Groundwater resources and challenges

  1. Groundwater is the water found beneath the Earth's surface in aquifers, which are permeable rocks or sediments.
  2. India is the largest user of groundwater in the world, with agriculture being the primary consumer.
  3. The total replenishable groundwater resources in India are estimated to be approximately 433 billion cubic meters (BCM).
  4. Major sources of groundwater recharge include rainfall, seepage from rivers, canals, and irrigation fields.
  5. The largest groundwater reserves are found in the

Dams and projects

  1. Dams are constructed to store water for irrigation, hydropower generation, flood control, and water supply.
  2. India is home to several significant multi-purpose river valley projects.
  3. The Bhakra Nangal Dam, built on the Sutlej River, is one of the largest in India and supports irrigation and power generation.
  4. The Hirakud Dam on the Mahanadi River in Odisha is the longest dam in India.
  5. The

Peninsular rivers

  1. Peninsular Rivers are mostly seasonal, with their flow primarily dependent on monsoon rainfall.
  2. These rivers originate in the Peninsular Plateau and have relatively short and shallow courses.
  3. The rivers are broadly divided into east-flowing (draining into the Bay of Bengal) and west-flowing (draining into the Arabian Sea).
  4. The Godavari River, the longest Peninsular river, originates from Trimbak Plateau

Himalayan rivers

  1. Himalayan rivers are perennial, meaning they flow throughout the year due to glacial melt and monsoon rainfall.
  2. These rivers originate in the Himalayan mountain ranges and have a large catchment area.
  3. The three main river systems are the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra.
  4. The Indus River System originates from the Bokhar Chu Glacier near Mount Kailash in Tibet.
  5. The Ganga River System

Coastal plains and islands

  1. India has two main coastal plains: the Western Coastal Plain and the Eastern Coastal Plain.
  2. The Western Coastal Plain lies between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.
  3. The Eastern Coastal Plain lies between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal.
  4. The Western Coastal Plain is narrower and characterized by numerous lagoons and backwaters, such as Vembanad Lake in Kerala.

Peninsular plateau

  1. The Peninsular Plateau is one of the oldest and most stable landforms of India, formed during the Precambrian era.
  2. It covers a large area, spreading across central and southern India.
  3. The plateau is bordered by the Western Ghats to the west, Eastern Ghats to the east, and the Satpura and Vindhya ranges to the north.
  4. The plateau is divided into two main parts: the Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau.

Northern plains

  1. The Northern Plains of India are an extensive region formed by the deposition of alluvial soil by the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra river systems.
  2. The plains stretch across the northern part of India, covering an area of approximately 7 lakh square kilometers.
  3. These plains are extremely fertile and are one of the most densely populated regions in the world.
  4. The region is classified into three river basins: the Indus Basin, the Ganga Basi

The Himalayan range

  1. The Himalayan Range is the youngest and highest mountain range in the world, formed during the Tertiary period by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates.
  2. It stretches across five countries: India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, and Pakistan, with a total length of approximately 2,400 km.
  3. The Himalayas are classified into three parallel ranges: the Greater Himalayas (Himadri), the Lesser Himalayas (Himachal), and the Shivalik Hills.
  4. The G

Geographical factors influencing culture

  1. Geographical factors play a crucial role in shaping the culture of societies by influencing lifestyles, traditions, and interactions.
  2. The physical environment, including mountains, rivers, and plains, dictates settlement patterns and cultural practices.
  3. Climate affects clothing, architecture, food habits, and festivals, forming integral parts of a culture.
  4. Natural resources availability, such as water, minerals, and fertile soil, influences economic activities and cultural evolu

Social and cultural diversity

  1. Social and cultural diversity refers to the variety of social norms, cultural practices, languages, and ethnicities within a society.
  2. It is a key aspect of human geography, highlighting the differences and commonalities among people worldwide.
  3. Ethnicity is a major component of diversity, encompassing shared ancestry, language, and cultural heritage.
  4. Language diversity is significant, with over 7,000 languages spoken globally.
  5. Religious diversity reflects the coexistence