UPSC Prelims 2019 Q42: Geography – Indian Rivers & Water Resources
What is common to the places known as Aliyar, Isapur and Kangsabati?
- (a) Recently discovered uranium deposits
- (b) Tropical rain forests
- (c) Underground cave systems
- (d) Water reservoirs
Answer: (d) Water reservoirs
Explanation
Aliyar, Isapur, Kangsabati: What is common?
| Name | State | Common feature |
|---|---|---|
| Aliyar | Tamil Nadu (Coimbatore/Anamalai) | Water reservoir/dam on Aliyar river; part of Parambikulam-Aliyar Project. |
| Isapur | Maharashtra (Yavatmal/Nanded) | Water reservoir on the Penganga river. |
| Kangsabati (Kangsavati) | West Bengal (Bankura/Purulia) | Water reservoir on the Kangsabati/Kansai river. |
All three are water reservoirs/dams. Answer: (d).
Answer: (d) Water reservoirs.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. None of the three are uranium deposit sites - India's uranium is at Jaduguda (Jharkhand), Tummalapalle (AP), Bhima basin.
- (b) Incorrect. None are tropical rainforests.
- (c) Incorrect. Cave systems in India are at Meghalaya (Mawsmai, Krem Puri), Andhra (Belum, Borra), MP (Bhimbetka).
- (d) CORRECT. Aliyar (TN), Isapur (Maharashtra) and Kangsabati (WB) are all water reservoirs/dams.
Key point
Aliyar + Isapur + Kangsabati = all water reservoirs. Aliyar-Parambikulam project (TN), Isapur-Penganga (MH), Kangsabati-Kansai (WB).
Remember
Aliyar (Tamil Nadu), Isapur (Maharashtra) and Kangsabati (West Bengal) are all water reservoirs/dams. Aliyar is part of the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project, Isapur is on the Penganga river, and Kangsabati is on the Kansai river.
Common mistakes
- Assuming any lesser-known Indian place is a mineral or forest site - most turn out to be reservoirs or dams.
- Confusing Kangsabati with Kanchenjunga - completely unrelated (mountain vs reservoir).
- Not knowing Parambikulam-Aliyar Project is a major inter-state (Kerala-TN) water-sharing project.
Exam tip
When UPSC asks 'what is common to these three obscure names' + one option is 'water reservoirs', check dams. Most UPSC-obscure place names are reservoirs, WLS, or Ramsar sites.
Sources
- Central Water Commission - National Register of Large Dams
- Ministry of Jal Shakti - Reservoir database