Geography Set 26
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📌 Agriculture • Land Reforms
Q.1) According to the text on land reforms, which are the only three states in India where the consolidation of agricultural holdings has been successfully completed?
Ans > (B) Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh
- Explanation: The text notes that “Only Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh are the states in which consolidation of holdings has been completed”.
- The Concept of Land Consolidation: Land consolidation involves reallocating fragmented, scattered agricultural parcels into single, cohesive holdings. This strategic reorganization reduces the time wasted traveling between distant plots and maximizes usable land by eliminating redundant boundaries and fences.
- Historical Policy Context: Following India’s independence, agricultural reforms were heavily prioritized in the early Five-Year Plans. While the abolition of the Zamindari system was widespread, physical land consolidation succeeded only where state governments strictly enforced the necessary legal frameworks.
- Catalyst for the Green Revolution: In Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, successful consolidation laid the absolute groundwork for agricultural mechanization. Large contiguous plots made it economically viable to invest in tractors and private tube-wells.
- Challenges in Eastern States: In contrast, states like West Bengal and Bihar struggled with consolidation due to complex inheritance laws, extreme population density, and intense emotional attachment to ancestral plots, which left their farming sectors fragmented.
📌 Agriculture • Fertilizers
Q.2) For the cultivation of new High Yielding Varieties of wheat and rice in areas of controlled irrigation, what is the officially recommended dose of NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) chemical fertilizer per hectare?
Ans > (B) 90-45-45 kg
- Explanation: “In the areas of controlled irrigation, the recommended dose of chemical fertiliser for the new seeds of wheat and rice in terms of NPK is 90-45-45 kg per hectare”.
- Importance of the NPK Ratio: NPK fertilizers supply three primary macronutrients. Nitrogen promotes robust vegetative leaf growth, Phosphorus is critical for root development and energy transfer, and Potassium helps with disease resistance and overall crop quality.
- The Role of Controlled Irrigation: Chemical fertilizers require adequate and timely water application to dissolve and be absorbed by plant roots. Without controlled irrigation, high doses of fertilizers can “burn” the crops or leach away uselessly into groundwater.
- Green Revolution Biochemistry: The introduction of High Yielding Varieties (HYVs) demanded precise nutritional inputs. The 90-45-45 kg/ha ratio was scientifically formulated to maximize grain output for wheat and rice without causing immediate soil toxicity.
- Long-Term Soil Health Impacts: While this specific ratio dramatically boosted short-term yields during the 1960s and 70s, continuous reliance on intense chemical fertilization has led to severe soil degradation, micronutrient depletion, and groundwater contamination in modern agricultural zones.
📌 Agriculture • High Yielding Varieties
Q.3) The dwarf, short-stemmed, and stiff-straw plants introduced during the Green Revolution respond well to heavy doses of fertilizers. What are these High Yielding Varieties commonly referred to as by agricultural experts?
Ans > (C) The hungry varieties
- Explanation: “These dwarf varieties are known as the hungry varieties which need more energy in the form of chemical fertilisers”.
- Origin of Dwarf Varieties: Developed by agronomists like Norman Borlaug, these seeds were genetically designed with short, stiff stems. Traditional tall varieties would fall over (lodge) when heavy grain heads developed, ruining the harvest.
- The “Hungry” Physiology: They earned the nickname “hungry varieties” because their biological structure requires massive amounts of soil nutrients to reach their genetic potential. They channel energy into producing heavy grain rather than growing tall stalks.
- Economic Shift in Farming: Cultivating these hungry seeds transformed Indian agriculture from traditional subsistence farming to a high-input, capital-intensive business, requiring farmers to purchase expensive chemical fertilizers every single planting season.
- Ecological Footprint: Fulfilling the massive appetite of these crops has significantly increased the carbon footprint of agriculture. The production, transportation, and application of synthetic nitrogen-based fertilizers contribute heavily to greenhouse gas emissions and soil acidification.
📌 Geography • Dryland Farming
Q.4) According to agricultural data, dry lands cover about 32 million hectares in India. Approximately what percentage of the total arable land in the country does this represent?
Ans > (C) 25 per cent
- Explanation: “In India dry lands cover about 32 million hectares or about 25 per cent of the total arable land”.
- Defining Dryland Agriculture: Dryland farming is practiced in regions receiving less than 750 mm of annual rainfall, where irrigation facilities are absent. Crop production in these areas relies entirely on unpredictable natural precipitation and soil moisture conservation.
- Geographical Distribution in India: These vast tracts are primarily located in the arid and semi-arid zones of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and the rain-shadow regions of the Deccan Plateau in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
- Crucial Dryland Crops: Farmers in these regions cultivate hardy, drought-resistant crops. Coarse cereals (like jowar and bajra), pulses, and oilseeds dominate the landscape, providing essential food security and protein for rural populations.
- Socio-Economic Vulnerability: Because 25 percent of the nation’s arable land falls into this category, millions of farmers remain highly vulnerable to monsoon failures. Government interventions increasingly focus on watershed management and rainwater harvesting to stabilize these fragile agricultural economies.
📌 Resources • Minerals
Q.5) Which Indian state is the absolute leading producer of asbestos, accounting for about 95 per cent of the total asbestos production in the country?
