Question

NCERT Solutions Class 11, Geography, India Physical Environment, Chapter-3, Drainage System

Gaining a comprehensive understanding of Class 11 Geography is essential for success in board and competitive exams, with NCERT Solutions being a key resource. Developed by professionals, these solutions highlight crucial chapter themes and are in line with the CBSE curriculum, providing vital assistance for your educational efforts.

In these NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Geography, we have discussed all types of NCERT intext questions and exercise questions.

Concepts covered in Class 11 Geography, India Physical Environment, Chapter-3 Drainage System, are-

• Drainage Systems of India
• The Himalayan Drainage
• Evolution of The Himalayan Drainage
• The River Systems of the Himalayan Drainage
• The Peninsular Drainage System
• Extent or Usability of River Water

Our NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Geography offer detailed explanations to assist you with homework and assignments. By mastering the concepts in each chapter through these solutions, you'll be well-prepared to achieve top marks in your exams. Start your journey to academic success today!

Easily access all solutions and practice questions to enhance your study habits and prepare effectively for success in your academics.

Answer 1

NCERT Solutions Class 11, Geography, India Physical Environment, Chapter-3, Drainage System

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

(i) Which of the following rivers was known as the ‘Sorrow of Bengal’?

(a) The Gandak

(b) The Son

(c) The Kosi

(d) The Damodar

Solution:

(d) The Damodar

(ii) Which of the following rivers has the largest river basin in India?

(a) The Indus

(b) The Brahmaputra

(c) The Ganga

(d) The Krishna

Solution:

(c) The Ganga

(iii) Which of the following rivers is not included in ‘Panchnad’?

(a) The Ravi

(b) The Chenab

(c) The Indus

(d) The Jhelum

Solution:

(c) The Indus

(iv) Which of the following rivers flows in a rift valley?

(a) The Son

(b) The Narmada

(c) The Yamuna

(d) The Luni

Solution:

(b) The Narmada

(v) Which of the following is the place of confluence of the Alaknanda and the Bhagirathi?

(a) Vishnu Prayag

(b) Rudra Prayag

(c) Karan Prayag

(d) Deva Prayag

Solution:

(d) Deva Prayag

2. State the differences between the following.

(i) River Basin and Watershed

Solution:

River Basin	Watershed
The catchments of large rivers are called river basins.	Catchment of small rivulets and rills are often referred to as watersheds.
Rivers basins are larger in area.	Watersheds are smaller in area.

(ii) Dendritic and Trellis drainage pattern

Solution:

Dendritic Drainage Pattern	Trellis Drainage Pattern
Dendritic drainage system is a drainage pattern resembling the branches of a tree is known as “dendritic”.	When the primary tributaries of rivers flow parallel to each other and secondary tributaries join them at right angles, the pattern is known as ‘trellis’.
The drainage pattern of the Northern plain is an example of such a pattern.	This pattern is found in the Himalayan mountains and the Eastern ranges.

(iii) Radial and Centripetal drainage pattern

Solution:

Radial Drainage Pattern	Centripetal Drainage Pattern
When the rivers originate from a hill and flow in all directions, the drainage pattern is known as ‘radial’.	When the rivers discharge their waters from all directions in a lake or depression, the pattern is known as ‘centripetal’.
Example: The rivers originating from the Amarkantak range.	Example: Sambhar Lake of Rajasthan.

(iv) Delta and Estuary

Solution:

Delta	Estuary
Delta is a triangular land mass formed by depositional alluvium at the mouth of river.	Estuary is the sunken mouth of the river where the rivers meets the sea forming the tunnel shaped zone where saline and fresh water mix.
They develop close to the river mouth on the tideless sea shore, where silt from the rivers is deposited.	At the river mouth, where no deposition occurs, they are the result of intense currents and high tides.
They are rich agricultural grounds.	They are rich fishing grounds and are suitable for inland transportation.
Rivers like Krishna, Kaveri, Mahanadi, Godavari form deltas.	Narmada and Tapi form estuaries.

Answer 2

3. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.

(i) What are the socio-economic advantages of inter-linking of rivers in India?

