Theme Himalaya English Answers by Sudarshan Gujrar Google Docs 1692779970647

(Geography Model Answer)
UPSC Mains - English Medium

Indian Geography
Theme:Physiography/Himalayan
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Mountains
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By Sudarshan Gurjar
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(Geography Model Answer) UPSC Mains - English Medium / Indian Geography

Theme:Physiography/Himalayan Mountains/By Sudarshan Gurjar
Q1. Differentiate the causes of landslides in the Himalayan region and Western
Ghats. 2021
(Answer in 150 words) 10
Landslide refers to the sudden movement of rock mass, debris, soil, or

vegetation down the slope due to the force of gravity. It is a type of mass
wasting, which denotes any downward movement of soil and rock.
According to the Geological Survey of India, 12.6% of the total country’s land area
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is prone to landslides. The Himalayas of Northwest and Northeast India and the
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Western Ghats of Peninsular India are the most vulnerable regions to landslides.
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Natural Causes for Himalayan Regions Western Ghats
Landslides
1. Plate Tectonics Indian plate is moving towards This region is tectonically
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Eurasian plate causing collision. more stable and thus has
The himalayan region lies in the less frequency of landslides
north of the Indian plate and and tremors.
because of the collision it is
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tectonically active causing
frequent tremors.
2. Rock Structure This region comprises This region has more

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sedimentary rocks which are basaltic rocks which have

more susceptible to great resistance to
denudation. denudation and erosion.
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3. Earthquakes This is one of the causative Earthquakes are less likely

factors behind landslides in fold to happen in these regions
mountain regions. thus fewer landslides.
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4. Topography and Young, rapid flowing rivers like Perennial and mature rivers
Exogenetic The Ganges, Indus and the flow through these regions.
Factors Brahmaputra cause large scale An already denuded
denudation. The steep slopes of topography of Western
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Himalayas get easily eroded ghats rarely yields further

because of their topography. erosion, thus fewer
landslides.
5. Rainfall and Heavy snowfall occurs in Prolonged, high intensity

Snowfall winters which further melts in rainfall in these regions
summers causing large flow of cause severe landslides in
debris and landslides. these regions as well.

Anthropogenic Factors Himalayan Region Western Ghats
1. Human Developmental activities, This area has been notified

Interference infrastructure, roads and as one of the Biodiversity
railway lines and unplanned Hotspots thus sees less
urbanization ignoring the human interference.
topographical aspects are the Although both areas are
leading causes. facing landslides due to this
reason.
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2. Deforestation Jhum cultivation in Eastern This region has lost almost
Himalayas and unauthorized 25.6% of forest cover in the
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constructions for last 22 years leading to an
development of tourism increase in landslides.
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infrastructure in Uttarakhand
and Himachal.
3. Mining and Mining for coal, iron ore etc Major reserves of hematite
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Quarrying and quarrying of mountains and magnetite are available
causes favorable instances for in Karnataka and Goa
landslides. region. The entire Western
Ex - limestone mining in Ghats has abundance of
Himachal Pradesh, such resources resulting in
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Exploring sulfide ore deposits rampant mining.
located in Askot village in
Pithoragarh district.
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The natural causes might differ from region to region but anthropogenic
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activities should be kept in check to conserve these geologically important and

vulnerable regions. Government must implement prevention and mitigation
strategies using reports like Kasturirangan and Gadgil Committee to conserve
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these biodiversity rich regions.

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Q2. Why is India considered a subcontinent? Elaborate on your answer.
2021
A subcontinent is a large, relatively self-contained landmass forming a

