UTTARAKHAND Current Affairs Archives - Page 38 of 46

Uttarakhand :Industrial development

The Industrial Policy of the State provided several incentives to attract industries in the form of tax concessions, industrial plots and other basic infrastructure. As a result there has been tremendous progress in industrial development in the State. The number of industries registered under Factories Sector Act increased by over seven times from 698 in … Read more Uttarakhand :Industrial development

Synopsis of NCERTS

Introduction Indian national movement: One of the biggest. Inspired many others. Gandhian Political Strategy very important. Elements of Gandhian Strategy can be seen in the Solidarity Movement in Poland by Lech Walesa WHY IS THE INDIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT UNIQUE In the Indian national movement, the Gramscian perspective of war of position was successfully practiced. … Read more Synopsis of NCERTS

Waste minimization

Waste minimization is an appropriate strategy to address the problems of industrial pollution. The objective of the scheme is to assist the small and medium scale industries in adoption of cleaner production processes. • A scheme on adoption of clean technology and promotion and establishment of waste minimization circles in small and medium scale industries … Read more Waste minimization

NATURAL RESOURCES OF INDIA

What are natural resources ? Natural resources are useful raw materials that we get from the Earth. They occur naturally, which means that humans cannot make natural resources. Instead, we use and modify natural resources in ways that are beneficial to us. The materials used in human-made objects are natural resources. Some examples of natural … Read more NATURAL RESOURCES OF INDIA

LAKE ECOLOGY

Any – body of standing water, generally large enough in area and depth, irrespective of its hydrology, ecology, and other characteristics is generally known as lake. Ageing of Lakes The nutrient enrichment of the lakes promotes the growth of algae, aquatic plants and various fauna. This process is known as natural eutrophication. Similar nutrient … Read more LAKE ECOLOGY

Uttarakhand :Vegetation

Uttarakhand is the state located at the foothills of the snow clad Himalayas with lush green vegetation. There is a diverse range of flora and fauna habitated in Uttarakhand. The State has rich and diverse floral, faunal and microbial wealth including rare and threatened species of plants and animals. Uttarakhand’s vegetation cover is about 60 … Read more Uttarakhand :Vegetation

Components of Ecosystem

The components of the ecosystem is categorised into abiotic of non-living and biotic of living components. Both the components of ecosystem and environment are same. Abiotic Components the inorganic and non-living parts of the world. consists of soil, water, air, and light energy etc. involves a ,large number of chemicals like oxygen, nitrogen-, … Read more Components of Ecosystem

Uttarakhand :Climate

Climate of Uttarakhand is generally temperate but varies greatly from tropical to severe cold , depending upon altitude .different parts of the state experience temperature variations due to difference in elevation.summers are pleasant in the hilly regions but in the doon areas ,it can get very hot .it can get even hotter in the … Read more Uttarakhand :Climate

BIOTIC INTERACTION

The interaction between the organisms is fundamental for its survival and functioning of ecosystem as a whole. Type of Biotic Interaction Mutualism: both species benefit. Example: in pollination mutualisms, the pollinator gets food (pollen, nectar), and the plant has its pollen transferred to other flowers for cross-fertilization (reproduction). Commensalism: one species benefits, the … Read more BIOTIC INTERACTION

