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APSC CCE Prelim 2020 General Studies (GS) Paper 1 – Geography, Ecology & Environment section question Analysis

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APSC CCE Prelim 2020 General Studies (GS) Paper 1 Questions Analysis

Questions from Geography, Ecology & Environment sections

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APSC prelims questions

Q1. Which water resource project provides and extends benefits to Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan?

  1. Hirakud Dam Project
  2. Sardar Sarovar Dam Project
  3. Bhakra-Nangal Dam Project
  4. Tehri Dam Project

Correct Option: (B) Sardar Sarovar Dam Project

The Sardar Sarovar Dam is a concrete gravity dam built on the Narmada river in Navagam near Kevadiya, Narmada District , Gujarat in India. Four Indian states, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, receive water and electricity supply from the dam.

Topic to focus: Important Dams in India

 

Q2. Which pair of extremely located Indian cities is connected by the East-West corridor?

  1. SIlchar Porbandar
  2. Mumbai Shillong
  3. Nagpur Siliguri
  4. Mumbai Kolkata

Correct Option: (A) Silchar – Porbandar

East-West Corridor is a 3,300 kilometres (2,100 mi) corridor via NH 27 (Porbandar–Rajkot-Samakhiali–Radhanpur–Kota–Jhansi–Kanpur-Lucknow–Ayodhya-Gorakhpur-Muzaffarpur–Darbhanga-Supaul-Purnia– Dalkhola-Kishanganj, Islampur–Sonapur- Ghoshpukur-Jalpaiguri Alipurduar- Bongaigaon – Nalbari Bijni–Guwahati–Nagaon–Dabaka–Silchar).

Topic to focus: Important Road, Rail  & Infrastructure projects in India

Q33. The maximum number of individuals that can be supported by a given environment is called

  1. Carrying capacity
  2. Population size
  3. Biotic potential
  4. Environment Resistance

Correct Option: (A) Carrying capacity

The carrying capacity of an environment is the maximum population size of a biological species that can be sustained by that specific environment, given the food, habitat, water, and other resources available. The carrying capacity is defined as the environment’s maximal load, which in population ecology corresponds to the population equilibrium, when the number of deaths in a population equals the number of births (as well as immigration and emigration).

Topic to focus: Important Terminology in Ecology/Geography

 

Q34. Plants growing under direct sunlight are known as heliophytes. What do we call plants growing under shades?

  1. Psammophytes
  2. Sciophytes
  3. Monocots
  4. Dicots

Correct Option: (B) Sciophytes

Sciophytes are plants that last or thrive best at low light intensity. These plants have larger photosynthetic units than solar plants or heliophytes.

Sciophytes are shade-loving trees and plants. These plants have larger photosynthetic units than solar plants or heliophytes. Sciophytes are also known as photophobic plants and reach their saturation level in only 20% sunlight.

Shade-plants essentially follow strategies for the optimum use of available energy and energy conservation.

Topic to focus: Biodiversity – Plants/Animal types

 

Q35. Which among the following protocols/conventions is dedicated for protecting biodiversity from potential risks caused by Living Modified Organisms?

  1. Cartagena Protocol
  2. Nagoya Protocol
  3. Bonn Convention
  4. Vienna Convention

Correct Option: (A) Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.

The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is a legally binding global protocol that seeks to contribute to ensuring the safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) created through modern biotechnology.

Topic to focus: Important Conventions/Conference related to Environment issues

 

Q36. Which among the following types is a non-material pollution?

  1. Air pollution
  2. Water pollution
  3. Thermal pollution
  4. Soil pollution

Correct Option: (C) Thermal Pollution.

The Non-material Pollutions are of following types:

(i) Radiation Pollution.

(ii) Noise Pollution.

(iii) Thermal Pollution.

Topic to focus: Pollution types

 

Q38. Match the following persons and their activities in the field of environmental conservation and development:

List 1:                           List 2

  1. Medha Patkar         1. Centre for Science and Environment
  2. M.S Swaminathan  2. Narmada Bachao Andolan
  3. Anil Agarwal            3. Ornithology and Conservation
  4. Salim Ali                  4. Rice Research and Biodiversity conservation.
  1. a:2, b:4, c:1, d:3
  2. a:2, b:1, c:3, d:4
  3. a:2, b:4, c:3, d:1
  4. a:3, b:1, c:4, d:2

Correct Option: (A) a 2, b 4, c 1, d 3

  • Medha Patkar, (born December 1, 1954, Bombay [now Mumbai], Maharashtra state, India), Indian social activist known chiefly for her work with people displaced by the Narmada Valley Development Project (NVDP), a large-scale plan to dam the Narmada River and its tributaries in the Indian states of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.

  • Founder Anil Agarwal – Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) is a not-for-profit public interest research and advocacy organisation based in New Delhi, India. Established in 1980, CSE works as a think tank on environment-development issues in India, poor planning, climate shifts devastating India’s Sundarbans and advocates for policy changes and better implementation of the already existing policies.

  • Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan (born 7 August 1925) is an Indian geneticist and administrator, known for his role in India’s Green Revolution. Swaminathan has been called the Father of Green Revolution in India for his role in introducing and further developing high-yielding varieties of wheat in India. He is the founder of the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation.

  • Sálim Moizuddin Abdul Ali was an Indian ornithologist and naturalist. Sometimes referred to as the “Birdman of India”.

Topic to focus: Important Personalities related to Environment protection/conservation

 

Q39. All species of Lemur are endemic to

  1. New Caledonia
  2. Seychelles Islands
  3. Galapagos Islands
  4. Madagascar

Correct Option: (D) Madagascar

Lemurs are mammals of the order Primates, divided into 8 families and consisting of 15 genera and around 100 existing species. They are native only to the island of Madagascar.

Topic to focus: Species specific to regions

Q41. Among the marine ecosystems, the most species rich ecosystem is

  1. Mangrove
  2. Coral Reefs
  3. Open Water
  4. None of the Above

Correct Option: (B) Coral reefs

Topic to focus: Ecosytems

 

Q42. Biodiversity hotspots are among the richest and the most important ecosystems in the world. How many such hotspots are present in the world?

  1. 25
  2. 34
  3. 36
  4. 42

Correct Option: (C) 36

  • A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region with significant levels of biodiversity that is threatened by human habitation.

  • To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot on Myers 2000 edition of the hotspot-map, a region must meet two strict criteria: it must contain at least 0.5% or 1,500 species of vascular plants as endemics, and it has to have lost at least 75% of its primary vegetation.[6] Around the world, 36 areas qualify under this definition.

