Geography PDF - UPSC 1997 Past Paper

Answer: d) A is false but R is true [UPSC 1997] Consider the map given below: The place marked A, B, C and D in the map are respectively: a) Rift valley region, Chhattisgarh plain, Rain shadow region and Chota Nagpur b) Chhattisgarh plain, Chota Nagpur plateau, Rift valley region, and Rain...

Answer: d) A is false but R is true [UPSC 1997] Consider the map given below: The place marked A, B, C and D in the map are respectively: a) Rift valley region, Chhattisgarh plain, Rain shadow region and Chota Nagpur b) Chhattisgarh plain, Chota Nagpur plateau, Rift valley region, and Rain shadow region c) Rift valley region, Chhattisgarh plain, Chota Nagpur plateau and Rain shadow region d) Chhattisgarh plain, Rain shadow region, Chota Nagpur plateau and Rift valley region Explanation Regions such as the Rift Valley, the Chhattisgarh Plain, the Chota Nagpur Plateau, and the Rain Shadow region are notable geographical features in India. The Rift Valley experiences crustal spreading, leading to deeper erosion. Major rivers flowing through the Rift Valley include the Narmada, Tapti, (west-flowing), and the Damodar River in the Chota Nagpur Plateau. The Chhattisgarh Plain, characterized by vast undulating tracts, boasts rich rice fields and serves as a significant area for cotton and oilseed cultivation. It is also rich in coal, iron ore, bauxite, manganese, and commercial clays. The Chota Nagpur Plateau spans across Jharkhand, parts of Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh. It is bordered by the Indo-Gangetic plain to the north and east, and the basin of the Mahanadi River lies to the south. A rain shadow region refers to a dry area on the leeward side of mountain ranges. These moun- tains obstruct rain-producing weather systems, creating a dry "shadow" behind them. Notable examples include the eastern side of the Sahyadri ranges on the Deccan Plateau, en- 78 compassing regions like northern Karnataka, Sholapur, Beed, Osmanabad, and Vidarbha. Answer: c) Rift valley region, Chhattisgarh plain, Chota Nagpur plateau and Rain shadow re- PMF IAS IPG gion Hills of the Peninsular Plateau  The hills in the peninsular region are mainly of the relict type (residual hills). They are the remnants of the hills and horsts formed many million years ago. These hill ranges, along with river valleys, separate the plateaus of the Peninsular region.  Horst: uplifted block; Graben: subsided block Aravalli Range The Aravalli Range stretches 800 km from Delhi to Palanpur (near Ahmedabad) in Gujarat in a north-east to south-west direction. The general elevation is 400-600 m, with some hills exceeding 1,000 m. It is among the world's oldest fold mountains and is the oldest in India. It extends up to Haridwar beneath the Ganga Plains' alluvium. Some geographers suggest its branches extend to the Lakshadweep Archipelago via the Gulf of Khambhat and into Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The range is prominent in Rajasthan, reaching up to 900 m, but becomes less distinct in Haryana and Delhi, with detached ridges beyond Ajmer. 79 Mt. Abu (1,158 m), a small hilly block, is separated from the main range by the Banas Valley. Guru Shikhar (1,722 m), the highest peak of the Aravalli Range, is in Mt. Abu. PMF IAS IPG Pipli Ghat, Dewair, and Desuri passes facilitate road and railway movement. Vindhyan Range  The Vindhyan Range runs parallel to the Narmada Valley in an east-west direction from Jobat in Gujarat to Sasaram in Bihar for over 1,200 km. It forms a steep escarpment along the northern edge of the Narmada-Son Trough. It is predominantly composed of ancient horizontally bedded sedimentary rocks. The general elevation of the Vindhyan Range is 300 to 650 m. Extending eastwards, the Vindhyas continue as the Barner and Kaimur hills. It serves as a watershed, separating the Ganga system from South India's river systems. The rivers like Chambal, Betwa, and Ken originate within 30 km of the Narmada. Satpura Range The Satpura Range is a series of seven mountains (‘Sat’ = seven and ‘pura’ = mountains) running in an east-west direction for about 900 km. Situated south of the Vindhyas, it lies between the Narmada and Tapti rivers, roughly parallel to these water bodies. Dhupgarh (1,350 m) near Pachmarhi on Mahadev Hills is the highest peak in the Satpura Range. Amarkantak (1,127 m) is another significant peak in the region. Western Ghats (or The Sahyadris) The Western Ghats or the Sahyadris form the western edge of the Deccan tableland. It rises abruptly from the Western Coastal Plain, and it slopes gently on its eastern flank. It stretches for 1,600 km from the Tapti Valley to slightly north of Kanniyakumari. The Western Ghats are steep-sided hills with a stepped topography facing the Arabian Sea coast. It has an average elevation of 900-1600 m, and it increases from north to south. The stepped appearance results from horizontally bedded lavas, creating a characteristic 'landing stair aspect' to the mountain chain's relief. The Western Ghats is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Along with Sri Lanka, it is one of the world's eight 'hottest hotspots' of biological diversity. The Northern Section It stretches from the Tapti valley to the north of Goa and comprises Deccan lavas (Deccan Traps). This section has an average height of 1,200 m and has notable peaks, including Kalasuba, Salher, Mahabaleshwar, and Harishchandragarh. Key passes like Thal Ghat and Bhor Ghat provide passage between the Konkan Plains and the Dec- can Plateau.  