Knowledge in geography of india
Brahmaputra River System
Brahmaputra River SystemOrigin → Chemayungdung Glacier (Kailash Range, Tibet)In Tibet, known as TSANG – POIn China, known as YARLUNG ZANBOForms grand canyon in TibetTurns southward near Namcha – BarwaEnters Arunachal Pradesh as Dihang River at Sadiya, emerging from the mountainsJoined by Dibang river from the north & Lohit river from the south → Known as BrahamputraTurns at Dhubri to enter into BangladeshAfter joining Teesta, known as Jamuna in BDJoins Ganga & Megna → Merges to BOBForms many river island of which Majuli is world 2nd largest oneMajor tributaries → Dihang, Lohit, Subansiri, Teesta, Meghna (Barack in Assam), Manas TeestaMajor tributary of BrahmaputraRises from SikkimKnown as lifeline of SikkimLohitTributary of BrahmaputraFlows through Arunachal PradeshAlong with river Dihang merges into Brahmaputra, at Sadia town (Arunachal Pradesh)
Oisiki Bag
Peninsular Rivers Systems
Peninsular Rivers flowing in Arabian Sea (East → West)Forms only EstuariesNo Delta → Due to Hard rocks & lack of DistributariesLuniSabarmatiMahiNarmadaTawaTapiLuniDesertic river, also known as the SagarmatiRises from the western slopes of the Aravalli Range near AjmerEnds in the marshy lands of Rann of Kutch in GujaratInspite of high salinity, it is a major river in regionServes as a primary source of irrigationSabarmatiRises from Dhebar lake in Aravalli Range of the Udaipur (Rajasthan)Flow Route: Udaipur →Gulf of Khambat →Arabian Sea via EstuaryMahiRises from Vindhya range (MP)flows through MP, Rajasthan & Gujrat & drains in Gulf of CambayFamous Projects → Banswara Dam & Kadana damNarmadaOrigin → Amarkantak, Shahdol, MPAlso known as Rewa RiverFlows through rift valley of Vindhya & SatpuraFlow Route: MP →Bharuch (Gujrat) → Gulf of Khambat (Gujrat) →Arabian Sea via EstuaryLongest among all east to west flowing riversKnown as Life line of MPForms Duandhar falls at JabalpurTributary → Hiran River, Tawa River, Kolar RiverAliabet → Largest Island in EstuaryFamous projects →Sardar Sarovar Dam, Maheshwar Dam, Indira Gandhi Sagar DamTawaRises in the Satpura Range of Betul (MP)Narmada’s longest tributaryTapiOrigin → Mahadev hills, Satpura range, Betul district, MPFlow Route: MP →Maharashtra → Gulf of Khambat or Cambay →Arabian Sea via EstuaryFamous projects → Kakrapar Dam & Ukai DamPeriyarRises from Western Ghats in KeralaFlows towards west & drains in Arabian Sea via an estuaryNote → JOG falls, made by Sharavati river in Karnataka is Highest in IndiaPeninsular Rivers flowing in Bay of Bengal ( West → East)MahanadiGodavariPengangaSabriWardhaIndravatiKrishnaTungabhadraBhimaKaveriPennerVaigai (Drains in Gulf of Mannar)MahanadiOrigin → Dandakaranya Hills, RaipurFlow Route: Chhattisgarh →Orissa → EGs → BOBFamous Project : Hirakund DamGodavariOrigin →Triambakeshwar Plateau, Nashik, WGsLargest Peninsular RiverKnown as Dakshina / Vriddha GangaFlow Route: Nashik → Andhra Pradesh →BOBFamous Tributaries → Penganga, Sabri, Wardha & IndravatiFamous Projects → Poochampad, Jayakwadi, PolavaramPengangaRises from Ajanta hills (Maharashtra)a tributary of River Wardha which finally merges into GodavariKrishnaOrigin → Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra, WGsFlow Route: Maharashtra →Andhra Pradesh →BOBFamous Projects → Koyna, Tugrabhdra, Srisailam & Nagarjuna Sagar DamTungabhadraa major tributary of KrishnaRises from Western GhatsBhimaRises from Balaghat range (Maharashtra)Tributary of KrishnaKaveriOrigin → Brahamgiri hills, Karnataka, WGsFlow Route: Karnataka →Kaveripatnam (TN) →BOBPerrenial RiverForms Shivasundaram WaterfallsFamous projects →Krishnaraja sagar & MetturPenner Rises from KarnatakaFlows b/w Krishna & KaveriDrains into BOBVaigaiRises from Palni hills (TN)A seasonal river flows through TNDrains in Gulf of Mannar
Himalayan Drainage vs Peninsular Drainage
Himalayan Drainage vs Peninsular DrainageHimalayan DrainageAntecedent drainage i.e. Himalayan rivers are older than lesser Himalayas and ShiwaliksHimalayan rivers are older than the structures they cut acrossPerennial flowing River → fed by rain and melting glaciersGeologically young with long course of flowFlow through lose alluvial soils of northern plainsForm deep valley and gorges due to intensive erosionGenerate large quantities of sediment & cause annual flooding & form DeltasNature of river course is quiet changing, meandering , forming ox-bow lakes & high waterfallsHave deeper basins and large catchment areasPeninsular DrainageSuper-imposed drainage i.e. regional structures are older than the river valleys that cut through them.Nature of flow is seasonal i.e. majorly during south west monsoonGeologically older with shorter course of flowFlow through hard granitic soils of peninsular IndiaShallow graded valleys with little erosion.Forms shallow valleys, small waterfalls, deltas and estuaries
