Upsc Mains 2011 Geography Answers

UPSC Mains Questions-2011
Geography
Paper I Answer Structure
Section A 1. Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each : (a) Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Ans. 1. Meaning of Geomagnetism 2. How does the earth acquires magnetism 3. Rocks behaving as magnets- TRM, CRM, DRM 4. Palaeomagnetism- Study of past magnetism 5. Palaeomagnetic data 6. Palaeomagnetism as evidence to continental drift 7. Palaeomagnetism and Seafloor spreading 8. Conclusion. (b) Rossby waves and Jet Stream Ans. 1. What are Jet Streams 2. Origin of Jet Streams (a) Thermal Winds (b) Geostrophic Winds and angular momentum conservation (c) Jet Streams and types, location (d) How Jet streams conserve angular momentum (e) How vorticity conservation leads to Rossby wave formation (f) Role of Rossby waves (i) Cut off high cut off low Rajinder Nagar: B5/4, Below ICICI Bank, Opp. Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Old Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi-110060. Tel: 011-42430022/33/44, 9811506926 North Delhi : 1602, 1st floor, Outram Lane, Kingsway Camp, Delhi-110009. Tel: 011-47527043, 9811506926 NOIDA: B-156, Sector 36 (Below SBI) (near NOIDA Metro City Centre), 9811506926, 9899707583. E-mail-ensembleias@gmail.com. Website: www.ensemble.net.in 1 12 x 5= 60
(ii) High, pressure and low pressure (iii) Weather pattern and Temperate cyclones (iv) Navigation (c) Salinity patterns in Indian Ocean (d) Soil profile in Zonal and Azonal soils (e) Marine Ecosystem 2. (a) Name the climatically controlled agents of erosion. Explain how they differ in terms of properties of matter. Compare the landforms produced by each of them. 30 Ans. 1. What is an agent of erosion. 2. Different agents of erosion (a) Rivers (b) Glaciers (c) Wind (d) Waves Agents and Processes of Erosion
TYPE OF EROSION ACTIVE AGENTS AGENT ALONE Solvent and chemical action Rain erosion River Erosion Rain-water Rivers Corrosion Corrosion Mechanical loosening and removal of materials passed over Splashing Rain-wash Sheet-wash Hydraulic lifting and scouring Cavitation Exaration (plucking and quarrying) Deflation (blowing away) Various hydraulic process AGENT ARMED WITH DETRITUS Wearing of surfaces by transported materials Localized corrosion Corrasion DETRITUS ALONE Mutual wear of materials transported Attrition slight, if any Attrition
Glacial erosion Wind (or Aeolian) erosion and Marine erosion
Glaciers Icesheets Wind, sea and ocean waves, tides and currents
Corrosion limited to subglacial streams Corrosion
Abrasion (e.g., striated surfaces) Wind corrasion (sand blasting) Marine
Attrition
Attrition Attrition
Rajinder Nagar: B5/4, Below ICICI Bank, Opp. Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Old Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi-110060. Tel: 011-42430022/33/44, 9811506926 North Delhi : 1602, 1st floor, Outram Lane, Kingsway Camp, Delhi-110009. Tel: 011-47527043, 9811506926 NOIDA: B-156, Sector 36 (Below SBI) (near NOIDA Metro City Centre), 9811506926, 9899707583. E-mail-ensembleias@gmail.com. Website: www.ensemble.net.in
abrasion
Comparative Erosional Landforms