Ans > (B) Rajasthan
- Explanation: “Rajasthan is the leading producer accounting for about 95 per cent of the total asbestos production of India. It is mined in Ajmer, Alwar, Dungarpur, Pali and Udaipur districts”.
- Geological Properties of Asbestos: Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring silicate minerals known for their long, thin fibrous crystals. It is highly valued for its exceptional resistance to heat, electricity, and chemical corrosion, alongside its structural tensile strength.
- Rajasthan’s Mining Dominance: The ancient geological formations of the Aravalli Range host massive deposits of amphibole asbestos. Districts like Udaipur, Bhilwara, and Dungarpur have historically been the nerve centers of this extractive industry in India.
- Industrial Applications: Before severe health regulations kicked in globally, asbestos was heavily utilized in manufacturing cement roofing sheets, brake linings for automobiles, thermal insulation for boilers, and fireproof protective gear.
- Health Hazards and Regulations: Inhaling microscopic asbestos fibers causes fatal respiratory diseases, including asbestosis and mesothelioma (a rare lung cancer). Consequently, mining operations face intense scrutiny, and its use has been restricted or outright banned in many developed nations.
📌 Resources • Minerals
Q.6) Sillimanite is widely used in ceramics, metallurgy, and refractory industries because it can withstand high temperatures. Which state is its largest producer, contributing about 57 per cent of the total production?
Ans > (C) Orissa
- Explanation: “Orissa, contributing about 57 per cent of the total production, is the largest producer of sillimanite in India. Kerala is the second largest producer…”.
- Mineral Composition and Traits: Sillimanite is an alumino-silicate mineral. It is polymorphous with andalusite and kyanite, meaning they share the same chemical formula but have different crystal structures. It is famous for its ability to withstand extreme thermal shock.
- Coastal Reserves of Orissa: The massive dominance of Orissa stems from the heavy mineral sand deposits located along its long coastline, particularly in the Ganjam district near Chatrapur, where it is extracted from beach placers.
- Core Industrial Utility: Because it does not expand or corrode easily at high temperatures, it is the primary raw material for high-alumina refractory bricks. These bricks are essential for lining the interiors of blast furnaces in the steel and glass industries.
- Co-Extraction Benefits: Sillimanite is rarely mined in isolation. In Orissa, it is extracted alongside other valuable heavy minerals like ilmenite, rutile, zircon, and garnet, making the coastal mining operations highly profitable and strategically important for multiple sectors.
📌 Resources • Minerals
Q.7) Magnesite is used for manufacturing refractory bricks and special cement. Which state is the second largest producer of magnesite in India, accounting for about 20 per cent of the total production?
Ans > (B) Uttarakhand
- Explanation: “Tamil Nadu is the largest producer accounting for over 74 per cent of the total magnesite production, followed by Uttarakhand (20 per cent) and Karnataka (6 per cent)”.
- Formation of Magnesite: Magnesite is a magnesium carbonate mineral. It typically forms through the alteration of magnesium-rich rocks (like peridotite or serpentine) by carbon dioxide-rich waters during complex geological and hydrothermal processes.
- Uttarakhand’s Himalayan Deposits: The mountainous state holds significant reserves in the Kumaon and Garhwal divisions, specifically within the districts of Almora, Pithoragarh, and Bageshwar, making it a critical secondary supplier for the nation’s industrial needs.
- Industrial Applications: Its primary use is in the metallurgical sector. When calcined (heated to high temperatures), it produces ‘dead-burned magnesia’, which is used to line steel-making furnaces. It is also used to create specialized Sorel cement.
- Ecological Cost of Extraction: Mining operations in Uttarakhand present severe environmental challenges. Open-cast mining in these fragile Himalayan ecosystems often leads to localized deforestation, soil erosion, and an increased risk of devastating landslides during the heavy monsoon season.
📌 Energy • Hydro Power
Q.8) The Machkund, Nagarjun-Sagar, Sileru, and Srisalem hydro-electric power plants are located in which Indian state?
Ans > (C) Andhra Pradesh
- Explanation: Table 8.9 lists the main hydro-electric power plants by state, explicitly placing Machkund, Nagarjun-Sagar, Nizam-Sagar, Sileru, and Srisalem under Andhra Pradesh.
- Strategic River Basins: These major hydroelectric power plants are predominantly built across the massive Krishna and Godavari river systems, which drain vast portions of the Deccan plateau before flowing eastward into the Bay of Bengal.
- The Srisailam Project: Located in the Nallamala Hills, the Srisailam Dam is constructed across the Krishna River. It is one of the 12 largest hydroelectric projects in the country and forms a crucial power backbone for southern India.
- Nagarjuna Sagar Significance: Situated downstream from Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar is not only a massive power generator but also one of the earliest multi-purpose irrigation projects in modern India, creating one of the world’s largest man-made lakes.
- Inter-State Power Dynamics: Since the bifurcation of the region into Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the management, water sharing, and power distribution from these massive border dams have been subjects of complex negotiations and regulatory oversight by river management boards.
📌 Energy • Hydro Power
Q.9) The Idikki (Periyar), Sabarigiri, and Pallivasal hydro-electric power projects are located in which state?
