Geography notes

Geography notes
Mid term
Chp name
1. The natural topology
2. Forest
3. Fishingindustry
4. warter

Geography notes (unit 1)
 Tropology is the study and description of the surface feature of land which includes both
natural and artificial feature.s of these
 To the north north east and north west of Pakistan there lie in three ranges of mountain
 Among these ranges are the great Himalayas which the people of centurial and south
asia consider to be the roof of the world
 The himaliyaas stretch continusly about 2500 km from east to west
 They are bordered to the north west by the mountain ranges of the hindu kush and to
the north by the Karakorum.
 The northern mountains comprise of three main mountains range the Karakorum , the
Himalayas and the Hindu kush
 The three main ranges are
 A the Karakorum range
 B the Himalayas
 I the siwalikas
 Ii the lesser or outer Himalayas
 C the Hindu Kush
 The Karakorum range ( average altitude about 6000 meter)
 The Karakorum mean black gravel
 It is a mass of rock and ice extending for more than 400 km from hunza to the shyok
river
 The western and of this range lies in Pakistan
 The range run east – west has deep narrow valleys and sharp peaks thus forming a very
rugged land escape
 The average height of the mountain is about 6000 meters
 K2 the second highest peak in the world (8610 meters) is located here
 The precipitation is mainly in the form of snow because of the high attitude
 In the upper region of these valleys there are glaciers instead of rivers
 The severe climate makes the karakaroms extremely inhospitable so this region has a
low population density

 The mountain passes are open only half of the year, during summers
 A nomadic or semi nomadic( Ba ghar ka)way of life is common
 The Agriculture is practice in thos3e valleys where water is pleinful
 Apples,barles and millet are the main products cattle breading is also common
 Recently the construction of the karakoram highway to china has open a new era in the
culture and economic progress of the region
 The himaliyas average altitude about 4000 m
 The Himalayas are to the south of karokarm range They run east to west
 They comprased the siwlaliks the lesser or lower Himalayas and the centeral Himalayas
 The siwalikas are the low altitude(600-1200 meters) hills located near a attock
 The lesser or lower himaliyas are oof medium altitude (1800 – 4500 meters) and are
represented by the pir panjal range
 Nathia gali,Muree, Ghora gali all famous hill stations.
 2) The height of the mountain increase to the north
 3) The mountain range the is located between the Pir
 Pangal Range and the Karakorum Range is called the
 central Himalayas.
 4) The natural topography of the area characterized by
 snow-capped steep sided with huge glaciers causing
 erosion.
 5) The highest peak of this range is nanga parbat whether
 height of about 8126 metre located in the Northern
 ranges.
 6) The Hindu Kush range lies where China and Afghanistan
 meet on Pakistan Northern and West North in border.
 7) The Hindu Kush range has a military significance
 8) Many Invaders have crossed through these passes and
 still important in these days
 9) The shandur pass connects Gilgit and Chitral
 10) Shangal pass connects the swat valley connects the
 indus valley
 11) Lawari pass connects Chitral to swat valley
 12) Generally the mountains are bare of vegetation but
 use forest can be found on them.
 Tributary is a river or a stream that flows into a main river. It doesn’t flow directly
 into the sea or ocean.
 In the mountainous north, a number of valleys attract many domestic and foreign
 visitors.
 The larger, more popular are:

 Swat (Hindu Kush)
 Chitral (Hindu Kush)
 Dir (Hindu Kush)
 Gilgit (Karakoram)
 Hunza (Karakoram)
 Baltistan (Karakoram)
 Murree & Gallies (Himalayas)
 Kaghan (Himalayas)
 The northern mountains are important because there are historical passes that
 connect Pakistan, China, & Afghanistan.
 In summer, snow capped peaks drain water into the river Indus and its tributaries
 which irrigate vast Indus plains.
 There is a natural border to China & Central Asian Republic and a land route
 through Karakoram Highway has been opened to carry out trade.
 The northern mountains help provide valuable minerals, timber and fruits to many
 industries.
 The mountains protect Pakistan against the cold winds of Central Asia.
 The population, settlement and economic activites within the Northern
 mountains are greatly influenced by the variations of topography, which impose
 harsh conditions, restrict movement and communications.
 The northern mountains are characterized by a very low economic growth rate
 combined with high rate of population growth.
 Life is difficult in the northern mountains due the lack of infrastructure facilities
 e.g. bridges.
 Farming is practiced on terraced fields where wheat, rice, barely, maize, and
 vegetables are grown.
 During winter many people work in cottage and small-scale industries. The
 output of these industries are carpets, embroidered materials, rugs and other
 handicraft items.
 The major industries include the processing of food grains, making vegetable oil,
 refining sugar.
 Northern mountains have major hydro-electric potential, but the development of
 hydro-electric resources requires huge capital investment, which is not there.
 Food production in the northern mountains has not kept up with the population
 growth so they also face malnutrition.
 Some towns in the mountains like Mingora, Murree, Kaghan, and Gilgit have
 regional trade by road with cities like Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Peshawar and

 Abbotabad.
 Due to difficult terrain and limited transport facilities it is difficult to carry out
 regional trade on large scale.
 Economic changes and increase in population are threatening the ecology of the
northern mountain in recent year
 Deforestation ha sincreased due to the demand for fire wood and the extensive tree
trimming in order to feed live stock
 The construction of roads in the border region have increased the destruction rate of
forest and the number of land slide
 Rapid population growth has accelerated population and the stream that were once
clear are now populated with refuse and sewage
 Hill people who use the water for drinking suffer from dysentery cholera and typhoid
other epidemics are also common due to poor unhygienic condition
 Parallel range run mainly from west to east
 The height of the ranges increases from south to north
 Attain high altitude rise to over 6000 m up to 8475 m
 High passes such as khunjerab pass lawarai pass and shandur pass
 Many of the world glaciers lie in the mountain of Pakistan a glaciers lie in the mountain
of Pakistan a glacier is a tongue shaped mass of ice moving slowly down a valley
 Some of the important glacier are baltoro,batura and siachen
 Like river when glacier move down they do three thing a)erosion b)transportation
c)deposition
 The glacier can be large e.g the siachen glacier is 78 km long
 It has a rough surface and carries on it fragments of rock which break off the mountain
sides above and fall onto the ice
 A glacier also causes erosion as it moves down a valley
 Ice erodes the valley sides and floor by abrasion and plucking
 Some of the features of glaciation formed in high altitude mountainous regions are
snow field, serrated landscape, bare rock and scree
 The rock breaks up and debris collected at the foot of the hill slopes is called scree
 The pasu glacier flows down from peak at hunza at the kharakarom range
 The term natural drainage means the nature runs off of water from water from an area
in river and streamed
 Drainage pattern, drainage systemand network of river are term used to describe the
natural drainage of area
 The river Indus starts its journey from manasarovar lake in the kharakarom range while
passing through the Hindu Kush to the north west at attack river Kabul joins river Indus
which is already joined by river swat