Solution:

Indian rivers are divided into two categories: Perennial rivers, where water is present yearround, and Peninsular rivers, where water is present only during rainy seasons. India’s rivers carry a lot of water each year. But when looking at time and location, its distribution is not equal. During the rainy season, the majority
of the water is lost in floods. It also results in human and material loss. Additionally, it harms agriculture. There is a drought scenario in other regions.

Therefore, the issues of floods and drought will be resolved if rivers are connected to one another by canals. Millions of rupees will be saved, and the drinking water issue will also be resolved. Additionally, it will result in higher production. The economic situation of farmers will improve.

(ii) Write three characterstics of the Peninsular river.

Solution:

Three characteristics of peninsular rivers are as follows:

(a) These rivers have their source in the central highlands and peninsular plateau. These depend on monsoon rainfall. Thus, they are seasonal.

(b) They reflect a form of a drainage pattern that is superimposed, and when they are regenerated, they produce trellis, radial, and rectangular patterns.

(c) These rivers have well-aligned valleys and a set route. Their basin’s catchment area is comparatively smaller. Old rivers having a sloped profile, these rivers have nearly reached their base levels.

4. Answer the following questions in not more than 125 words.

(i) What are the important characteristic features of north Indian rivers? How are these different from Peninsular rivers?

Solution:

Important characteristics of north Indian rivers are as follows:

(a) Origin- They emerge from the glaciercovered Himalayan mountains.

(b) These are perpetual because they receive water from rains and glaciers.

(c) Drainage pattern- These are prerequisites, which, in turn, cause a dendritic pattern in plains.

(d) River characteristics include a lengthy course, headward erosion from the mountains it flows through, river capture, and meandering on the plains.

(e) Very large basins are included in its catchment regions.

(f) These rivers are young and vibrant in age. In the valleys, these are active and getting deeper.

These are different from peninsular rivers because peninsular rivers have the following features:

(a) The peninsular plateau and central highlands are the regions of their origin.

(b) They are seasonal in nature since they are reliant on monsoon rainfall.

(c) Drainage style- Superimposed, revitalised, producing trellis, radial, and rectangular patterns.

(d) Smaller, fixed-course rivers with well aligned valleys.

(e) Basin’s catchment area is rather limited. 

(f) Older rivers have a sloped profile and they have nearly reached their base levels.

(ii) Suppose you are travelling from Haridwar to Siliguri along the foothills of the Himalayas. Name the important rivers you will come across. Describe the characteristics of any one of them.

Solution:

We will come across the rivers Tons, Gomti, Saryu, Ramganga, Sharda, Gandak, Old Gandak, Kamla, Bagmati, Kosi, and Ganga as we travel from Haridwar to Siliguri through the foothills of the Himalayas.

In terms of its basin and cultural significance, the Ganga is the most significant river in India. In the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, at the height of 3,900 m above sea level, it rises in the Gangotri glacier next to Gaumukh. In this area, it is referred to as the Bhagirathi. At Devaprayag, the Bhagirathi meets the Alaknanda; hereafter, it is known as the Ganga. The Ganga enters the plains at Haridwar. From here, it flows first to the south, then to the south¬east and east before splitting into two distributaries, namely the Bhagirathi and the Hugli. In India alone, the Ganga basin spans an area of around 8.6 lakh sq. km. The Ganga river system, which includes several perennial and non-perennial rivers, is the biggest in India.

Yamuna joins the Ganga at Prayag (Allahabad). It is joined by the Chambal, the Sind, the Betwa and the Ken on its right bank, which originates from the Peninsular plateau, while the Hindan, the Rind, the Sengar, the Varuna, etc. join it on its left bank.

Answer 3

More Questions

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The pattern of flow of water in a river channel over a year is known as what?

(a) Regime
(b) Cumecs
(c) Cusecs
(d) None of these

Solution:

(a) Regime

2. Cumecs is measured:

(a) Cubic foot per second
(b) Cubic metres per second
(c) In square metres
(d) None of these

Solution:

(b) Cubic metres per second

3. When the shape of drainage system resembles branches of a tree, it is called:

(a) Dendritic drainage system
(b) Radial drainage system
(c) Trellis
(d) Centripetal Drainage System

Solution:

(a) Dendritic drainage system

4. The path on which the river flows along is called:

(a) River course
(b) River flow
(c) River channel
(d) Watershed

Solution:

(a) River course

5. Which of the following river falls into Arabian Sea?

(a) Mahanadi
(b) Krishna
(c) Narmada
(d) Kaveri

Solution:

