Geography of India (Part -IV) (UPSC)

• Uranium and Thorium are the main atomic minerals. Other atomic minerals are beryllium, lithium and zirconium.
• Uranium deposits occur in Singhbhum and Hazaribagh districts of Jharkhand, Gaya district of Bihar, and in the sedimentary rocks in Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh.
• But the largest source of uranium comprise the monazite sands.
• Monazite sands occur on east and west coasts and in some places in Bihar.
• But the largest concentration of monazite sand is on the Kerala coast.
• Over 15,200 tonnes of uranium is estimated to be contained in monazite.
• Some uranium is found in the copper mines of Udaipur in Rajasthan.
• India produces about 2 per cent of world's uranium. The total reserves of uranium are estimated at 30,480 tonnes.
• Thorium is also derived from monozite. The other mineral carrying thorium is thorianite.
• The known reserves of thorium in India are estimated to be between 457,000 and 508,000 tonnes. Kerala, Jharkhand, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan are the main producers.
• Beryllium oxide is used as a 'moderator' in nuclear reactors. India has sufficient reserves of beryllium to meet her requirement of atomic power generation.
• Lithium is a light metal which is found in lepidolite and spodumene.
• Lepidolite is widely distributed in the mica belts of Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
• Zirconium is found along the Kerala coast and in alluvial rocks of Ranchi and Hazaribagh districts of Jharkhand.

Three east-flowing rivers found in Kerala are Kabani, Bhavani, and Pambar. The Tapti, Narmada, and Mahi Rivers flow westward and also pass through Madhya Pradesh.
Indian river systems play a vital role in shaping society, supporting irrigation, drinking water, transportation, and power generation, and providing livelihoods to millions. This is why most major Indian cities are located along riverbanks. Serving as the nation’s lifeline, rivers influence geography, culture, and the economy by sustaining diverse ecosystems and fulfilling essential water needs for agriculture, industries, and daily life.
List of Major Indian River Systems
Most Indian Rivers confluence into the Bay of Bengal, while some in the west flow into the Arabian Sea. Regions like northern Aravalli, parts of Ladakh, and the Thar Desert have inland drainage. The country’s major rivers originate from three primary watersheds: the Himalayas and Karakoram range, the Chota Nagpur plateau along with the Vindhya and Satpura ranges, and the Western Ghats..

The fixed boundary of a National Park is described in the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The legislation states the actual area of the National Park, which is notified by the state government. A biosphere reserve conserves an ecosystem, not just a few specific species of plants and animals.

The climate conditions described are found in the Western coastal area from Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, and Coastal Karnataka, including the Western Ghats, and the hilly areas of the northeast, except for some parts of Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh. Virginia tobacco is cultivated in Andhra Pradesh and can be grown in dry weather. Pepper should be the correct option.

Odisha has 90% of India’s natural Nickel resources.

The Hoolock Gibbon is found in the northeastern region of India, which covers 38% of the forest area.
• Protected Areas, also known as Conservation Areas, refer to the areas that are designated and managed with the specific goal of protecting ecosystems, conserving biodiversity, and providing long-term benefits to both wildlife and human communities.
• These areas play a crucial role in conserving natural habitats, maintaining ecological balance, and safeguarding threatened or endangered species.
• A group of Protected Areas, collectively, is referred to as the Protected Area Network (PAN).

In India, tropical moist deciduous forests occupy the largest area. They include the Deccan Plateau, the northeastern region of the Deccan Plateau, and the lower slopes of the Himalayas, covering parts of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, and Kerala. These forests cover 38% of the total forest area.

The Luni River originates from the Aravalli Range and flows southwest through the hills, eventually ending in the marshy land of the Rann of Kutch.
Luni is a major west-flowing river that originates from western slopes of Naga hills, at an elevation of 772 m in Ajmer district of Rajasthan, where it is known as the Sagarmati. After passing Govindgarh, it meets its tributary Sarasuti, which originates from Pushkar Lake, and from then on it is referred to as Luni River.
The name Luni is derived from the Sanskrit word lavanavari (“salt river”) and is so called because of its excessive salinity. The Luni river is not saline until it reaches Balotra, where high salt content in the soil impacts the river.

Rivers like Beas, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej, and Yamuna pass through Himachal Pradesh.
Indian river systems play a vital role in shaping society, supporting irrigation, drinking water, transportation, and power generation, and providing livelihoods to millions. This is why most major Indian cities are located along riverbanks. Serving as the nation’s lifeline, rivers influence geography, culture, and the economy by sustaining diverse ecosystems and fulfilling essential water needs for agriculture, industries, and daily life.
List of Major Indian River Systems
Most Indian Rivers confluence into the Bay of Bengal, while some in the west flow into the Arabian Sea. Regions like northern Aravalli, parts of Ladakh, and the Thar Desert have inland drainage. The country’s major rivers originate from three primary watersheds: the Himalayas and Karakoram range, the Chota Nagpur plateau along with the Vindhya and Satpura ranges, and the Western Ghats..