NCERT Class 9 Social Science Chapter 9 Drainage

NCERT Class 9 Social Science Chapter 9 Drainage Solutions to each chapter is provided in the list so that you can easily browse through different chapters NCERT Class 9 Social Science Chapter 9 Drainage and select need one. NCERT Class 9 Social Science Chapter 9 Drainage Question Answers Download PDF. NCERT SST Class 9 Solutions.

NCERT Class 9 Social Science Chapter 9 Drainage

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Also, you can read the NCERT book online in these sections Solutions by Expert Teachers as per Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Book guidelines. CBSE Class 9 Social Science Solutions are part of All Subject Solutions. Here we have given NCERT Class 9 Social Science Chapter 9 Drainage and After, NCERT Class 9 Social Science Textbook of India and The Contemporary World – I: History, Contemporary India -I: Geography, Democratic Politics – I: Political Science, Economics and Disaster Management. for All Chapters, You can practice these here.

Drainage

Chapter: 9

CONTEMPORARY INDIA – I (GEOGRAPHY) 

NCERT TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS

Q. 1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below:

Q. 1. Which one of the following describes the drainage patterns resembling the branches of a tree?

(a) Radial.

(b) Dendritic.

(c) Centrifugal. 

(d) Trellis.

Ans. (b) Dendritic.

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

(a) Rajasthan.

(b) Uttar Pradesh.

(c) Punjab.

(d) Jammu and Kashmir.

Ans. (d) Jammu and Kashmir. 

(iii) The river Narmada has its source at:

(a) Satpura.

(b) Brahmagiri. 

(c) Amarkantak.

(d) Slopes of the Western Ghats. 

Ans. (c) Amarkantak.

(iv) Which one of the following lakes is a salt water lake?

(a) Sambhar.

(b) Dal.

(c) Wular.

(d) Gobind Sagar. 

Ans. (a) Sambhar.

(v) Which one of the following is the longest river of the Peninsular India?

(a) Narmada. 

(b) Krishna.

(c) Godavari.

(d) Mahanadi.

Ans. (c) Godavari.

(vi) Which one amongst the following rivers flows through a rift valley?

(a) Mahanadi.

(b) Tungabhadra. 

(c) Krishna.

(d) Tapi.

Ans. (d) Tapi.

Q. 2. Answer the following questions briefly: 

(i) What is meant by a water divide? Give an example.

Ans. An elevated area, such as a mountain or an upland, separating two drainage basins, is known as a water divide. Example: Ambala is located on the water divide between the Indus and the Ganga river systems.

(ii) Which is the largest river basin in India?

Ans. The largest river basin in India is the Ganga basin. 

(iii) Where do the rivers Indus and Ganga have their origin?

Ans. The river Indus rise near the Mansarovar lake in Tibet. The river Ganga rises from the Gangotri glacier in the Himalayas.

(iv) Name the two headstreams of the Ganga. Where do they meet to form the Ganga?

Ans. The two main headstreams of the Ganga are Bhagirathi and Alaknanda. They meet at Devprayag in Uttarakhand.

(c) Why does the Brahmaputra in its Tibetan part have less silt, despite a longer course?

Ans. The Brahmaputra river carries less silt and water in its Tibetan part because it flows through mountainous and rocky area where the rainfall is very less.

(vi) Which two peninsular rivers flow through trough? 

Ans. The two peninsular rivers which flow through trough are the Narmada and the Tapi. They form estuaries while entering the sea.

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

Ans. The economic benefits of lakes and rivers are as under:

Economic benefits of rivers:

(a) The rivers provide water for domestic purpose and for agriculture, specially in a country like India where agriculture is dependent on the monsoons.

(b) They carry silt and sediment which make the flood plains fertile and provide the most productive agricultural lands in the country.

(c) The rivers also dilute and transport wastes from settlements.

(d) Industrial development has flourished along rivers as many industrial processes rely on water as a raw material, as a coolant and for generation of hydroelectricity.

(e) Rivers provide means of transport and inland waterways.

(f) Recreation, tourist promotion and fishing are also being developed along waterfronts.

Economic benefits of lakes:

(a) They help to regulate the flow of a river. 

(b) During heavy rainfall, they prevent flooding.

(c) During the dry season, they help to maintain an even flow of water.

(d) They moderate the climate of the surrounding areas.

(e) They maintain the aquatic ecosystem.

(f) They enhance natural beauty, help to develop tourism and provide recreation.

Q. 3. Below are given names of a few lakes of India. Group them under two categories-natural and man-made.

(a) Wular.

 (b) Dal.

 (c) Nainital.

 (d) Bhimtal.

 (e) Gobind Sagar.

 (f) Loktak.

 (g) Barapani. 

(h) Chilka. 

(i) Sambhar. 

(j) Rana Pratap Sagar. 

(k) Nizam Sagar. 

(l) Pulicat. 

(m) Nagarjuna Sagar. 

(n) Hirakud.

Ans. Natural Lakes: Wular, Dal, Loktak, Chilka, Barapani, Sambhar, Pulicat, Nainital, Bhimtal.