Topic to focus: Biodiversity Hotspots & biodiversity conservation measures

 

Q57. The much-discussed Line of Actual Control is a disputed borderline between

  1. India and China
  2. China and Pakistan
  3. India and Pakistan
  4. China and Nepal

Correct Option: (A) India and China

Topic to focus: Important boundaries – Political Geography

 

Q58. The Paris Agreement of the UNFCCC is to limit the global warming well below

  1. 1 degree celsius
  2. 2 degree celsius
  3. 2.5 degree celsius
  4. 3 degree celsius

Correct Option: (B) 2 oC degree

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. It was adopted by 196 Parties at COP 21 in Paris, on 12 December 2015 and entered into force on 4 November 2016. Its goal is to limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.

Topic to focus: Important Conventions/Conference related to Environment issues

 

Q61. Sittwe Port in Myanmar which is being financed by India, is a part of which project

  1. Kaladan Multi-modal Transit Transport Project
  2. Sagarmala Project
  3. Prayagraj-Haldia Inland waterway project
  4. Talcher-Dhamra Inland Waterway Project

Correct Option: (A) Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project

The Kaladan Road Project is a US$484 million project connecting the eastern Indian seaport of Kolkata with Sittwe seaport in Rakhine State, Myanmar by sea. In Myanmar, it will then link Sittwe seaport to Paletwa in Chin State via the Kaladan river boat route, and then from Paletwa by road to Mizoram state in Northeast India.

Assam Current Affairs – October 22-28, 2018 – AssamExam

Topic to focus: Current Affairs Topics w.r.t. Geography

 

Q93. The largest landlocked country in the world is

  1. Republic of Congo
  2. Mongolia
  3. Bolivia
  4. Kazakhstan

Correct Option: (D) Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is the world’s largest landlocked country. A landlocked country is a country that has no direct access to the ocean.

Topic to focus: Countries/States facts

Q94. Find out which of the following pairs is/are correct:

  1. Khamti: Arunachal Pradesh
  2. Ao: Nagaland
  3. Melacheri: Lakshadweep
  1. Only 1
  2. Only 2
  3. 1 and 2
  4. All are correct

Correct Option: (D) All of the above

Topic to focus: States and native Tribes

 

 Q95. Which country is the largest archipelago country in the world?

  1. Philippines
  2. Indonesia
  3. Maldives
  4. Malaysia

Correct Option: (B) Indonesia

Indonesia is made up of 17,508 islands of which about 6,000 islands inhabited by people. As the largest archipelago in the world, its territory covers an area of 1,919,440 square kilometers (735 355 square miles) and has one of the widest among the 16 countries in the world and is also the fourth most populous country with about 230 million inhabitants. The country has over 150 active volcanoes, including Krakatoa and Tambora.

Topic to focus: Countries/States facts 

 

Q96. Which of the following rivers has the largest river basin in the Indian subcontinent?

  1. The Brahmaputra
  2. The Indus
  3. The Ganga
  4. The Krishna

Correct Option: (C) Ganga

Source of Answer

The Indus basin extends over China (Tibet), India, Afghanistan and Pakistan draining an area of 11,65,500 Sq.km.

Most of the Indus Basin lies in India and Pakistan, and only about 13 percent of its total catchment is in Tibet and Afghanistan.

So, Indus basin within Indian subcontinent = 10,13,985 Sq.km.

  • https://ncert.nic.in/ncerts/l/kegy103.pdf

The Indus System is one of the largest river basins of the world, covering an area of 11,65,000 sq. km (in India it is 321, 289 sq. km and a total length of 2,880

km (in India 1,114 km).

The Ganga basin extends over an area of 10,86,000km2.

The drainage area lying in India is 862,769 km2. 140,000 km2 (54,000 sq mi) in Nepal (13%), 46,000 km2 (18,000 sq mi) in Bangladesh (4%), and 33,000 km2 (13,000 sq mi) in China (3%)

Source: International Watercourses Law for the 21st Century: The Case of the River Ganges Basin Front Cover Sūryaprasāda Suvedī, Surya P. Subedi

So, Even if we deduct Basin area in China, 10,86,000-13000=10,73,000km2 in Indian subcontinent.

Topic to focus: Important Rivers

 

Q97. The boundary demarcation between India and Pakistan came into force on 17th August 1947. Which line divides the two countries?

  1. Durand Line
  2. Radcliffe Line
  3. McMohan Line
  4. Gilbert Line

Correct Option: (B) Radcliffe Line

The boundary demarcation line between India and Pakistan known as the Radcliffe Line came into force on 17 August 1947. The Radcliffe line is spread through the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat to the international border in Jammu in Jammu & Kashmir, dividing India and Pakistan into two different countries.

Topic to focus: Important boundaries – Political Geography

 

Q98. The islands of Seychelles are located in the

  1. Arctic Ocean
  2. Atlantic Ocean
  3. Indian Ocean
  4. Pacific Ocean

Correct Option: (C) Indian Ocean

Seychelles is located in the Somali Sea segment of the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar.

Topic to focus: Countries/States facts 

 

Q100. According to the most authentic geographical studies, when did life begin on earth?

  1. 4.2 million years ago
  2. 4.6 billion years ago
  3. 3.8 million years ago
  4. 3.8 billion years ago

Correct Option: (D) 3.8 billion

Earth formed around 4.54 billion years ago. The earth’s oceans were formed within 500 million years from the formation of the earth. Sometime around 3,800 million years ago, life began to evolve.

Topic to focus: Earth’s physical geography

GEOGRAPHY Assam

Q4. Which among the following cities is known as the Tea City of India?

  1. Darjeeling
  2. Dibrugarh
  3. Siliguri
  4. Nainital

Correct Option: (B) Dibrugarh

Dibrugarh is the largest tea exporting town in India. Nestled on the banks of the river Brahmaputra, Dibrugarh is the entry point to the districts of Tinsukia, Dibrugarh and Jorhat which produce tea in abundance. Around 50% of the total tea produced in Assam come from these three districts. Dibrugarh is aptly called the ‘Tea City of India’. The town and its nearby places are a home to Oil and Timber industries. The aroma of the tea gardens and the mesmerizing views of the Himalayas make the town a must-see destination. Take a stroll in the tea gardens and sip one of the finest tea in the world. Take some packets of the tea back home. Every time you have this tea you will relive your memories of Dibrugarh. The town got its name from Dibarumukh. ‘Dibaru’ is the name of a river and ‘mukh’ means mouth.

Topic to focus: Economic Centers of Assam

 

Q22. The four districts under the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) are

  1. Kokrajhar, Barpeta, Chirang and Baksa
  2. Kokrajhar, Baksa, Chirang and Udalguri
  3. Kokrajhar, Baksa, Sonitpur and Udalguri
  4. Baksa, Chirang, Udalguri and Nalbari

Correct Option: (B) Kokrajhar, Baksa, Chirang and Udalguri

The BTC consists of four contiguous districts — Kokrajhar, Baksa, Udalguri and Chirang — carved out of seven existing districts — Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Nalbari, Kamrup, Darrang and Sonitpur — an area of 8970 km2 comprising various protected tribal belts and blocks in Assam. Its establishment was under theass Amended Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India.

