UPSC Prelims 2022 Q25: Geography – Indian Physical Geography
Consider the following pairs:
Peak - Mountains
1. Namcha Barwa - Garhwal Himalaya
2. Nanda Devi - Kumaon Himalaya
3. Nokrek - Sikkim Himalaya
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 1 and 3
- (d) 3 only
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation
Peaks and their mountain ranges
| Pair | Correct? | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Namcha Barwa – Garhwal Himalaya | No | Namcha Barwa (7,782 m) is in Tibet, at the eastern end of the Himalaya, where the Brahmaputra (Tsangpo) makes its great bend |
| 2. Nanda Devi – Kumaon Himalaya | Yes | Nanda Devi (7,816 m) is in the Kumaon Himalaya, Uttarakhand |
| 3. Nokrek – Sikkim Himalaya | No | Nokrek is the highest peak of the Garo Hills, Meghalaya; Nokrek is also a biosphere reserve |
Regional divisions of the Himalaya (west to east):
| Division | Between rivers |
|---|---|
| Punjab Himalaya | Indus – Satluj |
| Kumaon Himalaya | Satluj – Kali |
| Nepal Himalaya | Kali – Teesta |
| Assam Himalaya | Teesta – Dihang |
Answer: (b) 2 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Namcha Barwa is at the eastern end of the Himalaya in Tibet, not in Garhwal.
- (b) CORRECT. Only Nanda Devi – Kumaon Himalaya is correct.
- (c) Incorrect. Both pairs 1 and 3 are wrong.
- (d) Incorrect. Nokrek is in the Garo Hills of Meghalaya, not Sikkim.
Key point
Nanda Devi = Kumaon Himalaya; Namcha Barwa = eastern syntaxis (Tibet); Nokrek = Garo Hills, Meghalaya.
Remember
Nanda Devi is in the Kumaon Himalaya; Nokrek is in Meghalaya's Garo Hills.
Common mistakes
- Placing Nokrek in the Himalaya; it is in the Meghalaya plateau.
- Thinking Namcha Barwa is in India; it lies in Tibet near Arunachal.
- Forgetting that Garhwal and Kumaon are both in Uttarakhand but have different peaks.
Exam tip
Nanda Devi is Uttarakhand's highest peak — Kumaon/Garhwal region. Use it as an anchor.
Sources
- NCERT Class XI — India: Physical Environment, Ch 2 (Structure and Physiography)
- Ministry of Environment — Nokrek Biosphere Reserve