Landform Gorge and Canyon Characteristics Deep, narrow, V shaped valleys, Steep precipitous walls Origin Rapid down cutting by fast moving streams, when the streams are antecedent, when the down cutting is faster than the rate of upliftment, and when the waterfalls recede. Differential erosion (More erosion on soft strata than on hard) across alternating layers of hard and soft rocks
Rapid
A Place where the water flows with more than normal velocity
Waterfalls Cascades Cataracts Pot holes
Fall of water from a Cliff formation, faulting, rapid erosion at the base of great height rapids Circular, hollows in Grinding action by the the channel of the particles trapped in the stream rivers
Erosional landforms
Landform Desert pavement Characteristics A flat gravel-covered surface Origin A residual gravel sheet formed from the deflation and erosion of finer particles
Deflation hollow Ventifacts/ Dreikanter Rock Pedestral or
Wide shallow basin and depression Continuous deflation prolonged period over upto the water table. friable shale and clay Three sided or three faced stones Abrasion of rocks on the that has been polished and worn ground from three sides by winds that changes its away direction. Mushroom shaped rock standing Abrasion of soft rocks at the base of alternate horizontal on a thin base 3
Gara. Zeugen
layers of hard and soft rocks Cap type hard features standing Frost action of the hard rock capping prolonged abrasive over soft rocks action cuts the hard rock, blows it away and exposes the soft rock strata below it. Sharp ridges of hard rocks and parallel depressions of soft rocks to form long passage with a local relief up to 30m. Aligned parallel to wind direction Excavation of softer materials of abrasion leaving the hard rocks has ridges.
Yardang
Erosional landforms
Landform Sea stack Wave-cut bench (platform) Wave-cut cliff Characteristics Origin Isolated, small inland just offshore Wave erosion Composed of local bedrock A flat erosional surface in front of Wave erosion and retreat of shoreline a wave-cut cliff Carved into local bedrock A steep cliff eroded by waves Wave erosion directly against the shoreline hitting the base Composed of local bedrock A point of land extending into an Dependent on local topography open water body Composed of local bedrock of sediments
Headland
Erosional landforms
Landform Cirque Tarn Horn Characteristics Origin A bowl-shaped depression near the Erosion at the head of an alpine glacier crest line of ridges and peaks A small lake or pond within a Water-filled cirque depression cirque An isolated rock spire separating Headward erosion of several glaciers around a several cirques mountain peak 4
Arete
A jagged, narrow ridge separating Headward erosion of two or more glaciers form opposite two or more cirques sides of a ridge A gap in an arete connecting two Headward erosion of glaciers cirques A deep, steep-side valley with a Erosion of a pre-existing flat bottom and 'U' shaped cross stream valley by a glacier profile A tributary valley that intersects The intersection of a the main valley at a higher tributary glacier with the main trunk glacier elevation
Col Glacial valley Hanging valley
(b) Explain the concept of Isostasy as postulated by Airy and Pratt. Evolution of Isostasy Theory
30
Isostasy refer to state of equilibrium in distribution of material in Earth's crust which confirms to and explains the observed gravity values. Gravity surveys in Himalayas actual force of gravity over mountain range is considerably less than its theoretical value. Emergence of Alland Island and retreat of Finnish port Vaasa. Existence of equilibrium which might get disturbed by denudation or deposition. Theories of Isostasy (A) Law of Floatation (George Airy) Fig. 5.2 a) (Refer The Earths Dynamic Surface By K.Siddhartha,
Surface features are made of SIAL with uniform density floating over heavier mantle. Length of roots Height. Lighter roots provide buoyancy
Criticisms
(i) Too long roots might melt away (ii) Density increases with depth (B) Law of Level of Compensation (A. Pratt) K.Siddhartha, Fig. 5.2 b) (Refer The Earths Dynamic Surface By
Different surface features are made of varying density of rocks which get compensated at certain level in substratum called Level of Compensation (LoC). Uniform density after Level of Compensation. Rajinder Nagar: B5/4, Below ICICI Bank, Opp. Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Old Rajinder Nagar, New 5 Delhi-110060. Tel: 011-42430022/33/44, 9811506926 North Delhi : 1602, 1st floor, Outram Lane, Kingsway Camp, Delhi-110009. Tel: 011-47527043, 9811506926 NOIDA: B-156, Sector 36 (Below SBI) (near NOIDA Metro City Centre), 9811506926, 9899707583. E-mail-ensembleias@gmail.com. Website: www.ensemble.net.in
Criticism
(i) Roots must be heavier (ii) Depth of LoC not clarified
