Chapter 7: Geography of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh (Solutions)

Answer the following questions

i. Explain the major physical divisions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh? 

Answer: The Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and The Union Territory of Ladakh are divided into the following physiographic regions:

• The External Plains
• The Shiwaliks
• The Middle Himalayas
• The Valley of Kashmir
• The Ladakh Region

I. The External Plains
The Southern side of the Union Territory is covered by the alluvial plains of the Chenab, Tawi and Ravi Rivers and their feeders. The external plain is an extension of Great Indian Plains which is alluvial in nature. It stretches from River Ravi to River Chenab for a distance of 110 Km. The plains are locally called as Anderwah and Bajwat. The productive crop lands of this region are in Kathua, Akhnoor, Hiranagar, Bishnah,R.S Pura and Domana. 
II. The Shiwaliks

Towards North of the External Plains lie the youthful mountains called Shiwalik Hills. These mountains are 20 - 50 Kms wide and 600 - 1220 measures above the mean sea level. To the north of Siwalik hills lies series of longitudinal velleys called duns. The important ones are Basohli, Ramkote, Dansal, Udhampur and Sunderbani.
III.The Middle Himalayas (Pir Panjal)

The Pir Panjal representing the middle Himalayas varies in elevation from 1800 to 3600 metres. It's characterized by deep cut denes and ravines. The Middle Himalayas have range of about 10 - 60 kms with an east west exposure.
IV. The valley of Kashmir

The beautiful valley of Kashmir nestled in Greater Himalayas in the north and middle Himalayas in South. The range of valley varies between to 40 - 60 kms and its length is roughly between 130 - 140 km with a varying elevation of 1500 - 1800 m above mean ocean position. The valley of Kashmir has been divided into distinct physiographic divisions.

i) The Valley Floor: The flood plain of Jhelum sprawls from Khanabal in the South-East up to the District Baramulla in North-West. It's fertile agricultural tract is  considered as the‘ food bowl’of the valley.
ii) The Karewas: Karewas are flat topped terrace like features on the both sides of Jhelum deluge plain and better developed in the southern section of the valley.

iii) The Side Valleys: Side valleys like Sindh, Naranag, Lidder, and Daksum are important centres of tourist attractions and live stock rearing. The Kishenganga Valley in Gurez is one of the famous side denes of the region.
V. The Ladakh Region

The Ladakh region (Plateau of Ladakh) constitutes the Northern most region of India. It is a vast arid table land located at a height of 1500 measures. The potent Indus River flows through Ladakh. The Glacier of Siachen, about 72 Km in length on Karakoram range of Himalayas is positioned in this region. The Plateau of Ladakh is comprised of the following ranges.

• Zanskar Range
• The Ladakh Range
• The Karakorm Range
• The Aksai Chin Region
• Gilgit and Baltistan

Zanskar Range: This range forms the southern sides of Sindh valley and is drained by Zanskar river. Drass, the world’s second most coldest place is also found in this region. 

The Ladakh Range: This range is deposited between the Indus and the Shyok rivers. It forms a prominent range in the Trans Himalayan region. 

The Karakoram Range: It extends from the river Hunza in the northwest to the River Shyok in the east. It may aptly be called as the floundering crest of the earth. The Aksai Chin Region: The Aksai Chin region deposited in the north eastern portion of Ladakh, east of river Shyok is also known as Lingtze Tang Plain. 

Gilgit and Baltistan: Geographically, Gilgit and Baltistan are deposited in the Trans Himalayan region on the north western corridor of Kashmir valley. It's largely mountainous region. The region is home to some of the world’s topmost mountainous ranges like Karakoram, Western Himalayas, Pamir Mountains & Hindukush. It has some of the world’s topmost mountain peaks like the alternate topmost mountain peak of the world K2.

ii. Name the areas of Jammu Division which are covered by the alluvial plains?

Answer: The areas of Jammu covered by the alluvial soil are Kathua, Akhnoor, Hiranagar, Bishnah, R.S Pura and Domana. 
iii. Discuss the main features of climate of Ladakh. 

