NATURAL TOPOGRAPHY , INCLUDING NATURAL DRAINAGE

Glossary
1) Abandoned Channels: The channels of a river which are only filled with water
during the rainy season and maybe left dry when the rainy season is over.
2) Abrasion: The mechanical wearing down of rock by material which forms the
abrasive medium transported by running water, moving ice, wind and waves.
3) Alluvial Fans: A fan shaped deposit of coarse alluvium brought by stream from
the slopes of a hill or mountain.
4) Alluvium. Adj (Alluvial): All unconsolidated fragmental material laid down
by a river.
5) Bad Land: A land type nearly devoid of vegetation where erosion has cut the
land. It is an elevated arid and deep gullied useless region for agriculture and
pasture.
6) Barani or rain fed: Agriculture dependent on rainfall.
7) Basin: A bowl-shaped depression in the landscape. An area enclosed by higher
land with or without an outlet to the sea.
8) Braided channels: A river channel which is divided into several channels
separated by alluvium deposits.
9) Cirque/Corrie: A land form of a glaciated high land region. A steep walled
hallow in a mountain side of high elevation and shape take a half bowl.
10) Clay Soil: A type of soil with a very fine texture when a wet clay is plastic and
impermeable, when dry loses it plasticity and develops cracks when heated to a
high temperature it becomes brittle and stone like.
11) Confluence: Where two river channels join.
12) Creek: A narrow inlet of fresh water or salt water which is tidal.
13) Delta: A triangle shaped area of deposition at the mouth of a river where it
enters the sea.
14) Dissected Valleys: Places between mountains which have uneven landscape
formed by the erosion action of rivers and streams.
15) Doab: Land between two rivers.
16) Drainage basin: The area of land drained by a main river and its tributaries.
17) Erosion: The wearing away and removal of the materials of the earth’s crust by
natural means by water, wind and moving ice.
18) Avalanches: A mass of snow which becomes detached and slides down a
mountain side
19) Arêtes: A sharp edged ridge of bare rock.
20) Abandoned Channel: A river channel which is discontinued by a river.
21) Alluvial plain: The level ground on either side of the river having deposited of
the alluvial.
22) Coast: The zone where land and sea meets.
23) Cuestas: An upland of lime stone with one slope being steep and another being
gentle.
24) Desert or Arid: Area receives rainfall less than or equal to 250mm/year.
25) Estuary: Sea inlet at the mouth of a river.
Page 1 of 32
26) Fault: Are the fractures of the earth’s crust which may extend for hundreds of
km.
27) Flood: A covering of water over land which is normally dry.
28) Flood Plain: A wide and flat plain built up by alluvium that is laid down on the
river banks during repeated flooding.
29) Fold: The bending of rock layers due to compression forces acting horizontally
towards common point.
30) Gorge: When the river erodes the land and flows down hill, the less resistant
rocks are eroded leaving behind vertical hard rocks. The narrow river valley
with steep valley sides.
31) Gravel: Unconsolidated, coarse granular and loose material larger than sand
grains, resulting from erosion of rocks by natural process.
32) Gully: Well deep channel created by running water on a hill side after rain.
33) Glacier: A mass of ice formed by re-crystallization of snow that flows forward
under the influence gravity.
34) Hanging Valley: A valley that has a greater elevation often but not always
created by a deepening of the main valley by a glacier. The hanging valley may
or may not be glaciated.
35) Hill: Uplands of less elevation than mountain in the same area.
36) Inland drainage: when the water forms river or stream is absorbed into the
lands or collects in a lake or marsh and does not join any big river or sea.
37) Inter dunal: Land located between two ridges or sand dunes.
38) Land slide: Rapid movement down slope of a mass of soil, rock and debris/
39) Longitudinal dune: A long ridge of land formed in the general direction of
wind movement.
40) Levees: Natural embankments formed by coarser alluvium which is deposited
along the banks of river or raised banks of a river with deposited material.
41) Limestone: A sedimentary rock formed by the deposition of material brought
by water.
42) Low-Lying basin: A depression created in an area which is lower than the
adjoining areas.
43) Meanders: A loop-like bend in the curse of a river developed in the process of
erosion and deposition.
44) Mud-Flats: Muddy area of land ground covered by water at high tide.
45) Ox-bow Lakes: A crescent-shaped lake formed when a river breaks across he
neck of a well developed meander.
46) Plateau: An elevated track of comparatively flat or level land.
47) Playa: The sandy salty flat floor of a deserts basin having inferior drainage and
a temporary lake formed due to rain.
48) Pass: Natural narrow passage over low ground in a mountain range.
49) Perennial: Lasting for a long time throughout the year.
50) Non-Perennial: Not lasting throughout the year.
51) Piedmont Plain: A plain area at the foot of mountain.
52) Rapids: A series of very short and fast waterfalls.
53) Residual rocks: The rocks which are left behind after erosion and weathering.
54) Relief: The physical shape of the surface of the earth.
Page 2 of 32
 55) Rock: Aggregate of different minerals.
56) Regolith: Loose earth materials above solid rock.
57) Ravine Land: Steep sided valley commonly one that has been eroded by
running water.
58) Resistant rock: Hard rock which make it able to with stand the process of
erosion and weathering.
59) Rolling sand hills: The movement of sand ridges due to the action of winds in
a particular direction.
60) Rugged: A rough or uneven surface.
61) Salt Pan: A small un-drained natural basin in which water evaporated leaving a
deposit of salt.
62) Sand Dunes: Ridges of sand built by deposition due to action of the wind.
63) Sand Plain: A plain area in a desert covered with loose material.
64) Scree: An accumulation of loose rock debris on a slope.
65) Serrated Landscape: Elevated mountain zone used for agriculture.
66) U-Shaped valley: A valley has the shape of a ‘U’, formed by the movement of
glacier.
67) Silt: Fine particles of soil carried or deposited by water.
68) Undulating: Gently wave like.
69) Waterfalls: A steep gall of a river water from a resistant rock.
70) Weathering: The breaking down of rocks due to the ride and fall in
temperature.

THE LAND OF PAKISTAN

LOCATION, AREA, POPULATION, POSITION AND BOUNDARIES

Location
1. Pakistan occupies position in Asian continent especially in South Asia.
2. It is situated between the peninsulas of Arabian and Indian.
3. Arabian Peninsula lies in the west.
4. Indian peninsula lies in the west.
5. Himalayas and its eastern and western ranges appear in the North.
6. The countries in the South Asia are Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan,
Maldives and Srilanka

Area
1. The area of Pakistan is 796095 sq km’s or 310403 sq miles
Population
1. Pakistan – 180 million
2. Khyber Pakhtonkhwa – 17,554,674
3. Sindh – 29,991,611
4. Balochistan – 6,511,358
5. Gilgit – Baltistan – 1800,000 (Estimate 2008)
6. Punjab-72,585,430
Page 3 of 32
Area of Provinces
1. Khyber Pakhtonkhwa – 101743 sq km’s
2. Sindh – 1,40,913 sq km’s
3. Punjab – 2,06,251 sq km’s
4. Balochistan – 3,47,188 sq km’s
5. Gilgit – Baltistan – 72496 sq km

Population density:
Population Density = Population
Area
e.g.