Lakes created by Human-beings: Govind Sagar, Nagarjuna Sagar, Hirakud, Nizam Sagar.

Q. 4. Discuss the significant difference between the Himalayan and the Peninsular rivers.

Or

What are the features of the rivers originating from Himalayas? 

Ans.

Q. 5. Compare the east flowing and the west flowing rivers of the peninsular plateau. 

Ans. East flowing and West flowing rivers of Peninsular India are: Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri East flowing. The Narmada and Tapi are West flowing.

Comparison between Peninsular Rivers

Q. 6. Why are rivers important for the country’s economy?

Or

What role do the rivers play in our economy? 

Ans. Rivers are important for the country’s economy because of the following reasons:

(a) The rivers provide water for domestic purposes and for agriculture, especially in a country like India where agriculture is dependent on the monsoons.

(b) They carry silt and sediment which make the flood plains fertile and provide the most productive agricultural lands in the country.

(c) The rivers also dilute and transport wastes from settlements.

(d) Industrial development has flourished along rivers as many industrial processes rely on water as a raw material. For example, as a coolant, for generation of hydroelectricity, etc.

(e) Rivers provide means of transport and inland waterways.

(f) Recreation, tourist promotion and fishing are also being developed along the waterfronts.

MAP SKILLS

Q. (i) On the outline map of India mark and label the following rivers: Ganga, Batluj, Damodar, Krishna, Narmada, Tapi, Mahanadi and Brahmaputra.

Ans. Rivers.

(ii) On the outline map of India mark and label the following lakes: Chilka, Sambhar, Wular, Pulicat, Kolleru.

Ans. Lakes.

SOME OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS FOR EXAMINATION

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

Q. 1. What are the characteristics of a river?

(i) Rivers are fast moving water bodies.

(ii) Rivers originate from glaciers, springs, lakes, etc.

(iii) Rivera are slow moving mass of ice and snow.

(iv) Rivers are used for irrigation, navigation, generation of hydro-electricity, etc.

(a) (i), (ii), (iii)

(b) (i), (ii), (iv)

(c) (iii)

(d) All (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)

Ans. (b) (i), (ii), (iv)

Q. 2. The city located on the water divide between the Indus and the Ganga river system is:

(a) Jabalpur.

(b) Ambala.

(c) Meerut.

(d) Chandigarh.

Ans. (b) Ambala.

Q. 3. Which river is called the Dihang when it enters India in Arunachal Pradesh?

(a) The Ganga.

(b) The Brahmaputra.

(c) The Indus.

(d) The Kaveri.

Ans. (b) The Brahmaputra.

Q. 4. The world’s largest drainage basin is of the:

(a) Amazon river. 

(b) Nile river.

(c) Ganga river.

(d) Hwang Ho river.

Ans. (a) Amazon river.

Q. 5. Which one of the following peninsular river of India flows west and makes estuaries?

(a) The Krishna.

(b) The Mahanadi.

(c) The Godavari.

(d) The tapi.

Ans. (d) The tapi.

Q. 6. The Vembanad Lake is located in:

(a) Kerala.

(b) Andhra Pradesh.

(c) Tamil Nadu.

(d) Odisha.

Ans. (a) Kerala.

Q. 7. Which one of the following lake is artificial?

(a) Sambhar. 

(b) Chilika.

(c) Pulicat.

(d) Rana Pratap sagar.

Ans. (d) Rana Pratap sagar. 

Q. 8. Which of the peninsular rivers is called the ‘Dakshin Ganga’? 

(a) The Mahanadi.

(b) The Krishna.

(c) Godavari.

(d) The Tapi.

Ans. (c) Godavari. 

Q. 9. The valley of Kashmir is famous for the:

(a) Dal lake.

(b) houseboats.

(c) shikaras

(d) All of the above.

Ans. (d) All of the above.

Q. 10. The drainage basin of the Mahanadi is not shared by:

(a) Madhya Pradesh. 

(b) Maharashtra. 

(c) Chhattisgarh.

(d) Jharkhand.

Ans. (a) Madhya Pradesh. 

Q. 11. Which one of the following describes the drainage patterns resembling the branches of a tree?

(a) Radial.

(b) Dendrite. 

(c) Centrifugal.

(d) Trellis.

Ans. (b) Dendrite. 

Q. 12. In which of the following states is the Wular Lake located?

(a) Rajasthan. 

(b) Uttar Pradesh.

(c) Punjab.

(d) Jammu and Kashmir. 

Ans. (d) Jammu and Kashmir.

Q. 13. Which one amongst the following rivers flows through a rift valley?

(a) Mahanadi.

(b) Tungabhadra.

(c) Krishna. 

(d) Tapi.

Ans. (d) Tapi.

Q. 14. The Wainganga and the Penganga are tributaries of which of the following rivers?

(a) The Mahanadi. 

(b) The Narmada.

(c) The Godavari.

(d) The Krishna.

Ans. (c) The Godavari 

Q. 15. Which of the following rivers rises from the slopes of the Western Ghats in the Nasik district of Maharashtra?

(a) Mahanadi. 