 Similarly the eastern tributaries of river Indus (ravi,Jhelum,Chenab,Sutlej,beas)
originated from Himalayas and after passing through Kashmir enter into the plain area
where they join river Indus
 While crossing the high altitude mountain ranges river Indus and it tributaries from the
feature which are normally associated with river action in all high attitude area such as
gorges,waterfalls,rapids and stream and spring
 The western mountain of many parallel ranges and are not as high as the northern
mountain
 The safed koh ranges are located in an east west direction south of the Kabul river
 They are called a safed koh (white mountain)because there peak are often covered with
snow
 River khuram flows to the south of this range and the khuram pass provides a route into
Afghanistan
 The kohat valley is located at the other end of the khuram pass
 It is dotted with spring and a number of lime stone ridges
 Wheat, rice and sugar cane are cultivated here
 Another valley in the region is the vale of Peshawar drained by the river Kabul and swat
 The Waziristan hills are located between the kurram and the gomal rivers
 Along with the safed koh ranges these hills from a rampart between Pakistan and
Afghanistan
 The banu valley is located to the east of Waziristan hills
 Banu near to the tochi pass and dera Ismail khan near the ghomal pass
 The khuram dam on the khuram river is the main source of irrigation water
 It rises to an average height of 1500 meters
 Suleiman range is located towards the west of the river Indus
 Takt – i-- at 3383 meters is the highest peak in the Suleiman range
 The Khyber pass provides a historic link between Afghanistan and indo-Pakistan
 The western mountain are mostly bare vegetation
 Only few areas are accessible through main (metalled) road and most of the areas
 Are accessible only by unmettaled roads
 Life in western mountains are very difficult because of the rugged landscape
 The cost of supplying infrastructure-water supply, transport facilities, electricity,
 telephone lines is much higher than in the plains
 The population density is lower than 100 persons per square km.
 There are abundant minerals in the western mountains but due to the difficulty of
 extracting them, they have not been explored or exploited.
 The word ‘tectonics’ comes from the Greek word ‘tekton’, meaning ‘builder’.
 The theory suggests that the surface of the Earth is made up of rigid plates of
 lithosphere (Earth’s crust) which ‘flout’ on the more mobile asthenosphere (soft

 layer of mantle which is about 35km below the Earth’s crust).
 A mountain is an area of high ground which is higher (over 1000m) than a hill. A
 group of mountains is called a range.
 It takes millions of years for mountains to form.
 The process is going on continuously as sections of the Earth’s crust are thrust,
 folded and broken, pushing up the rocks to make new mountains.
 To the north, north-west and west of Pakistan, there lie three ranges of
 mountains. They are folded mountains.
 Before they were made the area was occupied by a long narrow, shallow sea
 known as the ‘Sea of Tethys’.
 The sedimentary layers are comprised of mainly sandstone but, in some parts of
 the shallow sea, the shells and bones of the sea animals accumulated to form
 layers of limestone.
 Volcanoes which are usually associated with young folded mountains are
 strangely absent in the Himalayas.
 Large amounts of sediments are deposited in the plains due rain and wind. At
 certain places the sediment is estimated to be around 2000m deep
 Earthquakes are one of the most dangerous and destructive formof natural
 hazards. They strike with sudden impact and little warning.
 They may occur at any time of day or any day of the year.
 It is very devastating and can destroy an entire city or a region of hundreds of
 square kilometers.
 The movement of massive land areas called plates, on the Earth's crust cause
 earthquakes.
 Covering large larger than continents, these plates are in a constant state of
 motion.
 As the plates move, stresses form and accumulate until a fracture or abrupt
 slippage occurs. This sudden release of stress is called earthquake.
 On October 8, 2005 a massive earthquake struck India – Pakistan border with a
 magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter scale causing massive damage throughout
 northern areas of Pakistan including Kashmir.
 Northern Pakistan including Kashmir lies in the area of collision of the Eurasian
 and Indian tectonic plates.
 Since then there have been many secondary earthquakes in the region, mainly to
 the north-west of the original epicenter.
 Earthquakes cause damage to the physical environment e.g.
 Faults leading to landslides

 Climatic changes, rainfall, snowfall, dust storms
 Soil contamination and ground water pollution
 The earthquakes had abrupt effects on the physical environment of of northern
 areas of Pakistan.
 The earthquakes caused heavy damage to the human environment in many
 ways:
 Massive loss of human life
 Destruction of settlements and infrastructure
 Wide scale migration to lowland areas
 Social problems
 Spread of disease
 Basin is a place where the Earth’s surface is lower than the other areas
 Most of the earthquake related deaths are caused by the collapse of structures
 It has been estimated that the collapse of more than 60% of the buildings are
 responsible of most of the injuries in earthquakes
 Thousands of people died in Rawalakot, Garhi Habibullah and Muzaffarabad
 (near the epicenter)
 The Karakoram Highway was blocked at several points, hindering relief effects
 The earthquake survivors suffered economic and emotional losses, leading to
 many social problems.
 The earthquake overburdened Pakistan’s economy in many ways:
 Emergency relief and rescue measures
 Rehabilitation expenditures
 Halted tourism
 Inflow of foreign loans increasing dept burden of Pakistan
 Inflow of humanitarian assistance reduced the economic burden on Pakistan’s
 financial resources to some extent
 Balochistan Plateau is located in the south-west of Pakistan with altitudes mainly
 ranging from 600-3010 meters. This is a extensive area of 347,190 sq.km with a
 number of distinct natural topographical and drainage features that can be
 identified as follows:
 Basins of Northern Balochistan
 It has a number of irregular depressions such as Zhob and Loralai basins which
 are situated between the Toba Kakar Ranges and Sulaiman Range.
 To the south-west of Loralai basin is the Quetta Valley surrounded by mountain
 ranges
 The deposition of materials (gravel, boulders, sand & silt) brought by the river

 channels forms alluvial fans on the piedmont plains.
 B. Basins of Western Balochistan
 There are a number of basis between mountain ranges such as the Chagai Hills,
 Ras Koh, Siahan and Central Makran
 This area is almost totally devoid of vegetation and there is very little rainfall even
 in winter
 Due to no outlet of sea, when rain, which is very infrequent, falls it drains into
 temporary rivers and streams which flow into basins and either soak into the
 ground or gather in temporary lakes
 These basins are therefore known as inland drainage basins
 The temporary lakes are called ‘hamuns’ in the local language. They are salt
 lakes and when their water is evaporated away a salty crust is left behind is
 called a salt pan
 C. Mountain ranges
 The Balochistan Plateaus landscape is covered with several barren mountain
 ranges with an altitude of between 600-3010
 These barren ranges are highly mineralized, especially the Chagai Hills,
 including copper, gold and Sulphur deposits
 D. The Coastal Areas
 The coastal areas of the Balochistan Plateau can be divided into eastern and
 western parts
 In the eastern part, there is the Lasbela Plain which is marked by gravel and
 sand dunes. In the western part, there is the Makran Coast where the Makran
 Coast Range projects into the sea and forms a narrow coastal plain.
 The important rivers are the Hab, Porali, Hingol and Dasht, which flows into the
 Arabian sea
 The Balochistan Plateau is surrounded by, and crossed by, mountains.
 To the south is a narrow coastal plain bordering the Arabian Sea. The area has
 the low rainfall, so the climate is dry and extreme with comparatively cool
 summers at high altitudes.
 In the south-western Balochistan there is less than 10 people per sq.km.
 There is scarcity of both drinking and irrigation water.
 The supplies are mostly dependent upon small water schemes such as the karez
 system, flood diversion channels and a small number of tube wells.
 Most of the roads and railway lines have been built without keeping in view
 economic considerations.
 There is an absence of link roads between the producing areas and the main
 areas. Railway line cover only a limited area.
 About 67% of the labor force is engaged in agriculture.