Pakistan = 180,000,000 = 226 persons per sq km

796,095

Find out the Population density for the provinces

1. KPK = 17554674 =
101743
2. Sindh = 29991611 =
140913
3. Punjab = 72585430 =
206251
4. Baluchistan = 6511358 =
3347188

Position and Boundaries

1. Pakistan lies 24 N to 37 N and 61E to 76 E
2. Chinese territory of Sinkiang is situated in the North and N-E of Pakistan with Gilgit
Baltistan
3. In N.W a narrow arm of Afghanistan Wakhan border separates Pakistan from central
Asian states/Tajikistan
4. On the west there is a common border with Afghanistan called Durand line
5. In the South West Pakistan has a common border with Iran
6. In the East Pakistan has a common border with India known as Rad cliff line
7. In the South Arabian Sea is present covers the area of Sindh coast and Makran coast

IMPORTANCE OF PAKISTAN’S LOCATION

1. Pakistan lines in the Sub tropical Zone due to favorable climatic conditions agricultural
activities can be performed throughout the year
2. Pakistan is close to oil-rich Middle Eastern countries from the east and the strait of
Hormuz which is the entry to the Gulf.
3. To the south of Pakistan are the warm waters of the Arabian Sea which remains open
throughout the year so trade activities can be performed.

Page 4 of 32
4. Pakistan is bounded by high snow capped mountain in the North the River Indus and
its tributaries cut across these range. They carry enormous quantity of water which is
used for irrigation purposes and generation of HEP.
5. The countries in the North, NW and NE are land lock Khyber pass provides a route to
Afghanistan and the KKH with China thus Pakistan’s seaports of Karachi and Gwadar
can serve these countries.

PAKISTAN’S NATURAL TOPOGRAPHY

The main relief areas of Pakistan are:

MOUNTAINS

WESTERN MOUNTAINS NORTH WESTERN MOUNTAINS

1. Safed koh Hindukush

2. Waziristan hills
3. Sulaiman Ranges
4. Kirthar Ranges

THE HIMALAYAS KARAKORAM

1. Great Himalayas
2. Lesser Himalayas
3. Sub-Himalayas
DESERTS
1. Kharan desert - Balochistan
2. Thal desert - Punjab
3. Cholistan desert – S E Punjab
4. Nara desert – N E Sindh
5. Thar Desert – S E Sindh
PLATEAU
1. Balochistan Plateau - Balochistan
2. Potwar Plateau - Punjab

PLAINS
Indus Plains
1. Lower Indus Plain Sindh
2. Upper Indus Plain Punjab

Page 5 of 32
 MOUNTAINOUS NORTH

THE HIMALAYAS
1. The Great Himalayas
2. The lesser Himalayas or central Himalayas or Pir Panjal range
3. The sub Himalayas or Siwaliks`

Areas Sakardu, Kaghan, Muree, Kashmir

Location South of KK

PHYSICAL FEATURES

Relief
1. The great Himalayas average height is 6000M.
2. Lesser Himalayas average height is 4600M to 1800M.
3. Sub Himalayas average height is 1200M to 600M.
4. Highest peak Nanga Parbat 8126M.
5. Rakhiot is another higher peak 7074 M.
6. Height of these mountains decreases from N to S.
7. Trends – East to west and parallel with each other.
8. Glaciers in the great Himalayas e.g Rapul.
9. Glaciers features cirque or Corrie U-Shaped valleys, Hanging valleys, Arêtes,
Pyramidal peaks.
10. River Indus has developed gorges and V-shaped valleys.
11. Other relief features are bare rocks, scree sleep slopes.
12. Snow capped and steep sided peaks.
13. Land is deeply dissected snow fields, permanent snow on higher altitudes above
4500M.
14. The area is barren, rocky and rugged.
15. Land slides are common in rainfall season and avalanches in winters.
16. Rock fall, mud slides are also common.
17. High passes can be found e.g Babusar.
18. Piedmont plains dominated by alluvial fans on the foot hills of siwaliks.

The Function of Ice By

1. Abrasion Which is the scraping of the surface by rocks frozen into the moving
ice.

2. Plucking Which occurs when ice-freezes onto rock surfaces and pulls off pieces
or blocks of rock when it moves.

Soil
1. Thin soil in the form of regosols and lithesols
2. No soil covers in glacial and permanent snow areas
3. Valleys have alluvial soils e.g Kaghan valley

Page 6 of 32
Natural Drainage
1. Fast flawing rivers e.g Indus, Chenab, Jehlum
2. Rapids and waterfalls
3. Small streams and natural springs
4. Perennial rivers fed by melting of snow/ice glaciers
5. Their discharge increases in summers
6. The bed of the rivers is rocky
7. They are narrow rivers, meandering between mountains

Natural Drainage Features

1. Deeply dissected valleys
2. Gorges
3. Water falls
4. Rapids
5. Streams and springs

Natural Vegetation
1. Alpine – 4000m to 4500m
2. Coniferous – 1000m to 4000 m
3. Sub tropical scrub – 1000m

Climate
1. Cool to mild summers and cold to very cold winters
2. Lesser and central Himalayas are humid
3. Greater Himalayas are semi-arid or rain shadow
4. Precipitation in the form of snowfall in winters
5. Temperature vary greatly with altitude
6. At higher altitudes above 4500m temp remains below freezing point throughout the
year
7. Large difference between sun and shade temp
8. Snow storms and blizzards are common
9. These mountains receives maximum rainfall from monsoon during summer

THE KARAKORAM MOUNTAINS

LOCATION
Lies in the North of R-Indus and Hunza River and Gilgit river is the boundary that divides
Karakoram and Hindukush

AREAS
Gilgit, Baltistan, Hunza

1. RELIEF
a. Average height is 6l00 m
b. East to west trend
c. Highest peak K2, 8610m

Page 7 of 32
 d. The glaciers originate from the top of these mountains e.g Baltoro, Batura,
Siachen, Hispar, Biafo
e. The glaciers are very deep, filling most of the valley it has rough surface and
carries on it fragments of rock onto the ice
f. Glaciers causes erosion as it moves down a valley
g. High passes can be found e.g K K and Khunjer ab pass
h. Important valleys are Gilgit, Hunza and Baltistan
2. SOIL
Same
3. NATURAL DRAINAGE
Shyok, Gilgit, Hunza, Same
4. NATURAL VEGETATION
Alpine, Coniferous
5. CLIMATE
Gilgit experience low rainfall as they are rain shadow areas Same.