subdivision of a continent. Situated on the Indian plate, the Indian subcontinent
is often used to refer to the areas that contain India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh
because of their distinct geographical, political and cultural identity.
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The Indian subcontinent which was formerly a part of Gondwana, a
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supercontinent, began to break up separating Antarctica and Madagascar. It
subsequently drifted northeastwards and collided with the Eurasian Plate nearly
55 million years ago.
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In terms of physical features, it is a peninsular region in South Asia delineated
from Himalayas in the north, Hindu Kush in the west and Arakanese in the east.
It is characterized by a north-south divide between the Indo-Gangetic Plain in
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the north, which includes the Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra river systems, and
the Deccan plateau in the south, whose major river systems include the
Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri rivers.
India, the 7th largest country in the world, projects into and is bounded by the
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Indian ocean - in particular, Arabian Sea on the west, Lakshadweep Sea in the
southwest and the Bay of Bengal in the east.
The northern frontiers where the mighty Himalayas lie, the country borders
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China, Bhutan and Nepal. Its western borders with Pakistan lie in Karakoram
ranges, Punjab Plains, Thar Desert and the salty marshes of Rann of Kutch. In the
east lie Patkai range, Barail range, Mikir hills which are deeply forested
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mountainous regions, separating India from Burma.
One of the oldest civilizations and one of the largest democracies today, there is
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perhaps no mainland part of the world better marked off by nature as a region or
a 'realm' by itself. The people of the Indian subcontinent have distinct ethnic,
linguistic, cultural and historical connections making it an indivisible
geographical entity and a proper subcontinent.
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Q3. “Himalayas are highly prone to landslides” Discuss the causes and suggest
suitable measures of mitigation. (2016)
12.5 marks
A landslide is a natural phenomenon influenced by gravity which causes

downward movement of materials such as soil, rocks, mud, and so on. In the
past, landslides have triggered numerous mishaps and are a key danger to
human life and assets.
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Factors causing landslides -
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1. Geology - The structure of a land together with the types of rocks and
minerals that exist within it. They might be weak or fractured or different
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layers have different strength and austerity.
2. Morphology - The shape and form of land features.
Ex : slopes can’t sustain vegetation the way plains can, thus are more
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vulnerable to landslides.
3. Human Activity - Unplanned and unorganized agriculture and
construction activities are one of the main causes of landslides.
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Causes of Landslides in Himalayas -
1. Tectonic activity - The Himalayan ranges were formed after the Indian
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plate collided with the Eurasian plate. Continuous movement of plates

makes the landscape/slope brittle, fragile, and vulnerable to landslides.
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2. Precipitation - Due to climate change, intensity of rainfall has increased.

This loosens the top soil and weakens the rocks by infiltrating into the
cracks, thus accelerating the chances of landslides.
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3. Melting of Glaciers - Glacial melting generates increased water pressure

on natural moraines which usually act as natural barriers to break and let
the water gush down the mountain slopes generating landslides.
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4. Composition - Himalayas being the youngest mountain chain in the world,

are made of sedimentary rocks and unconsolidated and semi consolidated
deposits which are more susceptible to landslides.
5. Human Activities - Urbanisation and associated unscientific construction

activities such as broadening of road and construction of hydro electric
power projects have proved to be destructive to the already fragile
Himalayan ecosystem.

Suitable measures for mitigation -
1. Government must carry out hazard and vulnerability analysis before

taking on any project in Himalayan regions.
2. Installation of early monitoring systems and warning systems for glacial
melting and rainfall.
3. Proper drainage for rainfall.
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4. Bringing down anthropogenic activities such as deforestation, Jhum
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cultivation. Special check on grazing.
5. Rejuvenating natural forests and control on unsustainable activities.
6. Government must generate inventory of landslide prone areas from
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previous incidents and collect multi based sensor data from vulnerable
sites to avoid future disasters.
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While change in climatic patterns, increased precipitation and cloudbursts are
the major contributors to the events of landslides, unsustainable development
activities in the region prove to be equally lethal to the Himalayan ecology. The
recent report by IPCC has pointed that the impact of climate change in the
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Himalayan region will be irreversible. It's time to reorient the action plans and
make efficient use of available knowledge and technology. Multi pronged
measures should be adopted by authorities to ensure a sustainable environment.
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Q4. There is no formation of deltas by rivers in the Western Ghats. Why ?
(2013) 5 marks
Deltas are wetlands that form as rivers empty their water and sediment into
another body of water, such as an ocean, lake, or another river. Although very
uncommon, deltas can also empty into the land. A river moves more slowly as it
nears its mouth or end. This causes sediment, solid material carried downstream
by currents, to fall to the river bottom.
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Deltas consist of three physiographic parts - The most landward section is called
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the upper delta plain, the middle one the lower delta plain, and the third the
subaqueous delta, which lies seaward of the shoreline and forms below sea level.
Numerous factors influence the character of a delta, the most important of
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which are: climatic conditions, geologic setting and sediment sources in the
drainage basin, tectonic stability, river slope and flooding characteristics,
intensities of depositional and erosional processes, tidal range and offshore
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energy conditions
Although, not all rivers form deltas. For a delta to form, the flow of a river must
be slow and steady enough for silt to be deposited and build up. It will also not
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form delta if it is exposed to powerful waves. Tides also limit where deltas can
form.
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The rivers of Western Ghats do not form delta because -
1. The slope of the Western Ghats is steep because of which the rivers have a
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rapid flow. As a result, they don’t carry much sediments required to form
deltas. They rather form estuaries.
Ex : River Kali estuary in Karwar of Karnataka.
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2. Rivers like Narmada and Tapti flow through valleys with cracks. The hard
terrain and small tributaries lead to less sediment load. The flow through
faults, less alluvium, and the sea current washing up the little alluvium
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gives no opportunity for the formation of delta.
3. Hard Rocks of Western ghat don't allow western flowing rivers to widen
their mouth into sea. So instead of forming deltas, these rivers form
estuaries
4. West flowing rivers are shorter than east flowing rivers. Because of high
gradient and proximity to the coast there are less opportunities for rivers
to become wide towards the sea.

Q5. Bring out the causes for more frequent landslides in the Himalayas than in
Western Ghats.
2013 5 marks
Landslide refers to the sudden movement of rock mass, debris, soil, or

vegetation down the slope due to the force of gravity. It is a type of mass
r
wasting, which denotes any downward movement of soil and rock.
ja
According to the Geological Survey of India, 12.6% of the total country’s land area
is prone to landslides. The Himalayas of Northwest and Northeast India and the
Western Ghats of Peninsular India are the most vulnerable regions to landslides.
ur
Natural Causes for Himalayan Regions Western Ghats
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Landslides
1. Plate Tectonics Indian plate is moving towards This region is tectonically

Eurasian plate causing collision. more stable and thus has
The himalayan region lies in the less frequency of landslides
ha
north of Indian plate and and tremors.
because of the collision it is
tectonically active causing
frequent tremors.
rs
2. Rock Structure This region comprises This region has more

sedimentary rocks which are basaltic rocks which have
more susceptible to great resistance to
da
denudation. denudation and erosion.
3. Earthquakes This is one of the causative Earthquakes are less likely

factors behind landslides in fold to happen in these regions
Su
mountain regions. thus fewer landslides.
4. Topography and Young, rapid flowing rivers like Perennial and mature rivers
Exogenetic The Ganges, Indus and the flow through these regions.
@
Factors Brahmaputra cause large scale An already denuded

denudation. The steep slopes of topography of Western
Himalayas get easily eroded ghats rarely yields further
because of their topography. erosion, thus fewer
landslides.
5. Rainfall and Heavy snowfall occurs in Prolonged, high intensity

Snowfall winters which further melts in rainfall in these regions
summers causing large flow of cause severe landslides in
debris and landslides. these regions as well.

Anthropogenic Factors Himalayan Region Western Ghats
1. Human Developmental activities, This area has been notified

Interference infrastructure, roads and as one of the Biodiversity
railway lines and unplanned Hotspots thus sees less
urbanization ignoring the human interference.
topographical aspects are the Although both areas are
leading causes. facing landslides due to this
r
reason.
ja
2. Deforestation Jhum cultivation in Eastern This region has lost almost
Himalayas and unauthorized 25.6% of forest cover in the
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constructions for last 22 years leading to an
development of tourism increase in landslides.
infrastructure in Uttarakhand
and Himachal.
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3. Mining
Quarrying
and Mining for coal, iron ore etc
and quarrying of mountains
causes favorable instances for
Major reserves of hematite
and magnetite are available
in Karnataka and Goa
ha
landslides. region. The entire Western
Ex - limestone mining in Ghats has abundance of
Himachal Pradesh, such resources resulting in
Exploring sulfide ore deposits rampant mining.
rs
located in Askot village in

Pithoragarh district.
da
The natural causes might differ from region to region but anthropogenic
activities should be kept in check to conserve these geologically important and
Su
vulnerable regions. Government must implement prevention and mitigation

strategies using reports like Kasturirangan and Gadgil Committee to conserve
these biodiversity rich regions.
@

Q6. How will the melting of Himalayan glaciers have a far- reaching impact on
the water resources of India? 2020
The Himalayas, also referred to as the “Third Pole” are the world's loftiest and
youngest mountain ranges extending for over 2500 km from south of the Indus
Valley beyond Nanga Parbat in the west to Namcha Barwa in the east.
It is the origin of many glaciers and important rivers. It is also the largest store of
freshwater outside the Polar Regions, ensuring water supply to millions of
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people
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However, the impact of global climate change is melting the once mighty
Himalayas at a rate faster than ever recorded in human history, jeopardizing a
vital source of freshwater and putting enormous pressure on other resources.
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Impact of melting Himalayan glaciers on water resources -
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1. Increased Flooding - More than a billion people depend on the Indus,
Ganges, and Brahmaputra river systems, which are fed by snow and glacial
melt from the Hindu Kush Himalaya region.
But as more meltwater enters the water system, proglacial glacial lakes
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form. However, these lakes are often unstable, and when the dams break,
they can cause catastrophic glacier lake outburst floods (GLOFs). Similarly,
more water in the glacier-fed rivers increases the risk of flooding.
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Ex - Flash floods of Uttarakhand in 2013 and 2021.
2. More extreme weather events - Since the 1970s, the glaciers have been
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melting at a staggering rate, in conjunction with a decrease in the

summer monsoon rainfall in the Indo-Gangetic Plain. South west
monsoons account for more than 70% rainfall in India.
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With seasonal shifts in monsoon circulation and distribution of rainfall,

various regions will face major environmental problems, threatening both
water and food security.
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3. Lower agricultural yields - Global warming means that snow and glaciers
melt earlier in the year, leading to floods in spring. However, by summer,
when crops need more water, volumes of water are decreased. As a result,
agricultural yields lower and arid zones increase.
A study states that unpredictable changes in the timing of snowmelt,
which supply water for irrigation, have led some farmers to abandon their
fields.

4. Changes in energy production - Changes in melt could also affect the
safety and productivity of the region’s expanding hydropower industry.
India has been planning to increase the capacity of this low-carbon energy
source. Around 650 hydro projects are planned or underway in
high-altitude locations across the region, many of them close to glaciers
or glacial lakes.
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The Himalayan region is not only tectonically active and ecologically

fragile but it is also one of the most economically underdeveloped and
most densely populated mountain ecosystems on the planet. These
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natural as well as human characteristics render the Himalayan region

highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, in particular to those
of melting of glaciers and changes in the patterns of precipitation.
Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) through its center National Centre for
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Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) has been monitoring six glaciers in the
Chandra basin in western Himalaya since 2013. A state-of-the-art field
research station ‘Himansh’ , operational since 2016 has been conducting
field experiments and expeditions to glaciers. To avoid hydrological
imbalance and other severe environmental impacts a check on
anthropogenic emissions of GHGs and other developmental activities is
required.

Q7. How can the mountain ecosystem be restored from the negative impacts of
development initiatives and tourism?
2019
Mountains are landforms that rise prominently above the surrounding

landscape. They comprise a high altitude terrestrial ecosystem in which the land
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is vertically distributed.
Mountain ecosystems cover around a quarter of the world's land area and
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encompass a large portion of global biodiversity as well as cultural biodiversity.
Situated upstream from other habitats by virtue of their altitude, these rugged
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landscapes contribute numerous essential ecological services not only for 13% of
the global population living in mountains but also contribute directly and
indirectly to the wellbeing of at least half of the world's human population.
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They are characterized by harsh environmental conditions. These include often
long lasting snow cover, short growing seasons and topographically related
disturbances such as avalanches, rockfall or landslides. Mountain ecosystems
and inhabiting animal and plant species are generally well adapted to these
conditions. However, they may react sensitively to changes of climate, land-use
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and disturbance regimes.
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Threats to Mountainous Ecosystem -

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1. Climate Change - It will increase the unpredictability of precipitation

patterns. Generally, water availability is expected to decrease in the future
due to lower water storage capacities in areas with glacier cover and
higher outflows of excess water during periods of extreme precipitation
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and melting events. These changes will jeopardize the role of mountains
as global water towers and the drinking water supply for billions of people.
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2. Acidification and Pollution - In mountains, acidification occurs through the

atmospheric Nitrogen and Sulphur emissions in synergy with climate
change. The scavenging of atmospheric organic and inorganic pollutants
is pronounced at high altitudes and can take the form of dry and wet
deposition of aerosols to the ground surface.
Adding to this, local human activities such as mining, logging, agriculture,
pastoralism and tourism are the main sources of pollution.

3. Encroachment - Increasing population and intensified greed has pushed
humans to encroach mountains causing impact to the functions and
values of these natural areas, such as decline in water quality, loss of
habitat, disruption in equilibrium and loss of ecological processes.
4. Change in Vegetation - This occurs through a change in land cover,

through intensification or extensification of existing land use practices.
Most of these changes are driven by pastoral activities such as grazing,
illegal activities such as slash and burn, logging of forest land, etc.
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All these changes intervene deeply in the existing ecosystem, altering and
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threatening underlying processes and associated ecosystem services.
5. Tourism - A joint analysis by UNEP, the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm
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conventions, and GRID-Arendal examined visitor activity in mountain
areas. It found tourists generate significant amounts of solid waste and
wastewater, which can pollute groundwater, streams, lakes and soil.
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6. Infrastructure Development - Mountains are ecologically fragile. An
unplanned development in these areas, leads to landslides, land
degradation, glacier lake outburst flooding and destruction of biodiversity.
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Measures to restore mountain ecosystem from the negative impact of

development and tourism activities -
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1. Conducting Environmental Assessment - Suitable assessments of areas

before taking any concrete steps towards restoration is important. This
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will not only help in analyzing damage but also prepare appropriate action
plans.
2. Declaration of Ecologically Sensitive Areas - Committees must be setup to

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identify most affected areas and declare them ecologically sensitive as

was done with Western Ghats through the Kasturirangan Committee
3. Promote Sustainable Tourism - Sustainable tourism can serve as an

important driver of socio-economic development in mountain areas.
Mountain tourism products and services should shift from high-impact
tourism to low-impact, climate-sensitive ones, and create new
opportunities, bringing tangible benefits to local communities, while
helping to enhance the conservation of the unique mountain heritage.

4. Environmental Impact Assessment - EIA legislations should be stricter for
such areas. Instead of manufacturing industries, government should focus
on service sector in such ecologically fragile areas.
Ex - Northeast’s BPO promotion scheme
5. Citizen Awareness - It is important to educate locals about the impact of

irreversible destruction and damage caused by rampant tourism,
unregulated and unplanned urbanization, and pollution. Simultaneously,
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they should be encouraged to promote ecotourism and provided
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education on sustainable living, and supporting sustainable agriculture.
6. Establishing partnerships - Collaborating with local communities, NGOs,
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and government agencies to establish partnerships that support
restoration efforts. This could include providing training and resources to
local communities and involving them in the restoration process.
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Mountains occupy about a quarter of the Earth’s land, harbour most of its
biodiversity hotspots and supply fresh water to an estimated half of humanity.
Their conservation and restoration through effective policies and regulation,
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control on tourism and unchecked construction requires long term commitment
and multi stakeholder approach.
Because as Nirmal Purja, the star of Netflix 14 Peaks and a mountain advocate
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for UNEP says, “ We all need to become a Mountain Hero to protect these
beautiful landscapes. ”
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Q8. Bring out the relationship between the shrinking Himalayan glaciers and the
symptoms of climate change in the Indian subcontinent.
2014
(10 marks)
The Himalayan Mountains are the third largest deposit of ice and snow after the
Artic and the Antarctic. Spanning 2000 kms with 600 billion tonnes of ice,
Himalayan glaciers supply more than 750 million people of India, Pakistan and
Bangladesh water for irrigation, hydropower and drinking.
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With rising pollution, greenhouse gases from burning of fossil fuels and other
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human influences, Himalayan glaciers are retreating at an alarming rate.
Minister of Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in the Lok
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Sabha said, "GSI has conducted studies on melting of the glaciers by assessment
of mass balance on nine glaciers and also carried out monitoring the recession/
advancement of 76 glaciers in the Himalayan region. The majority of Himalayan
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glaciers are observed melting/ retreating at varying rates in different regions."
The mighty Himalayas are a driver of climatic conditions in the Indian

subcontinent. The melting of glaciers affects the climatic patterns and leads to
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various natural calamities causing destruction of life and property.
Relationship between shrinking of Himalayan Glaciers and symptoms of Climate

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Change -
1. Increase in temperature - The glaciers play a modulating role in containing

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the solar radiation coming to Earth. So without glaciers, Himalayas would

be just rock, which absorbs more heat. This will lead to increased global
warming, causing an increase in temperature.
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A group of scientists studied the Climatic Research Unit data for the last
over 100 years from 1900 onwards and observed that since 1950, the winter
temperatures (November-February) started rising gradually. However,
since 2000 onwards, the rise has been rapid.
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2. Change in seasonal patterns - According to a recent IMD report, Indian

summers started prematurely with a very short winter last year. December
2022 and February this year have the dubious distinction of being the
hottest in the past 122 years. As the subcontinent stares at intense
heatwaves, climate scientists are worried that extreme temperatures will
severely impact not only the population but the environment and the
economy as well.