Topic to focus: Political Geography of Assam

 

Q37. The two UNESCO World Heritage sites in Assam are

  1. Nameri National Park and Dibru-Saikhowa National Park
  2. Kaziranga National Park and Manas National Park
  3. Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park and Hollongabar Gibbon WLS
  4. Deepor Beel WLS and Dibru-Saikhowa National park

Correct Option: (B) Kaziranga NP and Manas NP

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

  • India now has 35 sites, including 27 cultural properties, seven natural sites and one mixed site, notified as World Heritage Sites.

UNESCO World Heritage Natural Sites in India

28.

Kaziranga National Park (1985)

Assam

29

Manas Wild Life Sanctuary (1985)

Assam

30.

Keoladeo National Park (1985)

Rajasthan

31.

Sunderban National Park (1987)

West Bengal

32.

Nanda Devi  and Valley of Flowers National Parks (1988, 2005)

Uttarakhand

33.

Western Ghats (2012)

Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra,Tamil Nadu

34.

Great Himalayan National Park (2014)

Himachal Pradesh

35.

Khangchendzonga National Park (KNP) (2016)* [Mixed site]

Sikkim

UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites in India – AssamExam

Topic to focus: Biodiversity conservation in Assam – National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries etc.

 

Q40. Which among the following tree is the state tree of Assam?

  1. Titachapa
  2. Nahor
  3. Hollong
  4. Segun

Correct Option: (C) Hollong (Dipterocarpus macrocarpus)

State Symbols of Assam (Assam Art & Culture APSC Notes) – AssamExam

Topic to focus: State symbols of Assam

 

Q99. Which of the following wildlife sanctuaries/National Parks is located in the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh borders?

  1. Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary
  2. Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary
  3. Dibru-Saikhowa NP
  4. Namdapha NP

Correct Option: (A) Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary.

Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area located in the state of Assam in India. This wildlife sanctuary covers 175 km2. It is located along the foothills of the Great Himalayan Range. The area was declared as a sanctuary in 1998.

Topic to focus: Biodiversity conservation in Assam – National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries etc.

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Assam Geography/Environment MCQ Questions Set 4

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Assam Geography/Environment MCQ Questions Set 4 – National Parks & Wildlife Conservation in Assam

for APSC / Assam exam Geography Preparation

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Assam History - Assam Exam

Q1. Which of the following protected site was declared a World Heritage Site in December 1985 by UNESCO and it was removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2011?

  1. Kaziranga National Park
  2. Orang National Park
  3. Raimona National Park
  4. Manas National Park

Manas National Park

Q2. In which year Kaziranga National Park was given official status of National Park by the central government?

  1. 1951
  2. 1974
  3. 1999
  4. 2006

1974

In 1954, the government of Assam passed the Assam (Rhinoceros) Bill, which imposed heavy penalties for rhinoceros poaching. Fourteen years later, in 1968, the state government passed the Assam National Park Act of 1968, declaring Kaziranga a designated national park. The 430 km2 park was given official status by the central government on 11 February 1974. In 1985, Kaziranga was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its unique natural environment. Kaziranga National Park was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2006.

Q3. Kaziranga National Park hosts around ______ of the world’s one-horned rhinoceroses?

  1. Half
  2. 90 per cent
  3. Two-thirds
  4. 100 per cent

Two-thirds

Kaziranga National Park is a national park in the Golaghat and Nagaon districts of the state of Assam, India. The park, which hosts two-thirds of the world’s great one-horned rhinoceroses, is a World Heritage Site.

Q4. Which of the following statements is NOT correct about Kaziranga National Park?

  1. It is a declared UNESCO World Heritage Site
  2. It is a declared Tiger Reserve.
  3. It is recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International for conservation of avifaunal species.
  4. It is declared as an Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Govt of India

It is declared as an Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Govt of India

Q5. Assam has what per cent of it’s total geographical area under the Seven national parks in the state?

  1. 1.88%
  2. 2.51%
  3. 21.68%
  4. 23.45%

2.51%

Assam protected areas includes Seven national parks (2.51% of Assam‘s area), 16 wildlife sanctuaries (1.88% of Assam’s area), and two proposed wildlife sanctuaries.

Q6. Which state has the maximum no. of National Parks?

  1. Madhya Pradesh
  2. Assam
  3. Kerala
  4. Uttarakhand

Madhya Pradesh

Q7. Which National Park forms the core area of Chirang Ripu Elephant Reserve?

  1. Kaziranga National Park
  2. Manas National Park
  3. Nameri National Park
  4. Dibru-Saikhowa National Park

Manas National Park

Q8. Which of the two National Parks are declared as National Parks in 2021?

  1. Dehing Patkai National Park and Orang National Park
  2. Dibru-Saikhowa National Park and Dehing Patkai National Park
  3. Raimona National Park and Dehing Patkai National Park
  4. Dehing Patkai National Park and Orang National Park

Raimona National Park and Dehing Patkai National Park

Q9. Which state has the largest population of wild water buffalo in the world?

  1. Bihar
  2. West Bengal
  3. Andhra Pradesh
  4. Assam

Assam

Q10. Which of the following protected areas in Assam is known for Bengal florican?

  1. Manas National Park
  2. Royal Manas National Park
  3. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
  4. Garampani Wildlife Sanctuary

Manas National Park

 

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Ancient History of Assam e-Book PDF  | Modern History of Assam

North Eastern Regional Institute of Water and Land Management (NERIWALM) – (Assam/North-East Geography Notes)

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North Eastern Regional Institute of Water and Land Management (NERIWALM)

Assam/North-East Geography Notes & Study Materials

Assam Geography - Assamexam

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  • The North Eastern Regional Institute of Water and Land Management (NERIWALM) was established at Tezpur, Assam by North Eastern Council (NEC), in December, 1989, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India.
  • After signing a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (MoWR, RD &GR), Union Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and NEC, the Institute was transferred to MoWR, RD & GR, Govt. of India with effect from 1st April, 2012.
  • The main objective of the institute is to provide capacity building, undertake research and provide technical services to the line departments in order to improve agricultural production and socio-economic status of the people in North-East region.
  • The mandate of the Institute is formulated with an overall goal of capacity building and skill enhancement of professionals working in departments like Irrigation/Water Resources, Agriculture, Horticulture, Soil & Water Conservation, Rural Development etc., Water Users Associations (WUAs), farmers and NGOs for efficient management of water and land resources of Northeast of India.
  • It promotes advancement of science and acquisition of scientific knowledge to provide instruction / and training in all branches of science, both theoretical and applied, and in particular in Water and Land Management for Irrigation and Agriculture.
  • The Institute caters the requirements of all the eight states of North Eastern Region of India namely Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. It has made commendable progress in imparting capacity building programmes like training, seminar, workshop, conferences in the NE region. It also conducts field researches in farmer’s fields as well as in its Research Farm.
  • The Institute provides technical back-up services by undertaking projects, experiments and offers consultancy services etc. in various aspects of water resource management, efficient water use in irrigation management, agricultural and horticultural development, soil and water conservation and sociological parameters etc. NERIWALM also envisages fulfilling the goals of National Water Mission through its various activities.