Structure, relief and physiographic divisions Three Geological divisions: 1. The peninsular block 2. The Himalayas and other Peninsular Mountains 3. Indo-Ganga-Brahmaputra Plain • Peninsualar block is made of gneisses (metamorphic) and granites (igneous). Six physiographic divisions: 1. The Northern and North-eastern Mountains 2. The Northern Plain 3. The Peninsular Plateau 4. The Indian Desert 5. The Coastal Plains 6. The Islands Northern and North-Eastern Mountains Approximate length of the Great Himalayan range: 2500 KM. Width: 160-400 KM Impact of Himalayas on the climate of India? It can be divided into five sub-divisions: 1. Kashmir (or Northwestern) Himalayas 2. Himachal and Uttaranchal Himalayas 3. Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas 4. Arunachal Himalayas 5. Eastern Hills and Mountains Kashmir Himalayas • Ranges: Karakoram, Ladhakh, Zaskar, Pir Pinjal • Glaciers: Baltoro, Siachen • Passes: Zoji La (Great Himalayas), Banihal (Pir Pinjal), Photu La (Zaskar) and Khardung La (Ladakh) • Lakes: (freshwater) Dal and Wular; (saltwater) Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri • Pilgrimage: Vaishno Devi, Amarnath Cave, Charar-e-Sharif • They are also famous for Karewa formations which are useful for the cultivation of Zafran (a local variety of Saffron). Karewas are the thick deposits of glacial clay and other materials embedded with moraines. • Kashmir is located on the banks of Jhelum river. • Meanders is a typical feature associated with the rivers in this region. • In South, there are longitudinal valleys called duns; Jammu dun and Pathankot dun Himachal and Uttarakhand Himalayas • Lies between rivers Ravi and Kali • Drained by two major river systems: Indus and Ganga • Northernmost part is an extension of the Ladakh desert, lies in Spiti. • Ranges: Great Himalayan Range, Lesser Himalayas (Dhaoladhar in HP and Nagtibha in Uttarakhand), Shivalik range • Pilgrimage: Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Hemkund Sahib and the five famous prayags (Refer to Panch Prayag) • Famous for hill stations: Dharamshala, Mussoorie, Shimla, Kaosani; Cantt.: Kasauli, Almora, Lansdowne, Ranikhet • The important distinguishing features of this area are the ‘Shivalik’ and ‘Dun formations’. • Important duns: Chandigarh-Kalka, Nalagarh, Dehra, Harike, Kota • Dehradun is the largest of all duns: Length – 35-45 KM, Width: 22-25 KM • Inhabited with the Bhotia They migrate to higher reaches (Bugyals) in summer and return to the valleys during winters. Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas • Between Nepal Himalayas and Bhutan Himalayas. • Fast flowing rivers such as Tista • Peaks: Kanchenjunga • Tribe: Lepcha • Has a mixed population of Nepalis, Bengalis and tribals from Central India. • Importance: Due to the moderate slope, it is best suited for tea plantations. • Duar formations are peculiar to this region. Arunachal Himalayas • From Bhutan Himalayas to Diphu pass in the east. • Direction: Southwest to Northeast • Peaks: Kangtu and Namya Barwa • Rivers: Brahmaputra, Kameng, Subansiri, Dihang, Dibang and Lohit. • These rivers are perennial and have the highest hydro-electric power potential in the country. • Tribes: Monpa, Daffla, Abor, Mishmi, Nishi and Nagas • These communities practice shifting cultivation known as Jhumming. Eastern Hills and Mountains • Direction: North to South • Ranges: Patkai Bum, Naga hills, Manipur hills, Mizo or Lushai hills • These are low hills • Tribes practice Jhum cultivation • Rivers: Barak. Most of the Nagaland rivers form a tributary of Brahmaputra. Rivers in eastern Manipur are the tributaries of Chindwin, which in turn is a tributary of the Irrawady of Myanmar. • Lake: Loktak • Loktak Lake: is an important lake in Manipur which is surrounded by mountains on all sides. It is the largest freshwater lake in northeastern India. Also called the only Floating Lake in the world due to floating masses of organic matter on it. It serves as a source for hydropower generation, irrigation and drinking water supply. • Keibul Kamjao National Park located in the Bishnupur district of Manipur is the only floating park in the world and is an integral part of the Loktak Lake. Home to the endangered Manipur Eld’s Deer or Brow-antlered Deer or Sangai or Dancing Deer. • Mizoram is also known as the ‘Molassis basin’ which is made up of soft unconsolidated deposits. The Northern Plains • Formed by the alluvial deposits of rivers – Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra. • Length: 3200 KM; Width: 150-300 KM Three main zones: 1. Bhabar 2. Tarai 3. Alluvial Plains (Khadar and Bangar) Bhabar • Narrow belt. 8-10 KM wide. • Paralllel to Shivalik at the break-up of the slope. Hence, streams and rivers deposit heavy rocks (and at times disappear) in this zone. Tarai • South of Bhabar. 