 The Economic Wealth of Balochistan consists of:
 Mineral Resources
 The province is enviably rich in this regard.
 A start has now been made by the Resources Development Corporation
 (RDC). In addition to the Saindak Copper-Gold project, the Pakistan Mineral
 Development Corporation (PMDC) is also operating three coal mines.
 Balochistan has appreciable deposits of crude oil and natural gas.
 About 46% of the gas supply in the country is obtained from Sui in
 Balochistan.
 The main fruits grown are dates , grapes , apples ,
 almonds, apricots , plums , peaches , melons and
 pomegranate.
 The surplus of fruit produced is estimated to be
 75% of the total production of fruit.
 Karachi is the largest market for Baluchistan fruit.
 There are good opportunities for the export of
 apples , apricots , melons , grapes , peaches.
 The uplands having long and cold winters offer the
 best scope for growing vegetables that initially
 require some chilly weather for transplantation.
 Nomadic livestock farming is common in this
 religion due to sacracity of rainfall and lack of
 irrigation and facilities.
 The most important livestock products are wool ,
 goat hair, and skin.
 Fishing activity is either done for domestic use
 (subsistence)or for commercial purpose (to be sold
 in local and international market)
 The three main fishing ports :
 1.The total annual catch is estimated 10000
 tones
 2.Pasni is the number 2 port and annual catch
 is estimated at 2500 tonnes
 3.Ormara is the annual catch is estimated at 700
 tonnes most of which is exported to Sir Lanka.

 The Potwar Plateau And salt range are located to
 the south of Islamabad between the river Indus
 and the river Jhelum .
 The height od Potwar plateau mainly varies from
 300-600 meters above sea level.
 Soan River is the most dominant feature of the
 region
 The potwar Plateau is rich in minerals like rock
 salt, gypsum, coal, limestone, oil.
 The mountain range which covers most of the
 Jhelum, Chakwal, Kalabagh, and Mianwali district
 has become famous as the salt range.
 The salt ranges comprises parallel ranges and rises
 to an average height of 750-900 meters
 The Sakesar Peak (1,527) is the highest point in
 Salt Range.
 The Potwar Plateau and the Salt Range are rich in
 non-metallic materials limestone, marble, rock
 salt, clay, dolomite and soapstone. Which provide
 raw material to the cement, ceramics and
 chemical industries.
 Attock oil refinery has been set up to refine the oil
 from the oil fields of Potwar Plateau
 Farming in Potwar Plateau depends on rainfall the
 rugged landscape does not allow for canal
 irrigation.
 The narrow strip of land on both side of the river is
 called the active floods plain area. It is locally known
 as “bet” or “Khaddar” land.
 At end of the rainy season the land is marked with
 dry and braided channel rich in alluvium
 The active flood plain is found along all river except
 for the southern half of river Ravi.
 The Potwar Plateau is a productive region and
 accessible by road, rail, air transport.
 The river Indus and its tributaries drain the Indus
 Plain located through out most of Punjab and the

 central part in Sindh.
 It northern part is known as the upper Indus plain
 The river Panjnab the flows for a further 72
 kilometre before joining the Indus near Mithankot.
 The general slope of the plains towards the sea is
 gentle, with an average gradient (rate of change) of
 one meter to five kilometre .
 Below the Mithanekot in Sindh, the Indus flow as a
 gigantic till it falls into the Arabian sea. This part is
 know as the Lower Indus Plain.
 The meander and cover flood plains cover the area between the alluvial terraces
 (discussed later) and the active flood plains.
 They are only flooded when there is heavy monsoon rainfall.
 Features found in the old flood plains include abandoned channels, meander scars and
the
 remains of ox-bows.
 Alluvial terraces or bars are the areas of higher ground between rivers formed by
erosion
 by old alluvium.
 They are formed in the Upper Indus Plain in Chaj, Rachna and Bari Doabs.
 They are also called ‘scalloped interfluves’
 Sandal Bar on Rachna Doab, Ganji Bar on Bari Doab, Nili Bar on Bari Doab and Kirana
 Bar on Chaj Doab are prominent alluvial terraces.
 The terraces re considered to be ideal for agriculture with the help of irrigation facilities.
 The Bahawalpur Plain is identical in height with the Bars of the Doab and is also an
 alluvial plain.
 A doab is the land that is located between two rivers at confluence.
 The flood plain in a Doab area has the same features of abandoned channels and ox-
bows
 Doabs are favoured as areas for a number of human activities such as farming,
 construction of settlements, building of transport links (rail tracks and roads) and other
 industrial and business activities etc.
 The active flood plain is flooded nearly every year so it is an ideal area for crops that
 require a lot of water like rice, sugar and cane etc.
 Meander flood plains and cover flood plains are good locations for arable farming
 (growing crops) in fertile areas the poor soils could be used for human settlements.
 There is a well-developed link canal irrigation systemin Doab areas leading to a

 continuous supply of water throughout the year.
 Piedmont plains are located at the foothills of the Sulaiman, Kirthar and Himalayan
 Mountains.
 They are alluvial fans or cones that form the Sulaiman and Kirthar Mountains.
 The Sulaiman Peidmont is also known as Derajat
 The Indus delta is located south of the Thatta.
 A delta is often triangular, or fan shaped with the main distributaries branching out from
 the main river like the ribs f the fan,
 When a river flows into the sea, its speed is soon checked, and its load of alluvium is
 dropped on to the sea floor.
 Sea water often fills up the troughs between the distributaries, resulting in swamps
 The Indus delta has ‘tidal flats’ with mangrove swamps. The coastal area is generally low
 and fat.
 The Indus delta is located to the east of Karachi and includes Thatta, Keti Bandar, Jati,
 Ladian and small settlements.
 The rohari cuesta attain a height of 80 m and is 48 km long
 The gango takkar cuesta stretches southward from Hyderabad for a distance of 24 km
 These lime stone ridges provide a firm foundation for the construction for barrages for
irrigation
 The Indus plain is the most productive region of Pakistan
 The relief and drainage of the indus plain encourages the growth of settlement
 The doabs of upper indus plain and the old and active flood plains of the lower indus are
excellent areas for farming
 Since ancient time more than 80%of the total cultivated area of Pakistan has been
located in the Indus plain
 Sopes;cotton,rice,and suger –cane are growth in summer and wheat in winter
 Indus plain is the most developed region of pakistan
 The transport network of road, rail and air are dense
 Electricity is supplied to all the urban centers like Lahore,sukhur,faislabad,gujrawala and
Hyderabad
 Many of the ruler areas are supplied with electricity
 The indus plain have many industries which consume local raw material e.g cotton taxtile
,suger mills and etc
 The population dencity varies from 50 to over 400 person per s.q km
 Rainfall is scanty and the water table is extremely low in desert
 Sand dunes are the most dominant feature of desert area
 A sand dude is a mound or a ridge of sand
 In the desert area of pakistan the direction of sand dunes is mainly longitudinal because
of the direction of wind

 Some landitudinal sand dunes can also be observed with the help of irrigation
 Life in desert area is predominantly affected the environment
 Lack of water constant erosion of land by strong winds does not allow many productive
human activities e.g farming
 sukhur barrage is built on Indus valley
 the desert may have rich mineral deposite especially mineral oil
 in the thar desert underground water storage tank are constructed by local craft man
with local material
 Question and ans section
 topic: The Northern Mountains and North-Western Mountains.
 Q Describe the relief (Physical) features of the Karakoram Range.
 Ans: The Karakoram Range runs from 400 km from Hunza to Shyok River. The
Karakoram Range is 200 km wide. The range runs in east-west direction. The average
height of Karakoram Range is 6000 metres. K-2 (8610metres) is the highest peak of
Karakoram Range. The range has deep, narrow valleys are sharp peaks covered with
snow and glaciers. Siachen and Biafo are the main glaciers.
 Q Describe the main features of Himalayas range.
 Ans: Himalayas are in the south of Karakoram Range. They run East to West. The
Himalayas is divided in Pakistan in three sub parallel ranges the great or high
Himalayas, the lesser Himalayas and the sub-Himalayas.
 (a) The great Himalayas: also known as central Himalayas mostly lie in Kashmir. The
average height of Himalayas is 6000 meters. Highest peak is Nanga Parbat
(8126meters). Rupal is longest river. Satpara is largest lake of region. The river Indus
River has set up a number of gorges (narrow valley) in its path. The peaks of central
Himalayas are snow capped and steep-sided with large glaciers.
 (b) The lesser Himalayas: are located south of the great Himalayas. Lesser of lower
Himalayas are of medium height 1800 to 4500 meters. Lesser Himalayas are of
special interest to tourist; Hill stations like Murree, Ghora Gali, Nathia Gali are located
in lesser Himalayas. No glacier is found in this region.
 (c) The sub-Himalayas: The sub-Himalayas or Siwaliks are the southernmost
mountain of Himalayas located near Attock. They are low in altitude 600 metres to
1200 metres. They are located near Attock.
 Q Describe the relief features of the Hindu Kush range.
 Ans: The Hindu Kush range lies on north and north-west border of Pakistan. This
range runs in north-south direction. Average altitude (height) of the Hindu kush
range is 5000 metres. Trich Mir (7690m) is highest peak of range. High, steep (sharp),
sided valleys with narrow floor are one of feature of Hindu kush range. Important
passes of the range are Shandur pass connects which Gilgit and Chitral. Lawari pass

connects chitral to swat and Peshawar Valley. Shangla pass connects Swat valley to
upper Indus pass. The Hindu Kush range is bare (empty) of vegetation. Some forest
lie in Swat, Chitral and Dir valleys are located in the range.
 Q How life and economy of the people living in northern areas affected by relief of
northern mountains?
 Ans: Northern Mountains have steep slopes, high peaks; deep gorges, rugged
(rough) landscape, several steams and glaciers restrict (limits) human movement.
Little land is available. Small scale agriculture is done on terraced (stepped) field. In
summer livestock and tourism are source of income. Some hydro-electric projects
are set up on rivers. Indoor activities like carpet making and embroidery
(needlework) are carry out in winter because land is covered with snow.
 Q Describe the drainage pattern of northern areas.
 Ans: River Indus and its tributaries is main feature of drainage pattern. River Indus
starts from Mansrowar Lake in Karakoram. Indus River passes through Hindukush
joined by river Kabul and Swat. After passing from dissected gorges enter in plain
areas at Kalabagh. Tributaries (branches) of Indus such as Jhelum, Chenab, Sutlej and
Beas starts from Himalayas passes through Kashmir and enter plain areas and join
Indus at Mithankot.
 Q Describe the main features of Gilgit agency area?
 Ans: Gilgit agency covers extreme northern part of Pakistan. It is a mountainous
region covered by Karakoram Range. River Indus flows through it. In the south of
river Indus located Himalayas range with average altitude (height) of 6000 metres.
High land comprises (made) of steep (sharp) sided parallel ranges, sharp sided
ridges, peaks covered with snow, huge glaciers are located in Karakoram and
Himalayas. River Gilgit and river Hunza flows from north and join Indus. Area is
marked with cold winter and snow falls.
 Topic: The Western Mountains.
 Q Describe the relief features of western mountains.
 Ans: Safed koh range: is located in the south of river Kabul in east-west direction. It
has height up to of 4712 metres. Sikeram is the highest peak. It has snow capped
lime stone ridges (peaks). It form barrier on Pak-Afghan border.
 2) Waziristan hills: are located between rivers khurran and Gomal along Afghan
border are highly mineralized. Hills have no vegetation. Hills rise up to 3513 metres.
Bannu town is located in these hills.
 3) Sulaiman range: is located towards west of river Indus. Range is 400 km long and
20 to 25km wide. Highest peak is Takht-i-Sulaiman (3383metres). Lime stone and
sand stone are the main minerals of area. Range separate Indus plain from
Balochistan plateau.
 4) Kirthar range: is located in the west of river Indus in Sindh and Balochistan plateau.
Range rises up to 2174 meters and is bare of vegetation. Hub and Lyari are main
rivers of Kirthar range.

 Q How life and economy of people living in western mountains is affected by relief of
the western mountains?
 Ans: Rugged (rocky) landscape is a hurdle in development of infrastructure and
transport net work. Canal system cannot be set up due to mountainous landscape
(land). Range is bare (empty) of vegetation can only support nomadic way of
livestock. Mineral deposits are unexplored (unfound) due to poor road network. Only
valleys like Peshawar, Kohat and Bannu are very much populated.
 Topic: The Balochistan Plateau.
 Q Describe the main relief (land form) features of the mountain ranges in
Balochistan.
 Ans: Average height of plateau is 1000 metres. The western part of plateau has a
number of parallel ranges. Ranges is south are comparatively low. Important ranges
from south to north are Makran coastal range, Raskoh and Chagai hills. Raskoh has a
height of 3000 meters. Tobakakar range is located in the east of Quetta. Sulaiman
range is in north-west of Quetta.
 Q Describe the relief and drainage pattern of upper Balochistan. (6) N 2002
 Ans: In northern Balochistan basins like Zhob and Loralai are located between Toba
Kakar and Sulaiman range. Hills have steep slopes, sharp ridges and deep narrow
valleys. River Zhob passes through Balochistan plateau and join river Indus. In
Sulaiman range hill torrents (flood) forms alluvial fans and join river Indus. Quetta
valley is in south-west of Loralai basin. Quetta valley is surrounded by mountain
ranges and its bed is made of alluvial material brought by seasonal rivers. The
northern part of Balochistan has an average height of 2000 meters. Sulaiman range
rise up to height of 3000 meters.
 Q With reference of named location, describe the main features of the relief,
drainage and soils of the basins in Balochistan. (N 1996)
 Ans: Northern Balochistan: Northern part of the Balochistan plateau has number of
basins. Zhob and Loralai basins are situated between TobaKakar and Sulaiman range.
To the south-west of Loralai basin is the Quetta valley surrounded by mountain
ranges.
 Western Balochistan: There are number of Basins located in Western Balochistan
between chagai hills, Raskoh, Siahan and central Makran range. These basins have no
outlet to sea and have inland drainage. There are number of dry salt lakes located in
these basins. Hamun-i-Mashkel is largest salt range.
 Drainage (water flow): River Hab, Hingol and Dasht flows in Arabian Sea. River Zhob
flows in Indus River. Soil: The valley floor is covered with sand, silt and clay with
limited agriculture. Foot hills are covered with alluvial fans.
 Q Describe the drainage (flow) pattern of Balochistan.
 Ans: Rivers like Zhob, Khandar and Kalachi flows east ward. These rivers drain in
Indus River. Most of the rivers of Balochistan are seasonal and active in rainy season.
Rivers Loralai, Chakar, Bolan and Mula have inland drainage soaked in Kachi sibi

plain. River Hab, Porali, Hingol and Mushkai flows in Arabian Sea. Many small rivers
flow west ward and drains in salt lakes called Hamun.
 Q Describe one problem created due to highland of Balochistan plateau and how it
can be overcome?
 Ans: There is shortage of land suitable for agriculture. Farming is done in narrow
valleys on small scale. There is shortage of water due to low rainfall. Karez system of
irrigation is used in some valleys. Small dams are made on river Zhob.
 Topic: The Potwar Plateau and the Salt Range.
 Q Describe the drainage features of the Potwar plateau. (3) N 2003
 Ans: There are number of perennial and non perennial rivers in Potwar plateau which
swells up (enlarge) in the rainy season. River Soan is an important river which flows
through potwar plateau north east to south west direction and join river Indus. Rawal
dam has been set up on river Korang near Islamabad. There are number of small salt
lakes in the plateau such as kullar kahar, Uch Chali and Khabeki, which add to scenic
beauty of the area.
 Q Describe the relief features of Potwar plateau. (3) N 2003
 Ans: Potwar plateau is located in the south of Islamabad, between river Indus and
Jhelum. Potwar plateau had bad land topography. Steep (sharp) slopes, ravines,
gullies and gorges are formed due to soil erosion; there is series of low hills average
height 300 to 600 metres. Residue hills such as Kalachitta and Khairi Murat rise to
just over 1000 metres.
 Q Describe the relief features of salt range.
 Ans: Average height of salt range is 750 meters to 900 meters. The Skesar peak is
1527 meters high. Range runs in east-west direction. Range covers most of Jhelum,
Chakwal, Kalabagh and Mianwali districts. South slope of range is steep and other is
gentle. Salt range is collection of several parallel ranges which are folded and faulted.
Sand stone and shale rocks are commonly found. Salt range is also rich in rock salt,
gypsum and lime stone.
 Topic: The Indus Plain.
 Q What is doab (scalloped interfluves)? (1) N 2002
 Ans: The land between two rivers.
 Q Name a doab and its location.
 Ans: Rachna doab between river Ravi and Chenab, Chaj doab between river Chenab
and Jhelum, Bari doab between river Sutlej and river Ravi.
 Q What are locations of bars (alluvial terrace) in upper Indus plain?
 Ans: Ganji bar and Neli bars are in Bari doab, Sandal bar is in Rachna doab and
Kirana bar is in Chaj doab.
 Q Where on doab would be best place to build a house? Why?
 Ans: A house can be set up on doab at the bar up land area because it is highest
place on doab safe from floods.
 Q Describe the relief and drainage of upper Indus plain. (6) (J97, N99, N2002)

 Ans: Drainage of Upper Indus Plain: Upper Indus plain(Punjab) is flat land from
Potwar plateau to Mithonkot drained by river Indus and its tributaries Jhelum,
Chenab, Sutlej, and Ravi. At Panjnad tributaries join to form river Panjnad which
meets river Indus after 72km at Mithankot.
 Upper Indus plain is divided in Sindh Sargar, Chaj, Rachna and Bari doabs. Doabs are
located between Indus River and its tributaries. Active flood plains: are narrow strip
along rivers flooded every year. Levees, meander, oxbow lakes and braided channels
are features of active flood plain. Old flood plain: is next to active flood plain. Scars
of levees, meanders, oxbow lakes and braided channels are found in it. It is flooded
once in 7 to 8 years. It is 5 to 10 meters higher than active flood plain. Alluvial
terrace: or bar is located in the middle of doab. It is safe from floods. It is 5 to 15
meters high. Scarp or bluff is a slope that separates old flood plain from bar (alluvial
terrace). Kerana bar is located in chaj doab, sandal bar is in Rachna doab, Ganji and
Neli bars are in Bari doab.
 Q Describe the relief and drainage of lower Indus plain.
 Ans: Lower Indus plain is southern part of Indus plain starts from Mithonkot. Land is
flat undulating (wavy) sloping towards south. It is drained by river Indus have an
active flood plain is around 40km. Meanders, levees, oxbow lakes and braided
channels are main features of active flood plain. Alluvial fans have formed piedmont
plain along Kirthar and Sulaiman range in the west of Indus. In the south of lower
Indus plain River Indus forms Indus delta by deposition (setting down) of alluvial
material. Cuesta is located at Rohri and Ganjo Takkar.
 Q How life and economy of people living in Indus plain is affected by its relief and
drainage?
 Ans: Indus plain has flat and undulating land. Doabs and active flood plain of lower
Indus have rich alluvial soil and water is available for irrigation so agriculture is the
main profession. Industry that process material provided by agriculture sector is also
developed i.e. Textile mills, sugar mills and flour mills. Roads and railway line are
easier to set up due to flat land. River Indus and its tributaries are crossed by bridges
at convenient places. Population is high due to food production and employment.
 Topic: Piedmont Plains.
 Q Describe the relief and drainage pattern of piedmont plain region.
 Ans: Alluvial fans are found in the foot hills of Sulaiman mountain range and Kirthar
mountains range in piedmont plain region. Hill torrents (flood) become active only
during rainfall on reaching foothills brought material (sand, silt and gravel) is
deposited (set down). Torrents divide into number of channels like shape of Chinese
fans spread from 2 to 4 miles. Piedmont plains have fertile soil suitable for
agriculture. Alluvial fans are also found in northern Punjab.
 Topic: Tidal Delta.
 Q Name two delta located on coastal areas of Pakistan.
 Ans: Indus delta and Hub delta.
 Q Describe the drainage of Indus delta. N 2002.

 Ans: Indus delta starts from Thatta. Here Indus River divides in number of channels
which are shallow and natural channels. The delta is a flat region crossed by many
shallow (not deep) channels through which the water of river Indus flows into sea.
The channels are shallow because of continuous deposit (lay down) of silt on their
beds. The channel bed gets raised, and at many places channel is higher than nearby
land. Levees are formed on the banks of channels. Sea water fills in lower land
between channels and forms swamps (marsh/wetland).
 Topic: Cuestas in the lower Indus Plain.
 Q What are important feature of Cuestas?
 Ans: Cuestas are located in lower Sindh. Cuesta is a ridge with steep slope at one
side and gentle slope at other side. Rohri Cuesta is 80 meters high and 48 Km long.
Gango Takkar Cuesta is 24 Km long.
 Q Describe important use of cuesta in Sindh.
 Ans: Rohri cuesta is source of lime stone for Rohri cement factory. Ganjo Takkar hills
are source of lime stone for cement factories near Hyderabad, Kotri and Thatta.
Cuesta provides good location for construction of barrages.
 Topic: The Desert Areas.
 Q Name three deserts located in south-east Pakistan.
 Ans: Cholistan, Nara and Tharparkar.
 Q Name a one desert in upper Punjab and one in Balochistan.
 Ans: Thal in upper Punjab and Kharan in Balochistan.
 Q Explain the appearance and development of sand dunes.
 Ans: Tharparkar and Thar deserts have land covered with rolling sand plain and
countless sand dunes. Sand dunes are normally 25 to 50 feet in height may be even
higher. The sand dunes are steep on one side and gentle on other side. Sand dunes
are formed by wind action and shift their location in the direction of wind. Some
places there is strip (narrow piece) of flat land called patti.
 Q How life of people in desert is affected by natural environment? J 94
 Ans: Desert relief (land form) is marked by sand dunes have high temperature and
low rainfall. Agriculture is limited. Rearing of sheep and goats is the main occupation
(profession). Nomadic way of life is practiced (done) due to shortage of vegetation
and water. Population is low and scattered. People travel at night due to high day
temperature.
 Q Location of only these latitude and longitude line is included in syllabus.
 Locate: Latitude lines 24°, 30° and 36°. Longitude lines 64°, 70° and 76°.
 Q Definitions
 1) Alluvial material: material brought by river.
 2) Alluvial terrace or bar: central high area of doab which has mature type of soil (fine
loamy). It is 10 to 15 meters high separated from old flood plain by a slope called
scarp or bluff.
 3) Alluvial fans: are found along foot of Kirthar Mountains in Sindh. During rainy
season hill torrents (sudden flow of water) bring lot of silt, sand, gravel and rock

material. At foot hill torrent slowdowns and deposit the material. Torrent split in
many channels spread over 2 to 4 miles forms a sharp of Chinese fan called alluvial
fans.
 4) Alluvial cone: an alluvial fan with steep slope.
 5) Basin: Natural or artificial depression in land like wash basin.
 6) Braided channel: a steam with a wide, shallow channel split in two or more
channels due to hurdle in the path. Split channels merge (join) again.
 7) Boulder: any large, detached, generally rounded mass of rock.
 8) Catchment area: the total area drained by a river and its tributaries.
 9) Doab: The land between two adjacent rivers is known as doab or interfluves.
 10) Drainage: The natural runoff (flow) of water from an area by streams and rivers.
 11) Delta: is the mouth of the river. River is divided into number of distributaries
(channels) before joining sea called delta.
 12) Glacier: A large mass of snow over huge area formed by consolidation of snow
falling.
 13) Gradient: slope.
 14) Gully: a narrow channel set up in earth by the action of water.
 15) Gorge: a rocky walled, steep (sharp) sided deep narrow river valley.
 16) Hamun: Shallow salt lake with inland drainage found in Balochistan Plateau.
 17) Levees: are naturally built river bank by slow deposition of silt along sides.
 18) Meander: curves in the natural course (path) of a river known as meander.
 19) Mangrove swamp: trees grown in tidal mud in delta.
 20) Oxbow lake: The small horse shoe shaped lake which is formed by the separation
of a meander form its main stream is known as oxbow lake.
 21) Plateau: is large stretch of highland which is practically at the same height above
sea level. It descends on all sides to lower land.
 22) Pass: a route over or through mountain.
 23) Ravine: a small, narrow valley with steep sides, larger than a gulley.
 24) Rugged: uneven, rough and irregular surface.
 25) Relief: is the degree of unevenness or land form.
 26) River bed: the channel in which river flow.
 27) River basin: all area drained by river.
 28) Runoff: all the water flowing from drained area. Flow of water.
 29) Silt: fine particles larger than clay.
 30) Shale: a fine grained sediment rock formed largely by hardening of clay.
 31) Swamp: wet and spongy land saturated with water.
 32) Terrain: an area of land in respect of its physical characteristics or conditions.
 33) Tributary: a stream or river flowing into large river.
 34) Tidal flat: an area of sand or mud uncovered at low tide.
 35) Undulating: wavy form of land.

Forest
1. Forest are extensive continuous area of land dominated by trees
2. The desire level of forests is 20-30 percent of the total area of a country in Pakistan only 4.8
percent of the total area is forested which is very low
3. There are two type of forest in Pakistan productive forest and protection forests
4. One third of the forest area in Pakistan is covered by productive forest canopy is closed
5. Productive forest have great commercial values and they are mainly used for extraction of
timber and other product
6. Protection forest are mainly planted by people and are usually linear
7. They include amenity planting along road , in the park or along railway line
8. From ecological point of view they help to maintain a balance in the environment by
checking pollution and protection the soil from erosion by wind or water and intercepting
rainfall particularly on sloping ground
9. Decomposition of leaves helps in human formation which maintain the fertility of the soil
this ensures food supply to millions of people
10. From a commercial and industrial point of view forest provide raw material to various
industries e.g. timber, paper
11. There are many employment opportunities that depend on the forest
12. The type and disruption of the forest are closely linked to altitude
13. Alpine forest grow just below the snow line from 1000 to 4000 meter
14. Below 1000 meters only irrigated plantation only have good species of wood
15. Forest in Pakistan range from alpine range in the extreme north to mangrove vegetation in
the south the density and type of forest are closely linked to amount of rainfall, the
temperature, the altitude, and the type of soil
16. Area with different altitude have different type of forest
17. Higher precipitation in the northern mountain encourage the growth of coniferous ever
green forests
18. Edaphic factors (type of soil) also determine the type and density of forests in different
areas of Pakistan
19. Coniferous forests grow in the northern areas Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,
rawalpandi,Islamabad,muree and the Baluchistan hill
20. They consists of species like spruce and fir in high altitude areas which have adopted to the
severe climate condition and often to poor soil
21. Coniferous trees are softwood and they are used to make paper
22. After the foliage and bark have been removed from the truck the wood in the ground up
and treated with chemical to produce the pulp needed to make paper

23. Coniferous trees adapt to the cold climate
24. Most trees are easily damaged or killed by salt water but mechanism have evolved in
mangroves that enable these trees to thrive in it
25. There root work as filter
26. The damage to the costal ecosystem of Pakistan needs to be addressed promptly
27. There is a low discharge of water from the river into the sea
28. The slit together with the flow of fresh water contributes to the fertility expansion of the
delta and the growth and sustainability of mangrove and marine habitat
29. More over fishing communicates experience the worst disaster when tropical cyclones hit
costal areas
30. The losses could have been fringed with mangroves
31. Mangroves provide a nursery for shrimps,craps and several species of fish
32. Wood is a required material for building. Bus bodies, boats, and railway coaches
33. also consume wood. As a result, forests are cut down to meet the demands of
34. industry.
35. In Pakistan, nearly 50% of heating and cooling requirements are met by 20.88
36. cubic meters of fuel wood every year.
37. 76% of rural population demands on wood for heating and cooking which results
38. in excessive cutting of trees.
39. Overgrazing of land by cattle, goats and sheep has also converted sub-tropical
40. scrub forest and tropical thorn forest areas into deserts.
41. Reckless cutting of trees or firewood or any other commercial purposes can
42. result in deforestation.
43. Deforestation has a very harmful effect and can cause destruction and
44. degeneration of our environment and loss of food and resources.
45. It exposes the soil to the forces of wind and water especially on the foothills of
46. the mountains.
47. Due to soil erosion, the upper layer of the soil gets eroded leaves behind infertile
48. coarse of sand. And with heavy rainfall, the water gushes large amounts of silt
49. and sand down with it.
50. With no trees to stop the water flow, the surface run-off may cause heavy floods.
51. Large amounts of silts from the Northern mountains are also carried down and
52. they accumulate in the reservoirs of the dams.
53. This reduces the capacity of the reservoirs and disrupts the generation of
54. hydroelectricity.
55. Deposition of silt also harm fishers and blocks irrigation canals. Continues
56. disruption of water badly affects crops and the food population is reduced.
57. Cutting of the trees disturbs the natural environment. The natural habitat is
58. destroyed which is results in the extinction of several valuable species.
59. With less vegetation, there is less evaporation. The climate changes, resulting in
60. less rainfall which may lead to lower crop yields.