 

The on-going activities of the Institute in the following thrust areas:

  • Irrigation water management

  • Integrated water resource management

  • Participatory irrigation management

  • Soil and water conservation and watershed management

  • Command area development and water management

  • Multiple cropping and crop diversification

  • Women participation in irrigation management

 

NERIWALM’s mission

  • To empower the human resources on agricultural water management to preposition the region to combat the emerging challenges in agriculture and ensure productivity increase in agri, horti, fish crops on the face of shrinking/fragmented land holdings, ailing soil health, diminishing water resources and increased human population ensuring effective use of the water and soil resources in scientific, equitable and sustainable manner.

  • To take up all such activities that will help in better implementation of programmes and projects relating to water and land management of both Central and State Governments.

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Wildlife Sanctuaries in Assam (APSC Assam Geography Notes)

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Wildlife Sanctuaries in Assam

 Assam Geography Notes for APSC Exam

Assam Geography - Assamexam

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Assam is blessed with rich biodiversity of enormous wildlife of flora and fauna, that draws a lot of wildlife lovers to this state. Geographically located in the Eastern Hills of The Northern Himalayas and The Brahmaputra Plains, Assam has copious forests. With the tropical monsoon rainfall type of climate, the Assam state is one of the greenest states of the country. 

Assam has 18 (Eighteen) Wildlife Sanctuaries (WS) in total and two more are proposed to be declared as Wildlife Sanctuaries. These protected area of Assam considered as one of the important wildlife areas for the protection of primate diversity and flora and fauna. Besides, Assam also has five National Parks.

18 (Eighteen) Wildlife Sanctuaries (WS) in Assam

1. Garampani Wildlife Santuary
2. Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary
3. Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary
4. Chakrasila Wildlife Sanctuary
5. Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuary
6. Panidehing Wildlife Sanctuary
7. Hollongapar Wildlife Sanctuary
8. Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary
9. Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary
10. Bherjan – Borajan – Padumoni Wildlife Sanctuary
11. East K. Anglong Wildlife Sanctuary
12. Nambor Wildlife Sanctuary
13. Marat Longri Wildlife Sanctuary
14. Nambor – Doigrung Wildlife Sanctuary
15. Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary
16. Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary
17. Borail Wildlife Sanctuary
18. Deepar Beel Wildlife Sanctuary

 

 

Garampani Wildlife Sanctuary

It has an area of 6 square kilometre, located in Karbi Anglong district of Assam. One of the oldest Sanctuary containing Hot water spring and Waterfalls and surrounded by Nambor Sanctuary having 51 rare species of Orchid.

Mammals: Tiger, Elephant, Gaur, Bear, Sambar, Barking deer, Rhesus macaque, Hoolock gibbon, Wild pig etc.

Birds: The Great pied Hornbill, Hill myna etc.

Reptiles: Python, Cobra, Monitor lizards.

 

Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary

The Sanctuary is located on the southern bank of river Brahmaputra with an area of 70 sq. kms. in the district of Nagaon and is a part of Laokhowa -Burachapori eco-system. It provides ideal habitat for Rhinoceros and Wild Buffalo. It is situated 40 km downstream of the Kaziranga National Park and 30 km northwest of the Orang National Park on the other side of the river Brahmaputra.

Mammals: Elephant, Wild buffalo, Royal Bengal tiger, Indian Leopard, Hog deer, Barking deer, Leopard cat, Fishing cat, Civets, Lesser cat, Wild pig etc.

 

Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary

A Sanctuary of only 26.22 sq. kms. area, situated on the foothills of Himalayas in in Udalguri district & Baksa District of Assam, bordering Bhutan in the north, is an ideal bhabar tract. The Sanctuary was established in 1980  especially for the protection and conservation of Hispid Hare (Caprolagus hispidus) and Pigmy Hog (Porcula salvania).

There are mammals such as the Golden Langur, clouded leopard, hoolock gibbon, Elephant, Gaur, Tiger, Leopard, Small Indian Civet, Jungle Cat, Chinese Pangolin, Porcupine, Himalayan Black Bear, Barking Deer, Pigmy Hog, Wild Pig, Hispid Hare etc.

Birds: Peafowl, Hornbill, Swamp partridge, Bengal florican, white-winged wood duck, kingfisher, woodpecker etc.

 

Chakrasila Wildlife Sanctuary

With an area of 45.50 sq. kms., Chakrasila Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Dhubri district in the western Assam and is the second home of Golden Langur off the foothills of Himalaya.

Chakrashila Hill was first declared as reserve forest in 1966 and on 14 July 1994, it was recognized with the status of Wildlife sanctuary by the Government of Assam.

Mammals & Birds: Golden Langur, Rhesus Macaque, Leopard etc. There are also 273 species of Birds, 11 species of Reptiles, 14 species of Amphibians and 60 species of Fishes have been recorded so far.


Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuary

Located on the southern bank of river Brahmaputra in the Sonitpur district with an area of 44 sq. kms. The Sanctuary is a part of Laokhowa – Burachapori eco-system and comprises of a mosaic of wet alluvial grassland, riparian and semi-evergreen forests dotted by wetland and river system.

It is considered to be an ideal habitat for the Bengal florican. It is a paradise for many migratory birds. 

Mammals: Tiger, Leopard, Wild Buffalo, Hog Deer, Wild Pigs etc. and occasional visit of herd of Elephants.

Birds: Bengal Florican, Swamp partridge(fancolin), Wood Cock, Water Hen, Parakeets etc.

 

Panidehing Wildlife Sanctuary

A rich wetland eco-system of 34 sq. kms. on the southern bank of river Brahmaputra in the Sibsagar district. This area was established as a Bird Sanctuary in August 1996 by the Government of Assam.

It is a paradise of migratory and resident birds, so far 165 species of Birds have been identified and recorded. It has high concentration of Geese and other Migratory birds. The common birds are Bar-headed Goose, Grey leg Goose, Spot billed Duck, Mallard, Gadwall, Wigeon, Gargany, Shoveller, Red crested Pochard, Common Pochard, Ferruginous Duck, Adjutant Stork, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Open bill Stork, White necked Stork etc.


Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary

It is a small Sanctuary of 20.98 sq. kms. in Jorhat district with semi-evergreen forests. The Sanctuary is named after the only Ape (Hoolock Gibbon) found in India. 

The Sanctuary derives from a patch of forest once part of the Hollongapar Reserve Forest in the civil district of Jorhat in Assam, India. Set aside as a “Reserve Forest” (RF) on 27 August 1881, its forests used to extend to the foothills of the Patkai mountain range. The sanctuary was officially constituted and renamed in 1997. 

