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

(i) In which of the following states is the Wular lake located?
(ii) The river Narmada has its source at.
(iii) Which one of the following lakes is a saltwater lake?
(iv) Which one of the following is the longest river in Peninsular India?
(v) Which one amongst the following rivers flows through a rift valley?

Explanation

(i) Jammu and Kashmir is home to the Wular lake. It is a freshwater lake, and the Jhelum River provides the water for it. The largest freshwater lake in Asia, this lake was created by geological activity. 

(ii) A small pond called Narmada Kund serves as the Narmada River's source. It is situated in the Anuppur District of eastern Madhya Pradesh's Shahdol zone near Amarkantak on the Amarkantak Plateau. 

(iii) The following is a list of the other saline water lakes in India besides Sambhar Lake: Lake Pangong Tso. Lac Chilika. Lac Pulicat. 

(iv) The Godavari is the longest river in peninsular India. The Godavari, often known as the South Ganges or "Dakshin Ganga," is the longest river in peninsular India. After the Ganges, it is the second-largest river in India. 

(v) The two largest rivers in India that flow through rift valleys are the Narmada and the Tapi. 


2. Answer the following questions briefly.

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

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

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

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

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

(vi) Which two Peninsular rivers flow through a trough?

(vi) Which two Peninsular rivers flow through a trough?

Explanation

(i) Any high area between two drainage basins, such as a mountain or highland, is referred to as an upland. A water divide is a common name for this type of upland. For instance, the water differential between the Ganga and Indus River Systems. 

(ii) The greatest river basin in India is that of the Ganga River

(iii) Ganga River origin: Gangotri Glacier in Uttaranchal

 Indus River origin: At Manasarovar Lake, Tibet 

(iv)The Ganga has two headstreams: Alaknanda and Bhagirathi. At Devprayag, they both come together to make Ganga. 

(v) Tibet is a cold and dry region, thus the river there carries less water and less silt. It travels through a heavily populated area in India. As a result, the river transports both a lot of water and a lot of silt. 

(vi) The two Peninsular rivers that run through a trough are Narmada and Tapi. 

(vii) The value of rivers has been significant throughout human history. A multitude of human endeavours require the use of river water, which is a key natural resource. People have been attracted to riverbanks since the beginning of time. The use of rivers for irrigation, navigation, and hydropower generation is of utmost importance for a country like India where agriculture is the primary source of income for the majority of its citizens.


3. Discuss the significant difference between the Himalayan and the Peninsular rivers.

Explanation

Mountains Rivers

1. These rivers never dry up.

2. Collect water from snowfall and rain.

Coastal Rivers

1. These rivers run seasonally.

2. Reliant on precipitation. The rivers dry up in the dry seasons

4. Compare the east-flowing and the west-flowing rivers of the Peninsular plateau.

Explanation

rivers flowing west

1. Narmada and Tapi are the only two lengthy rivers that run west.

They enter the Arabian Sea inflow 2.

3. There are fewer tributaries to them.

Create estuaries.

5. Transport smaller sediments.

1. Many significant rivers, including the Mahanadi, Cauvery, Godavari, and Krishna.

They enter the Bay of Bengal in two.

3. Have numerous branches.

4. Creates Deltas.

5. Transport more silt than rivers flowing in the west.

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

Explanation

Throughout human history, rivers have played a crucial role. A fundamental natural resource and a necessity for many human endeavours, river water. Hence, riverbanks have drawn residents since prehistoric times. Now, these towns have grown into large cities. For a nation like India, where agriculture is the main source of income for the majority of its citizens, the use of rivers for irrigation, navigation, and the generation of hydropower is of great importance.