(c) Narmada

6. Which of the following is the largest river of peninsular India?

(a) Mahanadi
(b) Krishna
(c) Godavari
(d) Sabarmati

Solution:

(c) Godavari

7. Which of the following rivers forms a delta?

(a) Narmada
(b) Tapti
(c) Sabarmati
(d) Krishna

Solution:

(d) Krishna

8. Which of the following river is called Dakshin Ganga?

(a) Mahanadi
(b) Krishna
(c) Godavari
(d) Sabarmati

Solution:

(c) Godavari

9. Name the westernmost and longest tributary of river Ganga?

(a) Kosi
(b) Ramganga
(c) Gandak
(d) Yamuna

Solution:

(d) Yamuna

10. By which name is river Brahmaputra known in Tibet?

(a) Dihang
(b) Dibang
(c) Shansi
(d) Sangpo

Solution:

(d) Sangpo

11. Which river has formed Sunderban delta? 

(a) Ganga
(b) Krishna
(c) Godavari
(d) Sabarmati

Solution:

(a) Ganga

12. From where does river Chenab originate?

(a) Baralacha Pass
(b) Rohtang Pass
(c) Rakstal
(d) Verinag

Solution:

(a) Baralacha Pass

Very Short Answer Type Questions

1. On the basis of origin, form and features in how many groups can we classify rivers of India?

Solution:

On the basis of origin, form and features, we can classify the rivers of India into four parts:

1. Himalayan Rivers;
2. Peninsular rivers;
3. Coastal Rivers and
4. Internal basin rivers.

2. By which names is river Brahmaputra known?

Solution:

In Tibet, it is called Tsangpo. It emerges as a turbulent and dynamic river after carving out a deep gorge in the Central Himalayas near Namcha Barwa (7,755 m). The river emerges from the foothills under the name of Siang or Dihang. In India, it is called Brahmaputra. In Bangladesh, it is known as the Yamuna. It finally merges with the river Padma, which falls in the Bay of Bengal.

3. Name important tributaries of Brahmaputra river system.

Solution:

Important tributaries of Brahmaputra river system are the Burhi Dining, Dhansari (South), Subansiri, Kameng, Manas and Sankosh.

4. Define drainage system.

Solution:

The flow of water through well-defined channels is known as ‘drainage’ and the network of such channels is called a ‘drainage system’. The drainage pattern of an area is the outcome of the geological time period, nature and structure of rocks, topography, slope, amount of water flowing and the periodicity of the flow.

5. What are different forms of drainage system?

Solution:

The different drainage patterns are “dendritic”; ‘radial’; ‘trellis’ and ‘centripetal’.

6. In how many parts is Indo-Brahma drainage system dismembered?

Solution:

It is opined that in due course of time Indo-Brahma river was dismembered into three main drainage systems:

• The Indus and its five tributaries in the western part;
• The Ganga and its Himalayan tributaries in the central part;
• The stretch of the Brahmaputra in Assam and its Himalayan tributaries in the eastern part.

7. Name the longest river of Kerala. From where does it originate?

Solution:

The longest river of Kerala is Bharatpuzha. It originates from Annamalai hills. It is also known as Pongnani. It covers approximately 5397 km of area.

8. What type of drainage system is there in Thar Desert?

Solution:

Drainage system in Thar Desert is of centripetal type.

9. Name the rivers which fall in Bay of Bengal.

Solution:

Important rivers falling in Bay of Bengal include Ganga, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri.

10. Name the rivers which fall into Arabian Sea.

Solution:

Indus and its tributaries, Narmada, Tapti, Sabarmati rivers fall into Arabian Sea.

11. What is watershed?

Solution:

The boundary line separating one drainage basin from the other is known as watershed.

12. Name the factors on which the drainage pattern depends?

Solution:

The drainage pattern of an area is the outcome of the geological time period, nature and structure of rocks, topography, slope, amount of water flowing and the periodicity of the flow.

Answer 4

Short Answer Type Questions

1. Explain about flood prone areas of India.

Solution:

The states falling within the periphery of “India Flood Prone Areas” are West Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab. The intense monsoon rains from south-west causes rivers like Brahmaputra, Ganga, Yamuna etc. to swell their banks, which in turn floods the adjacent areas.
Over the past few decades, Central India has become familiar with precipitation events like torrential rains and flash floods. The major flood prone areas in India are the river banks and deltas of Ravi, Yamuna-Sahibi, Gandak, Sutlej, Ganga, Ghaggar, Kosi, Teesta, Brahmaputra, Mahanadi, Mahananda, Damodar, Godavari, Mayurakshi, Sabarmati and their tributaries. During the rainy season, much of the water is wasted in floods and flows down to the sea. Similarly, when there is a flood in one part of the country, the other area suffers from drought. The Godavari is subjected to heavy floods in its lower reaches to the south of Polavaram, where it forms a picturesque gorge.

2. Explain important features of Kaveri Basin.

Solution:

Important features of Kaveri Basin are as follows:

• The Kaveri rises in Brahmagiri hills (1,341m) of Kogadu district in Karnataka.
• Its length is 800 km and it drains an area of 81,155 sq. km.
• Since the upper catchment area receives rainfall during the southwest monsoon season (summer) and the lower part during the northeast monsoon season (winter), the river carries water throughout the year with comparatively less fluctuation than the other Peninsular rivers.
• About 3 per cent of the Kaveri basin falls in Kerala, 41 per cent in Karnataka and 56 per cent in Tamil Nadu.
• Its important tributaries are the Kabini, the Bhavani and the Amravati. The Narmada originates on the western flank of the Amarkantak plateau at a height of about 1,057 m.

3. Differentiate between the features of Ganga river and Jhelum river.

Solution:

The Ganga is the most important river of India both from the point of view of its basin and cultural significance. It rises in the Gangotri glacier near Gaumukh (3,900 m) in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Here, it is known as the Bhagirathi. It cuts through the Central and the Lesser Himalayas in narrow gorges. The important left bank tributaries are the Ramganga, the Gomati, the Ghaghara, the Gandak, the Kosi and the Mahananda. The river finally discharges itself into the Bay of Bengal near the Sagar Island. The Jhelum, an important tributary of the Indus, rises from a spring at Verinag situated at the foot of the Pir Panjal in the south-eastern part of the valley of Kashmir. It flows through Srinagar and the Wular lake before entering Pakistan through a deep narrow gorge. It joins the Chenab near Jhang in Pakistan.

4. The two Peninsular rivers display interesting differences in their regimes compared to the Himalayan rivers. Explain.

Solution:

The two Peninsular rivers display interesting differences in their regimes compared to the Himalayan rivers. The Narmada has a very low volume of discharge from January to July but it suddenly rises in August when the maximum flow is attained. The fall in October is as spectacular as the rise in August. The flow of water in the Narmada, as recorded at Garudeshwar, shows that the maximum flow is of the order of2,300 cusecs, while the minimum flow is only 15 cusecs. The Godavari has the minimum discharge in May, and the maximum in July-August. After August, there is a sharp fall in water flow although the volume of flow in October and November is higher than that in any of the months from January to May. The mean maximum discharge of the Godavari at Polavaram is 3,200 cusecs while the mean minimum flow is only 50 cusecs.

5. Flow of Ganga is not same throughout the year. Explain.

Solution:

The Ganga has its minimum flow during the January-June period. The maximum flow is attained either in August or in September. After September, there is a steady fall in the flow. The river, thus, has a monsoon regime during the rainy season. There are striking differences in the river regimes in the eastern and the western parts of the Ganga Basin. The Ganga maintains a sizeable flow in the early part of summer due to snow melt before the monsoon rains begin. The mean maximum discharge of the Ganga at Farakka is about 55,000 cusecs while the mean minimum is only 1,300 cusecs.

Long Answer Type Questions

1. How are rivers of India useful for India?

Solution:

Rivers are useful for us because:

• Water: Rivers carry water and nutrients to areas all around the earth. They play a very important part in the water cycle, acting as drainage channels for surface water. Rivers drain nearly 75% of the earth’s land surface.
• Habitats: Rivers provide excellent habitat and food for many of the earth’s organisms. Many rare plants and trees grow by rivers. Ducks, voles, otters and beavers make their homes on the river banks. Reeds and other plants like bulrushes grow along the river banks. Other animals use the river for food and drink. Birds such as kingfishers eat small fish from the river.
• Delta: River deltas have many different species of wildlife. Insects, mammals and birds use the delta for their homes and for food.
• Transport: Rivers provide travel routes for exploration, commerce and recreation.

