Mapping the Future: The Role of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in India’s Development Planning
Introduction In an era where data-driven decision-making is paramount, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) emerge as…
MCQs on “The Himalayas: Geographical Importance and Environmental Challenges” with Answers
- Which of the following countries does NOT share the Himalayan mountain range?
a) India
b) China
c) Bhutan
d) Malaysia
Answer: d) Malaysia - The Himalayan mountain range is the result of the collision between which two tectonic plates?
a) Eurasian Plate and Indian Plate
b) African Plate and Arabian Plate
c) Pacific Plate and Australian Plate
d) Antarctic Plate and South American Plate
Answer: a) Eurasian Plate and Indian Plate - Which of the following is the highest peak in the Himalayan range?
a) Mount Everest
b) Kanchenjunga
c) Nanda Devi
d) Dhaulagiri
Answer: a) Mount Everest - The Himalayas are classified into three parallel ranges. Which of the following is NOT one of them?
a) Shivalik Hills
b) Himadri
c) Purvanchal
d) Himachal
Answer: c) Purvanchal - Which river is NOT sourced from the Himalayan region?
a) Ganga
b) Yamuna
c) Godavari
d) Brahmaputra
Answer: c) Godavari - What is the major role of the Himalayas in influencing India’s climate?
a) Blocking cold winds from the north
b) Absorbing monsoon rains
c) Increasing desertification in the northwest
d) Causing El Niño effects
Answer: a) Blocking cold winds from the north - Which of the following is a significant environmental challenge facing the Himalayan region?
a) Soil salinity
b) Desertification
c) Glacial retreat
d) Ocean acidification
Answer: c) Glacial retreat - Which of these is a biodiversity hotspot in the Eastern Himalayas?
a) Western Ghats
b) Sunderbans
c) Nilgiris
d) Arunachal Pradesh
Answer: d) Arunachal Pradesh - The ‘Himalayan Yew’ is known for its use in the production of which of the following?
a) Spices
b) Paper
c) Anti-cancer drug
d) Construction materials
Answer: c) Anti-cancer drug - Which Indian state is home to the ‘Valley of Flowers,’ a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Himalayas?
a) Himachal Pradesh
b) Uttarakhand
c) Sikkim
d) Jammu & Kashmir
Answer: b) Uttarakhand - Which of the following is a characteristic feature of the Lesser Himalayas?
a) Perennial snow cover
b) High-altitude deserts
c) Fertile river valleys
d) Steep slopes and dense forests
Answer: d) Steep slopes and dense forests - Which of the following rivers originates from the Gangotri Glacier in the Himalayas?
a) Indus
b) Yamuna
c) Ganga
d) Brahmaputra
Answer: c) Ganga - The Himalayas play a crucial role in preventing which natural disaster in northern India?
a) Earthquakes
b) Floods
c) Cyclones
d) Tsunamis
Answer: b) Floods - The Siachen Glacier, a major source of fresh water, is located in which part of the Himalayas?
a) Eastern Himalayas
b) Western Himalayas
c) Central Himalayas
d) Trans-Himalayas
Answer: b) Western Himalayas - Which of the following is a primary source of livelihood for people living in the Himalayan region?
a) Mining
b) Fishing
c) Agriculture and animal husbandry
d) Information technology
Answer: c) Agriculture and animal husbandry - What is the major reason for soil erosion in the Himalayan region?
a) Industrial activities
b) Deforestation
c) Urbanization
d) Mining
Answer: b) Deforestation - Which of the following national parks is located in the Himalayan region?
a) Kaziranga National Park
b) Bandipur National Park
c) Jim Corbett National Park
d) Sundarbans National Park
Answer: c) Jim Corbett National Park - Which of the following is an adaptation strategy to cope with climate change impacts in the Himalayan region?
a) Intensive agriculture
b) Monoculture plantation
c) Agroforestry practices
d) Industrialization
Answer: c) Agroforestry practices - Which of the following mountain ranges lies parallel to the Himalayas to the north?
a) Aravallis
b) Satpuras
c) Karakoram Range
d) Vindhyas
Answer: c) Karakoram Range - The term ‘Himalaya’ in Sanskrit means which of the following?
a) Land of Rivers
b) Abode of Snow
c) Land of Peace
d) Mountain of Gods
Answer: b) Abode of Snow - Which of the following regions is known as the ‘Rain Shadow’ region due to the Himalayas?
a) Kerala
b) Punjab
c) Thar Desert
d) Western Ghats
Answer: c) Thar Desert - Which of these activities is most responsible for the rapid melting of glaciers in the Himalayas?
a) Overgrazing
b) Air pollution and black carbon deposition
c) Fishing activities
d) Deforestation
Answer: b) Air pollution and black carbon deposition - The Himalayan region is highly prone to which type of natural disaster?
a) Tsunami
b) Earthquakes
c) Cyclones
d) Volcanic eruptions
Answer: b) Earthquakes - Which of the following states is NOT part of the Indian Himalayan region?
a) Himachal Pradesh
b) Gujarat
c) Sikkim
d) Arunachal Pradesh
Answer: b) Gujarat - Which of the following rivers does NOT originate in the Himalayas?
a) Yamuna
b) Godavari
c) Indus
d) Brahmaputra
Answer: b) Godavari - Which Indian state is known for its tea gardens located in the Himalayan foothills?
a) Tamil Nadu
b) Kerala
c) Assam
d) West Bengal
Answer: d) West Bengal - Which of the following wildlife species is native to the Himalayan region?
a) Bengal Tiger
b) Olive Ridley Turtle
c) Snow Leopard
d) Asiatic Lion
Answer: c) Snow Leopard - What is the term for seasonal farming practiced on the slopes of the Himalayas?
a) Terrace farming
b) Shifting cultivation
c) Subsistence farming
d) Plantation agriculture
Answer: a) Terrace farming - Which of the following passes is located in the Himalayas?
a) Rohtang Pass
b) Palghat Gap
c) Thal Ghat
d) Bor Ghat
Answer: a) Rohtang Pass - Which climatic phenomenon is crucial for the formation of glaciers in the Himalayan region?
a) Monsoon rainfall
b) Winter snowfall
c) Cyclonic disturbances
d) Westerly winds
Answer: b) Winter snowfall
These MCQs cover various aspects of the Himalayas, including their geographical significance, environmental challenges, and socio-economic importance, making them suitable for civil services examination preparation.