(b) Narmada.

(c) Godavari.

(d) Koyna.

Ans. (c) Godavari.

Q. 16. The drainage basin of which of the following rivers covers parts of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu?

(a) Godavari.

(b) Krishna.

(c) Kaveri.

(d) Musi.

Ans. (c) Kaveri.

Q. 17. Which of the following rivers originates from the Hazaribagh plateau of Chota Nagpur region and flows eastwards?

(a) Amravati. 

(b) Bhima.

(c) Ghatprabha.

(d) Damodar.

Ans. (d) Damodar.

Q. 18. Which type of lakes contain water only during the rainy season?

(a) Oxbow lakes.

(b) Lagoons.

(c) Lakes in basins of inland drainage.

(d) Glacial lakes.

Ans. (c) Lakes in basins of inland drainage.

Q. 19. Which one of the following is not a lake created by human beings?

(a) Gobind Sagar. 

(b) Nizam Sagar.

(c) Barapani.

(d) Hirakud.

Ans. (c) Barapani.

Q. 20. Lakes are of great value to human beings. Which of the following statements about lakes given below is incorrect?

(a) Helps to regulate the flow of rivers. 

(b) It results in flooding.

(c) Can be used for developing hydel power. 

(d) Enhances natural beauty.

Ans. (b) It results in flooding.

Q. 21. Which of the following is not one of the causes of river pollution?

(a) Dumping of garbage.

(b) Aquatic organisms and algae.

(c) Discharge of untreated sewage. 

(d) Discharge of industrial effluents.

Ans. (b) Aquatic organisms and algae.

Q. 22. Which of the following is the result of concern over rising pollution in our rivers?

(a) Banning hydroelectric projects.

(b) Various river action plans.

(c) Rainwater harvesting.

(d) None of the above.

Ans. (b) Various river action plans. 

Q. 23. In the given question below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read the statements and chose the correct option.

Assertion (A): Most of the Himalayan rivers are perennial.

Reason (R): They have water during the rains.

Options:

(a) (A) is correct but (R) is wrong.

(b) (A) is wrong but (R) is correct.

(c) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

(d) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A). 

Ans. (a) (A) is correct but (R) is wrong.

Q. 24. In the given question below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read the statements and chose the correct option.

Assertion (A): A large number of the peninsular rivers are seasonal.

Reason (R): The Peninsular rivers have shorter and shallower courses as compared to their Himalayan counterparts.

Options:

(a) (A) is wrong but (R) is correct.

(b) (A) is correct but (R) is wrong. 

(c) Both (A) and (R) are wrong.

(d) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

Ans. (d) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A). 

Q. 25. In the given question below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read the statements and chose the correct option.

Assertion (A): In Tibet, the Tsang Po river

carries a smaller volume of water and less silt.

Reason (R): Tibet is a cold and a dry area.

Options:

(a) (A) is correct but (R) is wrong.

(b) (A) is wrong but (R) is correct. 

(c) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

(d) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

Ans. (c) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

Q. 26. In the given question below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read the statements and chose the correct option. 

Assertion (A): A glacier helps to regulate the flow of a river.

Reason (R): During heavy rains, it prevents flooding and during the dry season, it helps to maintain an even flow of water.

Options:

(a) (A) is correct but (R) is wrong. 

(b) (A) is wrong but (R) is correct.

(c) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

(d) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

Ans. (b) (A) is wrong but (R) is correct.

Q. 27. In the given question below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read the statements and chose the correct option. 

Assertion (A): More and more water is being drained out of the rivers reducing their volume. 

Reason (R): Given the adequate stream flow, the Gangs water is able to dilute and assimilate pollution loads within 20 km of large cities.

Options:

(a) (A) is correct but (R) is wrong. 

(b) (A) is wrong but (R) is correct.

(c) Both (A) and (R) are true and (B) is the

correct explanation of (A). 

(d) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A). 

Ans. (d) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

Fill in the Blanks:

(a) The Ganga is also called the _________.

Ans. Bhagirathi.

(b) The huge snow-rocks are known as __________.

Ans. Icebergs.

(c) Rivers provide means of _________ and inland waterways.

Ans. transport. 

(d) ___________ is a narrow passage of water that connects two seas or large areas of water.

Ans. Strait.

(e) The __________ rivers play a great role in the drainage systems of India. 

Ans. Peninsular.

True and False:

(i) Brahmaputra is known as the Tsang Po in Tibet.

Ans. True

(ii) Area of a land drained by the river is known as doab.

Ans. False.

(c) The rivers do not provide water for domestic purpose and for agriculture.

Ans. False.

(d) Rivers are important for the country’s economy.

Ans. True.

(e) Dams with a height of more than 20 meters are called large dams.

Ans. True.

VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Q. 1. What is common between river Damodar and the river Kosi?

Ans. Both of these rivers are considered as “Rivers of Sorrow”. They cause flood every year and cause destruction of life and property.

Q. 2. What controls the drainage systems of India? 

Ans. The board relief features of the Indian subcontinent control the drainage system of India. 