2. Explain about Indus River System.

Solution:

The Indus System:

• It is one of the largest river basins of the world, covering an area of 11,65,000 sq. km (in India it is 321, 289 sq. km) and a total length of 2,880 km (in India 1,114 km). The Indus also known as the Sindhu, is the westernmost of the Himalayan rivers in India.
• It originates from a glacier near Bokhar Chu (31°15′ N latitude and 81°40′ E longitude) in the Tibetan region at an altitude of 4,164 m in the Kailash mountain range.
• The Indus receives a number of Himalayan tributaries such as the Shyok, the Gilgit, the Zaskar, the Hunza, the Nubra, the Shigar, the Gasting and the Dras. It finally emerges out of the hills near Attock where it receives the Kabul river on its right bank. The other important tributaries joining the right bank of the Indus are the Khurram, the Tochi, the Gomal, the Viboa and the Sangar.
• They all originate in the Sulaiman ranges. The river flows southward and receives ‘Panjnad’ a little above Mithankot. The Panjnad is the name given to the five rivers of Punjab, namely the Satluj, the Beas, the Ravi, the Chenab and the Jhelum.
• It finally discharges into the Arabian Sea, east of Karachi.
• The Indus flows in India only through the Leh district in Jammu and Kashmir.

3. Explain about Ganga River System.

Solution:

The Ganga System:

1. The Ganga is the most important river of India both from the point of view of its basin and cultural significance. It rises in the Gangotri glacier near Gaumukh (3,900 m) in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Here, it is known as the Bhagirathi. It cuts through the Central
and the Lesser Himalayas in narrow gorges.

2.  At Devaprayag, the Bhagirathi meets the Alaknanda; hereafter, it is known as the Ganga. The Alaknanda has its source in the Satopanth glacier above Badrinath. The Alaknanda consists of the Dhauli and the Vishnu Ganga which meet at Joshimath or Vishnu Prayag.

3. The river has a length of 2,525 km. It is shared by Uttarakhand (110 km) and Uttar Pradesh (1,450 km), Bihar (445 km) and West Bengal (520 km). The Ganga basin covers about 8.6 lakh sq. km area in India alone.

4. The Ganga river system is the largest in India having a number of perennial and non-perennial rivers originating in the Himalayas in the north and the Peninsula in the south, respectively. The Son is its major right bank tributary.

5. The important left bank tributaries are the Ramganga, the Gomati, the Ghaghara, the Gandak, the Kosi and the Mahananda. The Yamuna, the westernmost and the longest tributary of the Ganga, has its source in the Yamunotri glacier on the western slopes of Banderpunch range (6,316 km).

6. The river finally discharges itself into the Bay of Bengal near the Sagar Island.

Answer 5

4. What factors determine volume of water in a river?

Solution:

Factors affecting the volume of water in a river:

1) An important factor affecting the volume of water in a river is the size of the drainage basin. A drainage basin in an area drained by one main river and its tributaries. If the drainage basin is large, the volume of water in the river will be more. When the drainage basin is large the surface run off flourished the river is more runoff in the amount of rainwater that flows on the ground and ultimately into the river or lake. On the other hand, if the drainage basin is small volume of water in the river will be less because there is less surface area for the rain to fall on.

2) Vegetation is also an important factor. Leaves of tress intercept rainwater and allow more water to sweep into the ground in groundwater. As a result, the amount of surface runoff reduces. Therefore, the volume of water in the river is less where vegetation is dense. Spare vegetation prevents rainwater from getting trapped in the leaves and
branches, thereby allowing more water to flow through as surface runoff. So, in areas with less vegetation volume of water is more.

3) Permeability of rocks: In area with permeable or porous rocks, much of the rainwater sweeps through the pores in the rocks into the ground. In such areas, surface run off is less and water flowing into the river channel will also be less.

4) Climate: In areas with hot and wet climate such as equatorial area, volume of water rivers will be high. However, the amount of water will be less in areas with dry climate receiving less rainfall. In areas with prominent wet or dry seasons, volume of water in the river will vary according to the amount of rainfall received.

