Geography of Indian Drainage Systems
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Questions and Answers

What are the two major groups of drainage systems in India?

The two major groups are the Himalayan rivers and the Peninsular rivers.

How is a drainage basin defined in relation to a river?

A drainage basin is the area drained by a single river.

What distinguishes Himalayan rivers from Peninsular rivers in terms of water supply?

Himalayan rivers are perennial, receiving water from both rain and melted snow.

What role do elevated areas play in defining drainage basins?

<p>Elevated areas, such as mountains, separate two drainage basins and are known as water divides.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What geographical features primarily control the drainage systems of India?

<p>The broad relief features of the subcontinent primarily control India's drainage systems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what ways do Himalayan and Peninsular rivers differ?

<p>They differ in their hydrological behavior, with Himalayan rivers being perennial while many Peninsular rivers are seasonal.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of snowmelt in the flow of Himalayan rivers?

<p>Snowmelt contributes to the perennial nature of Himalayan rivers by providing consistent water flow throughout the year.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary objective of the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) when it was implemented in 1995?

<p>The primary objective of the NRCP is to improve the water quality of rivers in India through pollution abatement work.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do lakes contribute to flood prevention during heavy rains?

<p>Lakes help regulate river flow by absorbing excess rainwater, which prevents flooding.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the impact of urbanization and industrialization on rivers according to the provided content.

<p>Urbanization and industrialization lead to increased pollution loads and reduce the self-cleansing capacity of rivers, worsening water quality.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do rivers play in the economy of India, as highlighted in the text?

<p>Rivers are essential for various economic activities, providing water for irrigation, navigation, and hydro-power generation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Discuss one way lakes affect the climate of their surrounding environments.

<p>Lakes moderate the climate of surrounding areas by influencing local temperature and humidity levels.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the states that share the Krishna Basin?

<p>Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How long does the Krishna River flow before reaching the Bay of Bengal?

<p>About 1400 km.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some tributaries of the Krishna River mentioned in the content?

<p>The Tungabhadra, Koyana, Ghatprabha, Musi, and Bhima.</p> Signup and view all the answers

From which mountain range does the Kaveri River originate?

<p>The Brahmagri range of the Western Ghats.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the total length of the Kaveri River?

<p>About 760 km.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which states are drained by the Kaveri Basin?

<p>Parts of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of lakes are formed as a result of glaciers and ice sheets?

<p>Glacial lakes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What geographical features form lagoons in coastal areas?

<p>Spits and bars.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes seasonal lakes in inland drainage regions?

<p>They contain water only during the rainy season.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the second biggest waterfall in India, associated with the Kaveri River?

<p>Shivasamudram Falls.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Devaprayag in the context of the Ganga river?

<p>Devaprayag is significant because it is the confluence where the Alaknanda merges with the Ganga.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the flow direction of the Bhagirathi-Hooghly differ from that of the mainstream Ganga?

<p>The Bhagirathi-Hooghly flows southwards through the deltaic plains, while the mainstream Ganga flows south into Bangladesh.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the names of the major tributaries that join the Ganga from the Himalayas?

<p>Major tributaries of the Ganga include the Yamuna, Ghaghara, Gandak, and Kosi.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the geographical significance of the Sundarban Delta?

<p>The Sundarban Delta is the world's largest and fastest-growing delta, formed by the confluence of the Ganga and Brahmaputra.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where does the Yamuna river originate?

<p>The Yamuna river originates from the Yamunotri Glacier in the Himalayas.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated length of the Ganga river?

<p>The estimated length of the Ganga river is over 2500 km.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do the Himalayas play in the tributaries of the Ganga?

<p>The Himalayas serve as the source for many tributaries of the Ganga, such as the Yamuna and Ghaghara.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is the Meghna river formed, and what is its significance?

<p>The Meghna river is formed by the confluence of the Ganga and the Brahmaputra, and it flows into the Bay of Bengal.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What tree is the Sundarban Delta named after, and why does it thrive in that region?