Q. 3. Mention the course of the river Mahanadi.

Ans. The Mahanadi rises in the highlands of Chhattisgarh It flows through Odisha to reach the Bay of Bengal. The length of the river is about 860 km. Ita drainage basin is shared by Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odhisha. 

Q. 4. What is a river/drainage basin?

Ans. A river/drainage basin is an area drained by a single river system.

Q. 5. What is a watershed?

Ans. An upland/highland area that separates two drainage basin systems. 

Q. 6. In which two major groups Indian rivers are divided into? 

Ans. The Indian rivers are divided into:

(a) The Himalayan rivers. 

(b) The Peninsular rivers.

Q. 7. What is a perennial river? 

Ans. Perennial rivers have water throughout the year. These rivers get water from rain and snow e.g. River Ganga. 

Q. 8. What is a gorge?

Ans. A gorge is a deep narrow channel created by a flowing river.

Q. 9. What do Himalayan rivers do in their upper course? 

Ans. The Himalayan rivers perform intensive erosional activity in their upper course and carry huge loads of silt and sand. 

Q. 10. List the factors on which the drainage patterns depend. 

Ans. The slope of the land, the rock structure as well as the climatic conditions of the area are some factors on which the drainage pattern depends. 

Q. 11. How is the dendritic pattern formed by the river?

Ans. The dendritic pattern is formed by the river channel, when the river follows the slope of the land. The stream with its tributaries develops a pattern that resembles the branches of a tree so named as dendritic.

Q. 12. How does a rectangular pattern of drainage develop?

Ans. Rectangular pattern of drainage develops on a strongly jointed rocky terrain. 

Q. 13. How does a radial pattern of drainage develop? 

Ans. Radial pattern develops when streams flow in different directions from a central peak/dome.

Q. 14. Why are peninsular rivers called seasonal?

Ans. The peninsular rivers are called seasonal because their flow depends upon rainfall. Even large rivers like the Narmada have less water during the dry season.

Q. 15. Name three main Himalayan river systems.

Ans. The three main Himalayan river systems are the Indus system, the Ganga system and the Brahmaputra system.

Q. 16. Mention any two features of the Himalayan rivers.

Ans. The two features of the Himalayan rivers are:

(i) The Himalayan rivers are long.

(ii) They are joined by many large and important tributaries. 

Q. 17. What is a river system? 

Ans. A river along with its tributaries may be called a river system. 

Q. 18. Name the tributaries which join Indus river in Kashmir.

Ans. The Zaskar, the Nubra, the Hunza and the Shyok are the tributaries which join Indus river in Kashmir. 

Q. 19. Which are the main tributaries of River Indus? 

Ans. The Satluj, the Ravi, the Beas, the Chenab and the Jhelum are the main tributaries of River Indus.

Q. 20. Write the regulations mentioned in Indus Water Treaty of 1960?

Ans. According to the regulations of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960, India can use only 20% of the total water carried by the Indus river system.

Q. 21. From which place does the River Ganga originate?

Ans. The headwaters of the Ganga called the Bhagirathi is fed by Gangotri Glacier and joined by Alaknanda at Devprayag in Uttarakhand.

Q. 22. Name the main tributaries of River Ganga. 

Ans. The Yaruna, the Ghaghara, the Gandak and the Kosi are the main tributaries of River Ganga.

Q. 23. From which place does Yamuna river originate? 

Ans. River Yamuna originates from Yamunotri glacier. Being a right bank tributary of Gangs river. It joins Ganga river at Allahabad. 

Q. 24. Mention the journey/river drainage of River Yamuna.

Ans. Starting from the Yamunotri glacier, It flows parallel to the Ganga and as a right bank tributary, meets the Gangs at Allahabad.

Q. 25. Mention the distinguished features about the Ghaghara, the Gandak and the Kosi river. 

Ans. (a) These rivers flood the northern plains every year. 

(b) They enrich the soil for agricultural use.

Q. 26. What is the main feature of the tributaries of Ganga joining from the peninsula?

Ans. These tributaries rise from semi-arid areas with shorter courses and do not carry much water.

Q. 27. What is the Namami Gauge Programme? 

Ans. It is an Integrated Conservation Mission approved as a ‘flagship programme’ by the Union Government in June 2014.

Q. 28. List the twin objectives of Namami Gauge Programme.

Ans. Abatement of pollution, conservation and rejuvenation of the national river Ganga.

Q. 29. Where is the northernmost point of the Ganga delta? 

Ans. The northernmost point of the Ganges delta is in Farakka, West Bengal.

Q. 30. Where did Ganga river named as Meghna? 

Ans. After joining Brahamputra river, Ganga river named as Meghna. 

Q. 31. How is Sundarban delta formed?

Ans. The waters of two very big rivers i.e. the Gangs and the Brahmaputra flows into the Bay of Bengal and the delta formed by these rivers is known as Sundarban delta. It is the world’s largest and the fastest growing delta.

Q. 32. How is the Sundarban delta named? 

Ans. The Sundarban delta geta its name from the Sundari trees which grow very well in the marbland and does not get rot in water.

