Geography of India (Part -II) (UPSC)

Total Questions: 50

21. With reference to Indian transport systems, consider the following statements: [2002]

1. Indian railway system is the largest in the world

2. National Highways cater to 45 percent of the total and transport demand

3. Among the states, Kerala has the highest density of surface road

4. National Highway No. 7 is the longest in the country

Which of these statements are correct?

Correct Answer: (d) 2 and 4
Solution:Indian railway is the fourth largest railway in the world after USA, Russia and China. National Highways is nearly 2% (1.96%) of total roads, but it carries nearly 40-45% of road traffic of India.
Maharashtra has the highest density of the surface roads, not Kerala, National Highway No. 7 is the longest in the country which joins Varanasi to Kanyakumari.

22. The average annual temperature of a meteorological station is 26°C, its average annual rainfall is 63 cm and the annual range temperature is 9°C. The station in question is: [2002]

Correct Answer: (b) Chennai
Solution:The climatic condition of Chennai is tropical savanna type where the average annual temperature of meterological station is 26°C and average rainfall is 63 cm and annual range temperature is 9°C.
About the Savanna
  • The savanna is a unique tropical biome characterized by vast open grasslands interspersed with scattered trees and shrubs. Found in regions like Africa, South America, Australia, and parts of Asia, it is defined by its warm climate and distinct wet and dry seasons
  • During the wet season, the savanna bursts into life with lush greenery, supporting diverse species of plants and animals. In the dry season, water sources shrink, and the landscape becomes arid, challenging its inhabitants to adapt for survival.
  • The savanna is home to iconic wildlife such as elephants, lions, giraffes, and zebras, along with a variety of birds and insects. Its plant life, including drought-resistant grasses and acacia trees, has adapted to withstand periodic fires and low rainfall
  • This ecosystem plays a vital role in global ecology, serving as a carbon sink, a habitat for biodiversity, and a resource for local human communities.

23. The sea coast of which one of the following states has become famous as a nesting place for the giant Olive Ridley turtles from South America? [2002]

Correct Answer: (c) Orissa
Solution:The sea coast of Orissa is famous as a nesting place for giant olive Ridley turtles from South America.
About Olive Ridley Turtle
  • They are the smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles found in the world.
  • It gets its name from the olive green colouration of its carapace (shell).
  • It is best known for its unique mass nesting, called Arribada, where thousands of females come together on the same beach to lay eggs.
    Distribution of Olive Ridley Turtle
  • They are mainly found in the warm waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans.
  • Odisha's Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary is known as the world's largest rookery (a colony of breeding animals) of sea turtles.
    Features of Olive Ridley Turtle
  • They are omnivorous, meaning they feed on both plants and animals.
  • They are solitary, preferring the open ocean.
  • These turtles spend their entire lives in the ocean, and migrate thousands of kilometers between feeding and mating grounds in the course of a year.
    Conservation Status of Olive Ridley Turtle
  • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule 1
  • CITES: Appendix 1.

24. With reference to India, which one of the following statements is not correct? [2002]

Correct Answer: (b) The dominant source of irrigation in the country is wells
Solution:As per data of 2010-11. The source of irrigation in India is
Tube wells-45%
Canals -26%
Wells-19%
Others - 7%
About Irrigation System
  • Irrigation is the controlled application of water through man-made systems to meet the water requirements of agriculture.
  • Irrigation is the application of artificial water to crops or plants, especially when rain does not provide enough water for an agricultural field.
  • Despite having the largest irrigated area in the world, India faces acute water scarcity. We must adopt irrigation methods that help save freshwater and provide sufficient water for plants' growth.
  • Thus, irrigation supplies water to crops by artificial means such as canals, wells, tube wells, tanks, etc., from sources such as rivers, ponds, or underground water.
  • The main idea behind irrigation systems is to assist in the growth of crops and plants by maintaining the minimum amount of water required, suppressing weed growth in grain fields, and preventing soil
    consolidation.
  • In India, two-thirds of the total cropped area needs irrigation. The nature of monsoon rainfall in India is uncertain, unreliable, irregular, variable, seasonal, and unevenly distributed.

25. Open stunted forests with bushes and small trees having long roots and sharp thorns or sharp thorns or spines are commonly found in: [2002]

Correct Answer: (d) Western Andhra Pradesh
Solution:Open stunted forests with bushes and small trees having long roots and sharp thorns or spines are commonly found in the area where the rainfall is less than 80 cm. Such areas are found in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana and western Andhra Pradesh.
These forests thrive in areas with low annual rainfall, often less than 70 cm. The vegetation features plants with adaptations for survival in dry conditions:
  • Long roots: They penetrate deep into the soil to find water.
  • Thorns and spines: These sharp, often modified leaves, help reduce water loss through transpiration.
  • Thick stems: Many plants have succulent stems to store water.

