Drainage NCERT Solutions - Geography for UPSC CSE

Q1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.

(i) In which of the following states is the Wular lake located?

Wular Lake(a) Rajasthan
(b) Uttar Pradesh
(c) Punjab
(d) Jammu and Kashmir
Ans: (d) Jammu and Kashmir state.

Wular lake is the largest freshwater lake in India and is situated in the Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir. The lake is surrounded by beautiful mountains and serves as an important habitat for various species of migratory birds.

(ii) The river Narmada has its source at
(a) Satpura
(b) Brahmagiri
(c) Amarkantak
(d) Slopes of the Western Ghats
Ans: (c) Amarkantak

Amarkantak is a pilgrimage site and a hill station located at the meeting point of the Vindhya and Satpura mountain ranges. Narmada is one of the longest rivers in India, spanning a length of approximately 1,312 kilometers. It is often referred to as the "lifeline of Madhya Pradesh" and is considered sacred by Hindus.

(iii) Which one of the following lakes is a salt water lake?
(a) Sambhar
(b) Dal 
(c) Wular  
(d) Gobind Sagar
Ans: (a) Sambhar

Sambhar Lake, located in the state of Rajasthan, India, is a saltwater lake. It is the largest inland saltwater lake in India and serves as a major source of salt production in the country. 

(iv) Which one of the following is the longest river of the Peninsular India?
(a) Narmada
(b) Krishna
(c) Godavari
(d) Mahanadi
Ans: (c) Godavari

The Godavari River originates in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra and flows through the states of Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and eventually empties into the Bay of Bengal. The river stretches for about 1,465 kilometers (910 miles) in length, making it the longest river in Peninsular India. 

(v) Which one amongst the following rivers flows through a rift valley?
(a) Mahanadi
(b) Tungabhadra
(c) Krishna
(d) Tapi
Ans: (d) Tapi

A rift valley is a long, narrow valley that is formed by the sinking and separation of the Earth's crust. The Tapi River originates in the Betul district of Madhya Pradesh and flows through Maharashtra and Gujarat before draining into the Arabian Sea.

Q2. Answer the following questions briefly.

(i) What is meant by a water divide? Give an example.
Ans: A water divide is an elevated area, such as a mountain or an upland, that separates two drainage basins. For example, the water divide between the Indus and the Ganga river system is Ambala.

(ii) Which is the largest river basin in India?
Ans: The Ganga River basin is the largest one in India. The length of this basin is over 2,500 km.

(iii) Where do the rivers Indus and Ganga have their origin?
Ans: The Indus originates in Tibet, near Mansarovar Lake. The Ganga River originates at the Gangotri Glacier on the southern slopes of the Himalayas.

(iv) Name the two headstreams of the Ganga. Where do they meet to form the Ganga?
Ans: The two headstreams of the Ganga are the Bhagirathi and the Alaknanda. They meet to form the Ganga at Devaprayag in Uttarakhand.

(v) Why does the Brahmaputra in its Tibetan part have less silt, despite a longer course?
Ans: The Brahmaputra in its Tibetan part, carries a smaller volume of water and less silt as it is a cold and dry area.

(vi) Which two Peninsular rivers flow through trough?
Ans: The Narmada and the Tapi are the two peninsular rivers that flow through the trough.

(vii) State some economic benefits of rivers and lakes.
Ans: Economic benefits of rivers:

• Rivers provide water, which is a basic natural resource for various human activities.
• They are used for irrigation, navigation, and generation of hydroelectric power.
• They have a moderating influence on the climate of the surroundings and maintain the aquatic ecosystem.

Economic benefits of lakes:

• They help to regulate the flow of a river.
• They prevent flooding at times of heavy rainfall and during the dry season, they help to maintain an even flow of water.
• They also have a moderating influence on the surrounding climatic conditions and maintain the aquatic ecosystem.
• They enhance natural beauty and recreational activities by encouraging tourism.
• Lakes are also used for the generation of hydroelectricity.

Q3. Below are given names of a few lakes of India. Group them under two categories − natural and created by human beings.
(a) Wular
(b) Dal
(c) Nainital
(d) Bhimtal
(e) Gobind Sagar
(f) Loktak
(g) Barapani
(h) Chilika
(i) Sambhar
(j) Rana Pratap Sagar
(k) Nizam Sagar
(l) Pulicat
(m) Nagarjuna Sagar
(n) Hirakund
Ans: Natural Lakes
(a) Wular
(b) Dal
(c) Nainital
(d) Bhimtal
(f) Loktak
(g) Barapani
(h) Chilika
(i) Sambhar
(l) Pulicat
Lakes created by human beings
(e) Gobind Sagar
(j) Rana Pratap Sagar
(k) Nizam Sagar
(m) Nagarjuna Sagar
(n) Hirakund

Q4. Discuss the significant difference between the Himalayan and the Peninsular rivers.
Ans: 

Q5. Compare the east-flowing and the west-flowing rivers of the Peninsular Plateau.
Ans:

Q6. Why are rivers important for the country’s economy?
Ans: The rivers are important for the country’s economy due to the following reasons:

• It is an important source of natural freshwater, which is required for the survival of most animals, including humans.
• River water is used for various purposes like domestic, industrial, and agricultural purposes.
• The presence of rivers boosts trade and commerce by helping in the easy transport of goods. They are also a potential source of energy.
• River water is also used to run hydroelectric dams.
• It is also used for navigation and transport, thus important for commercial activities.
• It also provides fishing and great scenic and recreational value. Thus, serve as good tourist spots.

Map skills

Q. (i) On the outline map of India mark and label the following rivers: Ganga, Satluj, Damodar, Krishna, Narmada, Tapi, Mahanadi, and the Brahmaputra.
(ii) On an outline map of India mark and label the following lakes: Chilika, Sambhar, Wular, Pulicat, Kolleru 
Ans: