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Question

Which one of the following river valleys of India is under the influence of intensive gully erosion?

This question was previously asked in
CDS I 2019 Elementary Mathematics Previous Year Paper (03-Feb-2019)
The correct answer is

Chambal

Understanding Gully Erosion in Indian River Valleys

Gully erosion is a severe type of soil erosion that occurs when water flows over unprotected land, concentrating into channels that become progressively deeper and wider. These deep channels are known as gullies, and the landform created by extensive gully erosion is often referred to as badland topography or ravines.

The question asks which Indian river valley is known for intensive gully erosion. Let's look at the options provided:

  • Kosi River Valley: The Kosi River in Bihar is often called the 'Sorrow of Bihar' primarily because of its frequent changes in course and devastating floods. While erosion occurs, its main characteristic problem is channel shifting and sediment deposition, not intensive gully erosion on the valley slopes to the same extent as other regions.
  • Chambal River Valley: The Chambal River flows through Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. This region is famously known for its extensive network of ravines, which are a direct result of intensive gully erosion. The semi-arid climate, sparse vegetation cover, and the composition of the soil (often soft alluvial or loamy soils) make the Chambal valley highly susceptible to erosion by flowing water. The Chambal ravines cover vast areas and are a classic example of severe badland topography caused by gully erosion.
  • Damodar River Valley: The Damodar River in West Bengal and Jharkhand is historically known for floods ('Sorrow of Bengal') and more recently for industrial activity and pollution. While some erosion occurs along its banks and tributaries, it is not characterized by the widespread, intensive gully erosion and ravine formation seen in the Chambal valley.
  • Brahmaputra River Valley: The Brahmaputra River flows through Assam and other parts of the Northeast. It is known for its massive size, braided channels, high sediment load, bank erosion, and frequent, large-scale floods. While bank erosion is significant, the characteristic problem across the valley region is not intensive gully formation on the scale of the Chambal ravines.

Based on the geographical characteristics and known issues associated with each river valley, the Chambal river valley stands out as the prime example of intensive gully erosion in India among the given options. The ravines of Chambal are one of the most prominent badland areas globally, directly attributed to severe gully erosion.

Therefore, the Chambal river valley is the one under the influence of intensive gully erosion.

River Valley Primary Erosion/Problem Type
Kosi Channel Shifting, Floods
Chambal Intensive Gully Erosion (Ravines), Badland Topography
Damodar Floods, Industrial Pollution
Brahmaputra Bank Erosion, Braiding, Floods

Revision Table: Key Points on Gully Erosion

  • Gully erosion forms deep channels due to concentrated water flow.
  • Leads to badland topography or ravines.
  • Chambal river valley is famous for extensive ravines caused by gully erosion.
  • Factors contributing to gully erosion include soil type, rainfall intensity, slope, and vegetation cover.

Additional Information on Gully Erosion in Chambal Valley

The intensive gully erosion in the Chambal valley has significant environmental and socio-economic impacts. It degrades agricultural land, reduces soil fertility, affects groundwater levels, and can make large areas unproductive and difficult to traverse. Efforts have been made for ravine reclamation and soil conservation in the Chambal region to combat this severe form of soil erosion and restore the land.

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Similar Questions

  1. Which one of the following lakes in India has a large quantity of a substance found in the Moon?

  2. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists :

    List I

    List II

    (Drainage Pattern of River)

    (Feature)

    A.

    Insequent

    1.

    Whose direction of flow is controlled by the rock structure

    B.

    Consequent

    2.

    No apparent reason why it follows the path it takes

    C.

    Subsequent

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    Flow in the same direction as the consequent stream but at a lower level

    D.

    Resequent

    4.

    Whose course is determined by the original slope of the land
  3. Identify the type of drainage pattern on the basis of the given characteristics:

    1. It represents the most common pattern of streams and their tributaries

    2. It occurs in areas of uniform rock type and regular slope

    3. A map, or aerial photograph, shows a pattern like the veins on a leaf- smaller streams join the main stream at an acute angle

    Select the correct answer. 

  4. Which of the following statements regarding river meanders is/are correct?

    1. It is a U-shaped bend in a river.

    2. An extremely tight meander is called a goose neck; it is likely to become a cutoff, or oxbow lake, after a flood.

    3. Tectonic uplift can cause a river to continue downcutting along its meandering course, producing incised or entrenched meanders.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below. 

  5. Which one of the following Indian cities is not located on a river bank?

  6. Which one of the following is the largest fresh water lake in India?

  7. Which one of the following is not a tributary of the river Ganga?

  8. Consider the following tributaries of river Brahmaputra:

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    2. Teesta

    3. Subansiri

    4. Sankosh

    Arrange the above rivers from west to east:
  9. The Luhri Hydro-Electric Power Project is being constructed on the river

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Important Questions from Indian Rivers and Water Resources

  1. Which one of the following lakes in India has a large quantity of a substance found in the Moon?

  2. Which is the longest tributary river in India?

  3. ‘Ong’ and ‘Tel’ are tributaries of the river ______.

  4. Consider the following statements :

    i. Alamatti dam is on the Cauveri river.

    ii. Mettur dam is on the Krishna river.

    iii. Gandhi Sagar Reservoir is on the Chambal river.

    Which of the statement given above is/are correct ?

  5. Charre-Marre waterfall is located in which Valley ?

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