3. (a) Give an account of the global distribution of precipitation. Ans. Global Distribution of Precipitation Fig. 9.9 pg. 229 (Atmosphere Weather and Climate by K.Siddhartha) 1. Areas of Heavy Precipitation - > 200c.m Occurrence of unstable lapse rate throughout the year. Nearness to the source of warm water and a high rate of evaporation. Obstruction due to highlands. Location within zone of storm tracks. Regions (i) Equatorial region along ITCZ Amazon Basin West Africa East Indies (ii) Mid-latitude West Coast Frontal (a) (b) (c) (d) (iii) Parts of Monsoon Asia (iv) Subtropical East Coast East coast of Central America, West Indies, east Madagascar, Southern Brazil Island chain off the east coast of Asia 2. Areas of low precipitation - <25 cms. Due to Stable lapse rate throughout the year. Rain shadow condition in the lee of mountains. Great distance from source of moisture Position far moved from storm tracks Very low air temperatures West coast of North America Southern Chile. North Western Europe West coast of Tasmania and New Zealand
30
Regions (i) Dry Areas of subtropical High Pressure Belt Western South America Western Africa Australia California (ii) Mid-latitude Continental Interiors Interior deserts in North America in the lee of Sierra Nevada and Cascade Mountains. Interior deserts of Russian Turkistan The upland basin or plateaus of Sinkiang, Tibet and Mongolia (iii) Polar regions (less than 25 cm of annual precipitation) 3. Areas of moderate distribution Receive rainfall only during one part of the year. Mediterranean climate Temperate East Coast climate
Regions
Apart from Mediterranean Region, Central and Southern California, Central Chile, Southernmost tips of Africa and Australia.
(b) Contemporary global climate change is an anthropogenic phenomenon. Discuss. Ans. 1. Meaning of Climate Change 2. Causes of Climate Change (a) Extra terrestrial causes (b) Astronomical Causes (c) Geographical causes (d) Oceanic causes (e) Feedback mechanism Conclusion
30
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f)
Climatic change is a natural cycle Climate constantly changing Humans hardly have any say Gleissberg cycle, Milankovitch curve Natural events in which man has no role. Recent climatic changes product of man's role more than anything (i) Reasons for human role - Global warming - Ozone hole - Deforestation Conclusion:
4, (a) Temperature, salinity and density differences in ocean water are the prime causes of ocean water circulation. Elaborate. 30 (b) Define the term biome. List the terrestrial biomes and describe the characteristics of Savanna biome. 30
Section B 5. Write short explanatory notes on the following: (a) Welfare Approach in Human Geography (b) Secondary cities in the context of urbanisation in developing world. (c) Isodapane in Theory of Industrial Location. (d) Population and Food Security. (e) Ingredients of Sustainable Development. 6. (a) Discuss the impact of positivism in paradigm shift in Geography. (b) Enumerate alternative strategies of planning for backward regions. 7. (a) Distinguish between boundaries and frontiers. Identify different types of boundaries. 30 30 30 12x5=60
(b) Mention the agricultural regions as classified by Whittlessey and discuss their relevance. 30 8. (a) Discuss Systems Approach and its applicability in Geography. 30
(b) Critically examine the salient features of Central Place Theory propounded by Christaller and Losch. 30
Paper II Answers
Candidates should attempt Questions No.1 and 5 which are compulsory, and any three of the remaining questions selecting at least one question from each Section. The number of marks carried by each question is indicated at the end of the question. Illustrate your answers with suitable sketches, maps and diagrams, wherever considered required. An outline map of India is attached to this question paper for answering Question No. 1. This map is to be carefully detached from the question paper and attached securely to the answer book of the candidate. Section A on the outline map of India provided to you, mark the location of all of the following for which 1 (one) mark is given to each correct entry. 1. Write in your answer script the significant geographical relevance or strategic importance of these locations, whether physical/ commercial/ economic/ economic/ environmental/ cultural in not more than 30 words for each entry. Four (4) marks are allotted for each write-up of these correctly marked locations. 5x12=60 Answers. See the locations marked in the map uploaded separately. a) BADAMI --Located in Bagalkot district of Karnataka, the ancient town of Badami or Vatapi was the capital of the Chalukya Dynasty in 6th century AD. It is famous for cave, rock cut and other structural temples. b) MANDVI --An important port city of nineteenth century, Mandvi is famous for its historical forts and modern beaches. The town also has a four hundred year old ship building industry for manufacturing small ships. c) DODITAL--Famous for its Himalayan trout, Dodital is a high altitude lake at 3310 meters in Uttarakhand. Famous as a trekking destination, this is also known for its Ganesha temple. d) YANAM --Transferred to India in 1954, Yanam or French Yanam is a historical town of Puducherry with a unique blend of French and Dravidian culture. With a small area of 8 square miles, it is located on the banks of the Gauthami Godavari River.