5. Explain the different drainage patterns formed by rivers. Draw diagram of each drainage pattern with two examples of each.

Solution:

The drainage pattern formed by rivers are:

(a) Dendritic: The drainage resembling, the branches of a tree is known as ‘dendritic’ the examples of which are the rivers of northern plains like Ganga, Yamuna, etc.

(b) Radial: When the rivers originate from a hill and flow in all directions, the drainage pattern is known as ‘radial’ or the dome-shaped pattern. The river originating from the Amarkanta range and central highlands present a good example of it.

(c) Trellis: When the primary tributaries of rivers flow parallel to each and secondary tributaries join them at right angles, the pattern is known as ‘trellis’ e.g. Peninsular river such as Godavari, Krishna etc.

(d) Centripetal: When the rivers discharge their waters from all directions in a lake or in depressions, it is known as ‘centrifugal’. These rivers form cascades/rapids and waterfalls.

6. Differentiate between:

(a) Himalayas rivers and the Peninsular rivers

(b) Consequent rivers and Antecedent rivers

Solution:

(a) Difference between Himalayas Rivers and the Peninsular rivers-

Aspects	Himalayan rivers	Peninsular rivers
Place of origin	Himalayan mountains covered with glaciers	Peninsular plateau and central highland
Nature of flow	Perennial; receive water from glacier and rainfall	Seasonal, dependent on monsoon rainfall
Type of drainage	Antecedent and consequent leading to dendritic pattern in plains.	Super imposed : rejuvenated resulting in trellis and rectangular pattern
Nature of river	Long course, flowing through the mountains. Experiencing headwater erosion and river capturing in plains meandering and shifting of course.	Smaller, fixed course with well adjusted valleys.
Catchment area	Very large basins	Relatively smaller basin
Area of river	Young and youthful, active and deepening of the valleys.	Old rivers with graded profile, and have almost reached their base levels
Examples	Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra and their tributaries.	Peninsular Plateau Chambal, Betwa, Central Highlands, Godavari, Krishna, etc.

(b) Difference between Consequent rivers and Antecedent rivers-

Basis	Consequent rivers	Antecedent rivers
Shape	These rivers maintain their original shapes, deposits, the rise of land due to folding. The rivers keep on following in the same direction.	It is an uplift area the rivers flow in the direction resulting as consequent of the slope
Age	These rivers are older than the old mountain.	These rivers are formed after the uplift of an area.
Gorges	These rivers cut deep gorges due to down cutting.	These rivers do not form gorges.
Examples	Trans- Himalayan rivers such as Indus, Satluj, represent consequent rivers.	The eastward flowing river of peninsular plateau which flow according to the slope are antecedent rivers.

7. Differentiate between canyon, gorge and river valley.

Solution:

A canyon is a deep valley with steep sides, think of the grand canyon most famously to visualise what this is. A gorge is a deep ravine, which usually has a river running through it though this doesn’t have to be the case. Finally a valley is any depression, usually of a certain length, in the surface of the land and often contains a river. So, a canyon is a specific type of valley, with particularly steep sides. A gorge is a particularly deep depression, and will usually contain a river.

Answer 6

HOTS Questions

1. What makes a river system? Explain its components.

Solution:

River system:

• A river is a body of water, which flows into channel from a higher elevations to a lower elevation rivers usually originate from lake or melting snow on top of mountains flow down hill and join sea or ocean. The place from where the river originates is known as the source, and where it ends is known as the mouth.
• From the source , the river flows along a path which is known as its course. The course of a river can be divided into three parts, the upper course, the middle course and the lower course.
• In the upper course, the river flows with great force through a narrow and shallow channel. Only a small amount of water is transported. The gradient slope of river is very steep.
• In the middle course, the force of the river reduces its flow through gentle gradient such as plains. Many small stream or river join the main river in the middle course resulting in widening of the river channel. The small streams are known as tributaries.
• The river finally flows into lake, sea or ocean. The part of the river that enters the sea is known as the river mouth.
• A river and its tributaries together form a drainage basin. A drainage basin is an area obtained by two main river and its tributaries and drainage basin is separated from adjacent basins by a hill, a ridge or mountain which is known as a drainage divide or watershed.

2. What factors affect speed of a river?

Solution:

Factors affecting the speed of a river: The main factor affecting the speed of a river are the gradient and roughness of the channel and the wetled perimeter gradient.