Watershed
WatershedGeographic area through which water flows across the land and drains into a common body of water, whether a stream, river, lake, or oceanWatershed boundary will more or less follow the highest ridgeline around the stream channels and meet at the bottom or lowest point of the land where water flows out of the watershed, the mouth of the waterwayDrainage basinAlso known as catchment basinAn area of land where surface water from rain, melting snow, or ice converges to a single point at a lower elevationUsually converses at the exit of the basin, where the waters join another water body viz. river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, or seaHence it is an area drained by tributary streams that coalesce into a main channel Watershed DivideThe line, which divides the surface runoff between two adjacent river basins, is called the topographic water divide, or the watershed divide.It marks the highest points between the basins, but isolated peaks within a basin may reach higher elevations than any point on the divide.
Stream or Flowing River Patterns
Stream or Flowing River PatternsThe combined effects of climate and geology on the catchment topography yield an erosion pattern, which is characterized by a network of streams.Some of the frequently observed stream patterns are as follows - Dendritic River PatternRiver channel follows the slope of the terrainHomogeneous beds of uniform resistance to erosionStreams run in all directions without definite preference to any one particular regionExample → Indo – Gangetic Plains Rectangular River PatternRegions that have undergone faultingProvide uniform resistance to erosionStreams Meet at right angle approx.Develops on strongly joined rocky terrainExample → Vindhya Mountains of India Trellis River PatternRiver joined by tributaries at approx. right angleDevelops in folded topography; alternate layers of hard & soft rocksLonger streams have preference to one directionTributaries have preference to right angle to the main streamExample → Appalachian Mountains of North America & Singhbhum (Chotanagpur Plateau) Radial River PatternStreams flow in different directions from central peakOutflowing rivers, away from a central point, analogous with the spokes of a wheelGenerally referred to rivers flowing through dome Mountains and volcanoesExample → Rivers Narmada, Son and Mahanadi originating from Amarkantak Hills; Girnar Hills (Kathiwar, Gujarat), and Mikir Hills of Assam Pinnate River PatternMain stream runs in one directionTributaries join it at oblique angle Parallel River PatternMain stream runs in one directionTributaries also join it running in the same direction
Forests of India
Tropical Evergreen ForestsAv. Rainfall → Above 200 cmAv. Temp. → 24* CFound at Hot & Humid areas of IndiaTall & Dense → 45 – 60 mHardwood ForestsFound at WGs, A & N islands & Eastern IndiaSunrays unable to reach earth surfaceTrees compete & rise high to get sunlightEx. Rubber, Coconut, Ebony, Mahogany, PalmsDeciduous ForestsAv. Rainfall → 100 -200 cmAv. Height → 25 – 45 mShed their leaves in summers due to shortage of waterFound at Shiwaliks, Ganga valley, WGs, NE IndiaEconomically very important forestsEx. Sal, Teak, Shisham, Sandalwood, Deodar, MahuaTropical dry ForestsAv. Rainfall → 50 – 100 cmLess dense & Small in size → 6 – 9 mRoots are thick & long to use underground waterThick Bark to prevent undue evaporationFound at Punjab, Haryana, MP, Eastern Rajasthan, Central Deccan PlateauMost of the areas are used for agricultureDwarf Deciduous trees and long- grasses grow in these regionsEx. Neem, Shisham, Babul, Pipal, MangoArid or Desert ForestsAv. Rainfall < 50 cmProminent features →Small leaves, Thick Bark, Long RootsIndian wild date is common in these desertsFound at Western Rajasthan, SW Haryana & Punjab, In some parts of GujratEx. Small sized kikar, Babul, Acacia, Bushes & ShrubsTidal ForestsThese forests grow along the coast and on the edges of the deltasFamous for Mangrove & Sundari