26. Match List-I (Mangrove) with List-II (State) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: [2002]

List-I (Mangrove) List-II (State)
A. Achra Ratnagiri1. Karnataka
B. Coondapur2. Kerala
C. Pichavaram3. Andhra Pradesh
D. Vembanad4. Maharashtra
5. Tamil Nadu

कूट:

ABCD
(a)2154
(b)4532
(c)2534
(d)4152
Correct Answer: (d)
Solution:Achra Ratnagiri Mangrove is in Maharashtra, Coondapur Mangrove is in Karnataka, Pichavaram Mangrove is in Tamil Nadu and Vembanad Mangrove is in Kerala.
Features of Mangroves
  • They are salt-tolerant plant species with roots dangling down into the water.
    Since they grow in very high salinity waters, they are adapted to the condition and are salt tolerant.
  • They can secrete salt from their leaves to balance the salt intake.
  • They have developed roots bearing pneumatophore (or aerial roots).
  • These forests are also become quite resistant to high temperatures.
  • They exhibit a viviparous mode of reproduction.

27. What is the correct sequence of the rivers-Godavari, Mahanadi, Narmada and Tapi in the descending order of their lengths? [2003]

Correct Answer: (b) Godavari-Narmada-Mahanadi-Tapi
Solution:The correct sequence of the river in descending order of their lengths are Godavari (1465 km), Narmada (1312 km), Mahanadi (858 km) and Tapti (724 km).
MAHANADI RIVER SYSTEM
  • Originates in Chhattisgarh, south of Amarkantak.
  • Basin states: Chhattisgarh and Odisha and comparatively smaller portions of Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, draining an area of 1,41,589 Sq.km.
  • Bounded by the Central India hills on the north, by the Eastern Ghats on the south and east and by the Maikala range on the west.
    GODAVARI RIVER SYSTEM
  • Longest river of Peninsula and third largest in India
  • Also known as Dakshin Ganga or Vridha Ganga because of its size, age and length.
  • Originates from Trimbak in Western Ghats in Nashik district, Maharashtra.
    Narmada River
  • Narmada is the largest west flowing river of the peninsular India.
  • Narmada flows westwards through a rift valley between the Vindhyan
  • Range on the north and the Satpura Range on the south.
    It rises from Maikala range near Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh, at an elevation of about 1057 m.
    Tapti River
  • The Tapti (also known as the Tapij is the second largest west flowing river of the Peninsular India and is known as 'the twin' or 'the handmaid' of the Narmada.
  • It originates near Multai reserve forest in Madhya Pradesh at an elevation of 752 m.
  • Flows for about 724 km before outfalling into the Arabian Sea through the Gulf of Cambay [Gulf of Khambhat].

28. Which amongst the following States has the highest population density as per Census-2001 ? [2003]

Correct Answer: (d) West Bengal
Solution:As per the census 2001, West Bengal has the highest population density of 904, But as per census 2011, Bihar has highest population density of 1106, WB has 1028.
Statistics & Trends:
  • As of 2011, the overall population density of india reached 382 persons per sq km, showing a significant rise from 117 persons per sq km in 1951.
  • Bihar boasts the highest density, with 1,102 persons/sq km.
    In contrast, Arunachal Pradesh registers the lowest with just 17 persons/sq km.
  • Other noteworthy states in terms of density include West Bengal with 1,029 persons/sq km, Uttar Pradesh with 828, Kerala with 859, and Tamil Nadu with 555.
  • The National Capital Territory of Delhi stands out with a staggering density of 11,297 persons/sq km.
  • Moderation in density is seen in states like Assam and Gujarat, while Himalayan and North-eastern states (barring Assam) record low figures.
  • Additionally, most Union Territories exhibit very high population densities.

29. Nanda Devi peak forms a part of: [2003]

Correct Answer: (b) Kumaon Himalayas
Solution:Nanda Devi peak are a part of Kumaon Himalayas located in Chamoli district of Uttaranchal.

30. Among the following cities, which one has the highest altitude above mean sea level? [2003]

Correct Answer: (a) Bangalore
Solution:Bangalore is the city which is 937 metres above sea level, Delhi is 218 metres sea level, Jodhpur is 230 metres and Nagpur is 247.5 metres above the sea level.