1) Gradient: It refers to the drop in elevation of the river channel as the river flows down the hill. If the gradient is steep, the rivers flow quickly, whereas if the gradient is gentle the river flows slowly. In the upper course, the river flows rapidly through a steep gradients. On the other hand, the middle and the lower course, the river flows gently through a greater gradient.

2) Roughness: As water flows through a river channel; it encounters obstacles such as rocks, boulders, numerous river bed and underwater vegetation obstacles cause friction between the river and the channel. Rougher channels will reduce the speed of the river due to the higher friction.

3) Wetled perimeter: When the wetled perimeter is large, more water comes in contact with the channel causing more friction. When the friction is high the flow of the river becomes slow on the other hand when the wetled perimeter is small, less water flow along the channel causing less friction. When the friction is less, flow of water is fast.

3. Explain the evolution of Himalayan river system.

Solution:

There are difference of opinion about the evolution of the Himalayan river system. However, geologists believe that a mighty river called Shiwalik or Indo-Brahma traversed the entire longitudinal extent of the Himalaya from Assam to Punjab and onwards to Sind, and finally discharged into the Gulf of Sind near lower Punjab during the Miocene period some 5-24 million years ago. The remarkable continuity of the Shiwalik and its lacustrine origin and alluvial deposits consisting of sands, silt, clay, boulders and conglomerates support this viewpoint.

The dismemberment was probably due to the Pleistocene upheaval in the western Himalayas, including the uplift of the Potwar Plateau (Delhi Ridge), which acted as the water divide between the Indus and Ganga drainage systems. Likewise, the down-thrusting of the Malda gap area between the Rajmahal hills and the Meghalaya plateau during the mid-pleistocene period, diverted the Ganga and the Brahmaputra systems to flow towards the Bay of Bengal.

4. Explain the evolution of Peninsular drainage system.

Solution:

Three major, geological events in the distant past have shaped the present drainage systems of Peninsular India:

• Subsidence of the western flank of the Peninsula leading to its submergence below the sea during the early tertiary period. Generally, it has disturbed the symmetrical plan of the river on either side of the original watershed.
• Upheaval of the Himalayas when the northern flank of the Peninsular block was subjected to subsidence and the consequent trough faulting.
• Slight tilting of the Peninsular block from north-west to the south-eastern direction gave orientation to the entire drainage system towards the Bay of Bengal during the same period.

Value Based Questions

1. What are the problems associated with the use of river water?

Solution:

There are some problems in river water usage. Some of these are:

• No availability in sufficient quantity
• River water pollution
• Load of silt in the river water
• Uneven seasonal flow of water
• River water disputes between states
• Shrinking of channels due to the extension of settlements towards the thalweg.

2. What are the causes of pollution of river water?

Solution:

Major causes of pollution of river water:

• Growing Population,
• Poverty,
• Urbanization,
• Industrialization,
• Agricultural run-off and Improper Agricultural Practices, and
• Religious and Social Practices.

3. What measures do you suggest to reduce pollution of rivers?

Solution:

River pollution generally originates from industrial effluents, agricultural run-off and domestic sewage, which is resulting in environmental-economic loss to the country. Rapid industrialization and urbanization, accompanied by rural exodus to urban areas have had their evil consequences, generally on environment, and particularly on rivers. The law dealing with the task of prevention and control of river pollution, is needed to be set in motion along with public awareness about the importance of pollution free rivers, so that the rivers can be saved from the curse of pollution, and the precious money of the Government exchequer can be saved from expenditure on the river cleaning programmes.

4. Can the problems of flood and drought be solved or minimised by transferring the surplus water from one basin to the water deficit basins? Do we have some schemes of inter-basin linkage?

Solution:

Yes, these problems be solved or minimised by transferring the surplus water from one basin to the water deficit basins. During the rainy season, much of the water is wasted in floods and flows down to the sea. When there is a flood in one part of the country, the other area suffers from drought. We do have such schemes:

• Periyar Diversion Scheme
• Indira Gandhi Canal Project
• Kurnool-Cuddapah Canal
• Beas-Satluj Link Canal
• Ganga-Kaveri Link Canal

Map Skill

1. Locate on the physical map of India, important rivers of India.

Solution: