MAY FLOWER SCHOOL, SHYAM VIHAR PATNA
Class :IX Chapter: 3 Drainage Subject: Geography
Q1) What is a drainage?
A system of flowing water from the higher level to the lower level.
Q2) What is a drainage river basin?
• The area grained by a single river system is called a river basin or a drainage basin.
Q3) What are Perennial rivers?
• The rivers which have water throughout the year are called the called the perennial rivers.
Q4) Write the difference between Himalayan rivers and Peninsular rivers.
• Himalayan rivers:
(i)These rivers originate from the glaciers.
(ii) Their catchment area is very large.
(iii) These rivers pass through the George, and carve deep valleys.
(iv) These rivers are perennial as they flow throughout the year.
(v) These rivers are useful for irrigation.
(vi) The Indus, The Ganga and the Brahmaputra are the main rivers.
• Peninsular rivers:
(i)These rivers originate on the Plateau.
(ii) Their catchment area is very small.
(iii) These rivers form broad and shallow valleys.
(iv) These rivers are non-perennial.
(v) These are of little use for irrigation.
(vi) The Godavari is the largest peninsular river.
(vii) Godavari, Krishna, Narmada and Tapti are major rivers.
Q5) Why are most of the Peninsular rivers draining into the Bay of Bengal? Give reasons. Name the
two rivers draining into the Arabian Sea.
• (i)The main water divide in Peninsular India is formed by the Western Ghats, which runs from
north to south close to the western coast.
• (ii) The Deccan Plateau is higher in the west and slopes gently eastwards.
• Thus, most of the peninsular rivers such as Mahanadi, the Godavari, the Krishna and the
Kaveri flow eastwards and drain into the Bay of Bengal.
• The river Narmada and river Tapi drain into the Arabian Sea.
Q5) How do agriculture and industries cause river pollution?
• (i)High demand of water: The growing domestic, municipal, industrial and agricultural
demand for water from rivers naturally affects the quality of water.
• (ii) Industrialisation: A large amount of industrial waste is discharged into the rivers. These
activities degrade the quality of water and also affect the self cleansing capacity of rivers.
• (iii) Agricultural pollution: The excessive uses of chemicals in the form of fertilizers and
pesticides in agriculture resulted in the contamination of water with heavy metal such type
of heavy metals enter into human body through the food we eat and cause health problems.
Q6) The Ganga Action Plan
• The Ganga Action Plan was launched by Shri Rajeev Gandhi, on 14th January 1986. The main
objective of the Ganga action plan was to decrease the pollution of river Ganga and improve
the water quality by interception.
• It is a multi-phase program that focuses on both the conservation and rejuvenation of the
Ganges River basin. This act prevented the human defecation, cattle wallowing and throwing
of unburnt and half burnt bodies into the river.
Q7) Why do the Himalayan rivers get flooded every year? What are its advantages?
• (i)The Himalayan rivers receive water from the melting of snow from the mountains as well
as from rain.
• (ii)During monsoons, due to heavy rainfall, these rivers get flooded every year.
Advantages:
• (i)The Himalayan rivers enrich the soil with different minerals and help in agriculture.
• (ii)Various food crops and cash crops are grown in these fertile lands.
Q8) Mention some characteristics of lakes.
• (i)They help to regulate the flow of a river.
• (ii)During heavy rainfall, these prevent flooding and during the dry season, these help to
maintain an even flow of water.
• (iii)They are used in boating and fishing.
• (iv) They are a source of attraction for the tourists.
• (v)Salt water lakes are used in preparing salt.
• (vi)They can be used to produce electricity.