Drainage

Question 1

What is the term drainage used to describe?

Answer 1

The river system of an area

It includes small streams that converge to form a main river, which drains into a larger water body.

Question 2

What is a drainage basin?

Answer 2

The area drained by a single river system

Question 3

What separates two drainage basins?

Answer 3

A water divide

Question 4

Which river has the largest drainage basin in the world?

Answer 4

The Amazon River

Question 5

What are the two major groups of rivers in India?

Answer 5

• Himalayan rivers
• Peninsular rivers

Question 6

What is a key characteristic of Himalayan rivers?

Answer 6

Most are perennial, having water throughout the year

Question 7

What are the two major Himalayan rivers mentioned?

Answer 7

• Indus
• Brahmaputra

Question 8

What is the length of the Indus River?

Answer 8

2900 km

Question 9

What is the significance of the Indus Water Treaty (1960)?

Answer 9

India can use only 20 percent of the total water carried by the Indus river system

Question 10

What is the headwater of the Ganga called?

Answer 10

Bhagirathi

Question 11

Where does the Ganga emerge from the mountains?

Answer 11

Haridwar

Question 12

What is the name of the delta formed by the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers?

Answer 12

Sundarban Delta

Question 13

What are the major tributaries of the Ganga?

Answer 13

• Yamuna
• Ghaghara
• Gandak
• Kosi
• Chambal
• Betwa
• Son

Question 14

What is the Namami Gange Programme?

Answer 14

An Integrated Conservation Mission for the Ganga approved in June 2014

Question 15

Which river is known as Tsang Po in Tibet?

Answer 15

Brahmaputra

Question 16

What is the main water divide in Peninsular India?

Answer 16

Western Ghats

Question 17

What are the main rivers flowing eastwards in Peninsular India?

Answer 17

• Mahanadi
• Godavari
• Krishna
• Kaveri

Question 18

What is the largest Peninsular river?

Answer 18

Godavari

Question 19

What notable features does the Narmada create on its way to the sea?

Answer 19

• Marble rocks
• Dhuadhar falls

Question 20

What is the Kaveri known for?

Answer 20

It makes the second biggest waterfall in India, Shivasamudram Falls

Question 21

What are the notable freshwater lakes in India?

Answer 21

• Wular Lake
• Dal Lake
• Bhimtal
• Nainital
• Loktak
• Barapani

Question 22

What type of lakes are formed by glaciers?

Answer 22

Freshwater lakes of glacial origin

Question 23

What characterizes seasonal lakes?

Answer 23

They contain water only during the rainy season

Question 24

What is the Sambhar Lake known for?

Answer 24

It is a saltwater lake used for producing salt

Question 25

What percentage of the world's surface is covered with water?

Answer 25

71 percent

Question 26

What percentage of the world's freshwater is trapped as ice?

Answer 26

Three quarters

Question 27

What is the largest freshwater lake in India?

Answer 27

Wular Lake ## Footnote Wular Lake is located in Jammu and Kashmir and is a result of tectonic activity.

Question 28

Name some important freshwater lakes in India.

Answer 28

* Dal Lake * Bhimtal * Nainital * Loktak * Barapani * Wular Lake ## Footnote These lakes have significant ecological and recreational value.

Question 29

What is the purpose of the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP)?

Answer 29

Improve water quality of rivers through pollution abatement work ## Footnote The NRCP expanded from the Ganga Action Plan (1985).

Question 30

Fill in the blank: Lakes help to regulate the flow of a river and prevent ______ during heavy rains.

Answer 30

flooding

Question 31

How do lakes contribute to climate moderation?

Answer 31

They moderate the climate of the surroundings ## Footnote This effect helps in maintaining local ecosystems.

Question 32

What are the economic benefits of rivers?

Answer 32

* Irrigation * Navigation * Hydro-power generation ## Footnote These activities are crucial for the agricultural economy of India.

Question 33

True or False: River pollution is primarily caused by untreated sewage and industrial effluents.

Answer 33

True

Question 34

What is a water divide?

Answer 34

A ridge that separates waters flowing to different rivers or basins ## Footnote An example is the Himalayas, which divide the Indus and Ganga systems.

Question 35

Which two rivers in India have their origins in the Himalayas?

Answer 35

* Indus * Ganga

Question 36

Where do the two headstreams of the Ganga meet?

Answer 36

At Devprayag to form the Ganga ## Footnote The two headstreams are Bhagirathi and Alaknanda.

Question 37

Fill in the blank: The river Narmada has its source at ______.

Answer 37

Amarkantak

Question 38

Name a saltwater lake in India.

Answer 38

Sambhar Lake

Question 39

What significant action plans have been launched due to rising river pollution?

Answer 39

Various action plans to clean the rivers ## Footnote The Ganga Action Plan is one of the earliest initiatives.

Question 40

Which is the longest river of Peninsular India?

Answer 40

Godavari

Question 41

What distinguishes Himalayan rivers from Peninsular rivers?

Answer 41

Himalayan rivers are perennial and have a greater silt load ## Footnote Peninsular rivers are seasonal and flow through rift valleys.

Question 42

Fill in the blank: The river which rises in the Betul district of MP and flows westwards is ______.

Answer 42

Tapi

Question 43

What is the significance of lakes for tourism?

Answer 43

Enhance natural beauty and provide recreation ## Footnote Lakes attract tourists for various activities including boating and fishing.

Question 44

List two lakes created by human intervention.

Answer 44

* Gobind Sagar * Nagarjuna Sagar ## Footnote The damming of the rivers for the hydel power

Question 45

True or False: Rivers have historically attracted human settlements.

Answer 45

True

Question 46

Name one river that flows through a rift valley.

Answer 46

Tapi

Question 47

Which river is known as the 'Sorrow' of West Bengal?

Answer 47

Damodar