Ans > (B) Kerala
- Explanation: According to Table 8.9, Kerala’s hydro-electric power plants include “Idikki (Periyar), Kallada, Kuttiaddy, Pallivasal, Parambikulam, Poringal, Panniar, Sabarigiri”.
- The Engineering Marvel of Idukki: The Idukki Dam is one of the highest double-curvature arch dams in Asia, constructed across the Periyar River. This massive structural feat is central to the Kerala State Electricity Board’s grid capacity.
- Topographical Advantages: Kerala’s unique geography makes it highly suitable for hydroelectric generation. The combination of the steep, rugged terrain of the Western Ghats and the immense rainfall from the southwest monsoon provides ideal conditions for rapid river flow.
- Sabarigiri Project Details: The Sabarigiri Hydroelectric Project, located in the Pathanamthitta district, harnesses the power of the Pamba and Kakki rivers. It stands as the second-largest power generating station in the entire state of Kerala.
- Ecological Sensitivities: While crucial for green energy, these dam projects are located in some of the most biodiverse hotspots in the world. Past projects sparked major environmental movements, such as the famous Save Silent Valley campaign, to protect evergreen forests.
📌 Energy • Hydro Power
Q.10) Which of the following major hydro-electric power plants is located in the state of Orissa?
Ans > (B) Balimela
- Explanation: Table 8.9 lists “Hirakud (Mahanadi), Balimela” under the state of Orissa.
- Geographical Location: The Balimela Hydroelectric Project is located in the remote Malkangiri district of southern Orissa. It harnesses the rapid waters of the Sileru River, a vital tributary of the larger Godavari river system.
- Inter-State Cooperation: The project is a unique joint venture between the governments of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. The water capacity is carefully shared between the two states, illustrating critical inter-state resource management for regional development.
- Strategic Power Generation: This power station provides an essential electricity supply to deeply remote, tribal-dominated regions. It helps stabilize the regional power grid and promotes localized industrial and agricultural development in historically neglected districts.
- Socio-Political Environment: Because it operates in a heavily forested area that has historically witnessed Left-Wing Extremism (Naxalite influence), the security and infrastructure development surrounding the Balimela reservoir hold immense geopolitical importance for the state government.
📌 Energy • Thermal Power
Q.11) The Unchahar Thermal Power Station, with an installed capacity of 720 MW, is situated in which state?
Ans > (C) Uttar Pradesh
- Explanation: Table 8.11 on India’s Thermal Power Stations lists “Unchahar (Uttar Pradesh)” with a capacity of 720 MW.
- Plant Administration: The Feroze Gandhi Unchahar Thermal Power Plant is owned and operated by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC). It serves as a critical baseload electricity supplier for the densely populated northern grid.
- Fuel and Resource Logistics: Like most major thermal plants in northern India, it relies heavily on long-distance resource transport. It sources massive quantities of coal via rail from the North Karanpura coalfields located in the neighboring state of Jharkhand.
- Water Management Systems: Thermal plants require immense volumes of water for cooling and steam generation. The Unchahar facility successfully meets these demands by drawing large quantities of water directly from the nearby Dalmau Pump Canal.
- Focus on Industrial Safety: In 2017, the plant experienced a tragic boiler explosion that claimed numerous lives. This disaster prompted a nationwide review of safety protocols, boiler maintenance, and emergency response standards across all NTPC thermal installations.
📌 Energy • Thermal Power
Q.12) Anta is a major gas-based thermal power project with an installed capacity of 430 MW. In which state is it located?
Ans > (B) Rajasthan
- Explanation: Table 8.11 lists “Anta (Rajasthan)” under Gas Based Projects with a capacity of 430 MW.
- The Advantage of Gas Power: Unlike coal plants that take days to start up, gas-based power projects like Anta are highly flexible. They can be fired up quickly to provide “peaking power” during sudden surges in electricity demand on the regional grid.
- Pipeline Infrastructure Dependency: Because Rajasthan lacks natural gas reserves, the Anta project is entirely dependent on the massive HBJ (Hazira-Vijaipur-Jagdishpur) pipeline network, which transports natural gas from the offshore fields in the Arabian Sea.
- Environmental Considerations: Natural gas is considered a transition fuel. Operating the Anta plant produces significantly fewer carbon dioxide emissions, zero fly ash, and almost zero sulfur dioxide compared to traditional coal-fired power plants in the region.
- Water Scarcity Adaptation: Located in the arid district of Baran in Rajasthan, the plant utilizes highly efficient combined-cycle gas turbine technology, which requires substantially less water for cooling purposes than conventional thermal stations.
📌 Energy • Bio-Gas
Q.13) According to the 2005-06 data on bio-gas development, which state has the highest estimated potential for bio-gas production at 2,021,000 units?
Ans > (C) Uttar Pradesh
- Explanation: Table 8.14 shows that both Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal have an estimated potential of 2,021,000 units, which is the highest in the country, but Uttar Pradesh is explicitly noted in the text as having “the highest potential in bio-gas”.
- Raw Material Abundance: Biogas generation depends primarily on the availability of cattle dung. Uttar Pradesh naturally possesses the highest biogas potential because it is home to India’s largest livestock population, ensuring an uninterrupted supply of raw biomass.