3. Change in Monsoons - The monsoons are driven by temperature difference
between land and sea. The Himalayas act as barrier to the monsoon winds
forcing them to rise and cool, which leads to rainfall. However, as the
glaciers melt, the amount of coldwater entering the rivers during the
monsoon season increases, reducing the temperature difference between
land and sea. This can lead to weakening of monsoon winds and a
reduction in rainfall.
4. Reduced albedo effect: As glaciers melt, they reduce the earth's ability to
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reflect sunlight back into space, leading to increased absorption of solar
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radiation and warmer temperatures.
5. Affecting wind system - Melting of Himalayan glaciers affect the formation
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of high altitude winds, such as the jet streams. Jet streams flow from west
to east in the northern hemisphere. It plays a critical role in climatic
variability and weather patterns.
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In India, south west monsoons are dependent heavily on tropical easterly
stream. The winter monsoons are related to tropical westerly jet stream.
These winds are also responsible for cold waves in the northern part of
India.
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As per a study, since the year 2000, glaciers have been shrinking at an
average of 0.5 meters per year. The vicious cycle of glaciers melting
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because of change in climate and temperature rising because of glacial

melt is of great concern and should be researched upon.
Steps like The Paris Agreement, construction of artificial glaciers such as
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ice stupas as in Ladakh, proper monitoring and evaluation systems and a

bigger push for regulation is required to control this vicious cycle.
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Q9. The states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are
reaching the limits of their ecological carrying capacity due to tourism. Critically
evaluate.
(2015) 12.5 marks
Carrying capacity refers to the amount of natural resources that can be drawn
from the environment and the amount of pollutants that can be discharged into
it without causing a breakdown of the system. Once damaged and destroyed
beyond repair it cannot be restored to its original, usable and harmless state.
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Tourism has emerged as a key driver of economic growth. It is one of the fastest
growing economic sectors with significant impacts on trade, job, recreation,
infrastructure, investment and social inclusion.
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The North Indian Himalayan region comprising Jammu Kashmir, Himachal
Pradesh and Uttarakhand attracts a large number of tourists because of its rich
biodiversity, glaciers, water resources and cultural diversity.
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Adverse impacts of Tourism -
1. Due to High degree of biodiversity and environmental sensitivity of

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mountain regions they are more prone to destruction on local as well as
global scales. Tourism creates a pressure on local resources.
2. Higher density of native and floating populations in a small area has
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impacts like more generation of solid waste, ambient air pollution, water
pollution and deforestation.
3. Excessive tourism leads to infrastructure development. The pristine
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Himalayan region has been overburdened with forest clearances, road

building and infrastructure constructions. Rivers beds have been
encroached upon and rivers polluted by waste disposal.
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4. Jammu Kashmir witnessed major floods in 2014 in which encroachment of

natural water-bodies was a major factor. The Dal Lake has shrunk to half of
its original size due to tourism oriented construction
5. Himachal Pradesh witnesses kilometers long traffic jams along
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Manali-Rohtang Pass route. The glaciers around the region have receded
due to deposition of black carbon from vehicle exhaust. ]
6. In Uttarakhand, religious tourism led to unregulated construction of hotels
alongside rivers which led to increased casualties during the floods of
2013.
But tourism is also an important source of income and livelihood for people
living in these states. The World Travel and Tourism Council's 2019 report ranks
India's tourism at 10th in terms of its contribution to World GDP. Thus ensuring

that these activities take place in a sustainable manner, from the grassroots to
the top levels, is not a difficult but certainly a challenging task. Over the last
year, the Union government has laid emphasis on promoting sustainable tourism
in the Himalayan region.
Steps to be taken to promote sustainable tourism activities -
1. One way to reduce the threats of excessive tourism is by inculcating a