Konkan coast  Maharashtra coast and Goa coast 80  Malabar Coast  Kerala and Karnataka coast PMF IAS IPG The Middle Sahyadri It extends from 16°N latitude up to the Nilgiri hills and is characterised by dense forests. Western scarp in this region is significantly dissected due to the headward erosion of streams.  The average height is around 1200 m, and numerous peaks surpass 1500 m. Notable peaks include Vavul Mala, Kudremukh, and Pushpagiri. The Nilgiri Hills abruptly rise to over 2,000 m, joining the Sahyadris near the tri-junction of Kar- nataka, Kerala, and TN. This junction marks the convergence of the Western Ghats with the East- ern Ghats. Important peaks in this area include Doda Betta (2,637 m) and Mukurti (2,554 m). The Southern Section The southern part of the Western Ghats is separated from the main Sahyadri range by the Palghat Gap (Palakkad Gap). The Palghat Gap serves as a rift valley connecting the plains of TN with the coastal plain of Kerala via roads and railway lines. This gap serves as a passage for southwest monsoon clouds, bringing rain to the Mysore region. Anai Mudi (2,695 m) is the highest peak in southern India. From Anai Mudi, three ranges radiate in different directions: 1. The Anaimalai (1800-2000 m) to the north 2. The Palani (900-1,200 m) to the northeast 3. The Cardamom Hills or the Ealaimalai to the south [UPSC 2013] There is no formation of deltas by rivers of the Western Ghats. Why? Compared to major delta-forming rivers like the Ganges, Western Ghats Rivers lack the distance, time and sediment load needed for extensive sediment deposition and delta formation. Instead of deltas, many Western Ghats Rivers form estuaries (funnel-shaped openings where freshwater mixes with seawater). Steep Gradient The Western Ghats have a steep gradient, meaning the rivers descend rapidly towards the sea. This high velocity doesn't allow them to deposit much sediment for long distances. Short Course The distance from the source to the sea is relatively short, further limiting the rivers’ ability for sediment accumulation. Limited Sediment The Western Ghats have a predominantly rocky terrain and thick vegetation, with less easily erodible soil compared to plains. This means there's less sediment available for the rivers to 81 transport and deposit at their mouths. High rainfall and rapid flow further contribute to the limited sediment availability. PMF IAS IPG Strong Wave Action  The Arabian Sea coast, where these rivers meet the sea, experiences strong wave action (due to SW Monsoons). These waves erode and disperse any sediment deposited by the rivers, hin- dering delta formation. Thus, sediment deposition isn't enough for delta formation, and estuaries become the dom- inant feature at the river mouths. Eastern Ghats The Eastern Ghats run parallel to India's east coast. They are often seen as separate units lacking structural unity and continuous physiography, leaving vast plains between their base and the coast. With an average elevation of 600 m, they are a chain of fragmented hills extending from the Ma- hanadi in Odisha to the Vagai in TN. The Eastern Ghats exhibit true mountain character in the northern part, between the Mahanadi and the Godavari. This region comprises: 1. Maliya Range (900-1,200 m): Mahendra Giri is the tallest peak in this range 2. Madugula Konda Range (1,100-1,400 m): The tallest peak of the Eastern Ghats, Jindhagada Peak (1690 m), is here. Other peaks are Arma Konda, Gali Konda, and Sinkram Gutta. Between the Godavari and the Krishna, the Eastern Ghats lose their hilly character and are occupied by Gondwana formations. They reappear as a hill range in the Cuddapah and Kurnool districts of Andhra Pradesh, referred to as the Nallamalai Range (naxalite hideout), with a general elevation of 600-850 m. The southern part of this range is called the Palkodna range. To the south, the hills reach lower altitudes, with only Javadi Hills and Shevroy-Kalrayan Hills standing out at 1,000 m elevation. Further south, the Eastern Ghats merge with the Western Ghats. [UPSC 2017] From the ecological point of view, which one of the following assumes importance in being a good link between the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats? a) Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve b) Nallamala Forest c) Nagarhole National Park d) Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve Explanation Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve is located at the southern tip of the Eastern Ghats, bordering the Nilgiri Hills, which form part of the Western Ghats. 82 This unique geographical position makes it a crucial ecological corridor connecting the two PMF IAS IPG mountain ranges.