English (Part – B) (NDA SOLVED PAPER 2020 – II) (101 to 150)

The Panama Canal opened in 1914, links Atlantic ocean and Pacific ocean. This canal (82 km), cuts across Isthmus of Panama and is a conduit for maritime trade. Construction of this canal started under French in 1881 and completed under the United States in 1914.
The administrative control of this canal is under the Republic of Panama. Suez canal joins Red sea and Mediterranean sea Strait of Malacca joins Pacific ocean and Indian ocean.

The United Nations Charter was signed by SI original members of the United Nations in 1945 at the San Franciso conference. 850 delegates from 51 nations deliberated, discussed and finalised the charter which initially divided into 4 sections. It was passed unanimously on 26th June, 1945.
London conference (officially named as Declaration of St. James’ palace) was signed on 12th June, 1941. This conference led to the idea of formation of United Nation.
The Hague Conference, 1954 is related to protection of cultural property in the Event of Armed Conflict.
Berlin conference of 1884-1885 regulated European Colonisation and trade in Africa.

Land Revenue Records maintained in India have categorised land-use into 9 categories. The following are the land-use categories in India
(i) Forests
(ii) Land put to non-agricultural use
(iii) Barren and wasteland
(iv) Area under permanent pasture and grazing land
(v) Area under miscellaneous tree crops and groves
(vi) Culturable wasteland
(vii) Current fallow
(viii) Fallow other than current fallow
(ix) Net sown area

Dry land farming is largely confined to the areas with rainfall less than 75 cm. These regions grow hardy and drought resistant crops such as ragi, bajra, moong, gram and guar. Farmers in this areas practise various measures of soil moisture conservation and rain water harvesting.

For an area to be excluded from the drought-prone category, 30% or more of its gross cropped area should be under irrigation. The irrigation commission considers both rainfall and irrigation as factors in identifying a drought. It recommended that areas with more than 30% coverage of irrigation should be excluded from being listed as drought prone areas. According to the vulnerability profile of NDMA, around 68% of India’s cultivable area is vulnerable to droughts.

Agulhas current is not a current of Pacific ocean. It flows South along the East coast of Africa in India ocean. The source of this current is East Madagascar current and Mozambique current.
It acts as an oceanic convergence zone which enhances its primary productivity as compared to surrounding waters.
Oyashio current is a cold current which circulates counter clockwise in the western North Pacific ocean.
Alaska current is current of Pacific ocean, which circulate alongside the West coast of the North American continent.
California current is cold water current of Pacific ocean which moves Southward along the Western coast of North America.

The duration of monsoon in India extends for an average period of 80-140 days. The rainfall received from the South-West monsoon is seasonal in character, which occurs between June and September.
Generally, the monsoon arrives at the southern tip of Indian Peninsula by the first week of June. Subsequently, it divided into two branches, viz the Arabian sea branch and the Bay of Bengal branch.
The retreat of monsoon which is characterised by clear skies  and rise in temperature starts in early September

The natural vegetation of South-East China is subtropical broadleaf evergreen forests. The South-East China experiences temperate monsoon type of climate which is characterised by warm moist summer and a cool and dry winter. It receives moderate rainfall between 25 inches to 60 inches, which is evenly distributed throughout the year.
The well distributed rainfall all the year round make the regions look green at all times.
The flora of this region includes oak, camphor, camelia and magnolia. Tropical Deciduous forest, also known as Monsoon forests are found in the belt along the equator between Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn. Temperate Evergreen forests are found in temperate areas with warmer summers and cool winter.
There are mostly located in the coastal region with mild winter and drier climates and are dominated by large trees.

Mistral is a cold local wind. It blows around Alps mountain in France. It brings good health, sunshine and dryness to the adjoining regions.
Santa Ana is a hot local wind which blows in South California.
Chinook is a hot and dry local wind which blows in the Rocky Mountains of USA and Canada.
Loo is a hot and dry local wind which blows from West in summer season of Northern India.

The main consequences of Permanent settlement on rural society in Bengal was the rise of group of rich peasants known as Jotedars. They succeeded in consolidating their positions in the villages.
They lived in villages, advanced loans to peasants and resisted efforts by Zamindars to increase the Jama of the village. They also purchased the estates of Zamindars when they failed to pay timely revenue.
Permanent settlement was introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793 in Eastern parts of the country. It fixed the land revenue and recognised Zamindar as owners of land.