- Transforming Rural Energy: In rural UP, biogas serves as a critical alternative to burning firewood and cow dung cakes. This transition significantly reduces indoor air pollution, preventing chronic respiratory diseases among women who cook indoors.
- Agricultural By-Products: The biogas generation process leaves behind a highly nutrient-rich slurry. Farmers use this organic byproduct as a potent, chemical-free fertilizer, enriching the soil and reducing their reliance on expensive synthetic NPK fertilizers.
- Government Driven Initiatives: Realizing this massive potential, both central and state governments have heavily subsidized the construction of family-type biogas plants through schemes like the National Biogas and Manure Management Programme (NBMMP) to boost rural sustainability.
📌 Agriculture • Land Holdings
Q.14) In 2005, the average size of agricultural land holdings in Punjab was noted as significantly larger than the national average. What was the exact average size of holdings in Punjab?
Ans > (D) 3.45 hectares
- Explanation: Table 9.6 shows the average size of holdings in Punjab as 3.45 hectares, while the national average is 1.50 hectares.
- Success of ‘Chakbandi’: Punjab’s larger average holding size is a direct result of aggressive and highly successful land consolidation efforts (Chakbandi) carried out systematically by the state government shortly after independence, which prevented extreme land fragmentation.
- Enabling Capitalist Agriculture: A holding size of 3.45 hectares allows for profitable farming on a capitalist scale. It justifies heavy financial investments in mechanical assets like massive combine harvesters, seed drills, and high-capacity irrigation pumps.
- Stark National Contrast: The contrast between Punjab’s 3.45 hectares and the national average of 1.50 hectares perfectly illustrates the severe disparity in agricultural efficiency between northwestern India and the highly fragmented, subsistence-based farming in eastern and southern states.
- Looming Modern Challenges: Despite this historical advantage, Punjab now faces a crisis. Generational sub-division of land, coupled with extreme groundwater depletion and stagnant crop prices, is making even these relatively large holdings increasingly unprofitable for the modern farmer.
📌 Geography • Agricultural Methods
Q.15) In determining the minimum deviation for demarcating crop combination regions, J.C. Weaver utilized which standard statistical method?
Ans > (A) Standard Deviation Method
- Explanation: “For the determination of the minimum deviation the standard deviation method was used: SD = sqrt(sum(d^2)/n)” as utilized by Weaver.
- Methodological Breakthrough: J.C. Weaver’s approach in 1954 revolutionized agricultural geography. He transitioned the discipline from subjective, descriptive observations of crop patterns to highly objective, statistically rigorous, and mathematically defensible regional analysis.
- Application of Standard Deviation: Weaver used the standard deviation formula to measure the actual percentage of crop land against a theoretical baseline (e.g., 100% for monoculture, 50% each for a two-crop system). The combination with the lowest deviation represented the true agricultural pattern.
- Strategic Policy Utility: By accurately demarcating precise crop combination regions, government planners could finally implement targeted agro-climatic policies. This allowed for the efficient distribution of specific fertilizers, seed varieties, and irrigation funding tailored to each distinct zone.
- Limitations of the Method: While groundbreaking, Weaver’s technique is highly labor-intensive and calculation-heavy. It also tends to produce overly complex, multi-crop combinations in highly diversified regions like the Indian subcontinent, sometimes confusing broader macro-level agricultural mapping.
📌 Geography • Agricultural Methods
Q.16) The “Ranking Coefficient Method” used to assess agricultural productivity was developed by Kendall. What specific agricultural metric does this method use to rank component areal units?
Ans > (B) Per hectare yield of crops
- Explanation: “The ranking coefficient method adopted by Kendall is quite simple and easy to apply. In this technique, the component areal units are ranked according to the per hectare yield of crops…”.
- Concept of Agricultural Efficiency: Agricultural productivity isn’t just about total output; it is a measure of efficiency. Kendall sought to create a standardized system to evaluate how effectively different geographic units utilize their limited land resources to grow crops.
- Mechanics of the Method: The process is straightforward: every geographical unit (like a district) is ranked based on its per hectare yield for various crops. The ranks are then averaged to produce a single, composite index of overall agricultural productivity.
- Identifying Disparities: This technique is incredibly powerful for spatial analysis. It allows geographers and economists to clearly map out agriculturally advanced districts and isolate backward regions that desperately require technological, financial, or infrastructural intervention.
- Major Analytical Flaw: The primary critique of Kendall’s ranking system is that it completely ignores the actual magnitude of yield differences. A district yielding 10 kg more than another gets the same rank difference as a district yielding 1000 kg more, skewing reality.
📌 Demographics • Tribes
Q.17) The Santhal tribe actively participates in cultural and agricultural activities. Before which traditional festival does the Santhal woman typically decorate her house?
Ans > (B) Bandana festival
- Explanation: “She participates in the agricultural operations and decorates her house before the Bandana festival”.
- Geographical Presence: The Santhal tribe is one of the largest indigenous ethnic groups in India. They predominantly reside in the Chota Nagpur Plateau region, spanning across the states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha.
