SHORT QUESTIONS AND ANSWER
Question 1: What is a drainage?
Answer:
A drainage refers to a system of flowing water from higher levels to lower levels.
Question 2: What is the area drained by a single river system called?
Answer:
The area drained by a single river system is called a drainage basin.
Question 3: Name the two main drainage basins in India.
Answer:
The two main drainage basins in India are the Indus Basin and the Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin.
Question 4: Which type of drainage pattern exists where hard and soft rocks run parallel to each other?
Answer: Such an area exhibits a trellis pattern of drainage.
Question 5: What is meant by a water divide? Give an example.
Answer:
A water divide is an elevated area (like a mountain or upland) that separates two adjoining drainage basins. For example, the water divide between the Indus and Ganga River Systems is known as the Ambala water divide.
Question 6: Which river has its source at Amarkantak?
Answer:
The river Narmada originates from Amarkantak.
Question 7: Name the two headstreams of the Ganga. Where do they meet to form the Ganga?
Answer:
The two headstreams of the Ganga are Alaknanda and Bhagirathi. They meet at Devprayag to form the Ganga.
Question 8: Why are the Himalayan rivers perennial?
Answer:
Most Himalayan rivers originate from glaciers, which provide a continuous flow of water. Hence, they are perennial.
Question 9: Which river flows through a rift valley?
Answer:
The Tapi River flows through a rift valley.
Question 10: What is the largest river basin in India?
Answer:
The Ganga River Basin is the largest in India.
Question 11: Name three depositional features formed by the Himalayan rivers.
Answer:
Three depositional features are flood plains, river cliffs, and levees.
Question 12: Where does the river Indus rise?
Answer:
The Indus River originates near Manasarovar Lake in Tibet.
Question 13: Which states are benefited by the Indus system?
Answer:
The states benefiting from the Indus system are Punjab, Haryana, and western parts of Rajasthan.
Question 14: What is the Indus Water Treaty?
Answer:
The Indus Water Treaty is an agreement between India and Pakistan regarding the sharing of water from the Indus River System.
Question 15: Which river has the longest course in Peninsular India?
Answer:
The Godavari River has the longest course in Peninsular India.
LONG QUESTIONS AND ANSWER
Question 1: Discuss the significance of river systems in India and explain how they contribute to the country’s socio-economic development.
Answer:
- River systems in India play a crucial role in the socio-economic development of the country. They provide water for irrigation, domestic use, and industries, supporting agriculture, livelihoods, and urbanization. Rivers like the Ganges, the Brahmaputra, and the Yamuna have cultural and religious significance, attracting pilgrims and tourists.
- Additionally, river transportation facilitates trade and commerce, connecting hinterlands with coastal regions and international markets. Hence, the efficient management of river systems is essential for sustainable development and water resource conservation in India.
Question 2: Describe the major river systems of India and explain their distinctive characteristics.
Answer:
- India is endowed with several major river systems, each with its distinctive characteristics. The Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna basin is the largest and most extensive river system, originating from the Himalayas and draining into the Bay of Bengal.
- It supports agriculture in the Indo-Gangetic plains and harbors diverse ecosystems like the Sundarbans mangrove forest. The Indus River system originates in Tibet, flows through Pakistan, and supports agriculture in the arid plains of Punjab and Sindh.
- Other significant rivers include the Godavari, the Krishna, and the Narmada, each contributing to India’s socio-economic landscape in unique ways.
Question 3: Explain the concept of river basins and their significance in water resource management.
Answer:
- River basins refer to the geographical area drained by a river and its tributaries. They play a crucial role in water resource management, as they serve as natural units for planning and development. Understanding the hydrological cycle within river basins helps in assessing water availability, usage patterns, and environmental impacts.
- Integrated watershed management approaches aim to conserve water, prevent soil erosion, and promote sustainable land use practices within river basins. Moreover, transboundary river basins necessitate collaborative efforts among riparian states to address issues of water sharing, pollution, and climate change adaptation.
Question 4: Evaluate the impact of human activities on river ecosystems and suggest measures for their conservation.
Answer:
- Human activities such as deforestation, urbanization, industrial pollution, and dam construction have significant impacts on river ecosystems. Deforestation leads to soil erosion and sedimentation, affecting water quality and aquatic habitats.
- Urbanization and industrialization result in the discharge of pollutants like sewage, heavy metals, and chemicals, causing water pollution and habitat degradation. Furthermore, dam construction alters river flow, disrupts fish migration, and affects downstream communities.
- To conserve river ecosystems, measures such as afforestation, sewage treatment, watershed management, and eco-friendly infrastructure development are essential. Additionally, public awareness campaigns and stakeholder participation are crucial for promoting river conservation and sustainable water management practices.
Question 5: Analyze the role of river transportation in India’s economy and discuss its potential for future development.