e) NETARHAT--Located in the Pat region of Chotanagpur Plateau, this popular hill station of Jharkhand is also referred as the Queen of Chotanagpur. Magnolia Point, Netarhat School, Ghaghri Falls and Lodh Falls are famous local tourist destination. f) SHAMSHABAD --Shamshabad is located on the outskirts of Hyderabad. It boasts of the brandnew Hyderabad International Airport, which commenced operations in the year 2008. After the completion, it will be catering to over 50 million passengers a year. g) LAXMANTIRTH RIVER--A tributary of Cauvery River, it originates from the Brahmagiri hills of Kodagu district of Karnataka. Known as a holy river, it descends down into a great cascade, which is identified as Iruppu falls. h) BARA-LACHA LA --This high mountain pass in Zanskar range, connects Lahaul district in Himachal Pradesh to Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir. Located along the Leh-Manali highway (National Highway 21), the Surya taal lake is also situated near this pass. i) KAKOLAT--Located in Nawada district of Bihar, this waterfall is a popular tourist spot of state. This holy and pilgrim site also hosts a large festival on the occasion Chait Shankranti. j) SINGRAULI==A town in Singrauli district, of Madhya Pradesh, it has emerged as Indias Energy hub in recent past. Nearby Rihand Dam, rich coal deposits has lead to the transformation and development of the area in recent past.
k) DAFLA HILLS==Daphla Hills or Dafla Range is a mountain range at the base of Himalayas in
western Arunachal Pradesh. This hilly area also houses the Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary in the district of East Kameng. l) TREE ISLAND--It is an island of Lakshadweep in Arabian Sea. An important tourist destination of the district, it lies at 170 nautical miles from the mainland of peninsular India.
2. Present a comparative analysis of the regimes of Himalayan and Peninsular rivers of India and examine their implications in the irrigation system of the country. 60 3. (a) Identify the major biosphere reserves of India and discuss their role in the conservation of forest and wild life. 30
(b) Give an account of potentiality and prospects of development of marine resources of India. 30 4. (a) Discuss the potentiality and status of aquaculture in the Ganga Plain. (b) Assess the scope and development of Pharmaceutical Industry in India. Section B 5. Write about the following in about 200 words each: 15x4=60 30 30
Rajinder Nagar: B5/4, Below ICICI Bank, Opp. Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Old Rajinder Nagar, New 10 Delhi-110060. Tel: 011-42430022/33/44, 9811506926 North Delhi : 1602, 1st floor, Outram Lane, Kingsway Camp, Delhi-110009. Tel: 011-47527043, 9811506926 NOIDA: B-156, Sector 36 (Below SBI) (near NOIDA Metro City Centre), 9811506926, 9899707583. E-mail-ensembleias@gmail.com. Website: www.ensemble.net.in
(a) Prospects of Rainbow Revolution in India. Answer. Rainbow Revolution refers development, which includes not only agriculture but the allied sectors as well. It refers to a sustainable agricultural revolution where equal focus is given on minimizing cost of production and increasing produce, environmental impact, and impact of fertilizers on consumers and soil health. Prospects a. to raise levels of productivity both in food production and in the non-food sector and b. to achieve rapid diversification of agriculture covering horticulture and floriculture c. tapping the unutilized potential, d. to bring about an agricultural transformation. e. reduce disparities among the States in agricultural progress. Since around 65 per cent of the people of India are still rooted in agriculture and related sectors poverty Alleviation, rural Development and food security has to be assured for the development of the country.
(b) Karewa Deposits and their economic significance. The Kashmir valley, an intermountain valley, is an oval-shaped basin, 140 km long and 40 km wide. It is filled with deposits comprising of unconsolidated gravel sand and mud succession appearing as plateaus above the present plain of Jhelum and its tributaries. These plateau-like terraces are called Karewas or Vudra in the local language. Despite the continuous erosion since a couple of million years, about half of the valley is still occupied by the Karewa sediments. These sediments are dominantly lacustrine in origin. Due to the rise of Pirpanjal, the drainage was impounded and a lake of about 5000 sq. km area was developed and thus formed the basin.
Economic Significance
(a) Karewa forms the land resource which has remained unexplored due to non irrigation facilities.
(b)
Development of the irrigation activities of the Karewas by way digging bore wells and construction of water harvesting tanks and check dams. Would provide an excellent agricultural lands suitable for variety of crops, fruits and horticulture. They will be suitable ground for fodder and livestock raising.
(c)
(d) Rich in mineral resource likelignite, limestone, gypsum, copper, zinc, iron ore, slate, graphite, marble, etc. Rajinder Nagar: B5/4, Below ICICI Bank, Opp. Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Old Rajinder Nagar, New 11 Delhi-110060. Tel: 011-42430022/33/44, 9811506926 North Delhi : 1602, 1st floor, Outram Lane, Kingsway Camp, Delhi-110009. Tel: 011-47527043, 9811506926 NOIDA: B-156, Sector 36 (Below SBI) (near NOIDA Metro City Centre), 9811506926, 9899707583. E-mail-ensembleias@gmail.com. Website: www.ensemble.net.in
(e)
Karewas owing to the underlying Triassic formations, there are probability of oil and gas in suitable traps is possible.
Karewas as building material. Suitable for pottery and handmade artifacts.
(f) (g)