10-20 KM wide. • Rivers re-emerge and create marshy and swampy conditions known as Tarai. Alluvial Belt • South of Tarai. • Features of mature stage of fluvial erosional and depositional landforms such as sand bars, meanders, ox-bow lakes and braided channels. Riverine islands in Brahmaputra. • Brahmaputra takes a turn an almost 90 degree turn at Dhubri (Assam) before entering Bangladesh. Peninsular Plateau • Bounded by the Delhi ridge, Rajmahal Hills, Gir range and Cardamom hills. • Made up of a series of patland plateaus: Hazaribagh, Palamu, Ranchi, Malwa, Coimbatore, Karnataka etc. • One of the oldest and most stable landmass of India. • Physiographic Features: Tors, block mountains, rift valleys, spurs, bare rocky structures, hummocky hills and quartzite dykes offering natural sites for water storage. • Black soil in western and northwestern parts. • Bhima fault in this region has frequent seismic activity (Lathur earthquake) • NW part also has ravines and gorges: Chambal, Bhind and Morena. Three broad regions: 1. Deccan Plateau 2. Central Highlands 3. Northwestern Plateau Deccan Plateau • Bordered by Eastern Ghats, Satpura, Maikal range and Mahadeo hills • Important ranges: WG: Sahyadri, Nilgiri, Anaimalai and Caradamom hills; EG: Javadi hills, Palconda range, Nallamala Hills, Mahendragiri hills • EG and WG meet at Nilgiri hills. • Highest peak: Anaimudi (2695 m) on Anaimalai hills; Dodabetta (2637 m) on Nilgiri hills. • Rivers: Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri etc. Central Highlands • Bounded by the Aravali and Satpura range. • Relic mountains, highly denuded and form discontinuous ranges. • Near Jaisalmer it is covered by the longitudinal sand ridges and crescent-shaped sand dunes called barchans. • Elevation: 700-1000 m • Banas, a tributary of Chambal, originates in the Aravalli. Other tributaries of Yamuna originate from the Vindhyan and Kaimur ranges. • Minerals in Chotanagpur plateau. Northeastern Plateau • Extension of the main Peninsular plateau. • Meghalaya and Karbi Anglong plateau. • Megahalaya plateau: Garo hills, Khasi hills and Jaintia hills (named after the tribals inhabiting the region) • Rich in minerals like coal, iron, sillimanite, limestone and uranium. • Receives maximum rainfall from SW monsoon. Hence, Meghalaya plateau has a highly eroded surface. Cherrapuni and Myswarnam. Indian Desert • Aka Marusthali • Northwest of the Aravali hills • Dotted with longitudinal dunes and barchans. • Low rainfall: >150 mm per year Low vegetation cover • Evidence that this area was under the sea during the Mesozoic era. • Features: mushroom rocks, shifting dunes and oasis. • Rivers are ephemeral: Luni. Brackish lakes. Inland drainage. Coastal Plains Two divisions: 1. Western coastal plains 2. Eastern Coastal Plains Western Coastal Plains • Submerged coastal plain. Hence, a narrow belt. Narrow in middle and broader towards north and south. • Ports: Provides natural conditions for the development of ports and harbours due to submergence. Kandla, Mazagaon (Mumbai), JLN port Navha Sheva, Maramagao, Mangalore, Cochin etc. • Mumbai has the world’s largest natural harbour. • May be divided into: Kachchh and Kathiawar coast in Gujarat, Konkan coast, Goan coast and Malabar coast. • Rivers don’t form delta. • Kayals (Backwaters): Found in the Malabar coast. Used for fishing and inland navigation. Every year Nehru Trophy Vallamkali (boat race) is held in Punnamada Kayal in Kerala. Eastern Coastal Plains • Broader • Emergent coast. Hence, less number of ports and harbours. Chennai, Vizag, Paradwip, Haldia. • Delta formation The Islands Two major Divisions: 1. Andaman and Nicobar 2. Lakshwadeep & Minicoy Andaman and Nicobar • Two major island groups: Ritchie’s archipelago and the Labrynth island. • The group is divided into: Andaman in the North and Nicobar in the South. • Andaman and Nicobar separated by the Ten Degree channel. • Barren Island • Peaks: Saddle Peak (N.Andaman – 738 m), Mt. Diavolo (Middle Andaman – 515 m), Mt. Koyob (S Andaman – 460 m) and Mt. Thuiller (Great Nicobar – 642 m) • Coral deposits found • Convectional rainfalls and equatorial type of vegetation. Lakshadweep and Minicoy • Entire group built of coral deposits. • Total of 36 islands of which 11 are inhabited. • Smallest UT • Minicoy is the largest island • Separated by the 9 Degree Channel, north of which is the Amini Island and to the south Canannore island. • These islands have storm beaches consisting of unconsolidated pebbles, shingles, cobbles and boulders.

