Mapping
Source: IE
Context: Severe drought in the Amazon rainforest has disrupted the lives of Indigenous people, leading to water and food shortages.
The Rio Negro, one of the world’s largest rivers, has reached a record low level, causing significant problems.
Reasons for the drought:
Two simultaneous natural events, El Nino and high sea surface temperatures, have exacerbated the drought by reducing cloud formation and rainfall. With rising global temperatures, the Amazon is expected to experience more frequent and severe droughts, potentially leading to irreversible changes in the rainforest.
About Amazon Rainforests:
The Amazon Rainforests are vast, tropical forests in South America, covering 6,000,000 square km. They are found within 28 degrees north or south of the equator, receiving over 200 cm of rainfall annually. It plays a vital role in absorbing carbon dioxide and stabilizing the global climate and water cycle. Covering about 40% of Brazil, it’s bordered by the Guiana Highlands, the Andes, the Brazilian central plateau, and the Atlantic Ocean. The basin is shared by eight countries and French Guiana.
Prelims Links:
Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched? (UPSC 2013)
| Geographical Feature | Region | |
| (a) | Abyssinian Plateau | Arabia |
| (b) | Atlas Mountains | North-Western Africa |
| (c) | Guiana Highlands | South-Western Africa |
| (d) | Okavango Basin | Patagonia |
Ans: B