- Significance of the Bandana Festival: Celebrated during the new moon of the Kartik month (usually October-November), Bandana (or Bandna) is an agricultural festival deeply focused on worshiping and expressing immense gratitude to cattle and livestock for their labor in the fields.
- Traditional House Decoration: As part of the festival preparations, Santhal women clean and beautifully decorate their mud houses. They use natural pigments created from earth and crushed leaves to paint intricate murals, known as Sohrai or Khovar art, on their walls.
- Women in Santhal Society: Santhal women are the backbone of their communities. Beyond being the custodians of cultural art and tradition, they play an equal, strenuous role alongside men in all heavy agricultural operations, from sowing to final harvesting.
📌 Cultural Geography • Religion
Q.18) In the study of religion as a cultural determinant, which prominent scholar defined religion broadly as “the enthusiastic temper of espousal”?
Ans > (C) William James
- Explanation: “According to William James, ‘religion is the enthusiastic temper of espousal’.”.
- The Pragmatist Philosopher: William James was a towering figure in late 19th and early 20th-century intellectual thought. He was an American philosopher and psychologist, famous for developing the philosophy of pragmatism and revolutionizing the psychological study of religious belief.
- Varieties of Religious Experience: This quote aligns with the themes of his seminal 1902 book, “The Varieties of Religious Experience.” James broke away from studying rigid institutional dogmas and instead focused deeply on the raw, psychological experiences of the individual believer.
- Focus on Individual Fervor: By defining religion as an “enthusiastic temper,” James emphasized that true religion is a passionate, internal psychological state of acceptance and commitment to the divine, rather than merely following a set of external, mandated rituals.
- Relevance to Cultural Geography: Geographers study James’s perspective to understand how deep, personal religious enthusiasm physically shapes the cultural landscape. This fervor dictates how communities build shrines, undertake massive pilgrimages, and interact socially across geographic spaces.
📌 Demographics • Religion
Q.19) In the demographic distribution of religious groups in India, which of the following regions in Uttar Pradesh is noted for having a quite significant Muslim population?
Ans > (B) Rohilkhand
- Explanation: “Muslims are quite significant in northern Kerala and in Agra, Meerut, Lucknow, Rohilkhand, and Saharanpur divisions of Uttar Pradesh”.
- Historical Origins: The region derives its name from the Rohilla Afghans, a fierce warrior community that migrated to and established political control over this fertile tract of northern India during the mid-18th century, amidst the decline of the Mughal Empire.
- Demographic Concentration: Today, Rohilkhand holds one of the highest concentrations of Muslims in Uttar Pradesh. Districts such as Bareilly, Moradabad, Rampur, and Bijnor feature a distinctly heavy demographic presence that influences local politics and socio-economic dynamics.
- Economic Drivers: The Muslim community in this specific region is heavily integrated into skilled artisanal industries. Moradabad is globally famous for its brass handicraft exports, while Bareilly is known for its intricate Zari Zardozi embroidery and furniture making.
- Impact on Cultural Landscape: This demographic makeup deeply influences the cultural geography of the area. It is visibly reflected in the urban morphology, dominated by rich Islamic architecture, historical madrasas, narrow artisanal bazaars, and a unique regional culinary tradition.
📌 Geomorphology • Drainage
Q.20) Which of the following is NOT an example of a river displaying an antecedent drainage pattern in India?
Ans > (D) Narmada
- Explanation: The text states, “The Satluj, Kosi, and Brahmaputra are some of the most important antecedent rivers in India,” which cut through the rising Himalayas. The Narmada flows through a rift valley in Peninsular India and is not antecedent to the Himalayas.
- Defining Antecedent Drainage: An antecedent river is an ancient river system that existed before the tectonic uplift of the landmass it flows across. As a mountain range (like the Himalayas) slowly rises, the river maintains its original course by actively eroding a deep gorge through the rising rock.
- Himalayan Examples: Rivers like the Satluj, Indus, and Brahmaputra originate in Tibet. They are older than the Himalayas themselves, having successfully cut massive, precipitous canyons through the towering mountain chain to reach the Indian plains.
- The Narmada’s Origin: The Narmada River is entirely different. It originates at the Amarkantak plateau in Madhya Pradesh and is a consequent river, meaning its flow is dictated by the existing, relatively stable topography of the ancient Peninsular plateau.
- Rift Valley Dynamics: Instead of cutting through rising mountains, the Narmada flows westward through a massive geological fault—a rift valley formed by subsidence between the Vindhya and Satpura mountain ranges—ultimately draining into the Arabian Sea.
📌 Geography • Irrigation
Q.21) Under the Sardar Sarovar Project, the proposed Narmada Link Canal is designed to transport water to the drought-prone regions of western Rajasthan and which specific region in Gujarat?
Ans > (B) Kachchh
- Explanation: “Under the Sardar Sarovar Project, there is a proposal to build a terminal storage dam across the Narmada River near Navagam, and a diversion canal linking the place to regions of Kachchh (Gujarat) and western Rajasthan”.
- The Sardar Sarovar Mega-Dam: Located at Navagam in Gujarat, the Sardar Sarovar Dam is one of the largest and most controversial multipurpose river valley projects in world history. It was built to harness the vast waters of the Narmada River.