This Sanctuary contains India’s only gibbons – the hoolock gibbons, and Northeastern India’s only nocturnal primate – the Bengal slow loris.

Mammals: Elephant, Leopard, Tiger, Pangolin, Assamese macaque, Pig tailed macaque, Rhesus macaque, Stump tailed macaque, Capped langur, Slow loris, Jungle cat, Indian civet, Giant squirrel, Barking deer, Sambar, Wild pig, Squirrels.

Birds: Indian Pied Horn Bill, Osprey, Hill Myna, Kalij pheasant etc.

Reptiles: Indian Python, Common Monitor Lizard, Indian Tent Turtle, Indian Cobra.

 

 
Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary

Pobitora wildlife sanctuary is located on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra in Morigaon district. It was declared in 1987 and covers 38.85 km2, providing grassland and wetland habitat for the Indian rhinoceros.

The Sanctuary has the world’s highest density of One horned Rhinoceros. It is an Important Bird Area and home for more than 2000 migratory birds and various reptiles.

Mammals: It hosts Assam’s second largest population (102 rhinos in 2018). Other mammals occurring in the sanctuary are golden jackal, wild boar, feral water buffalo, Barking deer, Indian leopard, Leopard cat, Fishing cat, Wild pigs, Chinese pangolins, and rhesus macaque.

Birds: Altogether 375 species of both migratory and resident birds of 46 families have been recorded so far, with 14 listed in the Indian Red Data Book.

Reptiles: 27 species of reptiles have been recorded in the Sanctuary.

Under the Indian Rhino Vision 2020 (IRV 2020) , six rhinos were translocated from Pobitora and re-introduced into the Manas National Park between December 2010 and January 2011. Earlier, two rhinos were similarly translocated from Pobitora to Manas National Park in 2008.


Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary

The Sanctuary is located in the foothills of Himalaya in the Sonitpur district with an area of 220 sq. kms. and offers views of both scenic beauty and wildlife. This area was declared as a sanctuary in 1998.

Mammals: Tiger, Lesser Cats, Elephant, Gaur, Wild Boar, Hog Deer, Barking Deer.

White Winged Wood Duck, Hornbill, Pelican etc. and Python, Russell’s Viper etc. are found here.


Bherjan – Borajan – Padumoni Wildlife Sanctuary

Bherjan-Borajan-Padumoni Wildlife Sanctuary of 7.22 km2 area is located in Tinsukia district. The Sanctuary with 3 separate forest blocks viz. namely Bherjan, Borajan and Padumoni. This area is an ideal habitat for the Primate species. 

Mammals: Some of the mammals found in the Sanctuary are Slow Loris, Assamese Macaque, Pig tailed Macaque, Rhesus Macaque, Capped Langur, Stump tailed Macaque and Hoolock Gibbon, besides few Leopards, Wild Pigs and Giant Flying Squirrel etc.

84 species of birds have been found including Osprey, Kingfisher, Indian Pied Hornbill, Lineated Barbet, Woodpecker, Drongo, Common Mynah, Bulbul, Magpie Robin, Wagtail and varieties of woodland birds.


East Karbi Anglong Wildlife Sanctuary

East Karbi Anglong Wildlife Sanctuary, with an area of 221.81 sq. kms. is an important component of the Karbi Anglong–Kaziranga landscape, rich in both floral & faunal diversity and is located in the Karbi Anglong Autonomous District Council. The forest area was declared a wildlife sanctuary on 27 July 2000 by the Assam Government.

Mammals: Tiger, Elephant, Gaur, Sambar, Bears, Barking deer, Rhesus macaque, Hoolock gibbon, Wild pigs, Lesser cats etc.

High diversity of woodland birds and various reptiles like Python, Cobra, Monitor lizards, Hill tortoise etc. are found in abundance.


Nambor Wildlife Sanctuary

Nambor Wildlife Sanctuary, spreading 37 sq. kms. contiguous to Garampani WLS is located in Karbi Anglong Autonomous District Council. It harbours 51 rare species of Orchid.

Mammals: Tiger, Elephant, Gaur, Bears, Sambar, Barking deer, Rhesus macaque, Hoolock gibbon, Wild pig etc.

High diversity of woodland birds and various reptiles like Python, Cobra, Monitor lizards etc. are found in abundance.

 

Marat Longri Wildlife Sanctuary

Marat Longri Wildlife Sanctuary, spreading 451.00 sq. kms. is located in Karbi Anglong Autonomous District Council. It is an important component of Dhansiri-Lungding Elephant Reserve.

Mammals: Elephant, Tiger, Leopard, Lesser Cat, Barking Deer, Wild Pig, Porcupine, Slow Loris, Pangolin etc.

High diversity of hilly and woodland birds. and reptiles like Banded Krait, Rock Python, Monitor Lizard, Brown Hill Tortoise etc.


Nambor – Doigrung Wildlife Sanctuary

Nambor – Doigrung Wildlife Sanctuary, declared as a Wildlife sanctuary in 2003, spreads in 97 sq. kms, is located in Golaghat district and is famous for Hot water springs and Gaur and Hoolock Gibbon.

The sanctuary along with Garampani Wildlife Sanctuary and Nambor Wildlife Sanctuary are a part of the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Elephant Reserve, which was declared on 17 April 2003.

Mammals: Elephant, Hoolock Gibbon, Stumped Tailed Macaque, Pig Tailed Macaque, Slow Loris, Assamese Macaque, Rhesus Macaque, Tiger, Leopard, Fishing Cat, Barking Deer, Sambar, Wild Pigs, Gaur etc.

Birds: White Winged Wood Duck, Great Pied Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Adjutant Stork etc.

Amphibians & Reptiles: Tortoise, Monitor Lizard, Python etc.


Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary

The Sanctuary spreading in an area of 78.64 sq. kms. is located in the eastern fringe of Guwahati. 3 individual reserved forests viz. the Amchang reserve forest, South Amchang forest reserve and Khanapara reserve forest were combined in 2004 to form the sanctuary. This is known for hosting rare and endangered birds and animals, including the Chinese pangolin and Assamese Macaque.

Mammals: Chinese pangolin, Flying fox, Slow loris, Assamese macaque, Rhesus macaque, Capped langur, Hoolock gibbon, Jungle cat, Leopard cat, Leopard, Elephant, Wild pig, Sambar, Barking deer, Gaur, Porcupine etc.

Birds: Lesser Adjutant, Greater Adjutant, White-backed Vulture, Slender-billed Vulture, Khaleej Pheasant Green Imperial Pigeon, Lesser Pied Hornbill etc.


Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary

The Sanctuary with an area of 111 Sq. Kms. is located in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts, bordering Arunachal Pradesh. The Sanctuary is a part of the Dehing-Patkai Elephant Reserve.