THE HINDUKUSH MOUNTAINS

LOCATION
1. Hunza river and the Gilgit river is the boundary between K K and Hindukush.
2. On the east is Indus River and on the south is Kabul River
3. In the north they merge into the Pamir plateau

AREA
NWFP, Chitral district, Swat, Dir

RELIEF/SOIL/DRAINAGE/CLIMATE/NATURAL VEGETATION
1. Average height is 5000m
2. Highest peak is Tirich mir – 7690m
3. Important passes are Shandur, Shangla, Lawarai
4. Important rivers are Swat, Gilgit, Kunar
5. Important valleys are Swat, Chitral, Dir
6. Western depression – semi- Arid region North – Humid - South

How the winter of the northern mountains makes it a difficult area in which to live ?
1. Too cold to grow food crops and for agriculture
2. Land frozen covered by snow
3. Forced to stay indoors by cold
4. Danger of frost bite
5. Hypothermia if they go out
6. No transport often cut off by snow
7. Need to stock pile food and fuel
8. Limited water supply pipes freezes or burst
9. Danger of avalanches

Page 8 of 32
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
1. Deforestation in the foot hills of the mountains and overgrazing on the high pastures
have led to soil erosion
2. Deforestation has increased due to the demand for firewood and to feed live stock
3. The construction of roads in the border regions have increased the destruction rate
of forest and the number of land slides
4. Rapid population growth has accelerated water pollution with refuse and sewage
5. The people use this polluted water for drinking are suffering from dysentery, Cholera
and typhoid

PEOPLE AND ECONOMY IN THE NORTHERN MOUNTAINS

1. During winter farming is not possible

2. People are involved in door activities like carpet weaving embroidery work and
poultry
3. Transhumance is also practiced i.e moving the flacks up to the cooler highland in
summer and returning to the plain areas/valleys in the cold winter
4. Job opportunities are also limited and economic activities are difficult to carry out
5. Rice is cultivated on terraced fields of the Hindukush in areas of Chitral, Swat and
Dir
6. In K K agriculture is practiced in these valleys where water is plentiful e.g Apples,
Barley and Millet are the main products
7. Lumbering is also an important source of livelihood
8. Tourist industry is very important providing employment
9. The road links are closed in winters because of snowfall
10. Fruit processing is also an important industry
11. These areas have major hydro-electric potential but due to lack of capital this
resource has not yet fully exploited.
12. Some of the towns in the N Areas like Mingora, Murree, Kaghan and Gilgit have
regional trade by road with cities like Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Peshawar and
Abbotabad due to difficult terrain and limited good roads it is difficult to carry out
regional trade on a large scale

Importance Of The Northern Mountains

1. Snow and glaciers melt during summer and contribute water into river Indus and its
tributaries which is helpful for HEP and irrigates vast areas of Indus plain
2. Passes connect Pakistan to China and Afghanistan for trade activities. A land route
through K K highway connect China to carry out trade activities
3. Areas are rich in minerals, gems, timber and fruits provides raw material to several
industries e.g. furniture, paper, chipboard industry, chemical industry
4. Mountains provide protection to Pakistan against the cold winds from central Asia.
The temp does not go below freezing point over the upper Indus plains and climate
remains to tolerable throughout the year to carry out different activities
5. Scenic beauty promotes tourist resorts which are a source of income to local people
during summer

Page 9 of 32
PAST PAPER QUESTION
Q1 b(i) What is a snow field May 2007

(ii) Explain why a large part of the area is covered with snowfields May 2007

d(ii) Explain how topography and climate affects the lives of the people in mountain
areas May 2007

Q1 b(i) Briefly describe the main relief features of the northern mountains May 2000
Ans:
1) Parallel ranges
2) Rise to over 6000m
3) Bare rocks
4) Steep slopes

c(i) Describe the characteristics of the winter climate of the Northern maintains May
2000
Ans:
1) Cold temperatures on valley floors i.e -5°c.
2) Above 6000m temp are very cold temp remain below freezing i.e -25°c.
3) Large difference between sun and shade temp.
4) Less precipitation i.e 750mm in the South and 125mm in the North and 250mm in the West.

(ii) Explain how the winter climate of the Northern Mountains makes it a difficult area
in which to live June 2000
Ans :
1) Very cold to grow crops because land is frozen and covered by snow.
2) People are forced to stay in doors by cold and there is danger of frost bite and hypothermic
if they go out.
3) No transport because road are cut-off by snow.
4) People need to stock pile food and fuel.
5) Very less water supply because pipes freeze or burst and lakes freeze.

Q1 (b) Describe the main physical features of the Gilgit agency are Nov 2001
Ans :
1) Very high mountain ranges such as K.K and Hindu Kush.
2) Mostly the ranges are parallel with each other and they mainly have east to west trends.
3) Some of the ranges rise up to 8000m e.g Nanga Parbat 8126m, Rakaposhi 7788m.
4) Rivers are fast flowing and in some areas waterfalls and rapias can be seen.
5) These mountains have thin soil which are mostly poor and rocky.
6) At higher altitude above 4000m alpine vegetation can be found but below 4000 tall thick
coniferous can be found.
7) Winters are mostly cold to very cold but summers are cold to mild and in winters
precipitation occurs as snowfall.

Page 10 of 32
 THE WESTERN MOUNTAINS

MAIN MOUNTAINS
1. Safed Koh Ranges
2. Waziristan hills
3. Sulaiman range
4. Kirthar hills

SAFED KOH RANGES

LOCATION
The Kabul river forms the boundary between the mountains North and the safed koh and
Kurram river in the south covers the province of KPK and FATA

PHYSICAL FEATURES
1. Average height is 3600m
2. Highest peak Sikeram 4760m
3. Trend west to east
4. These ranges merge into Kohat hills in the east their average height is 1600m
5. Lime stone hills can be found
6. Two important valleys vale of Peshawar drained by Kabul river and Swat river
7. Other important valley is Kohat valley with limestone ridges and small springs
8. Rugged topography, sleep slopes
9. High passes e.g. Khyber pass
10. Valleys / gorges
11. Barren land scope with bare rocks
12. Scree at the foot hills
13. Land slides are common
14. Sharp ridges
15. Snow peak mountains
16. River is perennial
17. Rivers are fast flowing fed by snow in summers
18. The rivers have rocky bed
19. Rivers have form deep and narrow valleys
20. Rivers meanders between mountains
21. Water falls and rapids can be found
22. Thin soil, rocky soil in the form of regosols and litho sols at in valleys alluvium can be
found which is deposited by rivers
23. Coniferous and sub tropical scrub forest can be found

WAZIRISTAN HILLS
LOCATION
South of safed Koh between Kurram River and gomal River

PHYSICAL FEATURES
1. Average height is 3000m to 1500m and height decreases from North to South
2. Trend is north to south runs parallel with boarder of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Page 11 of 32
3. Passes include Kurram pass and Gomal pass.
4. Rivers have caved important valleys i.e. Bannu valley which is a low basin bounded
by hills and mountains.
5. The streams become active in rainy season in winters and have developed braided
channels filling the valley with deposits of clay and boulders.
6. On the foot hills we can find Alluvial fans.
7. Kurrram, Tochi are the main river of the valley and drain eastward into river Indus.
8. Area is extremely barren, rugged, dry valleys scree, sharp ridges and landslides are
common.
9. Many rivers are seasonal, when these streams become active on hill slopes they
flow rapidly eroding the slopes into ravines and gullies.
10. In land drainage system also occurs.
11. Soil is thin and poor.
12. Valleys have alluvial soil.
13. Dry sub tropical scrub forest is the main vegetation.

CLIMATE OF SAFED KOH AND WAZIRISTAN HILLS

1. High land climate.
2. Cool to cold winters and mild summers in safed Koh.
3. Cool winters and warm summers in Waziristan.
4. These regions receive most of its rainfall from western depression in winters.
5. Safed Koh is humid rainfall more than 750 mm per year.
6. Waziristan hills are semi-arid receives rainfall between 250-750/year.
7. From south of Kohat and from Waziristan rainfall decreases.

SULAIMAN AND KIRTHAR RANGES

LOCATION
South of Waziristan hills.
They are in Balochistan but not part of Balochistan Plateau. Sulaiman ranges are between
Balochistan and Punjab plains and Kirthar form natural border between Balochistan and
Sind plains. They start from the south of Gomal River.
PHYSICAL FEATURES:
1. These mountains have a trend of North to South up till Marri-Bugtihills and they turn
north ward and extend up to Quetta. When they reach Quetta take a south ward
bend and merge into the Kohistan area of Sindh.
2. Height of sulaiman is 3440m in the north and 1600m in the south.
3. Highest peak is Takht-I-Sulaiman 3383m.
4. Bolan pass is the important break in Sulaiman and Kirthar ranges.
5. The area is rugged and rocky.
6. Bare rocks can be found.
7. Sleep slopes, sharp ridges.
8. Area of reg. (stony area).
9. Lime stone and sand stone hills.
10. On the foot hills of these ranges piedmont plains are present which are dominated
by alluvial fans.

Page 12 of 32
11. Lime stone and sand stone ridges can be found.
12. These contain parallel to sub parallel ranges.
13. In south of Kirthar ranges sand stone Cliffs can be found.
14. Seasonal rivers become active in summers.
15. Rivers on the East flow on the east direction and rivers on the west flow in the south
west direction.
16. The streams become active on the slope run parallel to each other.
17. Streams form braided channels.
18. Streams have developed bad land topography into deep ravines and gullies.
19. These streams have rocky bed.
20. In land drainage also occurs.
21. Sulaiman piedmont is known as Derajat.
22. Dry subtropical scrub vegetation can be found.
23. Thin and stony soil is found, poor soil.
24. Alluvial soil on piedmont plains.
25. Sulaiman has cool winters and mild to warm summers.
26. Kirthar has cool to mild winters and warm summers.
27. Western part of these ranges receives maximum rain in winters and Eastern part in
summers.
28. These ranges are Arid.less than 250mm per year.

PEOPLE AND ECONOMY IN THE WESTERN HIGH LANDS

1. The arid climate and extreme evapotrans piration and rugged terrain do not support
Agriculture.
2. Canal irrigation is very difficult because of rugged land scape.
3. Transportations facilities are limited. Except for a few urban centers like Peshawar
and Kohat the major part of these regions are not connected by air and rail net work.
4. Only few areas are connected by metalled roads and most of the areas have
unmetalled roads.
5. Life in these regions is very difficult because of the arid climate and rugged land
escape. The cost of supplying infrastructure water supply, transport facilities,
electricity, and telephone lines is much higher than in the plains. As a consequence
developmental projects e.g. mining, industries, educational facilities have not been
fully developed.
6. Nomadic life’s style is common, sheep and goat rearing is the main occupation.
7. The population density is lower than 100 persons per sq. km.

Page 13 of 32
PAST PAPERS NOV 2002
Q1 (a) Study the map of Pak fig 1 and the sketch section fig2 on the sketch section
fig2

Page 14 of 32
 (i) Name mountain range A
b(i) Describe the relief and natural drainage of the highland area shown on the
sketch section fig2 including mountain range A.
Ans :
1) Trend of these mountains is from north to south .
2) Area is totally rugged with steep slopes and shar ridges.
3) Average height of Sulaiman Mountains is 600m to 1600m and they rise to 338m e.g Takht-
i-Sulaiman.
4) Along the line of section the mountains are mostly over 2000m upto 3000m.
5) Most of the rivers are seasonal and are small rivers which are usually dry in summers.
6) Rivers drain east wards on eastern side and the rivers drain south-west on the western side.
7) Rivers have gravelly and rocky beds e.g Zhob and Gomal rivers.
(ii) Describe one problem for people living in this highland area and explain how it has
been or may be over come
Ans :
One of the main problem for people in this region is lack of fresh water supply
because of arid and dry climate i.e rainfall is less than 250mm/y and to overcome
this problem government should construct small dams to store rainfall water which
can be further supplied to the areas by the construction of canal system. Further
the people can also obtain the ground water by digging tube wells and other small
scale water scheme can be built to overcome these shortages by constructing
storage tanks where rain water can be built on foothills of the mountain to divert
the surface runoff and it can be used to grow crops especially on the piedmont
plains.

Page 15 of 32
 POTWAR PLATEAU AND SALT RANGE

LOCATION
South of mountainous North.
River Indus on the west.
River Jehlum on the East.
Thal desert in the South.
Potwar Plateau located in Punjab.
Salt range located in Punjab and some parts of NWFP.

POTWAR PLATEAU
1. Average height is 300-600m.
2. Residual hills such as Kala Chitta and Khairi murat 1000meters in height.
3. These hills are the result of resistant rocks being left behind after the erosions of
less resistant rock.
4. A large part of Plateau is flat undulating area.
5. The plateau has been dissected and eroded by the action of water forming bad land
topography or khaderas.
6. The soan and other rivers have produced large tracks of alluvial Plains.
7. Troughs and depression are formed due to the erosion of softer strata.
8. Deep ravines in less resistant rock strata.
9. It is covered with loess.
10. Alluvial and residual soils.
11. The soils of the river valleys are fine sands and loams.
12. The discharge of river Soan increases in summer due to monsoon rainfall.
13. Small tributaries of Soan River can be found.
14. Soan River meets Indus River at Kalabagh.
15. Inland drainage, small seasonal and salt lakes are also present.
16. Soan River has formed Soan Valley having flat floor and steep dissected sides.
17. The bed of the river in the valley is sands.
18. Soan rivers also form meanders.
19. Natural vegetation is dry tropical scrub and Rakh forest.
20. Semi-Arid region i.e. 250-750mm of rain per year.
21. This area is a Barani or rain fed area.
22. Area receives rain in winters and summers but summer rainfall i.e. monsoon is
maximum.
23. It covers the areas of Rawalpindi, Jehlum and Mianwali.
24. The main rocks are Gypsum, Limes stone, Coal and rock salt.

SALT RANGE.
1. Sleep towards the north and gentle towards south.
2. Average height is 750m to 900m.
3. Highest Peak is sakesar 1527m
4. It comprises parallel ranges.
5. The region is deeply cut by Khewra, Makrachi, Jarawala and Jamsukh rivers.
6. In land drainage occurs.

Page 16 of 32
7. Seasonal rivers and rivers have rocky beds.
8. During rainfall streams become active.
9. Salt takes can be found e.g. uchali, Khabeki and Kallar Kahar.
10. Some area has had land Topography.
11. Flat topped hills enclosing small-inter mountain dry valley and basins.
12. Sleep slopes, scree, bare rocks.
13. Sharp ridges.
14. Deep ravines can be found.
15. Main rocks are rock salt, gypsum limestone and coal.
16. Natural vegetations is tropical scrub and Rakh Forests.
17. Mild winters and warm to hot summers.
18. Semi-Arid region.
19. Maximum rainfall in summers.
20. Covers most of Jehelum, Chakwal, Kalabagh and Mianwali districts.

ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES AND LIFESTYLE IN THE POTWAR PLATEAU AND SALT

RANGE
1. These area rich in non-metallic minerals such as limestone, marble, rock salt, clays
which provide raw materials to the comment, ceramic and chemical industries.
2. Oil and gas fields are also located in this region. Attock oil refinery has been set up
to refine the oil from the oilfields of Potwar Plateau.
3. Farming in the Potwar depends on rainfall the rugged land escape does not allow for
canal irrigation. Wheat, maize, barley and grams are cultivated.
4. Urban settlement, like Jehlum, Chakwal, and Rawalpindi are accessible by road, rail
and air transport encouraging a high population density.
Pastpapers Nov 2003
Q1(b)(1), study photograph X which shows a part of the Potwar Plateau. Describe the relief of
the part of the potwar plateau shown on the photograph.

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Ans:
1) Flat plateau surface.
2) Bad land topography.
3) Dry valley having ravines and gullies.
4) Valley has flat floor.
5) Valley has steep sides.
6) Area is barren.

(ii) Describe the drainage features of the Potwar Plateau.

Ans:
1) Soan river and its small tributaries has developed large soan valley.
2) Rivers form meanders.
3) Most of the rivers have inland drainage.
4) Small salt. Lakes can be found such as kallar kahar.
5) Most of the rivers are seasonal thus forming dry valleys.

BALOCHISTAN PLATEAU

LOCATION
It is located west of Sulaiman and Kirthar ranges and cover the area of Balochistan.

NATURAL BOUNDARY DIVIDING BALOCHISTAN PLATEAU

1. Ornach-nal fault-south
2. Chaman fault – North.

PHYSIOGRAPHY OF EAST OF FAULTS

1. Toba Kakar range.

2. Kalat plateau/Central Brahui range,
3. Khuzdar Knot.
4. Lasbela Plains.

PHYSIOGRAPHY OF WEST FAULTS

1. Chagai hills
2. Raskoh range.
3. Siahan range
4. Kharah desert.
5. Central Makran range.
6. Makran coast range.

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PHYSIOGRAPHY ON WEST OF FAULTS

MOUNTAINS HEIGHT TREND CLIMATE NATURAL

VEGETATION
1. Chagai 2000 E-W

2. Raskoh 3000 NE-SW

3.Kharan - -
desert

4. Siahan 1000 NW-

SW

5. Central 1000 E-W

Makran
range

6. Makran 200-600 E-W

coast range.

Page 19 of 32
PHYSIOGRAPHY ON EAST OF FAULTS

MOUNTAINS HEIGHT TREND CLIMATE NATURAL

VEGETATION
1. Tobakakar 3000 NE-SW

2.Kalat plateau 1600- NE-SW

central brahui 2000
range.

3. Khuzdar 1800- E-Win

knot 2400 North
NW-SE
in South

4. Lasbela
Plains

NATURAL DRAINAGE OF BALOCHISTAN PLATEAU

1. Most of the rivers of Bolochistan are seasonal.
2. Most of them becomes active in winters.
3. They remain dry in summer.
4. Small streams are present.
5. Streams have rocky bed.
6. Rivers like Zhob, Khandar and Kalachi drain into river Indus because they flow
eastwards.
7. The rivers Loralai, Chakar, Bolan and Mula are absorbed into the Kachhi sSibi plain.
8. The rivers in the central and N.W part have inland drainage.
9. The rivers Dast, Kech, Nihing, Huh, Porali, Hingol drains into the Arabian sea.
10. Rivers in Balochistan are much smaller and their discharge is very less than the
Indus system.
11. Most of them are only fed by rain.
12. Inland drainage occurs to the east of chagai that is the Lora River.

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13. Between the mountains of Chagai, Rash Koh and Siahan range seasonal salt lakes
can be found which are filled with water during rainy season and in dry season water
evaporates leaving behind hard crust of salts these lakes are called playa lakes or
Hamun’s such as Hamun-I-lora, Hamun-I-Mashkel and Hamun-I-Murgho.
BASINS OF NORTHERN BALOCHISTAN
1. Zhob and Loralai basins are located between Toba Kakar and sulaiman range.
2. To the south west of the Loralai basin is the Quetta valley surrounded by mountain
ranges.
3. When rain occurs rivers forms narrow channels and when they reach the foothills
they deposit gravel boulders, sand and silts.
4. These sediments form alluvial fans on the piedmont Plains.

BASINS OF WESTERN BALOCHISTAN

1. There are number of basins between chagai, Rash Koh, Siahan and central Makran.
2. These basins have no out let to the sea.
3. When rain occurs streams become active and flow into these basins either soaks
into the ground or gathers in temporary lakes.
4. These basin are known as inland drainage basins.
5. These temporary lakes are called hamuns.
6. These are salt lakes and when their water evaporates a salty curst is left behind then
these are called salt pans e.g. Hamun-I-mashkel and drainage.

RELIEF AND DRAINAGE FEATURES OF MOUNTAIN RANGES

1. On the western side the ranges are parallel to each other
2. The area is large plateau surface with dry and barren mountain ranges
3. The area is rugged and bare rocky can be found
4. Ranges and hills have sleep slope and dry valleys
5. The foot hills of Chaghi hills are dominated by sand dunes
6. On the west of Chaghi hills extinct volcanic peaks are present e.g Koh-I-Sultan
7. Low-lying plateau are present between Chaghi and Raskah
8. On the western side a large desert known as Kharan is present which is totally
barren with sand dunes such as barchan and longitudinal sand dunes
9. Sand ridge and bare rocks can be found
10. Kharan desert is also known as area of erg
11. The eastern side of the plateau has high altitude mountain ranges at an average of
3000m to 1600m
12. Between Tobakakar range Khojak pass near Chaman can be found is area is
extremely rugged and barren
13. In the extreme south eastern part of plateau Lasbela plain can be found
14. The plan is triangular basin and is on alluvial plain formed by Porali River
15. Porali River has deposited alluvim along the banks
16. Sand dunes are also found and along the mouth of porali river there are number of
distributes with split channels.
17. Lasbela plain is bounded by pub and Hala Ranges
18. River Kech is the Makran range has developed Kech valley with sand, silt and clay
deposit

Page 21 of 32
THE COASTAL AREAS
1. Along the coast is the miami lagoon near sonmiani
2. A number of hammer head shaped projection near Ormara and Gwadar
3. Head land can be found at Ras Malan
4. Makran coast has a narrow beach of rock cliffs
5. Behind the cliffs there is a coastal plain which is covered with sand dunes and small
hills
6. Uplifted terraces formed by erosion can be found e.g cape monze
7. Sand stone ridges can be found
8. Along the coast are large areas of level mud flats
9. Some areas are covered with extensive sand deposits

Balochistan’s Economic Potentials

Source: Balochistan is the largest province with vast untapped resources with the lowest
population density. Can this province be developed into economic hub of Pakistan; do you
agree or disagree with this statement?

Disagree: There is no source of water as most of the rivers are non-provincial and the area
is extremely and thus it faces a scarcity of both drinking and irrigation water. The supplies
are mostly dependent upon small water schemes such as the Karez system flood diversion
channels and a small number of tube wells. Most of the roads and railway lines have been
built without keeping in view economic potential. There is an absence of link roads between
the other provinces. There is loss of the young male population from the areas leading to a
less productive society and the consequences of neglect if these area by government
leading to a lack of development projects. Most of the province has mountainous
topography which causes isolation and prevents development of good roads, power
supplies, water supplies and discourages human activities. This leads to a lack of industrial
development hence less job and good facilities such as colleges and hospitals.
Economic growth in Balochistan has stagnated in the past decades because of limited
investments and capital accumulation. Lacking a coordinates economic policy and viable
strategy for economic development, Balochistan has seen no significant in productive
streams such as minerals and fisheries.
Agriculture sector is basically unproductive and is carried on in an old fashion, with
obsolete and out-dated methods and unreliable water supplies are the main obstacle.

Agree: Balochsitan is rich in terms of natural resources yet the poorest province. To
harness these natural resources of the province particularly with the numerous world class
deposits embedded in its plains and mountain ranging from building material and precious
stones to the iron, copper, and uranium and energy sources as gas, oil and coal requires
careful development strategy. The proper utilization of these natural resources can make
the province one of the richest areas in world. The natural wealth of Balochistan can be
used to produce valuable goods for export and a sizeable amount of foreign exchange can
be earned. It is also transit and transport ruote of gas pipelines.

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Industry of the provinces with preparing the infrastructure, mobilize human resources and
economic and social development is possible to grow. The specific location of Balochistan
and neighborhood with the other countries despite the free trade zone of Gwadar port is an
important components for the province’s industrial mineral units. Balochistan is located at
an important geo-strategic position. Opposite straits of the Harmuz, it is on the
geographical cross roads of South-Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. The strait of
Harmuz marks an entry into Persian Gulf and Balochistan’s strategic location with access
routes into numerous oil resource – rich regions make it a possible hub for inter-regional
transport and trade. The land locked areas of Afghanistan and Central Asia can access the
Arabian sea through Gwadar. The development of various industries can be accelerated by
some industrial infrastructure which includes the development of entrepreneurship ability,
availability of raw material, credit facilities and communication infrastructure for
transportation of raw material. Investment in small and medium size units can increase the
development process of the industrialization in the province.

INDUS PLAINS

DIVISION OF INDUS PLAINS

1. Upper Indus plains (Punjab) = Attock to Mithan Kot

2. Lower Indus Plains (S Punjab + Sindh + some part of Balochistan i.e Jaffarabad)

= Mithan Kot – Thatta

NATURAL TOPOGRAPHICAL FEATURES OF INDUS PLAIN

1. Doabs
a. Active flood plains
b. Old flood plains
c. Bluffs
d. Bars

2. Deserts
3. Piedmont plains
4. Tidal delta

NATURAL DRAINAGE OF R INDUS IN

MOUNTAINOUS AREAS
FIRST STAGE
1. Source of Indus is Lake Mansarower
2. Enters from N E between KK and Himalayas
3. Direction is East to west
4. At Gilgit changes direction to south then west
5. At sazin it changes direction to S W
6. Flows in same direction till Kalabagh
7. Soan River meets river Indus from East

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8. South of Kalabagh, River Indus enters the upper Indus plain.
9. Fast flowing
10. Function is erosion
11. Width narrow 500m AV
12. Flows between mountains, gorges, V-shape valleys
13. Perennial river which is fed by rain, melting of snow, ice, glacier
14. Discharge increases in summers
15. Also takes water from monsoon rainfall
16. From west river Swat and Kabul meets
17. Small streams / rivers meets from North (K K ) e.g Hunza, Gilgit, Sayok, Sultoro
18. Small streams/rivers meets from south (Himalayas) e.g Suru, Khurna

UPPER INDUS PLAIN

SECOND STAGE
1. Width increases to 1.5 km
2. Indus flow in S W direction till Mithan Kot
3. Few streams join Indus from Sindh Sagar Doab
4. From east five major rivers meet Indus such as Ravi, Chenab, Sutlej, Jhelum and
Beas
5. Beas meets Sutlej in India before entering Pakistan
6. These eastern rivers are called eastern tributaries
7. These tributaries flow in S W direction
8. These are parallel with each other
9. All these tributaries join at one point at Panjnad confluence forming Panjnad River
10. Panjnad river flows in S W direction i.e 72 KM and meets Indus at Mithan Kot
11. Many small tributaries meet Indus from west i.e Khurram, Tochi, Zhob called
western tributaries
12. Moderate flow of Indus
13. Bed of Indus is sandy
14. Main function of Indus is deposition and transportation
15. Indus and its tribularies have formed Indus valley
LOWER INDUS PLAIN
1. Indus flows alone
2. No eastern and western tributaries
3. Meanders
4. A V width increases to 1.6 km to 1.7 km
5. Moderate to sluggish flow
6. Ox bow lakes, braided channels
7. Sandy bed
8. Indus reaches Thatta
9. It forms Indus Delta
IMPORTANCE OF RIVERS
1. Add to scenic beauty of the area good picnic resorts
2. Help to generate H E P in mountainous areas
3. Increase fertility of the land by carrying alluvium and organic matter
4. Fishing is practiced in rivers

Page 24 of 32
5. Provide water for domestic and industrial purposes
6. Supply water for irrigation by the canals leading out from dams and barrages
7. Provide water to even those areas where rainfall is extremely low e.g South eastern
Punjab and South eastern Sindh

DISCHARGE OF RIVERS
1. With the melting of the snow, glaciers the volume of water in all the eastern
tributaries increases during summer
2. The river Indus has the highest mean monthly discharge in June and July

3. The discharge decreases in winter because the winter precipitation is low and melt
water from snow is not available until the spring time i.e March
4. The volume of water starts to rise from March on wards see fig from huma book
5. The Indus has the highest discharge during the monsoon season i.e July to August
6. Indus is also fed by the glaciers of Hindu Kush and KaraKoram
7. Dams and barrages on the river regulate the flow of water to protect the areas
against floods and to reduce water loss to the sea

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF INDUS PLAINS

THE PIEDMONT PLAINS

LOCATION Can be found in upper and lower Indus plains

1. Between the river Indus and the Sulaiman and Kirther mountains
2. South of the Siwalik mountains between Ravi and the Chenab and between Chenab
and the Jehlum rivers
3. South of the salt ranges

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
1. The most dominant features of the piedmont plains are the alluvial fans or cones that
develop eastward from the Sulaiman and Kirther mountains
2. Most of the rivers or streams coming from the mountain slopes have low water flows
3. These become active only during the rainy season
4. As these reach the foothills streams become slow and split into narrow channels that
fan out on to the slopes
5. The material brought down by the streams are dropped within the narrow channel of
the streams water evaporates or absorbs in the ground leaving behind alluvium i.e
gravel , sand, silt to form alluvial fans
6. There are extensive areas of alluvial fans can be found on the eastern side of the
Sulaiman and Kirthar ranges
7. Smaller fan have been formed on the southern side of the siwaliks and salt range
8. Streams form braided channels, meanders, narrow with rocky beds forming badland
topography
9. Sulaiman pied mont are also known as Derajat
10. There are three sizes of alluvial fans
a. Small 1 to 2.5 miles in radius

Page 25 of 32
 b. Medium 2.5 to 4.5 miles in radius
c. Large More than 4.5 miles in radius
11. Beyond the alluvial fans the land has a genther slope ranging from 5 meters per km
to 2 meters per km. This is covered with sand, silt and clay with dry meandering
streams

DOABS OR INTERFLUVES
1. A, doab is the land located, between two rivers ‘DO’ means two and ‘ABS’ means
water or river.
2. Doabs can only be found in upper indus plains.
3. When the rivers enter into a mature valley a number of topographical features are
formed on a doab due to the process of erosion and deposition.

