Q1. Briefly describe the climate of the Amazon basin.
Ans: The Amazon Basin experiences a hot and wet climate throughout the year. It lies near the equator, so temperatures remain high. Both day and night are hot and humid, with almost daily rainfall. While the day is hot, nights cool down slightly, but humidity remains high at all times.
Q2. What are the main features of the Ganga and Brahmaputra basins?
Ans: The Ganga and Brahmaputra basin includes vast plains, the Himalayan foothills, and the Sundarbans delta. It has a monsoon climate, bringing heavy rains from June to September. Summers are typically hot, while winters are relatively cool.
Q3. What do you understand about ‘Susu’? Describe in brief.
Ans: Susu is a freshwater dolphin found in the rivers Ganga and Brahmaputra. Also called the blind dolphin, it is a sign of a healthy river ecosystem. However, pollution from untreated waste is endangering this species.
Q4. Describe the livelihood of the people living around the Amazon basin.
Ans: People living in the Amazon basin rely on hunting, fishing, and farming for their livelihood. They clear small areas of the forest to grow crops like tapioca, pineapple, and sweet potato. Cash crops such as coffee and maize are also grown. Manioc, similar to potatoes, is a staple food, and people sometimes eat queen ants and eggs.
Q5. Describe the wildlife in the Ganga and the Brahmaputra basins.
Ans: The Ganga and Brahmaputra basin is rich in wildlife, including elephants, tigers, deer, and monkeys. The one-horned rhinoceros is found in the Brahmaputra plain. In the Sundarbans delta, Bengal tigers, crocodiles, and alligators are common. Fish like rohu, catla, and hilsa are important to the diet of the local people.
Q6. What are the means of transportation developed in the Ganga and the Brahmaputra basin?
Ans: All forms of transportation—roadways, railways, waterways, and airways—are well-developed in this basin. This allows people and goods to move easily across the region.
Q7. Describe the fauna found in the Amazon basin.
Ans: The Amazon rainforest is home to diverse wildlife, including birds like toucans and hummingbirds, and animals like monkeys, sloths, and tapirs. It is also rich in reptiles such as crocodiles, snakes, and anacondas. The river is home to many fish species, including the fierce Piranha.
Q8. Describe different types of climates and crops around the Ganga-Brahmaputra basin.
Ans: The Ganga-Brahmaputra basin has different climates, from cool mountain areas to warmer plains. In the plains, paddy is the main crop, as it needs plenty of water. Other crops like wheat, maize, and sugarcane are also grown. In hilly areas like Uttarakhand, coniferous trees such as pine and deodar thrive in the cooler climate.
Q9. What do you understand about Slash and Burn?
Ans: Slash and burn is a farming method where trees and bushes are cut down and burned to clear land. The ash adds nutrients to the soil, and crops are grown. After a few years, the soil loses its fertility, so the land is abandoned and left to recover while farmers clear a new area.
Q10. Write a short note on tourism in the Ganga and the Brahmaputra basin.
Ans: The Ganga and Brahmaputra basin is a hub for tourism. Famous sites include the Taj Mahal in Agra, the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers in Allahabad, Buddhist stupas in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, and the wildlife sanctuaries in Assam like Kaziranga and Manas. The region's rich culture and nature attract many visitors.