<p>The Sundarban Delta is named after the Sundari tree, which thrives in marshy conditions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan?

<p>The Sambhar Lake is a saltwater lake used primarily for salt production.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Identify the largest freshwater lake in India and its origin.

<p>The Wular Lake in Jammu and Kashmir is the largest freshwater lake, formed due to tectonic activity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do the majority of freshwater lakes in India originate?

<p>Most freshwater lakes in India are of glacial origin, formed by glaciers digging out basins filled by snowmelt.</p> Signup and view all the answers

List two notable rivers that flow towards the east in India.

<p>The Damoder and the Brahmani rivers are notable examples flowing towards the east.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the world's water is freshwater?

<p>Only 3 percent of the world's water is freshwater.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do rivers play in the formation of artificial lakes?

<p>Rivers are dammed for hydropower generation, leading to the formation of artificial lakes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Mention one tourist activity associated with lakes in Kashmir.

<p>Tourists often enjoy boating on Dal Lake in Kashmir.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What major initiative was launched to address river pollution in India?

<p>The Ganga Action Plan (GAP) was launched in 1985 to tackle river pollution.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of freshwater globally is trapped as ice?

<p>Three-quarters of the 3 percent of freshwater is trapped as ice.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name two other significant lakes in India apart from Wular Lake.

<p>Dal Lake and Loktak Lake are two significant lakes in India.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Drainage Systems in India

  • Drainage describes the river system of an area
  • Streams flow into larger rivers, which flow into larger bodies like lakes or oceans
  • The area drained by a river system is a drainage basin
  • Elevated areas, like mountains, separate drainage basins, forming water divides

Drainage Systems in India (Continued)

  • Indian drainage systems are mainly influenced by the subcontinent's relief.
  • Two main groups:
  • Himalayan rivers: These are perennial, meaning they flow year-round. They get water from rain and snowmelt. Examples include Indus and Brahmaputra
  • Peninsular rivers: These are seasonal, flowing mostly during the rainy season or depending on rainfall. Examples are Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri.

Himalayan Rivers

  • Major Himalayan rivers include Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra
  • These rivers have large tributaries
  • Indus originates in Tibet, flows west, enters India (Ladakh), cuts through mountains as a gorge, and joins with tributaries in Pakistan to reach the Arabian Sea
  • Ganga originates in the Himalayas, with the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda joining to form the Ganga. Major tributaries include the Yamuna, Ghaghara, Gandak, and Kosi. Flows to the Bay of Bengal
  • Brahmaputra runs through Tibet, then enters India, where it has a U-turn and is joined by other tributaries, before merging into the Ganga and flowing to the Bay of Bengal.

Peninsular Rivers

  • Most Peninsular rivers originate in the Western Ghats and flow eastwards to the Bay of Bengal
  • Rivers like Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri are major examples
  • Narmada and Tapi are west flowing, originating in the highlands and flowing to the Arabian Sea.

River Systems and Basins

  • Drainage basins are the areas of land drained by a river and its tributaries
  • The Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra river systems are large and important for India
  • The Indus Water Treaty (1960) regulates water use from the Indus River System.

Lakes in India

  • Lakes can be natural (glacial, wind-formed, or river-formed) or created by humans (dams).
  • The Himalayas are home to many freshwater lakes, including Wular, Dal, and Nainital
  • Some lakes (like Sambhar) are located in arid regions and are seasonal or saline
  • Lakes play a significant role in tourism, water resources, and moderating local climates.

National River Conservation Plan (NRCP)

  • The NRCP project was initiated to improve water quality by managing pollution.
  • Untreated sewage and industrial waste affect the quality and self-cleaning capabilities of rivers.
  • River pollution impacts human health and well-being and the economy.

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Description

Explore the intricacies of India's drainage systems through this quiz that covers key topics like the major groups of drainage systems, the significance of Himalayan and Peninsular rivers, and the impact of urbanization. Test your knowledge on how rivers and lakes influence the economy and environment of India.

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