- The Main Canal Engineering: To transport the water, engineers constructed the Narmada Main Canal, which is among the longest concrete-lined irrigation canals globally. It acts as a massive artificial river carrying life-saving water hundreds of kilometers northwest.
- The Crisis in Kachchh: The Kachchh region is an expansive, arid desert district bordering Pakistan. Historically, it suffered from devastatingly low rainfall, extremely high evaporation rates, and highly saline groundwater, making agriculture nearly impossible and drinking water scarce.
- Socio-Economic Transformation: The diversion canal was designed to radically transform the socio-economic landscape. By delivering reliable surface water, it aims to secure drinking water for millions of residents and convert barren desert tracts into productive, irrigated agricultural lands.
📌 Geomorphology • Drainage
Q.22) The river Kapili, which captured the waters of the Meghna river, is a tributary of which major river system?
Ans > (B) Brahmaputra
- Explanation: “Similarly, Kapili, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, has captured the waters of the Meghna river of Bangladesh”.
- Geomorphology of River Capture: River capture (or river piracy) is a fascinating geomorphological process where a river with a steeper gradient and more aggressive headward erosion cuts backward until it intercepts and “steals” the headwaters of an adjacent river system.
- The Geographical Setting: The Kapili River originates in the rugged, heavy-rainfall zone of the Meghalaya plateau before flowing rapidly downwards to join the massive Brahmaputra River in the relatively flat Assam valley.
- The Mechanism of Capture: Because the Kapili has a much steeper descent into the Brahmaputra valley compared to the slower-moving Meghna river system flowing south towards Bangladesh, Kapili’s highly erosive power allowed it to divert the Meghna’s ancient headwaters into its own basin.
- Evidence of Tectonic Activity: This river capture is not just an erosional anomaly; it is strong evidence of the active tectonic uplift occurring in the northeastern region of India, which continuously alters the gradients and drainage patterns of local river systems.
📌 Physical Geography • Passes
Q.23) Having an elevation of about one thousand metres above sea level, the Bhor Ghat pass connects Mumbai with Pune. To which mountain range does this pass belong?
Ans > (C) Western Ghats (Sahyadri)
- Explanation: “Bhor Ghat: (Joins Mumbai with Pune): Having an elevation of about one thousand metres above sea level, the Bhorghat joins Mumbai with Pune. It is one of the most busy passes in the Western Ghats”.
- Historical Trade Corridor: Bhor Ghat has served as a critical mountain pass for centuries. In ancient times, it was the primary trade route connecting the wealthy maritime ports of the Konkan coast with the prosperous agricultural empires of the Deccan plateau.
- Geological Structure: The pass cuts through the Sahyadris (Western Ghats), which are composed of massive, step-like layers of basaltic lava known geologically as the Deccan Traps. This rugged volcanic terrain makes the pass historically difficult to traverse.
- Modern Infrastructural Hub: Today, Bhor Ghat is one of the busiest and most vital transport corridors in India. It simultaneously houses the old Mumbai-Pune highway, the modern six-lane Mumbai-Pune Expressway, and a historic, heavily engineered railway line.
- Economic Lifeline: The pass serves as an absolute economic lifeline. It facilitates the daily, massive movement of industrial freight, commercial goods, and millions of passengers between India’s financial capital and the major IT and manufacturing hub of Pune.
📌 Physical Geography • Passes
Q.24) Situated south of Mount Abu, the Goran Ghat connects the city of Udaipur with Sirohi and Jalore. In which state is this pass located?
Ans > (C) Rajasthan
- Explanation: “Goran Ghat: Lying to the south of Mount Abu, it connects the city of Udaipur with Sirohi and Jalore in Rajasthan”.
- Strategic Location in the Aravallis: Goran Ghat is a crucial, narrow mountain pass situated in the southern, highly rugged section of the ancient Aravalli mountain range, lying just south of the massive granite batholith that forms Mount Abu.
- Regional Connectivity: The pass provides an essential geographic link between two culturally and geographically distinct regions of Rajasthan: the relatively fertile, hilly Mewar region (Udaipur) and the arid, desert-fringed Marwar region (Sirohi and Jalore).
- Historical Military Importance: Due to the forbidding nature of the surrounding mountainous and desert terrain, control over passes like Goran Ghat was heavily contested. It was frequently utilized by Rajput armies and nomadic traders navigating the desert margins.
- Modern Transport Challenges: Even today, constructing and maintaining modern highways and railway lines through Goran Ghat requires significant engineering effort due to steep gradients, sudden curves, and the risk of landslides during sporadic heavy monsoon downpours in the Aravallis.
📌 Physical Geography • Passes
Q.25) Famous for the historic 1576 battle between Rana Pratap Singh and Raja Mansingh, the Haldighat pass is situated in which mountain range?
Ans > (B) Aravalli Range
- Explanation: “Haldighat: It is a mountain pass in the Aravalli range of Rajasthan”.
- Origin of the Name: The pass derives its unique name, Haldighat, from the distinctively yellow-colored soil found in the area, which closely resembles the vibrant color of turmeric (known as ‘Haldi’ in Hindi).