Q. 33. Which place is located on water divide of river Ganga and river Indus? 

Ans. Plains of Ambala is located on water divide of the Ganga and Indus river.

Q. 34. How does River Ganga forms large meanders? 

Ans. The plains from Ambala to the Sunderban stretch over nearly 1800 km, but the fall in its slope is hardly 300 meters there is a fall of one meter for every 6 km. Thus the river develops large meanders.

Q. 35. From where does Brahmaputra river originate?

Ans. The Brahmaputra river originates in Tibet, east of Mansarovar lake very close to the sources of the Indus and the Satluj. 

Q. 36. From where Brahmaputra river enters India?

Ans. On reaching the Namcha Barwa (7757m), it takes a U-turn and enters India in Arunachal Pradesh through gorge.

Q. 37. What is Brahmaputra called in Tibet and Bangladesh? 

Ans. Brahmaputra called as Taang Po in Tibet and Jamuna in Bangladesh. 

Q. 38. Give one feature of River Brahmaputra.

Ans. The Brahmaputra river is a braided channel in its entire length in Assam and forms many riverine islanda, e.g. Majul in Brahmaputra, is the largest inhabited riverine island in the world.

Q. 39. Mention the cause behind widespread devastation caused by Brahmaputra river.

Ans. Due to Bloods in Assam and Bangladesh during rainy season, every year Brahmaputra river overflows its banks and cause widespread devastation.

Q. 40. How is Brahmaputra river different from other north Indian rivers? 

Ans. Unlike other north Indian rivers, the Brahmaputra river got huge deposits of silt on its bed which results in rising of river bed. The river also shifts its channel frequently.

Q. 41. Why coastal rivers are short in length?

Ans. Coastal rivers are short in length because the coastal plains between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea are very narrow.

Q. 42. Name the biggest waterfall in India.

Ans. Kunchikal falls (1493 feet/455 mta).

Q. 43. Mention the composition of water on earth’s surface. 

Ans. 71% of the earth’s surface is covered with water. 97% of it is salt water and only 3% is in the form of fresh water in rivers, lakes, pds, on glaciers and ice cape.

Q. 44. What are fresh water lake?

Ans. Fresh water lakes are mostly found in the Himalayan region. These are usually formed by a glacier and get filled with water by melting snow.

Q. 45. How are man-made lakes formed?

Ans. Man-made lakes are formed when the rivers are used for generation of hydro-electricity by constructing a dam across a river. e.g. Guru Gobind Sagar lake (Bhakra Nangal Dam Project). 

Q. 46. Give the full form of GAP and NRCP.

Ans. GAP is Ganga Action Plan and NRCP is National River Conservation Plan.

Q. 47. Under which plan the Ganga Action Plan was expanded to cover other rivers in 1995?

Ans. National River Conservation Plan. 

Q. 48. What is the objective of the NRCP? 

Ans. To improve the water quality of the rivers through the implementation of pollution abatement work.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS 

Q. 1. What is a lake? Explain the importance of lakes.

Ans. A Lake is a deep and vast depression or ditch filled with the water is Importance:

(a) They help to regulate the flow of a river. During heavy rainfall, they prevent flooding and During the dry season, they help to maintain an even flow of water.

(b) They are used for boating and fishing. They add to the beauty of the nature. They are a source of attraction for the tourists. 

(c) They can be used to produce electricity. Salt water lakes are used in preparing salt. 

Q. 2. What do you mean by a drainage basin?

Ans. Rivers flow in the direction of slope of an area small streams (tributaries) flowing from different directions come together to form the main river. The main river flows into a lake, sea or an ocean. The area drained by a single river system is called a drainage basin or river basin.

Q. 3. Why are peninsular rivers seasonal in nature? Give any three reasons.

Ans. The Peninsular rivers play a great role in the drainage systems of India. But a large number of the Peninsular rivers are seasonal in nature. Their flow is dependent on rainfall. During the dry season, even the large rivers reduce flow of water is their channels. However, they have shorter and shallower courses as compared to the Himalayan rivers. In fact, most of the Pen-insular rivers originate in the Western Ghats and flow towards the Bay of Bengal. 

Q. 4. State four characteristics of Himalayan rivers.

Ans. These rivers have large basins. These make deep gorges. These were formed due to down cutting during period of uplift of Himalayas. These are perennial rivers as these get water from rainfall and from the melting of snow. These deposit silt and sand to form plains.

Q. 5. Distinguish between a glacier and a river. 

Ans.

Q. 6. Write the salient characteristics of the Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta.

Ans. (i) It is the largest delta of the world on the mouth of the Bay of Bengal. 

(ii) This has formed owing to split of Ganges and the Brahmaputra in several rivulets i.e. distributaries.

(iii) Its lower portion is marshy owing to mess up of the sea and the fresh water together. 

(iv) It is the most densely populated and fertile delta. 

Q. 7. Why are the peninsular rivers not navigable? 

Ans. It’s reasons are as under:

(i) These all are seasonal rivers and generally dried up in the summer.

(ii) River beds are uneven, rocky and have a steep gradient. 