(c) Impact of land tenure on agricultural productivity in India. Land tenure implies rights in relation to land. Two types of rights - ownership and cultivation rights. Land tenure determine long-term incentives to invest in, sustain and improve resources. This, in turn, determines the collective or individual action around management of land. Land tenure is shaped by the government policies in relation to land reforms and their impact. In India the tendril relationships were such that the big landlords used to have a considerable influence on their respective areas. They had the final say in the choice of crops or the type of agro-practices to be carried on, on their farmlands. Though the zamindari system has been abolished, absentee landlordism still prevails; heavy rents are still extracted and there is no security of tenancy. Under these circumstances, agricultural productivity gets affected due to the apathetic attitude of the tillers of the land. The actual cultivators do not get any incentive for improvement either in the methods of cultivation, implement the new innovations in agriculture like improved seeds, fertilizers, mechanisation or the well managed agronomic practices. Thus they continue the traditional technique of production, which is outdated and inefficient. In other cases, the poorer farmers having small land holdings do not have such a fund to invest in their farmlands. The tradition-bound poor farmers have not yet been able to adopt the modern methods to get the best yield from their land. The seeds they use are of poor quality and the ageold, traditional wooden plough still exists in Indian agriculture. The farmers do not enjoy the benefits of agricultural research and development programmes. They consider agriculture as a way of life rather than a business proposition. Therefore, production and productivity remains at a low level. Therefore the prerequisite of proper land tenure system and land policy is the backup support of agricultural extension machinery, minimum support price, soil testing facility, cooperative system for sharing of tractors and other implements, land consolidation, to increase the agricultural productivity. To maximize the benefit of the cultivators the organized marketing system must be encouraged and the middlemen must be weeded out.
(d) Agro-forestry in India. Answer. Agro forestry is the growing of woody trees in the farmlands in combination with grains or other crops and even fodder and livestock. A wider definition of agroforestry encompasses a variety of practices, including trees on farm boundaries, trees grown in close association with Rajinder Nagar: B5/4, Below ICICI Bank, Opp. Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Old Rajinder Nagar, New 12 Delhi-110060. Tel: 011-42430022/33/44, 9811506926 North Delhi : 1602, 1st floor, Outram Lane, Kingsway Camp, Delhi-110009. Tel: 011-47527043, 9811506926 NOIDA: B-156, Sector 36 (Below SBI) (near NOIDA Metro City Centre), 9811506926, 9899707583. E-mail-ensembleias@gmail.com. Website: www.ensemble.net.in
village rainwater collection ponds, crop-fallow rotations, and a variety of agroforests, silvopastoral systems, and trees within settlements. These systems have been presented as a solution to rising fuelwood prices in India resulting from increase in demand and decrease in supply of fuelwood due to forest degradation. Agroforestry is a traditional land-use adaptation may potentially support livelihood improvement through simultaneous production of food, fodder and firewood as well as mitigation of the impact of climate change. The objectives of agroforestery are: (i) biodiversity conservation; (ii) yield of goods and services to society; (iii) augmentation of the carbon storage in agroecosystems; (iv) enhancing the fertility of the soils, (v) Biological pest control (vi) providing social and economic well-being to people. Agroforestry systems in India contribute variously to ecological, social and economic functions for the people living in the rural areas. With 70% of the Indian people dependent upon agricultural output and with little purchasing capacity of purchasing the goods produced by the farmers themselves agroforestry is one of the best means to fulfil the requirement of the poor farmers and pave the way for rural development with the development of local skill based on local wisdom and improve the social and economic well-being. Also it also acts as an insurance in case of crop failure.
5. (a) Assess the growing importance of air transport in India and examine its role in the regional development of the country. Answer. Importance of air transport With phenomenal growth in air traffic, the importance of air transport in the whole economy has increased considerably. Its role in transportation of people, cargo and creation of jobs needs no emphasis. With more and more business taking place around these airports, a new urban form is fast emerging. Civil Aviation contributes to prosperity and creates opportunities for employment, business, commerce, trade and tourism industry. Airports not only provide infrastructure for airlines but also contribute to the economy of the region. Airport management have to address the emerging issues of airport restructuring, safety and security. Rajinder Nagar: B5/4, Below ICICI Bank, Opp. Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Old Rajinder Nagar, New 13 Delhi-110060. Tel: 011-42430022/33/44, 9811506926 North Delhi : 1602, 1st floor, Outram Lane, Kingsway Camp, Delhi-110009. Tel: 011-47527043, 9811506926 NOIDA: B-156, Sector 36 (Below SBI) (near NOIDA Metro City Centre), 9811506926, 9899707583. E-mail-ensembleias@gmail.com. Website: www.ensemble.net.in