 Levees
 Active flood plain
 Old flood plain
 Scarp
 Bar upland

HUMAN FEATURES OF DOABS

1. Doabs are favored as areas for a number of human activities such as farming,
construction of Settlements, building of transport links such as rail and roads and other
industrial and business activities.
2. The active flood plain is an ideal land for the crops for rice, sugur cane.
3. The poor soils of Barupland is used for human settlement.
4. There is a well-developed link canals irrigation system for supply water through out the
year for crops settlements and Industries.
5. The bars are higher places which are safe from floods so they are ideal for farming,
human settlement, industrial estates and markets.

NAMES AND LOCATION OF DOAB

1. Bari Doab between sutlej and Ravi.
2. Rachna Doab between Ravi and Chanab.
3. Chaj Doab between Chenab and Jehlum.
4. Sindh sagar doab between Jhelum and Indus.

ACTIVE FLOOD PLAINS OR BET OR KHADDAR

1. They can be found in UIP and LIP.
2. Are the narrow strips of land on both sides of Indus, Jhelum, Chanab, Ravi and Sutlej.
3. It is flooded almost every year in summers.
4. They are most extensive along the Indus from 24 to 40 Km in width.
5. They are least extensive along the Ravi from 3 to 5 Kms and are absent from the
southern part of the Ravi due to the low volume of water.
6. Braided Channels are present with many small island.
7. In the low water season the surface of the land can be seen with active and dry
channels.

Page 26 of 32
8. The soils are mud, sand and silt.
9. New alluvium is deposited every year.
10. Meandears, on bow lakes and leavees are important features of active flood plain.
11. They are 2-3 meters above river level.
12. These are flat area.

OLD FLOOD PLAINS OR MEANDER FLOOD PLAINS OR COVER FLOOD PLAINS

1. They are present between active flood and Bar upland.
2. They are higher than active flood plains.
3. They are 3 to 5 meters above river level.
4. They are save from floods every year.
5. They are inundated in severe floods due to heavy monsoon rainfall which comes every
7 to 8 year.
6. They are found in UIP and LIP.
7. They are covered with old alluvium.
8. Features include are abandoned channels or dhoros , levees, meander or scars, dired
oxbow lakes or dhands.
9. Limes stone hills are also present in LIP at Sukkur and Ganjotakkar hills at Hyderabad.
These lime stones hills are also known as *CUESTAS.

*CUESTAS OR ESCARPMENTS
These are ridges having a steep or scarp slope on one side and has a gentle or dip slope
on the other side. Such as Rohri cuesta and Gango Takkar cuesta.

Quartzite and slate hills can be found in UIP.

SCARP/BLUFF/CLIFF.
1. It is 5 to 11 meters higher than river level.
2. It is between old flood plain and bar up land.
3. It is steep slope.
4. It is 5 to 8 meters wide.
5. Only found in UIP.

BAR UPLAND OR ALLUVIAL TERRACE

1. Highest part of a doab
2. They have old alluvium composed of silty clay
3. They are 10-12 meters above river level.
4. They are 25-30 Km wide.
5. The surface of the alluvial terrace is flat.

Page 27 of 32
NAMES AND LOCATION OF BARS
1. Kirana Bar on Chaj doab between Jhelum and Chanab.
2. Sandal Bar on Rechna doab between Chanab and Ravi.
3. Ganjibar and Nilibar on Bari doab between Ravi and Beas and Sutlej.

INDUS DELTA
The Indus delta is located to the south of Thatta.

NATURAL DRAINAGE
1. Main channel of Indus is wide 1.5 Km’s.
2. Less water due to construction of dams and barrages.
3. Meanders.
4. Abandoned distributaries.
5. Active and dry distributaries.
6. Large and small distributaries.
7. Braided channels.
8. Distributaries Changes course.
9. Onbow lakes.
10. Water Inlets or creeks along the coast.
11. Floods.
12. Slows on entering sea.

RELIEF
1. Flat topography.
2. Slope towards south.
3. Deposition of alluvium on the banks of the distributaries makes the level of the levees
higher than the adjacent areas.
4. Sea water often fills up the troughs between the distributaries, resulting in swamps.
5. Small island can be found along the coast.

SOIL
Alluvial soil, saline soils, clayey soils.

NATURAL VEGETATION.
Mangroves/Tidal forests.

CLIMATE
1. Warm summers and mild winters.
2. Most of the rainfall from monsoon.
3. Cyclone regions.
4. The climate is dominated by seabreetes an dland breezes throughout the year.
5. The maritime influence keeps the daily range of temperature low.

Page 28 of 32
LOW DENSITY OF POPULATION IN THE INDUS DELTA
1. Much of it is marshland/water logged/mangroves.
2. Danger of flooding especially from tidal surges.
3. Indus used to change course.
4. Dissected by channels making access difficult and few roads are present.
5. Salty water cannot be used for drinking.
6. Salty soil cannot be used for agriculture.
7. Little economic activity/ limited Jobs.
8. Lack of services, electricity.

ROLLING SAND PLAINS OR DESERT AREAS

NAMES AND THEIR LOCATIONS
1. Thal desert on sindh sagar doab on western Punjab.
2. Cholistan desert is located toward south Eastern Punjab covering the area of
Bahawalpur.
3. Nara desert is located towards north eastern sindh covering he area of Ghotki.
4. Thar desert is located towards south eastern sindh covering the area of Thar Parkar.
5. Kharan desert is located towards western Balochistan.
RELIEF
1. Winds are the most important agent in desert areas and they change the land scape
constantly forming different sand dunes such as parallel sand dunes, barchans,
longitudinal and latitudinal sand dunes.

2. Weathering of rocks and bare rocks are one of the main features in the desert.
3. Sandy plains/patties can be found.
4. Sand ridges about 150 meters high.
5. Gently undulating plain.
6. Cracks in rocks due to effects of weathering.