TreesConsists of thick Bushes & FernsKnown as Halophytes →Tolerant of SalinityFound at Sundarbans, A & N Islands, Deltas of Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna & KaveryMountain forestsMountain forests vary considerably along the slopes of mountainOn the foothills of Himalayas, upto a height of 1500 meters, evergreen trees, (Sal, teak, bamboo and cane) grow abundantly.On higher slope between 1,500 meters to 3,500 meters, temperate conifer trees (pine, fir, oak, maple, deodar, laurel spruce, cedar) grow.At the higher altitude of the Himalayas, rhododendrons and junipers are found.Beyond these vegetation belts, alpine grasslands appear up to snowfield
Forest Cover of India
Forest Cover of India 34 Percent geographical area under forest cover till 2015The total forested area in India is about 63.73 million hectares.In the last 10 years, forest cover in the country has increased by 3.31 million hectares, showing an average 0.46% increase every year.Problems of ForestryOver grazingForest FireReckless Cutting of TreesJhum CultivationGovernment InitiativesReserve & Protected forestsVan Mahotsav Programme → Thousands of trees are planted every year in the months of July and AugustForest Research Institute at Dehradun →For promotion and preservation the forests properlyNational Forest policy National Forest Policy, 1988Conservation of Biodiversity, Afforestation & Check of soil erosion33 % Geographical area shall be forest coveredDevelop Social Forestry → (Agro Forestry, Community Forestry & Forestry by officials) Social ForestryMainly to reduce pressure on traditional forests by planting trees esp. for fuel wood, Timber & other social suppliesHelp in checking water and wind erosion by acting as shelter beltsEmployment & additional income generationAgro ForestryPlanting trees & agricultural crops together on farms for food, fuel, fodder, timber & fruitsForestry + AgricultureTrees bind soil and acts as shelter belts thus check soil erosionDeep roots of trees trap new nutrients and bring them close to the surfaceLeguminous trees fix atmospheric nitrogen, thus improves fertility of the soilSoil nutrient increases due to addition and deposition of leaf litter Community ForestryTrees Planted by community in their respected colonies Forestry by officialsTrees planted by forest departments to cater needs of community esp. along Roads, canals, Railways etc.
Forest & Wildlife Protection Programmes by Government
Forest & Wildlife Protection Programmes by GovernmentNational ParkRelatively large area consisting of one or more ecosystems, operates at National LevelNo human activity or settlement allowed i.e. human interference is totally prohibitedVillagers cannot graze their animals + Extremely strict rules about jungle produce collection for ex. Honey Wildlife SanctuaryRegulated human activities are allowed → Grazing of animals, Firewood collection, Tourismcan be created for a particular specie which is not the case with national; operates at State LevelA sanctuary can be upgraded to a National park but not vice versa Biosphere ReserveUnique ecosystem of terrestrial & coastal areas internationally recognized by UNESCO under Man and Biosphere (MAB) programmePeople are allowed to live, own private land & carry own traditional activities but only in outer zoneCore zoneCentral area that has to be kept undisturbed of all activities except research (which don’t disturb wildlife)Buffer zoneSome light activities like tourism, fishing, grazing etc. are allowed which don’t disturb the core zone. Research activities are encouraged hereTransition zoneOutmost part & not delimited but activities have to be harmonious with the biosphere reserveConservation ReservesCan be declared by the State Governments in any area owned by the governmentParticularly the areas adjacent to National Parks and Sanctuaries and those areas which link one Protected Area with anotherSuch declaration should be made after having consultations with the local communities Community ReservesCan be declared by the State Government in any private or community land, not comprised within a National Park, Sanctuary or a Conservation ReserveMainly where an individual or a community has volunteered to conserve wildlife and its habitat
Shafts , Tunnels and Underground Circuit
Shafts , tunnels and Underground Circuit is that in pipe are fitted underground water supply through a various sectors
Aman Tripathi
Anshika