Recognising these trends, Government of India has decided to make some far reaching changes in the system. o The highest priority is being given to the development of airport infrastructure with emphasis on providing efficient and value added services at reasonable prices. o Hitherto all airports in India were under state control. Government has now committed itself to deregulation of airport operations in line with international trends. o It is felt imperative to invite private sector to leverage modern technology and management expertise in this area. o Private sector, realizing the potential for growth that the airport business offers, is showing keen interest in airport investments. Both International Airports Authority of India and National Airports Authority of India were merged to form Airports Authority of India. The primary objective of the merger was to accelerate development, expansion and modernization of operational, terminal and cargo facilities at all airports in the country in conformity with international standards. In addition to the airports under AAI, there are several airstrips all over the country which are owned and managed by State Governments or private sector. With the changes in the world economic scenario, the air transport have become all the more important from the following perspective: o Facilitating world trade o Indispensible for tourism o Improves productivity o Influencing investment and innovation o Generation of employment opportunities o Exploring and expanding consumer choice and opportunities. o Role of air transport in regional development of the country Role of air transport in regional development may be understood as: Direct impacts related to accessibility change where transport enables larger markets and enables to save time and costs. Indirect impacts related to the economic multiplier effects where the price of commodities, goods or services provided, their variety, increases. Rajinder Nagar: B5/4, Below ICICI Bank, Opp. Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Old Rajinder Nagar, New 14 Delhi-110060. Tel: 011-42430022/33/44, 9811506926 North Delhi : 1602, 1st floor, Outram Lane, Kingsway Camp, Delhi-110009. Tel: 011-47527043, 9811506926 NOIDA: B-156, Sector 36 (Below SBI) (near NOIDA Metro City Centre), 9811506926, 9899707583. E-mail-ensembleias@gmail.com. Website: www.ensemble.net.in
Mobility is one of the most fundamental and important characteristics of economic activity as it satisfies the basic need of going from one location to the other, a need shared by passengers, freight and information. All economies and regions do not share the same level of mobility as most are in a different stage in their mobility transition. Economies that possess greater mobility are often those with better opportunities to develop than those suffering from scarce mobility. Providing this mobility facility, aviation industry offers services to its customers, employs people and pays wages, invests capital and generates income. Air Transportation links together the factors of production in a complex web of relationships between producers and consumers. The outcome is commonly a more efficient division of production by and exploitation of geographical comparative advantages, as well as the means to develop economies of scale and scope. It is acknowledged that economic growth is increasingly linked with air transport developments. The following impacts can be assessed: Networks. Setting of routes enabling new or existing interactions between economic entities. Performance. Improvements in cost and time attributes for existing passenger and freight movements. Reliability. Improvement in the time performance, notably in terms of punctuality, as well as reduced loss or damage. Market size. Access to a wider market base where economies of scale in production, distribution and consumption can be improved. Productivity. Increases in productivity from the access to a larger and more diverse base of inputs (raw materials, parts, energy or labor) and broader markets for diverse outputs (intermediate and finished goods). Geographic specialization. Improvements in transportation and communication favor a process of geographical specialization that increases productivity and spatial interactions. Through geographic specialization supported by efficient transportation, economic productivity is promoted. Large scale production. An efficient transport system offering cost, time and reliability advantages permits goods to be transported over longer distances. This facilitates mass production through economies of scale because larger markets can be accessed. Increased competition. A wider array of goods and services becomes available to consumers through competition which tends to reduce costs and promote quality and innovation. Globalization has clearly been associated with a competitive environment that spans the world. Increased land value. Land which is adjacent or serviced by good transport services generally has greater value due to the utility it confers to many activities.