61. In Pakistan, there is already meagre amounts of forests and under constant
62. stress due to reckless and unauthorized cutting of trees.
63. There is a strong need to stop deforestation and to manage the forest resources
64. on scientific basis by implementing afforestation/ reforestation programmes.
65. Once an area is cleared of its vegetation, it takes a lot of effort and money grow it
66. back.
67. The following measures could help solve the problems caused by deforestation:
68. 1. Suppling irrigation facilities to the deforested areas with effective
69. enforcement of regeneration programmes.
70. 2. By reserving land for fuel wood plantation only.
71. 3. Creating awareness among the people by the government agencies.
72.
73. 4. By supplying natural gas to northern areas will make life easier for the
74. population and will eventually help to ease the pressure on the environment.
75. 5. By improving the techniques of raising nurseries and planting trees.
76. 6. Forest management should try to find ways to find ways to make forestry
77. more sustainable:
78. a) Ensuring that logging companies only use selective cutting methods.
79. b) Restricting the use of bulldozers and heavy destructive machinery in forests
80. c) Strict enforcement of forest laws.
81. d) Enforcement of village/farmforestry programmes.
82. e) Urban forestry programmes which include planting of trees along the main
83. roadsides and in open spaces.
84. Planting fruit trees on the slope of hills would provide food to the local people and
85. would help to protect the soil as deforested slopes are more susceptible to wind
86. and water erosion.
87. Steps are cut into steep hillsides and the front of each flat terrace is edged with
88. mud or stone walls known as bunds.
89. The bunds hold back the water and soil.
90. The crops are planted parallel to the contours on the side of the hill.
91. Strip farming is when two or more crops are grown in the same field.
92. Sometimes one crop may grow under the shelter of a taller crop for the of
93. protection.
94. Afforestation programmes may consist of:
95. 1. The selection of areas to be afforested
96. 2. The management of plantation
97. 3. The development of ways of using forest products
98. Small nurseries producing seedlings are spread throughout the product area.
99. The project officers are responsible for suppling plant seedlings from the
100. nurseries, for protection of the afforested areas and for carrying out planting.
101. They motivate the local communities to plant trees by providing specialized

102. knowledge of, assistance with, forest management and the collection of data on
103. afforestation.
104. The Government of Pakistan as well as NGOs have started a number of
105. important projects such as Tarbela/Mangla Watershed Management Project.
106. Soil conservation, the establishment of orchards and sustainable agricultural
107. systems are the other main components of the project.
108. A mega project in the forestry sector, named “Rachna Doab Afforestation
109. Project” has been started by the Government.
110. An afforestation campaign in Baltistan during 1995 started by AKRSP (Agha
111. Khan Rural Support Programme) was quite successful.
112. As a result of this programme, 830,000 trees were planted.
113.
114. The World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) gave one of
115. the most widely accepted definitions of sustainable development in its 1987
116. report.
117. In the report, it defined,” meet the needs of the present without compromising the
118. ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.
119. This means that the resources should be used in such a way that not only the
120. present generation benefit from them, but the future generations also continue to
121. benefit from them.
122. The forest industry is important to Pakistan. If it is to remain important and
123. possibly expand then it must be managed properly.
124. 1. Trees should not be cut down at a rate faster than they can be replaced.
125. 2. Every tree cut down must be replaced with a sapling from a nursery.
126. 3. When area of forest have to be cut down for essential human requirements such
127. as housing, schools, roads, etc then new areas of forest must be planted to
128. replace them.
Question ans
Q What are linearplantation(Protective forest)?(4)
Ans:Linearplantationmeansthe tree plantedalongthe road,canalsandrailwaylines.Treeshold the
soil andprotect the soil erosion,besideprovideshadow,reducepollutionandincrease afforestedarea.
Q What are productive forest?
Ans:Productive forestismainlynatural forest.Tree densityishigh,have commercial value,source of
timberandfire wood.
Q State two domesticuse of wood.(2) J2007

Ans:Timberisusedforconstructionof houses,forfurniture,doorsandwindows.
Q Explainhowwoodisusedinindustryandtransport.
Ans:Industry:Woodis raw material forfurniture making,paper,matches,andpencils,sportsgoodslike
hockeysticks,batsand rackets.Resinwhichisa fluidintissuesof chirrplantisusedformaking
varnishes.Mazri isusedformakingmats and baskets.Ephedraisa shrubusedinpharmaceutical
(medicine) factories.
Transport:In transportwoodis usedinmakingtruck bodies,railwaycarriagesandsleeper,animal carts,
boatsand bridges.
Q What is sustainable forestry?(3)
Ans:Sustainable forestrymeansthe forestare utilized(used)insucha waythat theyremain productive
for longtime.Whenmature treesare cut new one are planted.
Q What is snowline?(1)
Ans:The altitude (height4500 Meters) above whichsnow remainsthroughoutthe yearonmountain
peaksvegetationcannotgrowabove it.
Q What is snowfield? (1) J2007
Ans:Snowfieldisalarge areacoveredwithsnow all overthe year.
Q Explainwhya large part of northernarea iscoveredwithsnow field.(2)
Ans:Snowfieldexistsover4500 metersbecause of low temperatureduringlongwinter,highsnowfall
take place in these areas,duringshortsummerlittle amountof snow meltsnextwinterbringmore snow
falls,snowgoesonpilingup,turnsintohardice.
Q Explainthe importance of forestforthe conservationof the environmentinPakistan?(3) N99
Ans:(1) Forestcheckssoil erosionandfloods.(2) Forestaddstooxygeninairand reducesairpollution.
(3) Forestprovide home towildlife.(4) Forestreducestemperatureandcausesrainfall.(5) Forestadds
to natural beauty.
Q What is difference betweenafforestationandreforestation?(4)
Ans:Afforestationmeanstogrowforestonan area where there wasnoforest.Reforestationmeans
growingforestondeforestedarea.
Q Why isafforestationcalledalongterminvestment?(2)

Ans:Treestake 10 to 20 yearsto reachmaturityto become economicallyvaluable.
Topic:Alpine forest.
Q At whataltitude Alpinetreesare found?(1)
Ans:From 4000 to 4500 meters.
Q Describe the featuresof Alpinetrees.
Ans:Alpine treesare foundinDir,Chitral,SwatandKohistan.Due toextreme (harsh) weather
conditionsAlpine treesdonotgrowto full heightandhave stunted(undersized) growth.Alpine forest
growsoversmall area and haslittle economicvalue.SilverFir,JuniferandBirchare typesof Alpine
trees.Alpine forestprovidesonlyfirewood.(Alpine treesare actuallyconiferoustreesgrow above 4000
meters).
Topic:Coniferousforest.
Q At whataltitude coniferoustreesare found?(1)
Ans:From 1000 to 4000 meters.
Q Name the typesof coniferoustrees.
Ans:Fir,SilverFir,Spruce,Birch,Deodar,Pine,Larchand Junifer.
Q Name the placeswhere coniferoustreesare foundinPakistan.
Ans:Abottabad,Mansehra,SwatinK.P.K.Rawalpindi,IslamabadandMuree inPunjab.QuettaandKalat
inBalochistan.
Q How coniferousadoptedthemselvesaccordingtothe climate of northernareas?(3) J2006.
Ans:Coniferoustreeshave thickbarktoprotectthemfromlow temperature,needlelike leavesreduce
transpiration,slopingbranchesslidessnow,longshallow rootsprovide strengthagainstwindsand
absorbwater.Evergreenleavesof coniferoustreessave energy.
Topic:Tropical thorn forest.
Q Describe the featuresof tropical thornforest.
Ans:These are lowheight,thornyhardwoodtrees.Theyare alsoknownasRakh. These treeshave long
roots sotheycan live onverysmall amountof water.These treesare 6 to 10 metershigh.Acaciaand
salvadoraare common typesof treesfoundintropical thornforestusedasfirewood.
Topic:Sub-Tropical ScrubForest.