SOIL
1. Loess
2. Sandy Soil
3. Alkaline Soil
4. The wide interdunal valleys (between the sand dune) with silty and clayey sediments

CLIMATE
1. Large daily range of temp days are hot nights are cool
2. Lack of cloud cover
3. Summer are hot to very hot
4. Extremely high evapotranspiration which exceeds precipitation by two times
5. Dust storms/ ho/t luu winds
6. Very arid rainfall less than 125 mm/yr
7. Eastern deserts receives max rainfall from monsoon and western desert from western
depression
8. Permanent drought conditions exists
9. Winter are mild 10c to 20c

Page 29 of 32
LIFE AND ECONOMY IN THAR DESERT
1. Small area is under cultivation crops like millet, mung bean, kidney beans, seasame
and fodder crops are grown
2. The agriculture depends on rainfall except in a few canal irrigated area in the west
taken out form Kotri barrage.
3. The soil is sandy but also contains fine particles of clay and silt which make it fertile
4. The rain water is collected in the traditional style in ponds and tanks and also by
building mud bunds on small temporary rivers to hold up the flow.
5. Rainfall is the only source of fresh surface and ground water
6. The high temp result in a high rate of evaporation more water is evaporated than is
supplied by the rainfall thus the land remains dry and little water seeps underground

7. The area suffers with drought which may last from 3 to 5 years which results in
scarcity of water food shortage, poverty posing risks to life and danger to the livestock.
8. After rain herbs, shrubs, grasses and pastures grow which provide food and fuel for
the locals people
9. The water shortage for crop cultivation and drinking is chronic. The sandy soils do not
hold water for long period so farmers prepare their lands before or soon after rainfall.
10. Before rainfall the farmers make bunds, pits man-made ditches and natural hollows to
collect rain water for crop cultivation

ECONOMY ACTIVITIES IN THE INDUS PLAINS

1. These are the most productive regions of Pakistan
2. The relief and drainage of the plains encourages the growth of settlements
3. The doabs of UIP and old and active flood plains of LIP are excellent areas for
farming.
4. Crops are grown the whole year because of fertile flat land and water from canals
5. Infrastructure facilities are easier to provide the transport network of road, rail and air
is dense.
6. Electricity is supplied to all the urban centers like Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala,
Sukkur and Hyderabad.
7. These plains have number of Industries which provide jobs to many people
8. The population density varies from 50 to over 400 person per sq km because of its
alluvial plains, moderate rainfall, tolerable summer and winter temperatures.

Past Paper Questions

June 2000
Q1 b(ii) Briefly describe the main relief features of the Thar desert
Ans :
1) Gently undulating with the sadly plains.
2) Different sand dunes are formed by the action of hot dry winds such as longitudinal and
latitudinal dunes which rises upto 150m.
3) Area is totally barren with bare rocks can be found.

d(i) Describe the characteristics of the summer climate of the Thar desert

Page 30 of 32
Ans :
1) Summers are hot to very hot often temperature proceeds 40°c +
2) There is a large daily range of temperature day are extremely hot and nights are cooler.
3) The area is extremely dry and arid which receives rainfall less the 125mm.
4) Strong and dry winds with dust storms are common.

(iii) Explain how the summer climate of the Thar desert affects the way that the area is
used
Ans:
1) To dry for crop cultivation so the area is left barren unless irrigational schemes are
available, except in a very few favoured barani areas.
2) Extremely high evapotranspiration which makes crop growing extremely difficult.
3) Most population are nomads migrate with sheep, goat to find pasture.
4) Frequent dust storms make work difficult and during day temperature are too hot to work.

Nov 2000
Q1 c(i) What is a doab
(ii) Name a doab and state its location
(iv) On Fig 2 draw a cross section of a doab on the cross section lable the land forms
you would see as you cross a doab

(iv) Where on a doab would be the best place to build a house? Briefly explain why.

Page 31 of 32
 INDUS PLAINS
Sources:
THE PUNJAB AND SINDH ARE MOST PRODUCTIVE REGIONS OF PAKISTAN. THE
TOPOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE ENCOURAGES THE GROWTH OF DIFFERENT
ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES IN THESE REGIONS. DO YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH
THIS STATEMENT; GIVE REASONS FOR YOUR ANSWER.

THE DOABS OF THE UPPER INDUS PLAINS AND OLD ACTIVE FLOOD PLAINS OF
THE LIP ARE EXCELLENT AREAS FOR FARMING. CROPS ARE GROWN WHOLE
YEAR ROUND ON THE FERTILE FLAT LAND SUCH AS COTTON, RICE AND SUGER
CANE ARE GROWN IN SUMMER AND WHEAT IN WINTER. AN EXTENSIVE SYSTEM
OF CANAL IRRIGATION HAS BEEN DEVELOPED BECAUSE OF THE FLAT LAND.
BECAUSE OF FLAT LAND TRANSPORT NETWORK OF ROAD, RAIL AND AIR IS
DENSE. ELECTRICITY IS SUPPLIED TO ALL THE URBAN CENTRES LIKE LAHORE,
SUKKUR, AND HYDERABAD. PLAINS HAS NUMBER OF INDUSTRIES WHICH
CONSUME LOCAL RAW MATERIAL E.G COTTON, SUGAR, ROCK SALT ETC AND
THE INDUSTRIAL GOODS HAVE A LARGE DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN MARKET.
LARGE AREAS OF SINDH AND PUNJAB ARE COVERED WITH THE DESERTS SUCH
AS THAL AND CHOLISTAN IN PUNJAB AND NARA AND THARPARKAR IN SINDH.
LIFE IN DESERT AREAS IS AFFECTED BY ITS ENVIRONMENT LACK OF WATER
AND VERY HOT TEMPERATURE IN SUMMERS DOES NOT ALLOW MANY
PRODUCTIVE HUMAN ACTIVITIES E.G CROP CULTIVATION. THE LOW RAINFALL
OCCURS DURING MONSOON SEASON WHICH ARE FOLLOWED BY LONG SPELLS
OF DROUGHT. THE HIGH TEMP RESULTS IN A HIGH RATE OF EVAPORATION SO
MORE WATER IS EVAPORATED THAN IS SUPPLIED BY THE RAINFALL THUS THE
LAND REMAIN DRY. THE LAND SUFFERS A LOT ON ACCOUNT OF DROUGHT
WHICH MAY LAST FOR MANY YEARS WHICH RESULT IN FOOD SHORTAGES,
POVERTY DANGER TO THE LIVESTOCK. ALL THESE FACTOR RESULT IN DECLINE
IN THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES OF THE PEOPLE.
GROWING TREES AND CONSTRUCTION OF CANALS FROM SUKKUR BARRAGE
CAN INCREASE THE CROPPED AREA AND RAINFALL NEEDS TO BE COLLECTED
IN PONDS, TANKS AND BUILDINGS MUD LANDS TO HOLD UP THE FLOW WHICH
CAN PROVIDE DRINKING WATER FOR HUMAN AND ANIMALS.
THE INDUS AND ITS TRIBUTARIES FLOOD WHICH CAUSES LARGE SCALE
DEVASTATION DESTROYING ROADS, HOUSES, PEOPLE ARE KILLED,
DESTRUCTION OF CROPS, LOSS OF FOOD SUPPLIES, AND LESS RAW MATERIAL
TO AGRO BASED INDUSTRIES.

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