Three Geological divisions: The peninsular block The Himalayas and other Peninsular Mountains Indo-Ganga-Brahmaputra Plain Peninsualar block is made of gneisses (metamorphic) and granites (igneous). Six physiographic divisions: The Northern and North-eastern Mountains The Northern Plain The Peninsular Plateau The Indian Desert The Coastal Plains The Islands Northern and North-Eastern Mountains Approximate length of … Read more Structure, relief and physiographic divisions Three Geological divisions: 1. The peninsular block 2. The Himalayas and other Peninsular Mountains 3. Indo-Ganga-Brahmaputra Plain • Peninsualar block is made of gneisses (metamorphic) and granites (igneous). Six physiographic divisions: 1. The Northern and North-eastern Mountains 2. The Northern Plain 3. The Peninsular Plateau 4. The Indian Desert 5. The Coastal Plains 6. The Islands Northern and North-Eastern Mountains Approximate length of the Great Himalayan range: 2500 KM. Width: 160-400 KM Impact of Himalayas on the climate of India? It can be divided into five sub-divisions: 1. Kashmir (or Northwestern) Himalayas 2. Himachal and Uttaranchal Himalayas 3. Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas 4. Arunachal Himalayas 5. Eastern Hills and Mountains Kashmir Himalayas • Ranges: Karakoram, Ladhakh, Zaskar, Pir Pinjal • Glaciers: Baltoro, Siachen • Passes: Zoji La (Great Himalayas), Banihal (Pir Pinjal), Photu La (Zaskar) and Khardung La (Ladakh) • Lakes: (freshwater) Dal and Wular; (saltwater) Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri • Pilgrimage: Vaishno Devi, Amarnath Cave, Charar-e-Sharif • They are also famous for Karewa formations which are useful for the cultivation of Zafran (a local variety of Saffron). Karewas are the thick deposits of glacial clay and other materials embedded with moraines. • Kashmir is located on the banks of Jhelum river. • Meanders is a typical feature associated with the rivers in this region. • In South, there are longitudinal valleys called duns; Jammu dun and Pathankot dun Himachal and Uttarakhand Himalayas • Lies between rivers Ravi and Kali • Drained by two major river systems: Indus and Ganga • Northernmost part is an extension of the Ladakh desert, lies in Spiti. • Ranges: Great Himalayan Range, Lesser Himalayas (Dhaoladhar in HP and Nagtibha in Uttarakhand), Shivalik range • Pilgrimage: Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Hemkund Sahib and the five famous prayags (Refer to Panch Prayag) • Famous for hill stations: Dharamshala, Mussoorie, Shimla, Kaosani; Cantt.: Kasauli, Almora, Lansdowne, Ranikhet • The important distinguishing features of this area are the ‘Shivalik’ and ‘Dun formations’. • Important duns: Chandigarh-Kalka, Nalagarh, Dehra, Harike, Kota • Dehradun is the largest of all duns: Length – 35-45 KM, Width: 22-25 KM • Inhabited with the Bhotia They migrate to higher reaches (Bugyals) in summer and return to the valleys during winters. Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas • Between Nepal Himalayas and Bhutan Himalayas. • Fast flowing rivers such as Tista • Peaks: Kanchenjunga • Tribe: Lepcha • Has a mixed population of Nepalis, Bengalis and tribals from Central India. • Importance: Due to the moderate slope, it is best suited for tea plantations. • Duar formations are peculiar to this region. Arunachal Himalayas • From Bhutan Himalayas to Diphu pass in the east. • Direction: Southwest to Northeast • Peaks: Kangtu and Namya Barwa • Rivers: Brahmaputra, Kameng, Subansiri, Dihang, Dibang and Lohit. • These rivers are perennial and have the highest hydro-electric power potential in the country. • Tribes: Monpa, Daffla, Abor, Mishmi, Nishi and Nagas • These communities practice shifting cultivation known as Jhumming. Eastern Hills and Mountains • Direction: North to South • Ranges: Patkai Bum, Naga hills, Manipur hills, Mizo or Lushai hills • These are low hills • Tribes practice Jhum cultivation • Rivers: Barak. Most of the Nagaland rivers form a tributary of Brahmaputra. Rivers in eastern Manipur are the tributaries of Chindwin, which in turn is a tributary of the Irrawady of Myanmar. • Lake: Loktak • Loktak Lake: is an important lake in Manipur which is surrounded by mountains on all sides. It is the largest freshwater lake in northeastern India. Also called the only Floating Lake in the world due to floating masses of organic matter on it. It serves as a source for hydropower generation, irrigation and drinking water supply. • Keibul Kamjao National Park located in the Bishnupur district of Manipur is the only floating park in the world and is an integral part of the Loktak Lake. Home to the endangered Manipur Eld’s Deer or Brow-antlered Deer or Sangai or Dancing Deer. • Mizoram is also known as the ‘Molassis basin’ which is made up of soft unconsolidated deposits. The Northern Plains • Formed by the alluvial deposits of rivers – Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra. • Length: 3200 KM; Width: 150-300 KM Three main zones: 1. Bhabar 2. Tarai 3. Alluvial Plains (Khadar and Bangar) Bhabar • Narrow belt. 8-10 KM wide. • Paralllel to Shivalik at the break-up of the slope. Hence, streams and rivers deposit heavy rocks (and at times disappear) in this zone. Tarai • South of Bhabar. 10-20 KM wide. • Rivers re-emerge and create marshy and swampy conditions known as Tarai. Alluvial Belt • South of Tarai. • Features of mature stage of fluvial erosional and depositional landforms such as sand bars, meanders, ox-bow lakes and braided channels. Riverine islands in Brahmaputra. • Brahmaputra takes a turn an almost 90 degree turn at Dhubri (Assam) before entering Bangladesh. Peninsular Plateau • Bounded by the Delhi ridge, Rajmahal Hills, Gir range and Cardamom hills. • Made up of a series of patland plateaus: Hazaribagh, Palamu, Ranchi, Malwa, Coimbatore, Karnataka etc. • One of the oldest and most stable landmass of India. • Physiographic Features: Tors, block mountains, rift valleys, spurs, bare rocky structures, hummocky hills and quartzite dykes offering natural sites for water storage. • Black soil in western and northwestern parts. • Bhima fault in this region has frequent seismic activity (Lathur earthquake) • NW part also has ravines and gorges: Chambal, Bhind and Morena. Three broad regions: 1. Deccan Plateau 2. Central Highlands 3. Northwestern Plateau Deccan Plateau • Bordered by Eastern Ghats, Satpura, Maikal range and Mahadeo hills • Important ranges: WG: Sahyadri, Nilgiri, Anaimalai and Caradamom hills; EG: Javadi