Chapter - 3: Drainage
I. Multiple Choice Questions
1. In which of the following states is the Wular lake located?(a) Rajasthan (b) Uttar Pradesh (c) Punjab (d) Jammu and Kashmir
Answer:
(d) Jammu and Kashmir2. The river Narmada has its source at:(a) Satpura (b) Brahmagiri (c) Amarkantak (d) Slopes of the Western Ghats
Answer:
(c) Amarkantak3. Which one of the following lakes is a salt water lake?(a) Sambhar (b) Dal (c) Wular (d) Gobind Sagar
Answer:
(a) Sambhar4. Which one of the following is the longest river of the Peninsular India?(a) Narmada (b) Krishna (c) Godavari (d) Mahanadi
Answer:
(c) Godavari5. Which one amongst the following rivers flows through a rift valley?(a) Mahanadi (b) Tungabhadra (c) Krishna (d) Tapi
Answer:
(d) Tapi II. Short Answer Questions
1. What is meant by a water divide? Give an example.Answer: A water divide is an elevated area, such as a mountain or a hill, that separates two drainage basins or river systems. An example of a water divide is the Western Ghats, which separates the rivers flowing into the Arabian Sea from those flowing into the Bay of Bengal.
2. Which is the largest river basin in India?Answer: The Ganga Basin is the largest river basin in India.
3. Where do the rivers Indus and Ganga have their origin?Answer:
- The Indus River originates in the Tibetan Plateau near Lake Mansarovar.
- The Ganga River originates from the Gangotri Glacier in the state of Uttarakhand.
Answer: The two headstreams of the Ganga are the Bhagirathi and the Alaknanda. They meet at Devprayag to form the Ganga.
5. Why does the Brahmaputra in its Tibetan part have less silt, despite a longer course?Answer: In its Tibetan part, known as the Tsangpo, the Brahmaputra flows through a region with fewer tributaries and less erosion, resulting in less silt despite its longer course.
6. Which two Peninsular rivers flow through troughs?Answer: The Narmada and the Tapi are the two Peninsular rivers that flow through troughs or rift valleys.
7. State some economic benefits of rivers and lakes.Answer:
- Hydropower: They are sources for generating hydroelectric power.
- Irrigation: Rivers and lakes provide water for irrigating agricultural lands.
- Transportation: They serve as inland waterways for transporting goods and people.
- Fishing: Rivers and lakes support fishing industries.
- Tourism: They attract tourists, providing recreational opportunities and boosting local economies.
III. Grouping of Lakes
Natural Lakes:- Wular
- Dal
- Nainital
- Bhimtal
- Loktak
- Barapani
- Chilika
- Sambhar
- Pulicat
- Gobind Sagar
- Rana Pratap Sagar
- Nizam Sagar
- Nagarjuna Sagar
- Hirakud
IV. Long Answer Questions
1. Discuss the significant difference between the Himalayan and the Peninsular rivers.Answer:
| Himalayan Rivers | Peninsular Rivers |
|---|
| Originate from the Himalayas | Originate from the Peninsular Plateau |
| Perennial rivers, with water flow throughout the year | Seasonal rivers, dependent on monsoon rains |
| High sediment load and silt due to erosion | Comparatively less sediment load |
| They form large deltas (e.g., Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta) | Often flow through rift valleys (e.g., Narmada, Tapi) |
| Examples include the Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra | Examples include the Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri |
2. Compare the east flowing and the west flowing rivers of the Peninsular plateau.Answer:
| East Flowing Rivers | West Flowing Rivers |
|---|
| Flow into the Bay of Bengal | Flow into the Arabian Sea |
| Have large basins and form extensive deltas | Have shorter courses and do not form large deltas |
| Examples: Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Mahanadi | Examples: Narmada, Tapi |
| - | Often flow through rift valleys |
3. Why are rivers important for the country’s economy?Answer:
- Agriculture: Provide water for irrigation, essential for crops.
- Hydropower: Source of renewable energy through hydroelectric projects.
- Transportation: Facilitate inland navigation and transport.
- Fishing: Support fisheries, contributing to food supply and employment.
- Industry: Provide water for industrial processes.
- Drinking Water: Source of potable water for communities.
- Tourism: Attract tourists, enhancing local economies through activities like boating, fishing, and scenic views.