Answer:
- River transportation has historically been an integral part of India’s economy, facilitating trade, commerce, and transportation of goods and passengers. Rivers like the Ganges, the Brahmaputra, and the Godavari serve as natural waterways, connecting hinterlands with coastal ports and facilitating inland navigation.
- River transport is cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and particularly beneficial for transporting bulk commodities like coal, grain, and construction materials. Moreover, the development of riverine infrastructure, including ports, terminals, and navigation channels, holds immense potential for enhancing connectivity, reducing logistics costs, and promoting economic growth in India.
Question 6: Discuss the challenges faced by river ecosystems due to pollution and sedimentation, and suggest strategies for their mitigation.
Answer:
- River ecosystems face various challenges, including pollution from industrial, agricultural, and urban sources, as well as sedimentation from soil erosion and deforestation. Water pollution degrades water quality, harms aquatic life, and affects human health.
- Sedimentation reduces river capacity, increases flood risks, and alters habitat conditions for aquatic species. Mitigation strategies include implementing pollution control measures, enforcing environmental regulations, promoting sustainable agriculture practices, and restoring riparian vegetation.
- Additionally, integrated watershed management approaches aim to reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, and restore ecological balance within river ecosystems.
Question 7: Explain the concept of river rejuvenation and its implications for landscape evolution and human settlements.
Answer:
- River rejuvenation refers to the process of erosion and downcutting that occurs when a river’s base level is lowered due to tectonic uplift, climate change, or sea-level fluctuations. It leads to the formation of entrenched meanders, river terraces, and incised valleys, shaping the landscape over geological time scales.
- River rejuvenation can impact human settlements by exposing ancient floodplains, altering river courses, and influencing land use patterns. Additionally, it poses challenges such as increased erosion, sedimentation, and flood hazards, which need to be addressed through sustainable land use planning and disaster risk management strategies.
Question 8: Evaluate the role of river interlinking projects in India’s water resource management and discuss their potential benefits and challenges.
Answer:
- River interlinking projects involve connecting rivers through canal systems to transfer water from surplus to deficit regions, alleviate water scarcity, and enhance irrigation potential. Proponents argue that interlinking projects can boost agricultural productivity, mitigate droughts, and generate hydroelectric power.
- However, critics raise concerns about ecological impacts, displacement of communities, and high costs associated with such projects. Additionally, interlinking rivers may not address underlying issues of groundwater depletion, inefficient water use, and climate change adaptation. Hence, a comprehensive assessment of environmental, social, and economic impacts is essential before implementing river interlinking projects.
Question 9: Discuss the role of floods in shaping river landscapes and their impacts on human settlements and agriculture.
Answer:
- Floods are natural phenomena that play a crucial role in shaping river landscapes and ecosystems. They replenish soil fertility, recharge groundwater, and maintain aquatic habitats. However, floods can also have devastating impacts on human settlements, causing loss of life, property damage, and disruption of livelihoods.
- Floodplain agriculture is vulnerable to inundation, leading to crop losses and food insecurity. Moreover, urban floods result from rapid urbanization, encroachment on floodplains, and inadequate drainage systems. Implementing floodplain zoning, early warning systems, and flood risk management strategies is essential for minimizing flood impacts and enhancing resilience in riverine communities.
Question 10: Examine the significance of river deltas in coastal geomorphology, biodiversity conservation, and human settlements.
Answer:
- River deltas are unique landforms formed by sediment deposition at the mouth of rivers, where they meet the sea. They are characterized by dynamic ecosystems, including mangrove forests, estuaries, and wetlands, which support diverse flora and fauna.
- Deltas provide vital ecosystem services like shoreline protection, water filtration, and carbon sequestration. Moreover, they serve as important centers of agriculture, aquaculture, and urbanization, hosting dense human settlements and industrial activities. However, deltas are vulnerable to erosion, subsidence, and sea-level rise, necessitating sustainable management practices for their conservation and adaptation to climate change.
Why CBSEJanta.com for Class 9 Social Science?
- Detailed Chapter Solutions: Get comprehensive solutions for every chapter in History, Geography, Civics, and Economics.
- Important Concepts and Key Points: Concise notes on crucial concepts to aid in understanding and revision.
- Extra Practice Questions: Practice your learning with extra questions and answers based on the latest syllabus.
- Interactive Learning: Audio-visual explanations for better grasp of challenging topics.
Download the CBSEJanta App Now!
With CBSEJanta.com, understanding Social Science has never been easier! 📚✨ Get FREE chapter-wise solutions, summaries, key concepts, and practice exercises to boost your exam preparation.
Visit CBSEJanta.com or download the CBSEJanta app today for a smarter, easier learning experience.
This structured post gives a subject-wise breakdown for Class 9 Social Science, making it easy for students to understand the chapters while encouraging them to use CBSEJanta.com for comprehensive learning and exam preparation.