- Geographical Funnel: Haldighat is a very narrow mountain pass cutting through the rugged Aravalli Range, situated about 40 kilometers away from Udaipur. Its confined, claustrophobic geography makes it a natural chokepoint, utterly unsuited for large, traditional armies.
- The Epic Battle of 1576: Because of this geography, Maharana Pratap of Mewar brilliantly chose this spot to confront the massive invading army of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, led by Raja Man Singh. The terrain neutralized the Mughal numerical advantage, turning it into a brutal close-quarters fight.
- Cultural and Tourism Hub: Today, the pass is not just a geographic feature but a highly revered national monument. The Rajasthan government has heavily developed the area with memorials, museums, and statues, turning it into a major center for cultural and historical tourism.
📌 Physical Geography • Peaks
Q.26) The Salher peak has an elevation of 1567 metres above sea level and lies between Malegaon and Nashik. This peak is part of which physiographic division?
Ans > (C) Western Ghats
- Explanation: “Salher: Having an elevation of 1567 metres above sea level, the Salher peak lies between Malegaon and Nashik.” It is listed under the peaks of the Western Ghats.
- Elevation Status: Standing tall at 1567 meters, Salher is the highest fort in the Sahyadri mountains and ranks as the second-highest peak overall in the state of Maharashtra, following only the renowned Kalsubai peak.
- Basaltic Geology: Like much of the northern Western Ghats, the peak is carved out of the Deccan Traps. It features sheer, vertical basaltic rock faces and flat-topped plateaus that form natural, nearly impregnable defensive positions.
- Military History: The peak is deeply etched into Indian military history. It was the site of the famous Battle of Salher in 1672, which is celebrated as the first major, open-field battle where the Maratha Empire completely annihilated a massive Mughal army.
- Modern Trekking Destination: Today, Salher, along with its twin fort Salota, is a highly popular destination for extreme trekkers and mountaineers. The route is notoriously difficult, featuring ancient, treacherous rock-cut steps leading to the summit.
📌 Physical Geography • Passes
Q.27) The Palghat (Palakkad Gap) is a broad geographic gap in the Western Ghats that joins the state of Tamil Nadu with the seaports of Kerala. Through this gap flows which river from east to west?
Ans > (B) Gayitri
- Explanation: “Palghat… joins the state of Tamil Nadu with the seaports of Kerala. The river Gayitri flows through it from east to west”.
- A Geographic Anomaly: The Palghat Gap is a massive, natural break in the otherwise continuous, towering wall of the Western Ghats. It spans an average width of about 30 kilometers, creating a dramatic flat corridor between the Nilgiri Hills to the north and the Anaimalai Hills to the south.
- Climatic Influence: This gap acts as a massive climatic wind funnel. During the summer, it allows the moisture-laden southwest monsoon winds to push through into western Tamil Nadu, significantly moderating the temperatures in the plains of Coimbatore.
- Historical Trade and Migration: For millennia, this gap has been the primary highway for human migration, cultural exchange, and lucrative spice trade between the ancient Chera kingdom of the Malabar coast and the Chola/Pandya kingdoms of the Tamil plains.
- River Drainage System: The Gayitri River, a major tributary of the expansive Bharathappuzha (the second-longest river in Kerala), utilizes this natural topographical depression to flow westward, ultimately sustaining the rich agricultural backwaters of the state.
📌 Physical Geography • Peaks
Q.28) Pushpagiri is one of the highest peaks of the Western Ghats with an elevation of 1714 metres. Which tribal group considers this area their traditional abode?
Ans > (A) Dravidian tribes
- Explanation: “Pushpagiri: This is one of the highest peaks of the Western Ghats… It is the abode of Dravidian tribes”.
- Location and Topography: Pushpagiri, also known regionally as Kumara Parvatha, is the highest peak in the Kodagu (Coorg) district of Karnataka. The mountain is characterized by deeply forested lower slopes giving way to harsh, windswept grasslands at the summit.
- Indigenous Communities: For centuries, the deeply forested slopes and surrounding valleys of this region have been the traditional homeland of various indigenous Dravidian tribal communities, whose unique culture and animistic belief systems are intricately tied to the local ecology.
- A Biodiversity Hotspot: The peak lies entirely within the Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, which is recognized globally as one of the most critical biodiversity hotspots on Earth. It has been proposed as a World Heritage Site due to its massive population of endangered, endemic bird and amphibian species.
- Source of Major Rivers: The pristine, heavy monsoon-fed forests of Pushpagiri serve as a vital water catchment area. It is the primary origin point of the Kumaradhara River, which flows westward to join the Netravati River, sustaining coastal Karnataka.
📌 Climatology • Rainfall
Q.29) In the climatic divisions of India, the “Region of Moderate Rainfall” receives only about 75 cm of precipitation despite its proximity to the coast. This is primarily because it lies in the rain-shadow area of which mountain range?
Ans > (B) The Western Ghats
- Explanation: “Being in the rain-shadow area of the Western Ghats, this region receives relatively less rainfall of about 75 cm”.
- The Orographic Effect: During the summer, the moisture-heavy Southwest Monsoon winds collide with the steep western face of the Western Ghats. Forced to rise rapidly, the air cools and dumps massive amounts of orographic rain on the coastal windward side.
