Tag: Himalayas

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Describe the spatial distribution of earthquakes in the Indian subcontinent. Explain the role of tectonic boundaries.

Topic: Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami. Q1. Describe the spatial distribution of earthquakes in the Indian subcontinent. Explain the role of tectonic boundaries. (10 M) Difficulty Level: Easy Reference: NIE Why the question Frequent earthquakes in the Himalayan region highlight the importance of understanding seismic patterns and tectonic processes. Key Demand of the …

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Assess the factors responsible for increasing temperature anomalies in Himalayan regions. Discuss their impact on river hydrology and mountain ecosystems.

Topic: Geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) Q2. Assess the factors responsible for increasing temperature anomalies in Himalayan regions. Discuss their impact on river hydrology and mountain ecosystems. (10 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: DTE Why the question Increasing temperature anomalies in the Himalayas are being observed …

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Khangchendzonga National Park Rated “Good” by IUCN

Source:  News on Air Context: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has rated Khangchendzonga National Park as “Good” in its 2025 global review of natural World Heritage Sites — making it India’s only site with a positive conservation status. About Khangchendzonga National Park Rated “Good” by IUCN: What it is? A global IUCN …

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Setting Up an Early Warning System (EWS) for the Himalayas

Syllabus: Climate & Geography Source:  TH  Context: The Himalayas are witnessing an alarming rise in climate-induced disasters—from floods and landslides to glacial lake bursts—prompting scientists to call for robust early warning systems (EWS) across the fragile mountain range to reduce loss of life and property. About Setting Up an Early Warning System (EWS) for the …

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Himalayan Fragility and Unsustainable Development

 Syllabus: Critical Geographical Features Source:  TH Context: Recent floods and landslides in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Kashmir have exposed the cost of rampant construction and deforestation in the Himalayas. Experts and the Supreme Court have warned that unregulated “development” is pushing the fragile mountains to the brink of collapse. About Himalayan Fragility and Unsustainable …

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Differentiate between endogenic and exogenic processes. Illustrate their combined impact in shaping Himalayan landforms. Analyse how climate change is altering these geomorphic processes today.

Topic: Geomorphic Processes Q2. Differentiate between endogenic and exogenic processes. Illustrate their combined impact in shaping Himalayan landforms. Analyse how climate change is altering these geomorphic processes today. (15 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: InsightsIAS Why the question Himalayan events such as the Joshimath subsidence and South Lhonak GLOF show how internal tectonics, external erosional …

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What are the key geomorphological and climatic drivers of glacial lake formation in the Himalayas? Examine the challenges in identifying potentially dangerous lakes. Suggest suitable measures to address these challenges.

Topic: Changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes. Q2. What are the key geomorphological and climatic drivers of glacial lake formation in the Himalayas? Examine the challenges in identifying potentially dangerous lakes. Suggest suitable measures to address these challenges. (15 M) Difficulty …

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What are the key climatic and geomorphological factors contributing to avalanche formation in the Indian Himalayas? How do they differ from those in mid-latitude mountain systems?

Topic: Changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes. Q2. What are the key climatic and geomorphological factors contributing to avalanche formation in the Indian Himalayas? How do they differ from those in mid-latitude mountain systems? (10 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: IE …

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 23 November 2024

  UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 23 November 2024 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles   InstaLinks :  Insta Links help you think beyond the  current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. …

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High-Altitude Sickness

Source:  TH Context: The recent death of a trekker in Uttarakhand due to respiratory failure highlights the critical dangers posed by high-altitude sickness in the Himalayas. What is High-Altitude Sickness? Definition: High-Altitude Sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), occurs when the body struggles to acclimatize to low oxygen levels at elevations above 8,000 …

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UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice – Insights SECURE: 25 June 2024

The Insights IAS Secure Initiative for UPSC Mains Answer Writing practice enables you to practice daily answer writing, enhancing your skills and boosting your scores with regular feedback, expert tips, and strategies. Let consistency be the hallmark of your preparation and utilize UPSC Mains Answer Writing practice initiative wisely   Click on EACH question to post/upload …

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What makes the Himalayas the most significant geographical structure of India? Also, mention the major judgments passed by the Indian judiciary to safeguard this structure and foster development in the region.

Topic: Indian geography will cover the salient features of India’s physical geography 2. What makes the Himalayas the most significant geographical structure of India? Also, mention the major judgments passed by the Indian judiciary to safeguard this structure and foster development in the region. (250 words) Difficulty level: Difficult Reference: TH, Insights Why the question: …

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India unveils its Arctic policy, focusses on combating climate change

GS Paper: 2 Topics Covered: Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.   Context The Centre released India’s Arctic Policy, with the aim of enhancing the country’s cooperation with the resource-rich and rapidly transforming region.   Need for such a Policy The relevance of Arctic for India can be broadly explained under three categories: …

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India should draw the world’s attention to the impact of climate change crisis unfolding in the Himalayas and Himalayan River system. Elucidate.

Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography. 2. India should draw the world’s attention to the impact of climate change crisis unfolding in the Himalayas and Himalayan River system. Elucidate. (250 words) Difficulty level: Moderate Reference: Insights on India Why the question: The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – …

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Himalayas are not only the physical barrier, they are also a climatic, drainage and cultural divide. Elucidate.

  Topic: Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent). 1. Himalayas are not only the physical barrier, they are also a climatic, drainage and cultural divide. Elucidate. (250 words) Difficulty level: Easy Reference: Class-XI NCERT: India Physical Environment. Why the question: The question is part of the …

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Insights into Editorial: Why are hydropower projects in the Himalayas risky?

      Context: The Environment Ministry, in an affidavit placed in the Supreme Court earlier this month, has disclosed that it has permitted seven hydroelectric power projects, which are reportedly in advanced stages of construction, to go ahead. One of them is the 512 MW Tapovan Vishnugadh project, in Joshimath, Uttarakhand that was recently …

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