Mammals: Chinese pangolin, Flying fox, Slow loris, Stump-tailed macaque, Assamese macaque, Rhesus macaque, Capped langur, Hoolock gibbon, Himalayan black bear, Hog – badger, Jungle cat, Leopard cat, Fishing cat, Marbled cat, Clouded leopard, Leopard, Tiger, Wild pig, Sambar, Barking deer, Gaur, Serow, Malayan giant squirrels, Porcupine, Pig-tailed macaque etc.

Birds: Lesser Adjutant Stork, White Winged Wood duck, White-backed Vulture, Slender-billed Vulture, White cheeked Hill Partridge, Khaleej Pheasant, Grey Peacock-Pheasant, Rufus necked Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Great Pied Hornbill, Beautiful Nuthatch, Black-browed Leaf Wabler etc.

Reptiles: Rock python, King cobra, Asian leaf turtle, Monitor Lizard etc.


Borail Wildlife Sanctuary

Borail Sanctuary covers an area of 326.24 sq. kms. in Cacharand Dima Hasao districts. It comprises of Tropical Moist Evergreen and Semi-Evergreen Forests of the North Cachar Reserve Forest and Borail Reserve Forest.

The Sanctuary  area is home to a wide diversity of wildlife including Mammals like Chinese pangolin, Flying fox, Slow loris, Stump-tailed macaque, Assamese macaque, Rhesus macaque, Capped langur, Hoolock gibbon, Himalayan black bear, Yellow-throated marten, Hog –badger, Jungle cat, Leopard cat, Fishing cat, Marbled cat, Clouded leopard, Leopard, Wild pig, Sambar, Barking deer etc.

Birds like White-backed Vulture, Slender-billed Vulture, White cheeked Hill Partridge, Mountain Bamboo partridge, Khaleej Pheasant, Grey Peacock-Pheasant, Rufus necked Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Great Pied Hornbill etc.

Reptiles including Rock python, King cobra, Brown hill tortoise, Asian leaf turtle, Monitor Lizard etc. are found here.


Deepar Beel Wildlife (Bird) Sanctuary

This wetland of 4.14 sq. kms area, located in the western boundary of Guwahati city, Deepar Beel Sanctuary is the only Ramsar Site in Assam.

Deepar Beel is a permanent freshwater lake, in a former channel of the Brahmaputra River. Ramsar Convention has listed the lake in November 2002, as a Ramsar Site for undertaking conservation measures on the basis of its biological and environmental importance.

Over 170 species of birds including kingfishers, fishing eagless and abundant varieties of ducks, have been listed in the Deepor Beel Bird Sanctuary. The major Avian species are Greater Adjutant Stork, Whistling Teal, Open Billed Stork, Shoveler, Pintail, Garganey and high concentration of Pheasant tail jacanas etc.

Guwahati Water bodies (Preservation and Conservation) Bill, 2008 has been passed with the objective of preserving the wetland, minimising the problem of waterlogging in the city and creating an eco-friendly atmosphere. The Government of Assam is planning to re-acquire land in the periphery of Deepor Beel, to undertake development projects, including water sports at the beel.

Additionally Two more Wildlife Sanctuary are proposed to be setup in Assam state.

Bordoibam Bilmukh Wildlife (Bird) Sanctuary (Proposed)

The proposed Bordoibam Bilmukh Bird Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts, the Bird Sanctuary covers an area of 11.25 sq. kms. and is a breeding ground of large Whistling Teal.

Birds : 24 species of Birds – Kingfishers, Large whistling Teal, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Spotted Dove, Pheasant tailed Jacana, Bronze winged Jacana, Indian River Tern, Black Headed Gull, White Wagtail, Black Headed Oriole, Purple Moorhen, Open bill Stork etc.

 

North Karbi Anglong Wildlife Sanctuary (Proposed)

The Sanctuary located in Karbi Anglong Autonomous District Council, is extremely important for the survival of Kaziranga N.P., as it is strategically located to the south of Kaziranga National Park and provides shelter to most of the animals of the park while migrating during annual floods.

Mammals: Tiger, Lesser cats, Elephant, Gaur, Sambar, Bears, Barking deer, Rhesus macaque, Hoolock gibbon, Capped langur, Slow loris etc.

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ICAR-NRRI Regional Rainfed Lowland Rice Research Station (RRLRRS) Gerua, Assam – (Assam/North-East Geography Notes)

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ICAR-NRRI-Regional Rainfed Lowland Rice Research Station (RRLRRS) Gerua, Assam – APSC Assam Geography Notes & Study Materials

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  • Rice contributes 95% of the total food grain production in Assam and is cultivated in three main seasons, viz. Ahu (February/March to June/July month), Sali (June/July to November/December month) and Boro (November/December to April/May month).
  • Of these three seasons, Sali occupies more area, which is flood prone. More than 23 districts suffers from flood chronically, which affects the productivity of rice severely and limit the total production.
  • To develop suitable high yielding varieties and production technology, specially for flood prone lowlands of Assam, Assam govt had requested the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi to consider establishing a sub-station of National Rice Research Institute (NRRI) in Assam to assist the state’s efforts on rice research.
  • The Regional Rain-fed Lowland Rice Research Station (RRLRRS) is a sub-station under ICAR-NRRI, established on September 15, 1997 at Gerua in the Hajo circle of the Kamrup district of Assam, upon request of the Assma Govt to consider establishing a sub-station of National Rice Research Institute (NRRI) in the state to assist it’s efforts on rice research, as NRRI plays a pivotal role in rice research of the country.

Main mandates of the ICAR-RRLRRS are

  • To conduct basic, strategic, applied and adaptive research on crop improvement, production and protection for increasing and stabilizing rice productivity in rainfed lowland ecosystem.
  • To explore, evaluate, conserve and exchange rice germplasm.
  • To develop high yielding and input responsive rice varieties resistant/tolerant to different biotic and abiotic stresses under rainfed lowland ecosystem.
  • To generate appropriate agronomic and protection technologies for increasing and sustaining the productivity of rice-based production systems under rainfed lowland ecosystem.
  • To import training to the farmers, field functionaries, extension specialists and research workers on improved rice production cropping and farming systems.

 

Trust Area of Research

  • Strengthening the breeding strategy to evolve suitable Sali varieties with tolerant to flood.
  • Development of short duration varieties with blast resistance and cold tolerance for Boro season.
  • Development of flood resistant rice varieties for lowland, semi-deep and deep water conditions.
  • Development of appropriate integrated insect pest and disease management strategies.

 

Salient Achievements

  • Released rice variety ‘Chandrama’ as Boro and Sali for Assam.
  • Released aromatic high yielding rice variety ‘CR Dhan 909’ as Sali crop for Assam, Bihar, Maharashtra and UP for irrigated and rainfed lowland ecology.
  • Rice varieties ‘Naveen’ have been identified suitable as pre-flood Ahu crop and ‘Abhishek’ as post-flood Sali rice crop.
  • Continual maintenance of over 830 Eastern Indian rice germplasm.
  • Use of pheromone traps @ 20/ha recorded the lowest incidence of dead heart (3.45%) and white ear head (2.01%).

