Rivers and Ecology in India

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What primary economic role do rivers serve in countries like India?

Irrigation and agriculture (correct)
Promoting tourism exclusively
Fishing and aquaculture only
Solely for transportation purposes

What environmental issue is primarily addressed by the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP)?

Promotion of recreational fishing activities
Water quality improvement and pollution abatement (correct)
Flood management in coastal areas
Enhancement of biodiversity in lakes

How do natural lakes contribute to river ecosystems during dry seasons?

They help maintain consistent water levels in rivers. (correct)
They significantly decrease the water level in rivers.
They reduce the flow rate of rivers completely.
They solely exist for aesthetic purposes.

Which of the following pollutants primarily affects river water quality?

Untreated sewage and industrial waste (D) Signup and view all the answers

What significant benefit do lakes provide beyond irrigation and flood prevention?

They influence local climate and enhance tourism. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following rivers flows west in a rift valley due to faulting?

Narmada (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate length of the Godavari river?

1500 km (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which basin is known as the Dakshin Ganga?

Mahanadi Basin (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which river creates picturesque locations like the Marble rocks near Jabalpur?

Narmada (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the Brahmaputra River is correct?

It forms riverine islands in Assam. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic that distinguishes Himalayan rivers from other river systems in India?

They are perennial and fed by rain and melting snow. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What role does a water divide play in a drainage system?

It separates two distinct drainage basins. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which river pairs are examples of Himalayan rivers mentioned in the context?

Indus and Brahmaputra (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does the drainage system of India primarily get influenced?

By the country's relief features. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of a drainage basin?

The geographical area drained by a single river system. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of seasonal lakes?

They fill with water only during specific times, often the rainy season. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a role of lakes?

Enhancing river currents (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common feature of oxbow lakes?

They are formed when rivers meander and cut off parts of their loops. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How do glaciers contribute to lake formation?

By eroding land and forming basins filled with meltwater (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following lakes is known to be the largest freshwater lake in India?

Wular Lake (A) Signup and view all the answers

What impact does river pollution have on economy?

Impacts water quality. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of lake is referred to as a 'sea'?

Large extent lakes like Caspian (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is one way lakes help regulate the climate?

By affecting local temperature and precipitation patterns (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which tributary of the Ganga River flows from the Yamunotri Glacier?

Yamuna (B) Signup and view all the answers

What unique geographic feature characterizes the Ganga River system's drainage pattern?

It features large meanders due to its gentle gradient. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Namami Gange Programme?

To abate pollution and rejuvenate the Ganga. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which river is referred to as Tsang Po in Tibet, and Jamuna in Bangladesh?

Brahmaputra (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following rivers is a tributary that originates in semi-arid areas of the peninsular uplands?

Chambal (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is unique about the Sundarban Delta?

It is the world's largest and fastest-growing delta. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which river forms a rift valley in Madhya Pradesh as it flows towards the sea?

Narmada (B) Signup and view all the answers

How is the Brahmaputra River characterized in terms of its geographical flow?

It mostly flows outside India and takes a 'U' turn. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Drainage

The network of rivers in a specific area, with smaller streams converging into a larger main river that flows into a lake, sea, or ocean.

Drainage Basin

The area of land drained by a single river system, encompassing all the streams and tributaries that contribute to the main river.

Water Divide

An elevated area (mountain or upland) that separates two drainage basins, preventing water from flowing between them.

Perennial River

A river that flows continuously throughout the year, regardless of seasonal variations in rainfall, due to consistent water sources like snowmelt or underground springs.