(iii) Construction of several dams also has made navigation through these rivers impossible. 

Q. 8. State the major sources of water pollution. 

Ans. River Pollutants (activities):

(i) Washing of clothes, utensils, cattle in rivers and lakes.

(ii) Release of sewage from major urban centres.

(iii) The leakage of oil from ships.

(iv) Release of industrial effluents into the water.

(v) Excessive use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers.

Q. 9. Mention the disadvantages of large dams.

Ans. (i) The land adjoining to the dam is submerged.

(ii) The people of the construction area suffer from displacement.

(iii) It causes loss of forest  and cultivable land.

(iv) Walls of these dams may be thrown down anytime during rainy season. Gradual depletion of sediments brought by risers augers this possibility.

(v) So large standing water effects the temperature adversely thereby people suffer from a number of ailments.

Q. 10. Write the names of the Ganga’s tributaries.

Aus. These are: Yamuna, Sharda, Rapti, Ghaghes, Gandak, Kos, Ramgangs, Chainbal, Parvati, Betws, Son, Gomati and Damodar.

Q. 11. Describe some specific characteristics of the Brahmaputra river system.

Ans. (i) It originates from Tibet and as long as the Indus.

(ii) It carries huge amount of silt.

(iii) It flows parallel to the Himalayan mountain in Tibet.

(iv) It takes U-turn  at Namcha Barwa (height 7757 mts.) and enters in Arunachal Pradesh.

(v) It flows in the Bay of Bengal and just before, it forms braided stream of the distributors due to excess deposits of sediment and silt.

Q. 12. Suggest some measures to reduce water pollution.

Ans. Measures to control water pollution:

(i) The laws pertaining to licensing industry, environment etc., requires review and amendments to prevent industries from release of effluents into rivers.

(ii) Effluents from paper mills, sugar mills and tanneries must not be allowed to stagnate on land.

(iii) Plantation and replantation drives require more emphasis.

(iv) Industrial garbage and chemical wastes should be recycled.

(v) Sewage disposal in rivers must not be allowed. It could be treated and the residual can be used as manure in fields.

Q. 13. Describe the Ganga Action Plan (GAP). 

Ans. (i) It had been launched and the first phase completed on 31st March, 2000.

(ii) The steering committee to the National River Conservation Authority then reviewed the progress of GAP and certain corrections of errors done.

(iii) The reformed drive has been launched under National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) to the major polluted rivers of the country. 

(iv) GAP (Phase II) has been merged with NRCP now.

Q. 14. What is National River Conservation Plan (NRCP)? Briefly describe its expansion.

Ans. (i) It was constituted after the Ganga Action Plan (GAP), Phase-I.

(ii) An authority i.e. National River Conservation Authority constituted a steering committee to review the Phase I of GAP.

(iii) National River Conservation Plan has merged the GAP, Phase-II after 31st March, 2000 i.e. closure of GAP, Phase I.

(iv) This plan now covers 152 towns located along 27 interstate rivers in 16 states. 

(v) Out of total 215 schemes of pollution abatement sanctioned, 69 schemes have been so far completed. 

Q. 15. How do Indian lakes differ from each other? Explain. 

Ans. India has many lakes. Salt water lakes, freshwater lakes and man-made lakes are the different types of lakes found is India. These differ from each other is size and other feature. Most of there lakes are permanent. Some contain water only during the rainy season. For example, the lakes is the basics of inland drainage of semiarid regions. Still some lakes are made by the action of glaciers and ice-sheets. On the other hand there are some kind of lakes which are made by rivers, wind and human activities.

Q. 16. Write a short note on River Godavari.

Ans. (i) It is the largest peninsular river. It rises from the slopes of the Western Ghats. It has the largest drainage basin among the  peninsula river.

(ii) Its main tributaries are the Purna, Maja Waingangs and Penganga.

(iii) Because of its length and large area, it is also known as ‘Dakshin Ganga’. It flows through Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh.

Q. 17. Write about the rivers Krishna and Kaveri.

Ans. 1. River Krishna

(i) It rises from spring near Mahabaleshwar in the Western Ghats.

(ii) River Tungabhadra and River Bhima are its main tributaries.

(iii) Its basin drains part of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

2. River Kaveri

(i) It rises from the Brahmagiri range of the Western Ghats.

(ii) River Amravati and Shiva are its main tributaries.

(iii) It flows through parts of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Q. 18.On the basis of the drainage system of India into how many main category the rivers can be divided? Write two features of each of them.

Ans. (i) On the basis of drainage system, the Indian rivers are divided into two major groups:

(a) the Himalayan rivers. and

(b) the Peninsular rivers.

(ii) The Himalayan Rivers:

(a) Most of the Himalayan rivers are perennial. It means these rivers have water throughout the year.

(b) The Himalayan rivers receive water from rain as well as from melted snow from the lofted mountains e.g. the Indus river and the Brahamputra river, etc.

(iii) The Peninsular Rivers:

(a) A large number of the Peninsular rivers are seasonal. Their flow is dependent on rainfall.