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Infrastructure of Assam – Roadways and Bridges (APSC Assam Geography Notes)

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Infrastructure of Assam – Roadways and Bridges
APSC Assam Notes & Study Materials

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Assam is the gateway of Northeast India and there is a necessity for improved transportation in the State is essential for development in the Northeast region. Assam comprises of approximately 40342 km of road network including 2841 km of national highway. 

Assam has a total length of National Highways of 3900 Km. This includes 15 number of newly declared NHs for a length of 1032 km. Additionally, 847 km of road stretches have already been approved “in principle” as new NHs and another 1253 km of state roads have been identified to be upgraded to National Highway.

Guwahati has good quality roads that are accessible and connected with major cities and towns in India. The Assam State Transport Corporation and other private operators run regular bus services in the state.

National Highways in Assam

There are 39 National Highways running through Assam. A length of 2541 Km under Assam PWD, National Highway, a length of 696 Km under National Highway Authority of India, and 399 Km under National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited.

31 Km is under Border Road Organization (BRO), 13 Km under Railways, 25 Km under Ministry of Road Transport & Highways and around 192 Km were newly declared as NHs but yet to be entrusted.

Important Bridges in Assam

The Mighty Brahmaputra River is the longest river in Assam, there are 6 rail and road bridges have been constructed over the Brahmaputra in Assam and four new bridges are proposed.

 

Dhola Sadiya Bridge of 9.15 km length

Dhola Sadiya Bridge or Bhupen Hazarika Bridge across the Lohit River, a major tributary of the Brahmaputra River, is the longest bridge in India. The 9.15 kilometres long road bridge inaugurated on 26 May 2017 by PM Narendra Modi.

It is a beam bridge connecting Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The bridge is the first permanent road connection between the northern Assam and eastern Arunachal Pradesh.

Bogibeel Bridge of 4.94 km length

The Bogibeel Bridge across the Brahmaputra river in Dibrugarh is the longest road and rail bridge in India. The 4.94 kilometres long road cum rail bridge connects Dhemaji district and Dibrugarh district of Assam.

This is also Asia’s 2nd longest rail-cum-road bridge and second longest bridge in Assam after Bhupen Hazarika Bridge. It is the 5th longest bridge in India after Bhupen Hazarika Setu, Dibang River Bridge, Mahatma Gandhi Setu and Bandra-Worli Sea Link.

It is situated in an earthquake-prone area it is India’s first bridge to have fully welded steel-concrete support beams that can withstand earthquakes of magnitudes up to 7 on the Richter Scale. It has a serviceable period of around 120 years. 

 

Kolia Bhomora Bridge

Kolia Bhomora Setu is a 3.15 km long road bridge over the Brahmaputra river near Tezpur, connecting Sonitpur with Nagaon. The bridge is one of the most important link between the North Eastern states and rest of India.

It is named after the Ahom General Kolia Bhomora Phukan. The bridge falls on route of National Highway 715, previously known as NH-37A.

Naranarayan Bridge of 2.3 Km

Naranarayan Setu is an important road cum rail bridge over the Brahmaputra river in Assam, connects Jogighopa with Pancharatna. The double deck bridge is listed as one of the most impressive rail cum road bridges of India.

It is the third bridge to have been constructed over the Brahmaputra River in Assam. It connects Jogighopa of Bongaigaon District on the north with Pancharatna of Goalpara District on the south. It is named after Nara Narayan, a 16th-century Koch king.

New Saraighat Bridge of Guwahati

The 1.5 km long new Saraighat Bridge near the old Saraighat rail cum road Bridge. The second bridge on Brahmaputra river at Saraighat was inaugurated in year 2017.

Saraighat Bridge

Saraighat Bridge in Guwahati is the first rail cum road bridge over mighty Brahmaputra river in Assam. The Saraighat Bridge over the river Brahmaputra links North East region with the rest of the country. The length of the bridge is 1492 meters.

The idea of constructing a bridge over the Brahmaputra was first mooted in 1910 and the thought gathered momentum during the Second World War. The bridge was built between 1959 and 1962 by Hindustan Construction Company at a cost of Rs 10.6 crore at that time.. The bridge was completed in September 1962.

Bridged under construction
Assam-Meghalaya river bridge of 19.3 km – Longest river bridge

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by PM Modi, approved construction of four-lane bridge including approaches over river Brahmaputra between Dhubri on the north bank and Phulbari on south bank on NH-127 B in the Assam/Meghalaya.

The total length of the bridge will be 19.3 Km, India’s longest river bridge. It will be built under the scheme of North-East Road Network Connectivity Project Phase-03’ under loan assistance with JICA at the total capital cost of Rs 4,997.04 crore. The project is expected to be complete by 2026-27.

Positive impact of the bridge

  1. Beside from boosting road connectivity, the project will also have strategic and socio-economic importance.
  2. The bridge will cut down travel distance from 205.3 Km to only 19.3 Km and will reduce travel time from five hours to 20 minutes between Dhubri in Assam and Phulbari in Meghalaya.
  3. It will provide the shortest link between the western regions of Meghalaya as well as Barak valley region of Assam and southern states in NE namely Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura and the rest of the country, including the ports of Kolkata.

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Rivers and Drainage System of Assam (APSC Assam Geography Notes)

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Rivers and Drainage System of Assam : Assam Geography Study Materials & Notes

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The State of Assam comprised of two valleys namely the Brahmaputra and Barak. The geographical area of Assam is 78,438.00 Sq. Km out of which 56,194.00 Sq. Km and 22,244.00 Sq. Km fall under the Brahmaputra and Barak Valley including 2 (Two) hill districts respectively. The flood prone area of the state is 31,500.00 Sq Km, which is about 39.58 % of the total area of the state and 9.40% of total flood prone area of the whole India.

River System of Assam

A) Brahmaputra river system

The main river of the valley, Brahmaputra is one of the largest rivers in the world and is a trans-boundary river which flows through China, India and Bangladesh. With 3,848 km in length, it is the 15th longest and tenth largest river in the world by discharge.

The river originates from the Kailalsh ranges of Himalayas at an elevation of 5300 M. After flowing through Tibet it enters India through Arunachal Pradesh and flows through Assam and Bangladesh as the Jamuna. It merges with the Padma, the popular name of the river Ganges in Bangladesh, and finally the Meghna and from here it is known as Meghna before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.

The river drains the Himalaya east of the Indo-Nepal border, south-central portion of the Tibetan plateau above the Ganga basin, south-eastern portion of Tibet, the Patkai-Bum hills, the northern slopes of the Meghalaya hills, the Assam plains, and the northern portion of Bangladesh. The basin, especially south of Tibet, is characterized by high levels of rainfall. Kangchenjunga (8,586 m) is the only peak above 8,000 m, hence is the highest point within the Brahmaputra basin.