hills, Palconda range, Nallamala Hills, Mahendragiri hills • EG and WG meet at Nilgiri hills. • Highest peak: Anaimudi (2695 m) on Anaimalai hills; Dodabetta (2637 m) on Nilgiri hills. • Rivers: Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri etc. Central Highlands • Bounded by the Aravali and Satpura range. • Relic mountains, highly denuded and form discontinuous ranges. • Near Jaisalmer it is covered by the longitudinal sand ridges and crescent-shaped sand dunes called barchans. • Elevation: 700-1000 m • Banas, a tributary of Chambal, originates in the Aravalli. Other tributaries of Yamuna originate from the Vindhyan and Kaimur ranges. • Minerals in Chotanagpur plateau. Northeastern Plateau • Extension of the main Peninsular plateau. • Meghalaya and Karbi Anglong plateau. • Megahalaya plateau: Garo hills, Khasi hills and Jaintia hills (named after the tribals inhabiting the region) • Rich in minerals like coal, iron, sillimanite, limestone and uranium. • Receives maximum rainfall from SW monsoon. Hence, Meghalaya plateau has a highly eroded surface. Cherrapuni and Myswarnam. Indian Desert • Aka Marusthali • Northwest of the Aravali hills • Dotted with longitudinal dunes and barchans. • Low rainfall: >150 mm per year Low vegetation cover • Evidence that this area was under the sea during the Mesozoic era. • Features: mushroom rocks, shifting dunes and oasis. • Rivers are ephemeral: Luni. Brackish lakes. Inland drainage. Coastal Plains Two divisions: 1. Western coastal plains 2. Eastern Coastal Plains Western Coastal Plains • Submerged coastal plain. Hence, a narrow belt. Narrow in middle and broader towards north and south. • Ports: Provides natural conditions for the development of ports and harbours due to submergence. Kandla, Mazagaon (Mumbai), JLN port Navha Sheva, Maramagao, Mangalore, Cochin etc. • Mumbai has the world’s largest natural harbour. • May be divided into: Kachchh and Kathiawar coast in Gujarat, Konkan coast, Goan coast and Malabar coast. • Rivers don’t form delta. • Kayals (Backwaters): Found in the Malabar coast. Used for fishing and inland navigation. Every year Nehru Trophy Vallamkali (boat race) is held in Punnamada Kayal in Kerala. Eastern Coastal Plains • Broader • Emergent coast. Hence, less number of ports and harbours. Chennai, Vizag, Paradwip, Haldia. • Delta formation The Islands Two major Divisions: 1. Andaman and Nicobar 2. Lakshwadeep & Minicoy Andaman and Nicobar • Two major island groups: Ritchie’s archipelago and the Labrynth island. • The group is divided into: Andaman in the North and Nicobar in the South. • Andaman and Nicobar separated by the Ten Degree channel. • Barren Island • Peaks: Saddle Peak (N.Andaman – 738 m), Mt. Diavolo (Middle Andaman – 515 m), Mt. Koyob (S Andaman – 460 m) and Mt. Thuiller (Great Nicobar – 642 m) • Coral deposits found • Convectional rainfalls and equatorial type of vegetation. Lakshadweep and Minicoy • Entire group built of coral deposits. • Total of 36 islands of which 11 are inhabited. • Smallest UT • Minicoy is the largest island • Separated by the 9 Degree Channel, north of which is the Amini Island and to the south Canannore island. • These islands have storm beaches consisting of unconsolidated pebbles, shingles, cobbles and boulders.