(b) The Peninsular rivers have shorter and shallower courses. Most of the rivers of Peninsular India originate in the Western Ghats and flow towards the Bay of Bengal e.g., the Mahanandi and the Godavari, etc.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Q. 1. Why are the rivers considered the lifelines of human civilisation?

Ans. A river is an important part of land. It carries water, sediments and dissolved minerals. Estuaries are important fishing grounds. The early man developed the occupations of hunting and gathering along the river banks. Water is necessary for pastoral and agricultural activities. Towns are located on the banks of rivers. These serve as waterways and means of commerce. These generate water power. These provide canal irrigation. The earliest civilisations like Indus and Egyptian settled along the banks of rivers. So rivers are called the lifelines of human civilization.

Q. 2. Give main arguments against the large dams. Discuss how can it be ensured that the large dams do not threat the environment.

Ans. Large dams are being built across the rivers to harness their water for irrigation and water power. These provide cheap water power.

Dams with a height of more than 15 metres are called large dams. But these large dams are a threat to environment. Large areas of land are submerged just as in Sardar Sarovar Dam on Narmada. People are displaced. Forest cover is lost. Ecology is disturbed. Dam safety is a great problem. Sedimentation leads to floods. So large dams should be avoided.

But measures are being taken to make large dams useful. These dams are necessary for development. So many harms can be avoided by providing environmental safeguards.

Q. 3. Trace the course of Brahmaputra river. 

Ans. The Brahmaputra is the longest river in India, with a length of about 2880 kms. It rises near Mansarover lake in Tibet and enters India through Dihang gorge in Arunachal Pradesh. It flows parallel to the Himalayas in Tibet where it is known as Tsangpo. After the confluence of Lohit, Dihang and Dibang streams, it is called the Brahmaputra. It carries huge amount of silt with it. In northern Bangladesh, it is called Padma. Further south, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra meet and the joint stream is known as Jamuna and in central part, it is called Meghna. It is often compared to a slowly moving lake due to sluggish flow. It is known for its notorious floods in upper Assam. It forms the largest delta of the world, known as ‘Sunderbans’. It is the home of ‘Royal Bengal Tiger’. 

Q. 4. Describe the different drainage patterns.

Ans. The streams of an area form different drainage patterns. These drainage patterns depend upon:

(i) Relief of Area.

(ii) Structure of Area.

(iii) Climatic conditions of Area.

The streams form the following patterns:

(i) Dendritic pattern: It consists of a single main stream. The tributaries resemble the branches of a tree. These follow the slope of the area. Ganga river forms a dendritic pattern. The word dendritic is derived from Greek word dendron meaning tree.

(ii) Trellis pattern: In the main stream in joined by short flowing streams. These streams join the main stream at right angles. It makes a rectangular pattern. Narmada river makes a Trellies pattern.

(iii) Radial pattern: In this, the stream flown in different directions from a central peak or dome like structure.

(iv) Inland drainage: In this pattern, the rivers do not reach an ocean. It falls into a lake or an inland sea. It is formed in desert at Rajasthan.

(v) Rectangular pattern: It is developed on a strongly joined territory. The drainage follows the joint patterns.

Q. 5. Why do the rivers have no deltas in the western coast even though they transport a lot of sediments with them?

Ans. It is true that the Peninsular rivers draining into Arabian Sea bring with them less sediments and silt than the other rivers i.e. Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri and Mahanadi who have made so many deltas, along their course to eastern coast; but these are devoid of deltas along their course. They could make only canyons, valleys, basins, falls etc.

Reasons for their failure are all apparent: 

(i) Rugged, metamorphic rocks are their bed hence, these flow in narrow passage. These being regions of old mountains and the table land, it is hard to cut-off the banks by these rivers and spread the silt carried by them to make it a delta. Bifurcation three sides is nowhere possible for the channels of these rivers. Hence, we see basins as fertile as the deltas.

(ii) All tributaries of these rivers make trellis pattern because of their confluence at right angles.

(iii) We see basin formed by the rivers flowing on western coast (the Narmada and the Tapi rivers with their tributaries-Baiyer, Dudhi, Tawa, Hiran, Purna, Betul and Lavda). These basins cover Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat states. Similarly, the Tapi river has formed its basin in the parts of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra states.

We can ascribe the physical conditions responsible for deficiency of non-making deltas by these rivers.

HOTS QUESTION

Q. 1. Describe the importance of water in our life.

Ans. For our survival, we depend on water. It circulates and goes through our bodies. Then, it replenishes nutrients and carries away waste materials. Without water, no activities of human beings and life would be possible. Sea water is salty and it cannot substitute fresh water. We cannot imagine life without water. Even no trees will be able to grow and no land based animals can survive. We cannot imagine the presence of the birds in the world.

Q. 2. Distinguish between the Delta and Estuary.

Ans. Difference between the Delta and Estuary.

PASSAGE BASED QUESTIONS

1. Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow:

The major Himalayan rivers are the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra. These rivers are long, and are joined by many large and important tributaries. A river along with its tributaries may be called a river system.

(i) Where does the river Indus rise?

(a) In Pakistan, near Satluj river.

(b) In China, near Tsang Po.

(c) In Tibet, near Lake Mansarovar.

(d) Near Gangotri glacier.

Ans. (c) In Tibet, near Lake Mansarovar.

(ii) Name the tributaries of Indus which join it in Kashmir region.

(a) The Satluj, the Beas, the Ravi, the Chenab.

(b) The Zaskar, the Nubra, the Shyok and the Hunza.

(c) The Ganga and Alaknanda.

(d) The Yamuna, the Ghaghara, the Gandak and the Kosi.

Ans. (b) The Zaskar, the Nubra, the Shyok and the Hunza.

(iii) Where is Indus basin located in India?

(a) In the plains from Ambala to the Sunderban stretch over nearly 1800 km.

(b) In the Satpura ranges, in the Betul district of Madhya Pradesh.

(c) In the entire length in Assam.

(d) Over one-third of the Indus basin is located in India in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. Rest of it lies in Pakistan.

Ans. (d) Over one-third of the Indus basin is located in India in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. Rest of it lies in Pakistan.

(iv) Name the two headwaters of the river Ganga. Where do they meet?

(a) ‘Alaknanda’ and ‘Bhagirathi’ meeting at Devaprayag in Uttarakhand.

(b) Narmada and Tapi meeting in the Mahanadi basin.

(c) Purna and Wardha meeting in the Yamuna basin.

(d) Godavari and Krishna meeting in the Narmada basin.

Ans. (a) ‘Alaknanda’ and ‘Bhagirathi’ meeting at Devprayag in Uttarakhand.

2. Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow:

The major water divide in Peninsular India is formed by the Western Ghats, which runs from north to south close to the western coast. Most of the major rivers flow eastward and drain into the Bay of Bengal. These rivers make deltas at their mouths. There are numerous small streams flowing west of the Western Ghats.

(i) Name the major Peninsular rivers of India.

(a) Ganga, Yamuna and Kaveri.

(b) Mahanadi, the Godavari, the Krishna and the Kaveri.

(c) Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra. 

(d) Ghaghara, Gandak and Kosi.

Ans. (b) Mahanadi, the Godavari, the Krishna and the Kaveri.

(ii) What is the mouth of a river? 

(a) A place where delta is formed.

(b) A place where a gorge is formed.

(c) A place where the river enters a lake, larger river or an ocean.

(d) A place where a glacier is formed.

Ans. (c) A place where the river enters a lake, larger river or an ocean.

(iii) Why is Godavari called the ‘Dakshin Ganga’?

(a) Because of its volume of water.

(b) Because it flows from north to south.

(c) Because its flows from south to north.

(d) Because of its length and the area it covers.

Ans. (d) Because of its length and the area it covers.

(iv) Name the only rivers of Peninsular India that flow west.

(a) The Krishna and Godavari.

(b) The Narmada and the Tapi. 

(c) The Ghaghara and the Kosi.

(d) The Betwa and the Son.

Ans. (b) The Narmada and the Tapi. 

3. Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow:

India has many lakes. These differ from each other in size and other characteristics. Most lakes are permanent; some contain water only during the rainy season, like the lakes in the basins of inland drainage of semi-arid regions. There are some lakes which are the result of the action of glaciers and ice sheets, while others have been formed by wind, river action and human activities.

A meandering river across a floodplain forms cut-offs that later develops into ox-bow lakes. Spits and bars form lagoons in the coastal areas, e.g. the Chilika Lake, the Pulicat Lake and the Kolleru Lake.

(i) Name the other freshwater lakes of India other than Water lake.

(a) The Sambhar Lake and the Kolleru Lake.

(b) The Chilika lake and the Pulicat Lake.

(c) The Chandubi Lake and the Rudrasagar Lake.

(d) The Dal Lake, the Bhimtal Lake, the Nainital Lake, the Loktak Lake and the Barapani Lake.

Ans. (d) The Dal Lake, the Bhimtal Lake, the Nainital Lake, the Loktak Lake and the Barapani Lake.

(ii) What is an ox-bow lake?

(a) A lake that is formed near a delta. 

(b) A U-shaped lake that is formed when a bend of a river is cut-off. It looks like a bow of an ox.

(c) A lake that is formed by the action of a river in the mountains.

(d) A lake that is formed near the delta. 

Ans. (b) A U-shaped lake that is formed when a bend of a river is cut-off. It looks like a bow of an ox.

(iii) Lakes in the region of inland drainage are sometimes seasonal. Which of the following is an example of such a lake? 

(a) Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan.

(b) Chilika Lake in Odisha. 

(c) Vembanad Lake in Kerala.

(d) Pulicat Lake in on the borders of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Ans. (a) Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan.

(iv) What is a lagoon? 

(a) A stretch of fresh water separated from the sea by a delta.

(b) A stretch of sand and silt brought down by river. 

(c) A stretch of salt water separated from the sea by a sandbank.

(d) A stretch of an aquatic ecosystem. 

Ans. (c) A stretch of salt water separated from the sea by a sandbank.