Answer: Ladakh gests a truly cold and truly dry climate. The climate is constantly characterized by great axes of heat and deep snap, with devilish emptiness. Ladakh receives a little amount of rain throughout the time. Rain is mainly in the form of snow. There prevails a great difference in sun and shade temperature in Ladakh region. Summers are short and rough and winters are long and extremely cold.
iv. Name the main tributaries of River Jhelum? 

Answer:

Some of the Major tributaries of river Jehlum

Tributary	Confulence With	Length Kms.
Bringi Nallah	Jehlum at Dantar.	30.00
Aripath Nallah	Bringi at Danter and River Jhelum at Khanebal.	44.00
Veshow Nallah	River Jhelum at Sangam	62.00
Sandran Nallah	River Jhelum at Takie Behram Shah Khannebal.	43.50
Lidder Nallah	River Jhelum at Khanebal	52.00
Puhroo Nallah	River Jhelum R/S at Daobgah	58.00
Doodhganga Nallah	Flood Spill Channel at Durbal Bemina	42.00
Flood Spill Channel	Wullar at Ningli.	47.00
Ninghli Nallah	Wullar at Tazoo / Ningli	45.00

v. Which mountain ranges of Himalayas surround the valley of Kashmir? 

Answer: The mountain range of Himalayas surrounding the valley of Kashmir is Pir Panjal.
vi. Name the main rivers and tributaries which flow through the outer plains of Jammu? 

Answer: The main rivers that flow through the outer plains of Jammu are: The Munnawar Tawi, Chenab,  Jammu Tawi, Aik,Devak, and Basantar  Bein, Tarnah,  Ujh and Ravi Rivers with their tributaries.
vii. Give a brief account of the soils found in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. 

Answer: Soil: The top most layer of the earth’s crust composed of weathered rock material and organic content which supports the plant life is termed as soil. Owing to the varied geo environmental and climatic conditions the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are blessed with varied soil groups. 

Major soil groups are discussed below.

Soils found in UT of Jammu and Kashmir:

1. Alluvial Soil:  The Jammu plains are predominantly covered with alluvial soil. In Jammu region the alluvial soils have two variants 

i)  Old alluvium (Bhangar): lie above the banks of the river and are generally free from floods 

ii)New alluvium (Khaddar): are frequently inundated as they lie in the flood plains of rivers 

2. Karewas Soil: Karewas are lacustrine deposits found as low flat mounds or elevated plateaus in the valley of Kashmir and Kishtwar and Bhaderwah tracts of Jammu Division. Due to the presence of proper irrigation facilities, this soil is highly productive for horticulture crops especially apple almond and saffron. 

Soils found in UT of Ladakh:

Ladakh region being a cold desert, lacks well developed soil profile. However, some alluvial tracks are found on the banks of Sindh river and its tributaries. Mountainous soil are predominantly seen in various areas of Ladakh region.
1. Write short notes on 

a. Alluvial soil 
b. Side Valleys 
c. Plateau of Ladakh 

Answer: a. Alluvial Soil:- The Jammu plains are generally covered with this type of soil  having two variants 

•  Old Alluvium (Bhangar) lie above the banks of the river and are generally free from floods 
•  New Alluvium (Khaddar) are constantly submersed as they lie in the floog plains of rivers.

b. Side Valleys:- Side valleys like Sindh, Naranag, Lidder, and Daksum are important centres of tourist attraction and live stock rearing. The Kishenganga Valley in Gurez is one of the famous side valleys of the region.

c. Plateau of Ladakh:- constitutes the Northern most region of India. It is a vast arid table land located at a height of 5000 meters. It is cold desert mostly covered with mechanically weathered rock material and granite dust. The area is deprived of vegetation. The mighty Indus River flows through Ladakh. The scanty rains and arid conditions do not favour agricultural activities in Ladakh.

2. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below:
(i) The outer plains of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir are locally called as:
a. Wuddars        

b. Pahars        

c. Khads         

d. Andarwah and Bajwat 

Answer: d. Andarwah and Bajwat.
(ii)  Saffron is cultivated in the 
a. Middle Mountains 

b. Outer Plains 

c. Karewas of  Kashmir 

d. Plateau of Ladakh    

Answer:  c. Karewas of Kashmir.

(iii)  Karewas is formed of which kind of deposits 

a. Lacustrine 
b. Calcareous 

c. Argillaceous  

d. Fluvial

Answer: a. Lacustrine.