sai Baba’s teachings blended Hindu and Sufi traditions, promoting religious harmony. The Dwarkamai Mosque, Chavadi, and Gurusthan are other significant sites related to Sai Baba’s life.

Pair 4 is incorrectly matched: Nashik is in northern Maharashtra, not Malwa (which is in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan).Nashik is an important Hindu pilgrimage site associated with the Ramayana. It hosts the Kumbh Mela every 12 years, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. It is home to the Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.

Pair 5 is correctly matched: Tirupati located in Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh. It is famous for the Venkateswara Temple, one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world.

Explanation

The Brahmaputra River, a major transboundary river in South Asia, is fed by numerous tributaries that enhance its volume and sustain the diverse ecosystems along its course. the Dibang, Kameng, and Lohit rivers are important tributaries of Brahmaputra River.

Option (d) is correct:

The Dibang River also known as the Sikang, originates in the Mishmi Hills of Arunachal Pradesh, India. It traverses through the rugged terrains of Arunachal Pradesh, carving out deep gorges and valleys. The Dibang merges with the Lohit River near the town of Sadiya in Assam. Together they join the main channel of the Brahmaputra River. The Kameng River originates from a glacial lake beneath the Gori Chen mountain in the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh. The river flows through the Bhalukpong circle of West Kameng district in Arunachal Pradesh and then through the Sonitpur district of Assam. It joins the Brahmaputra River near the town of Tezpur in Assam. The Lohit River originate in the Zayü County of the Tibet Autonomous Region, China. Upon entering India in Arunachal Pradesh, the Lohit traverses the Mishmi Hills, flowing through dense forests and mountainous terrains. It meets the Dibang River near Sadiya in Assam and their combined waters subsequently merge with the Brahmaputra River.