- The Rain-Shadow Mechanism: As these air masses cross the mountain peaks and descend onto the Deccan Plateau on the eastern side, they undergo adiabatic warming. The air dries out significantly, creating a permanent “rain-shadow” zone immediately east of the mountains.
- Agricultural Ramifications: Because this vast region—covering parts of interior Maharashtra, North Karnataka, and western Andhra Pradesh—receives only about 75 cm of erratic rainfall, agriculture is highly precarious. Farmers cannot rely on rain and must depend heavily on deep borewells and canal irrigation.
- Ecological Transition: This sharp drop in rainfall completely transforms the natural landscape. The lush, tropical evergreen rainforests found on the western slopes abruptly give way to dry deciduous forests, thorny scrublands, and semi-arid savannas in the rain-shadow zone.
📌 Climatology • Rainfall
Q.30) In Indian climatology, there is an established inverse relationship between the average annual rainfall and its variability. What is the approximate rainfall variability percentage in regions receiving high rainfall (over 200 cm), such as Mawsynram and Cherrapunji?
Ans > (A) Less than 10 per cent
- Explanation: “In the areas where the average annual rainfall is over 200 cm (Mawsynram and Cherrapunji, Meghalaya Plateau), the annual variability of rainfall is less than 10 per cent”.
- Understanding Rainfall Variability: Variability is a critical statistical measure of climatic reliability. It calculates how much the actual rainfall in a specific year deviates from the long-term historical average. High variability means the rainfall is highly unpredictable and erratic.
- The Inverse Rule of Climatology: In India, an ironclad climatological rule dictates that areas receiving the highest volume of total rainfall experience the lowest percentage of variability, whereas arid regions with very little rain experience massive year-to-year fluctuations.
- The Meghalaya Phenomenon: Places like Mawsynram and Cherrapunji sit directly in the path of the Bay of Bengal monsoon branch. Because the funnel-shaped topography forces massive orographic lifting every single year without fail, their variability drops to under 10 percent, ensuring guaranteed deluges.
- Agricultural and Social Impact: A variability of less than 10 percent means farmers in these ultra-wet zones have guaranteed, highly reliable water availability every year. In stark contrast, arid regions like western Rajasthan face variability over 60 percent, making drought a constant, looming threat.
📌 Quick Summary — Geography Set 26
- Land Consolidation: Successfully completed only in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
- Green Revolution Fertilizers: The recommended NPK dose for HYV wheat and rice is 90-45-45 kg per hectare.
- High Yielding Varieties: Nicknamed “the hungry varieties” because they demand heavy fertilizer doses.
- Dryland Farming: Dry lands cover approximately 25 per cent of India’s total arable land.
- Asbestos Production: Rajasthan is the leading producer, accounting for 95% of total production.
- Sillimanite Reserves: Orissa is the largest producer, contributing 57% of the total output.
- Magnesite Production: Uttarakhand ranks as the second largest producer (20%) after Tamil Nadu.
- Hydro Projects (AP): Machkund, Nagarjun-Sagar, Sileru, and Srisalem are in Andhra Pradesh.
- Hydro Projects (Kerala): Idikki, Sabarigiri, and Pallivasal are key power plants in Kerala.
- Balimela Project: This major hydroelectric power plant is located in Orissa.
- Thermal Power: The 720 MW Unchahar Thermal Power Station is in Uttar Pradesh.
- Gas Power: The Anta gas-based thermal project (430 MW) is located in Rajasthan.
- Bio-gas Potential: Uttar Pradesh possesses the highest estimated potential for bio-gas production.
- Land Holdings (Punjab): The average size of agricultural land holdings in Punjab is 3.45 hectares.
- Weaver’s Method: J.C. Weaver used the Standard Deviation Method for crop combination regions.
- Kendall’s Ranking: Kendall’s method assesses productivity based on per hectare yield of crops.
- Santhal Culture: Santhal women decorate their houses before the Bandana agricultural festival.
- Defining Religion: William James defined religion as the “enthusiastic temper of espousal.”
- Demographics (UP): The Rohilkhand region in Uttar Pradesh has a significant Muslim population.
- Antecedent Drainage: The Narmada is a consequent river, unlike antecedent rivers such as Satluj or Kosi.
- Narmada Canal: Built to transport water to drought-prone western Rajasthan and Kachchh in Gujarat.
- River Capture: The Kapili, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, captured the waters of the Meghna.
- Bhor Ghat: This busy pass connecting Mumbai and Pune is in the Western Ghats (Sahyadri).
- Goran Ghat: Connecting Udaipur with Sirohi and Jalore, this pass is in Rajasthan.
- Haldighat Pass: Site of the famous 1576 battle, located within the Aravalli Range.
- Salher Peak: A prominent peak (1567m) located in the Western Ghats between Malegaon and Nashik.
- Palghat Gap: A broad gap in the Western Ghats through which the Gayitri river flows westwards.
- Pushpagiri Peak: Standing at 1714m in the Western Ghats, it is the abode of Dravidian tribes.
- Rain-shadow Effect: Regions just east of the Western Ghats receive only ~75 cm of moderate rainfall.
- Rainfall Variability: High rainfall zones like Mawsynram experience very low variability (less than 10%).
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