Geo

Q1: Define the Following Terms:
1. Drainage:
o Describes the river system of an area.
o Includes small streams that merge to form a main river.
o The main river drains into a large water body such as a lake, sea, or ocean.
2. Drainage Basin:
o The area drained by a single river system.
o It collects water from its tributaries and channels it to a central outlet.
3. Water Divide:
o An elevated region, like a mountain or upland, separating two drainage basins.
o Ensures water flows into different basins on either side of the divide.
Q2: Distinguish Between Himalayan and Peninsular Rivers:

1. Himalayan Rivers:
o They are perennial and have water throughout the year, fed by rain and snow.
o Long courses from their source to the sea.
o Perform significant erosion in their upper courses and deposit sediments in their
lower courses.
o Form features like gorges, meanders, oxbow lakes, and deltas.
o Examples: Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra.
2. Peninsular Rivers:
o Seasonal rivers, dependent on rainfall.
o Shorter and shallower courses compared to Himalayan rivers.
o Flow primarily eastward and drain into the Bay of Bengal, with few exceptions
like Narmada and Tapi flowing west.
o Form estuaries instead of deltas.
o Examples: Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri.
Q3: Discuss the Course of the Indus River System:

1. Originates in Tibet, near Lake Mansarowar.
2. Flows westwards and enters India in the Ladakh region, forming picturesque gorges.
3. Receives tributaries such as Zaskar, Nubra, Shyok, and Hunza in Kashmir.
4. Passes through Baltistan and Gilgit, emerging from the mountains at Attock.
5. Major tributaries like Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Satluj join in Pakistan near
Mithankot.
6. Flows southwards, reaching the Arabian Sea east of Karachi.
7. Total length: 2900 km, with about a third of its basin in India.
Q4: Discuss the Ganga River System:
1. The Ganga originates as Bhagirathi, fed by the Gangotri Glacier, and meets Alaknanda
at Devaprayag.
2. Emerges from the Himalayas onto the plains at Haridwar.
3. Major Himalayan tributaries: Yamuna (from Yamunotri Glacier), Ghaghara, Gandak,
and Kosi.
4. Peninsular tributaries: Chambal, Betwa, and Son, which are shorter and carry less
water.
5. At Farakka, West Bengal, the river bifurcates:
o Bhagirathi-Hooghly flows into the Bay of Bengal.
o Mainstream joins the Brahmaputra and flows into Bangladesh as the Meghna.
6. Forms the Sundarban Delta, the largest delta in the world.
7. Total length: Over 2500 km, with a gentle slope causing large meanders.
Q5: Explain the Course Taken by the Brahmaputra River in India:

1. Originates in Tibet near Mansarowar Lake and is called Tsang Po.
2. Flows eastward parallel to the Himalayas, taking a U-turn at Namcha Barwa.
3. Enters India in Arunachal Pradesh through a gorge, called Dihang.
4. Joined by tributaries like Dibang and Lohit to form the Brahmaputra in Assam.
5. Develops a braided channel and forms riverine islands, including Majuli, the largest
such island.
6. Frequently floods in Assam due to high rainfall and silt deposits.
7. Flows into Bangladesh as the Jamuna.
Q6: Why Doesn’t the Brahmaputra Create a Plain in Tibet?

The Brahmaputra River, known as Tsang Po in Tibet, flows through a cold and dry region
with minimal rainfall. This results in a smaller volume of water and less silt carried by the
river in this part of its course. Consequently, the lack of erosional and depositional activity
prevents the formation of plains in the Tibetan region
Q7: Discuss the Types of Lakes Formed in India (In Points).

1. Glacial Lakes: Found in the Himalayan region, created by glacial activity (e.g., Dal
Lake, Wular Lake).
2. Tectonic Lakes: Formed due to tectonic movements (e.g., Wular Lake).
3. Oxbow Lakes: Formed when meandering rivers cut off sections of their channels in
floodplains.
4. Lagoons: Coastal lakes formed by the action of spits and bars (e.g., Chilika Lake,
Pulicat Lake).
5. Seasonal Lakes: Appear during the rainy season in semi-arid regions (e.g., Sambhar
Lake, a saltwater lake).
6. Artificial Lakes: Created by damming rivers for hydropower and irrigation (e.g.,
Gobind Sagar).
Q8: Elaborate on the Role Played by Lakes in the Development of a

Country.
Lakes regulate river flow by storing excess water during heavy rains and preventing floods.
They ensure a consistent water supply during dry seasons and contribute to hydroelectric
power generation. Lakes also support aquatic ecosystems, maintain biodiversity, and
moderate the surrounding climate. Additionally, they enhance the natural beauty of an area,
promoting tourism and recreational activities such as boating and swimming. These benefits
collectively aid in economic and social development.
Q9: Discuss the Role Played by Rivers in the Upliftment of the Economy.
Rivers are essential for economic growth as they provide freshwater for drinking, agriculture,
and industries. They support irrigation systems crucial for farming, which is the backbone of
India’s economy. Rivers facilitate inland navigation, reducing transportation costs for goods.
They are also a source of hydroelectric power, ensuring renewable energy production.
Settlements and cities have developed along riverbanks, showcasing the central role rivers
play in economic and urban development.
Q10: The Reasons for Water Pollution Are Numerous. Discuss.

Water pollution is caused by several factors, including untreated sewage and industrial
effluents being discharged into rivers. Agricultural runoff containing fertilizers and
pesticides adds to the contamination. Over-extraction of river water reduces its ability to
dilute pollutants. Urbanization and unregulated construction along riverbanks worsen the
situation by contributing debris and waste. Cultural and religious practices, such as idol
immersion, further degrade water quality. Together, these factors significantly impact
ecosystems and human health.
Q11: What Are the Steps Taken by the Government to Control Pollution in
the Ganga River?
The government launched the Ganga Action Plan in 1985 to reduce pollution and conserve
the river. This was expanded under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) in 1995
to improve the water quality of other rivers.
In 2014, the Namami Gange Programme was introduced as a flagship mission to

rejuvenate the Ganga. It focuses on pollution reduction, biodiversity conservation, and
sewage treatment. Sewage treatment plants have been established to manage urban waste,
and public awareness campaigns have been initiated to involve communities in protecting
the river.

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Q1: Define the Following Terms:

Q2: Distinguish Between Himalayan and Peninsular Rivers:

Q3: Discuss the Course of the Indus River System:

Q5: Explain the Course Taken by the Brahmaputra River in India:

Q6: Why Doesn’t the Brahmaputra Create a Plain in Tibet?

Q7: Discuss the Types of Lakes Formed in India (In Points).

Q8: Elaborate on the Role Played by Lakes in the Development of a

Q10: The Reasons for Water Pollution Are Numerous. Discuss.

In 2014, the Namami Gange Programme was introduced as a flagship mission to

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