spirit of conservation. Regional disparities can be minimised by promoting
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ecotourism, alternative or green tourism. This includes decentralisation of
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tourism activities based on the available resources in any place.
2. Assessing carrying capacity prior to development works would go a long
way in reducing pressure on the environment, decreasing pollution,
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maintaining the pristine ecology and improving the quality of life of both
residents and visitors.
3. Studies by the G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment,
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indicates that in the hill spots, biodegradable solid waste comprises
65-80% of the total waste, while non-biodegradable waste largely prevails
in trekking and expedition summits.To control this, hill spots can practice
microbial biocomposting, the best way of natural disintegration and
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decomposition of waste under aerobic process, with biodegradable waste
under controlled conditions,
4. Involving communities, visitors and other stakeholders by inculcating
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good practices to be adopted while traveling through these areas and

using its facilities and resources.
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To ensure the preservation of ecology of these areas, government should focus

on promotion of environmental, economic and socio-cultural sustainability,
protection of biodiversity, capacity-building and governance among other
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aspects.
In June 2022, the Union Ministry of Tourism launched the National Strategy for
Sustainable Tourism and Responsible Traveller Campaign in a summit organized
in partnership with UNEP and the Responsible Tourism Society of India.
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In July, guidelines released for Swadesh Darshan 2.0, a centrally sponsored

scheme for development of theme-based tourist circuits in the country, included
a vision to set up sustainable and responsible tourism in various projects and
initiatives in the Himalayan region.
More such steps in the right direction can not only diversify the tourist industry
but also conserve communities and resources of the Himalayan region.

Q10. Discuss the natural resources potential of Deccan Trap. 2022
(Answer in 150 words) 10 marks
Basaltic lava flows, known as the Deccan Trap, cover about one million cubic
kilometers of the western Indian platform. These consist of several flows of
mainly tholeiitic lava that extruded from the Reunion mantle plume during
passage of the Indian plate over this plume in Cretaceous-early Tertiary time.
It is one of the largest volcanic features on Earth, taking the form of a large
shield volcano. The majority of these volcanic rocks are found in Gujarat’s Kutch
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and Kathiawar regions, as well as in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and
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Maharashtra. These might be considered Peninsular India’s most widespread
geological formations after the Archean Rocks
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Natural resources of Deccan Trap -
1. Soil - Deccan Trap is mainly composed of Black soil which is rich in
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humus. phosphoric acid, phosphorus as well as ammonia.
It is also rich in iron, aluminum and magnesium.
Cotton, pulses, tobacco, castor, millets, sugarcane and citrus fruits are
mainly cultivated on this soi
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2. Basaltic Lava Flows: The Deccan Traps are composed mainly of basaltic
lava flows, which have economic potential. Basalt is used in the
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construction industry as a building material, aggregate for concrete, and

road construction. The extensive basaltic deposits in the Deccan Traps can
serve as a valuable resource for these purposes.
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3. Mineral Resources - Considered the storehouse of minerals, this region has

Manganese (Bharveli mines and Panch Mahal district) , Copper (Balaghat,
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Chandrapur’s Thanewasna and Dubarpeth districts and Nagpur’s

Pulsar-Parsodi, Ranbori-Kolar-Tambekhani Ranmangli, Kitari, Thutanbori,
and others) , Limestone (Saurashtra, Lakhpat, Katni, Gwalior, Narsinghpur),
Bauxite (Junagadh, Jamnagar, Kolhapur, Ratnagiri) and many more
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minerals such as zeolite, dolomite, quartz, silica are found here.
4. Energy resources -
● Geothermal - Western margin of volcanic Deccan traps, also known
as Western Ghats, is characterized with the presence of numerous
hot springs. Four hot spring sites located at Unhavare (Khed), Tural,
Rajwadi and Aravali villages of Chiplun in Ratnagiri district of
Maharashtra possess geological features like faults and fractures

responsible for vertical movement of geothermal water that can be
used for harnessing geothermal energy.
● Hydrocarbon - Ankleshwar and Halisa Oilfields + Wardha Coal
● Wind Energy -Gujarat : Second largest Installed Capacity and