ADRE 2023 Test Series Assamexam

The river is often called Tsangpo-Brahmaputra river. The lower reaches are sacred to Hindus. While most rivers on the Indian subcontinent have female names, this river has a rare male name, as it means “son of Brahma”.

The Brahmaputra is an important river for irrigation and transportation. It is a classic example of a braided river and is highly susceptible to channel migration and avulsion. It is also one of the few rivers in the world that exhibit a tidal bore. It is navigable for most of its length. The catchments area of Brahmaputra in Tibet is 2,93,000 Sq. Km; in India and Bhutan is 2,40,000 Sq. Km and in Bangladesh is 47,000 Sq. Km. The Brahmaputra basin extends over an area of 5,80,000 Sq. Km up to its confluence within Bangladesh.

The average width of Brahmaputra is 5.46 Km. The average annual discharge is about 20,000 cumec and average dry season discharge is 4,420 cumec. The river slope is very steep till it enters India. A drop of about 4800 M is achieved in a length at about 1700 Km. This average slope of about 2.82 m/Km in China (Tibet) gets reduced to about 0.1m/Km in Assam valley. Due to this sudden flattening of river slope, the river becomes braided in nature in the Assam valley. During its course in Assam valley from Kobo to Dhubri the river is joined by about 20 (twenty) important tributaries on its North bank and 13 (thirteen) on its South bank. Joining of these tributaries bringing high sediment load activates braiding.

The drainage area lying in India is 1,94,413 sq.km which is nearly 5.9% of the total geographical area of the country. The sub-basin lies in the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya, West Bengal and Sikkim.

The most predominant soil type found in the sub-basin is the red loamy soil and alluvial soil. Other important soil types are sandy, loamy, clayey soils, their combinations and laterite soils. The culturable area of the sub-basin is about 12.15 M. ha which is 6.2% of the culturable area of the country.

Heavy precipitation occurs here from May to September. All its tributaries experience number of flood waves as per rainfall in respective catchments. If the flood of the tributaries coincides with the flood of Brahmaputra, it causes severe problem and devastation. The severity of flood problem of the state has been further aggravated by the acuteness of erosion on both banks of river Brahmaputra and its tributaries. Study reveals that an area of 4.27 Lakh Hectare of the state has been eroded by the rivers since 1950, which is 7.40 % of area of the state. The average annual rate of erosion is 8000.00 Ha. The world’s largest river island Majuli is also under the grip of erosion by river Brahmaputra and about 60 % of its original area has already been engulfed by the river.

The tributaries namely Subansiri, Ronganadi, Dikrong, Buroi, Borgong, Jiabharali, Dhansiri (North) Puthimari, Manas, Beki, Aie, Sonkosh are the main tributaries on the North while the Noadehing, Buridehing, Desang, Dikhow, Bhogdoi, Dhansiri (South), Kopilli, Kulsi, Krishnai, Dhdhnoi, Jinjiran are the main tributaries on the south bank of the river Brahmaputra.

The characteristics of the north bank tributaries are different than that of the south bank tributaries, which may be summarized as below –

The North Bank Tributaries:

  • Have very steep slopes and shallow braided channels for a considerable distance from the foot hills and in some cases right up to the outfall.
  • Have boulder, pebble and coarse sandy beds and carry a heavy silt charge.
  • Generally have flashy floods.

The South bank Tributaries:

  • Have comparatively flatter grades and deep meandering channels almost from the foot hills.
  • Have comparatively low silt charge.

Right Bank Tributaries of the Brahmaputra River

   Rivers

  Length (km)
Subansiri 442
Ranganadi 150
Baroi 64
Bargang 42
Jia Bharali 247
Gabharu 61
Dhansiri 123
Noa-Nadi 75
Nanoi 105
Barnadi 112
Puthimari 190
Pagladiya 197
Manas-Aie-Beki 215
Champamati 135
Gaurang 98
Tipkai 108
Godadhar 50
Balsiri 110

Left Bank Tributaries of the Brahmaputra River

  Rivers   Length (km)
Buridihing 360
Desang 230
Dikhow 200
Jhanji 108
Bhogdoi 160
Dhansiri 352
Kopili 297
Krishna 81
 Kulsi 93
Jinari 60 
Barak River system

Barak is the second largest river system in Assam as well as in North East. The river with a total length of 900 km from source to mouth drains an area of 52,000 sq. km. The Barak is also a perennial river of the state.

It originates from Japvo mountain of Manipur hills at an altitude of 3,015 m, near the border of Manipur and Nagaland and forms a part of the northern boundary of the Manipur State with Nagaland where it is known as Kirong. Then it flows south through mountainous terrain up to Tipaimukh near the tri-junction of the three states: Assam, Manipur and Mizoram. Here, the river takes a hairpin bend and debouches into the plains of Cacher district of Assam and forms the border of Assam and Manipur states up to Jirimat. The river then flows through the Barak valley of Assam and then it enters Bangladesh where it forks into the Surma and Kushiyara rivers. From the source to the Indo-Bangladesh border, the Barak River flows for 564 km.

The local rainfall run off of the valley along with that of adjacent hilly areas flows through river Barak and its various tributaries and is drained out to Bangladesh. The Katakhal, Jiri, Chiri, Modhura, Longai, Sonai, Rukni and Singla are the main tributaries of the valley. The tributaries are mainly rain fed and cause flood problems when precipitation occurs.

The Barak sub-basin drains areas in India, Bangladesh and Burma. The drainage area lying in India is 41723 sq.km which is nearly 1.38% of the total geographical area of the country. It is on the north by the Barail range separating it from the Brahmaputra sub-basin, on the east by the Na Lushai hills and on the south and west by Bangladesh. The sub-basin lies in the States of Meghalaya. Manipur, Mizoram, Assam, Tripura and Nagaland.

There are two major physiographic regions in the sub-basin, namely, the hilly region and the plain plains are thickly populated and extensively cultivated. The predominant soil types found in the sub-basin are laterite and red and yellow soils. The culturable area in the sub-basin 0.893 M-ha which is only about 0.5% of the culturable area of the country.

Some important north bank tributaries of Barak River
Jiri
Siri
Madhura
Jatinga
Larang

Some important south bank tributaries of Barak River
Sonai
Ghagra
Katakhal
Dhaleswari
Singla
Longai 
Statewise Drainage Area of Barak River
  • Meghalaya – 10,650  Km2
  • Manipur 9,550  Km2
  • Mizoram 8,280  Km2
  • Assam 7,224  Km2
  • Tripura 4,725  Km2
  • Nagaland 728  Km2

Total Drainage Area of Barak Basin- 41,157  Km2

Hydropower Potential – The Hydro power Potential at 60% load factor for Barak River is 3908 MW.

Major Projects – Tipaimukh Dam Project, Tista Champamati and Dhansiri barrages.

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