UPSC Geography Lecture Notes

Overview of UPSC Geography Syllabus

• Sections:
  1. Physical Features
  2. Natural Resources
  3. Geological Events (Tsunami, Volcano, etc.)
• Focus: Critical changes in geographical features and their impact on flora and fauna.

Geographical Features

• Definition:
  • Man-made or naturally created features on Earth.
  • Examples of natural features: lakes, oceans, mountains, islands.
  • Examples of man-made features: dams, urban developments.
• Importance:
  • Critical to ecology and human civilization.
  • Changes can lead to ecological disruption.

Focus on River Systems

• Significance of Rivers:
  • Vital for human civilization (e.g., Harappan, Mesopotamian).
  • Lifelines for flora and fauna.
• Healthy River Characteristics:
  • Performs evolutionary geomorphological functions (erosion, deposition).
  • Maintains ecological balance and supports biodiversity (native vegetation, fish migration, etc.).
  • Social and cultural importance (transportation, equality issues).

Critical Changes in Indian Rivers

River Ganga

• Challenges:
  • Urbanization and industrialization leading to ecosystem degradation.
  • Pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff.
  • Deforestation in Himalayan regions.
• Health Concerns:
  • Impact on infant and child mortality due to water quality issues.
  • Correlation between Ganga quality and health statistics.
• Recommendations:
  • Protect ecological services of Ganga.
  • Sustainable development practices.

River Brahmaputra

• Characteristics:
  • High sediment load and flow changes.
  • Problems of flood, erosion, and drainage congestion.
• Impact on Agriculture:
  • Erosion of fertile land due to changing channel morphology.
• Recommendations:
  • Flood management strategies, not just mitigation.

Western and Eastern Rivers

• Western Rivers:
  • Deforestation, sand mining, pollution from industries.
• Eastern Rivers:
  • Groundwater issues leading to salinity in coastal areas.
  • Poor management of large dams and river pollution.

Mangroves and Sundarbans

• Importance of Sundarbans:
  • World's largest contiguous mangrove forest; biodiversity hotspot.
  • Acts as a natural barrier against cyclones.
• Challenges:
  • Climate change effects (temperature rise, sea-level rise).
  • Increased salinity affecting agriculture and fisheries.
• Recommendations:
  • Zoning for vulnerability, immediate action plans, and long-term strategies.

Global Climate Change Effects

Changes in Marine Life

• Example:
  • Mackerel and sardines migrating north due to rising sea temperatures.
• Implications:
  • Disruption of marine ecosystems and food chains.

Melting Glaciers and Ice Sheets

• Overview:
  • Glaciers are crucial freshwater reservoirs; significant melting noted.
• Impacts:
  • Water shortages, stress on agricultural infrastructure, sea-level rise.

Conclusion

• Overall Understanding:
  • Geography is interconnected; changes in one feature affect others.
  • Importance of sustainable practices to protect geographical features and ecosystems.