Maharashtra: Third largest Installed Capacity
● Hydro - Rivers like Krishna, Narmada, Godavari have high
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hydroelectric potential and irrigation prospects.
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● Nuclear - It is the 5th largest source of electricity in India. Power
plants in Tarapur (Maharashtra) and Kakrapar (Gujrat) are some
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important nuclear power projects.
5. Forest Resources - A region with high biodiversity, it consists of tropical
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dry deciduous trees with Hardwickia-dominated woodlands. This
ecoregion is also an integral part of the global strategy to conserve and
recover wild tiger populations.
These forests also provide habitat for wild buffalo, sloth bear, four-horned
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antelope, gaur, blackbuck, and chinkara.
It's worth noting that while the Deccan Traps have natural potential, their
rs
exploitation and utilization should be done with careful consideration of

environmental impact and sustainable practices to preserve the
geological and ecological integrity of the region.
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(Geography Model Answer)

UPSC Mains - English Medium

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(Geography Model Answer) UPSC Mains - English Medium / Indian Geography

Landslide refers to the sudden movement of rock mass, debris, soil, or

1. Plate Tectonics Indian plate is moving towards This region is tectonically

2. Rock Structure This region comprises This region has more

sedimentary rocks which are basaltic rocks which have

3. Earthquakes This is one of the causative Earthquakes are less likely

Himalayas get easily eroded ghats rarely yields further

5. Rainfall and Heavy snowfall occurs in Prolonged, high intensity

(Geography Model Answer) UPSC Mains - English Medium / Indian Geography

1. Human Developmental activities, This area has been notiﬁed

activities should be kept in check to conserve these geologically important and

these biodiversity rich regions.

(Geography Model Answer) UPSC Mains - English Medium / Indian Geography

A subcontinent is a large, relatively self-contained landmass forming a

mountainous regions, separating India from Burma.

(Geography Model Answer) UPSC Mains - English Medium / Indian Geography

A landslide is a natural phenomenon inﬂuenced by gravity which causes

plate collided with the Eurasian plate. Continuous movement of plates

2. Precipitation - Due to climate change, intensity of rainfall has increased.

3. Melting of Glaciers - Glacial melting generates increased water pressure

4. Composition - Himalayas being the youngest mountain chain in the world,

5. Human Activities - Urbanisation and associated unscientiﬁc construction

(Geography Model Answer) UPSC Mains - English Medium / Indian Geography

1. Government must carry out hazard and vulnerability analysis before

(Geography Model Answer) UPSC Mains - English Medium / Indian Geography

The rivers of Western Ghats do not form delta because -

gives no opportunity for the formation of delta.

(Geography Model Answer) UPSC Mains - English Medium / Indian Geography

Landslide refers to the sudden movement of rock mass, debris, soil, or

1. Plate Tectonics Indian plate is moving towards This region is tectonically

2. Rock Structure This region comprises This region has more

denudation. denudation and erosion.

3. Earthquakes This is one of the causative Earthquakes are less likely

mountain regions. thus fewer landslides.

Factors Brahmaputra cause large scale An already denuded

5. Rainfall and Heavy snowfall occurs in Prolonged, high intensity

(Geography Model Answer) UPSC Mains - English Medium / Indian Geography

1. Human Developmental activities, This area has been notiﬁed

located in Askot village in

vulnerable regions. Government must implement prevention and mitigation

(Geography Model Answer) UPSC Mains - English Medium / Indian Geography

Ex - Flash ﬂoods of Uttarakhand in 2013 and 2021.

melting at a staggering rate, in conjunction with a decrease in the

With seasonal shifts in monsoon circulation and distribution of rainfall,

(Geography Model Answer) UPSC Mains - English Medium / Indian Geography

The Himalayan region is not only tectonically active and ecologically

natural as well as human characteristics render the Himalayan region

(Geography Model Answer) UPSC Mains - English Medium / Indian Geography

Mountains are landforms that rise prominently above the surrounding

Threats to Mountainous Ecosystem -

1. Climate Change - It will increase the unpredictability of precipitation

2. Acidiﬁcation and Pollution - In mountains, acidiﬁcation occurs through the

(Geography Model Answer) UPSC Mains - English Medium / Indian Geography

4. Change in Vegetation - This occurs through a change in land cover,

5. Tourism - A joint analysis by UNEP, the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm

Measures to restore mountain ecosystem from the negative impact of

1. Conducting Environmental Assessment - Suitable assessments of areas

2. Declaration of Ecologically Sensitive Areas - Committees must be setup to

identify most affected areas and declare them ecologically sensitive as

3. Promote Sustainable Tourism - Sustainable tourism can serve as an