(b) Discuss the spatial pattern of intra-regional migration in India and examine its implication in regional development. 30
7. (a) Differentiate between conurbations and metropolitan region. Give a reasoned account of emerging conurbations in India. 30 8. (a) Discuss the problems of environmental degradation generated by urban wastes in India. 30 (b) Analyse the causes of desertification in India. Represent the desertified areas of the country on a sketch map and suggest remedial measures to control it. Answer. Causes of desertification Variations in climate o By their very nature, arid and semiarid ecosystems are characterized by sparse or variable rainfall. Thus, climatic changes such as those that result in extended droughts can rapidly reduce the biological productivity of those ecosystems. Such changes may be temporary, lasting only a season, or they may persist over many years and decades.
Unsustainable land-soil-management practices in dryland environments. o Since dryland environments are used for a variety of human purposes (such as agriculture and fuelwood collection), the various activities undertaken in them can exacerbate the problem of desertification and bring about lasting changes to dryland ecosystems. o Over-cultivation causes the nutrients in the soil to be depleted faster than they are restored. o Improper irrigation practices result in salinated soils, and depletion of aquifers. The influence of global warming in specific dryland regions. The production of green house gases. Deforestation increasing the rate of erosion and runoff. Overgrazing removes this vegetation causing erosion and loss of topsoil. Map of desertified areas of the country must be drawn SOLUTIONS
Some of the techniques that may help ameliorate the consequences of desertification in irrigated croplands, rain-fed croplands, grazing lands, and dry woodlands include:
Salt traps, which involve the creation of so-called void layers of gravel and sand at certain depths in the soil. Salt traps prevent salts from reaching the surface of the soil and also help to inhibit water loss. Irrigation improvements, which can inhibit water loss from evaporation and prevent salt accumulation. This technique involves changes in the design of irrigation systems to prevent water from pooling or evaporating easily from the soil. E.g., Drip Irrigation, Sprinkler Irrigation, etc. cover crops, which prevent soil erosion from wind and water. They can also reduce the local effects of drought. On larger scales, plant cover can help maintain normal rainfall patterns. Cover crops may be perennials or fast-growing annuals. Crop rotation, which involves the alternation of different crops on the same plot of land over different growing seasons. This technique can help maintain the productivity of the soil by replenishing critical nutrients removed during harvesting. Rotational grazing, which is the process of limiting the grazing pressure of livestock in a given area. Livestock are frequently moved to new grazing areas before they cause permanent damage to the plants and soil of any one area. Terracing, which involves the creation of multiple levels of flat ground that appear as long steps cut into hillsides. The technique slows the pace of runoff, which reduces soil erosion and retards overall water loss. Contour bunding (or contour bundling), which involves the placement of lines of stones along the natural rises of a landscape. It helps to capture and hold rainfall before it can become runoff. It also inhibits wind erosion by keeping the soil heavy and moist. Contour bunding is similar to terracing. Windbreaks, which involve the establishment of lines of fast-growing trees planted at right angles to the prevailing surface winds. They are primarily used to slow wind-driven soil erosion but may be used to inhibit the encroachment of sand dunes. Shelterbelts and woodlots are similar solutions. Dune stabilization, which involves the conservation of the plant community living along the sides of dunes. The upper parts of plants help protect the soil from surface winds, whereas the root network below keeps the soil together. charcoal conversion improvements, which include the use of steel or mud kilns or high-pressure compacting equipment to press the wood and other plant residues into briquettes. Conversion improvements retain a greater fraction of the heating potential of fuelwood. Planting the Leguminous plants which extract nitrogen from the air and fixes it in the soil, and food crops/trees as grains, barley, beans and dates are the most important. Sand fences can also be used to control drifting of soil and sand erosion.
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Upsc Mains 2011 Geography Answers

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UPSC Mains Questions-2011

Glacial erosion Wind (or Aeolian) erosion and Marine erosion

Corrosion limited to subglacial streams Corrosion

Abrasion (e.g., striated surfaces) Wind corrasion (sand blasting) Marine

Comparative Erosional Landforms

Waterfalls Cascades Cataracts Pot holes

Deflation hollow Ventifacts/ Dreikanter Rock Pedestral or

Col Glacial valley Hanging valley

(i) Roots must be heavier (ii) Depth of LoC not clarified

(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f)

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