Q Name the placeswhere Sub-Tropical ScrubForestare found?
Ans:These forestsare foundinSulaimanrange,Kirtharrange andfoothillsof lowerHimalayas.These
treesare also foundinwesternmountains(Peshawar,KohatandMardan).
Q What are the mainfeaturesof Sub-Tropical ScrubForest?
Ans:Sub-Tropical ScrubForestare broad leafedthornytrees.Sub-Tropical ScrubForestare usedas
grazingplace and provide fire wood.
Topic:RiveraintreesorBelaForest.
Q At whataltitude riverainforestfound?
Ans:Below1000 meters.
Q Describe the featuresof riverainforest.
Ans:Riverainforestisfoundalongthe banksof riverIndusandits tributarieslocallyknownasBela.It
mostlycoversactive floodplain.Babul,Shisham, Willow,DhrekandJhandare commontypesof trees
usedas firewood.woodof Shishamtreesisusedformakingfurniture.
Topic:Mangrove forest.
Q Name the type of mangrove trees.
Ans:Timar, Kirani andkunni.
Q Why thistype of forestare foundalongcoastal areas?
Ans:Mangrove forestgrowsin coastal areas,whichare drainedbybothfreshriverwaterand saltysea
water.These treescanlive inSaltyseawater.The roots of Mangrove treescan filterthe salt.Treeshave
stunted(slow) growthdue towaterpollution.Treescangrow upto 8 metersincase of favorable (good)
conditions.
Q Name the areas where Mangrove treesare found.
Ans:Indusand Hub delta.
Q What are advantagesof Mangrove trees?
Ans:(1) Mangrove treessupplyfire wood(2) material tomake huts(3) Mangrove treesprovide breeding
place for fishandshrimps.Fallenleavesof Mangrove providenutrients(food) tofish.(4) Rootsof
Mangrove treesprotectsmall fishfrompredators(bigfish).(5) Camel andlive stockfeedsonleavesof
Mangrove trees.(6) Mangrove protectscoastsfrom erosionandhighseawaves.(7) Mangrove trees
reduce carbon-di-oxide fromatmosphere.

Q Why area of Mangrove foresthasdecreasedinrecentyears?
Ans:Carelesscuttingof treesforfirewoodandtimber,overgrazing,oilspillsandwaterpollution
damagesMangrove trees.Deforestationof mangrove isdone tomake roadsand housing.
Topic:Irrigatedforest.
Q Why Pakistanneedstoincrease the areaof irrigatedforest?
Ans:In Pakistanlessthan5% of area iscoveredwithforest.There isshortage of woodinPakistan.
Rainfall islowinIndusplain.Tofulfill the needsof firewoodandtimberirrigatedforestare grownwith
the helpof irrigationfacilities.
Q Describe the mainfeaturesof irrigatedforest.
Ans:valuable typesof treeslike Shisham, Babul,Jhand,andEuclyptusare growntoprovide firewood
and timber.
Q Name the placeswhere irrigatedforestare grown.
Ans:Changa Manga near Lahore,Chichawatni,Khanewal,Bahawalpur,TaunsaBarrage and Ghuddu
Barrages.
Q Explainthe advantagesanddisadvantagesof developingmore irrigatedplantationinIndusDelta?
Ans:Advantages:Provide timberforfurniture,constructionandfirewoodforfuel,Fodderforanimal,
honeyandfruitfor people,leave falladdshumustothe soil,protectsoil erosion,eucalyptustrees
reduce waterloggingandsalinity,provide natural home forwildlife,decreasepollution,provide oxygen,
adds toscenicbeauty.
Disadvantages:Highcostandit is long-terminvestment,costof lookingafterare high,needirrigation
and farmlandcan be usedforgrowingcrops andproblemsare causedby roots.
Q Why irrigationnecessaryfornewplantation?
Ans:(1) Rainfall islowandevaporation-transpirationrate ishighinIndusPlain(2) rainfall inonly
seasonal,(3) irrigationkeepthe soilwetpreventsoil erosion(4) Plantsneedwatertogrow.
Topic:Deforestation.
Q State the causesof deforestation.
Ans:(1) Deforestationisdone forfirewoodandtimber(2) landisclearedforfarm land(3) urbanization
or constructionof dams (4) for establishmentof roadorminingactivity(5) deforestationforraw

material forindustry(6) overgrazingbylive stock,droughts(7) forestfire andflashfloodalsoreduce
forestarea.
Q How soil can be preservedindeforestedareas?
Ans:By makinghill terracing:Stepsare made alongslopesof hills,edgesof terracedfieldsare linedwith
stonestopreserve soil.(2) Ongentle slopescropsare cultivatedknownascontourploughinghelpsto
reduce erosion.(3) Instripfarmingsmall cropis grownbetweenlarge crops tocoversoil.(4)
Afforestationalsohelpstochecksoil erosion.
Q What problemsare causedbydeforestationinmountainareasfor(a) communication(b) farmingin
valley(c) hydro-electricity?
Ans:Communication:Deforestationcauseslandsliding.Roots of vegetationbind(hold) soil.Inthe
absence of tree coverlandslidesandblocksroads,damage polesof telephoneandelectricity.
Valleyfarming:Surface runoffincreasesbecause floodinginvalleyalsocausessoil erosionmake itunfit
for farming.Muddywaterisundrinkable forfarmanimalsandpeople.
Hydro-electricity:deforestationcausessoil erosionandsiltationof damswhichreduceswaterstorage
capacityand electricproduction,mayblocktunnelsandmachineryof dams.
Q How deforestationcancause soil erosion?
Ans:Soil isexposeddue todeforestationandthere are norootsto holdsoil soit iswashedawayby rain.
Loss of nutrientsiscauseddue toerosionandhumusis notaddedbecause noleaf fall,littlechance of
growthof newplants.
Q Explainwhydryclimate of Balochistanincreasesthe riskof soil erosion?(3)
Ans:The landof Balochistanisbare of vegetation,overgrazingiscommonandre-growthof vegetationis
slow,drysoil isblownawayby wind.
Q Where doeserodedsoil goto?
Ans:Windblowsitintodunesor foothill,watertake itinriversor ditches.Itmaydrain indam or lake.
Q Describe the distributionof natural andirrigatedforest.(4)
Ans:Coniferousforestisfoundinnorthernandnorth-westernmountains. Gilgit,Chitral,Swat,Murree,
Abbotabad,Mansera,Nathiagali,andKhaghan.ConiferousForestisalsofoundinWaziristan,Quetta,
PishinandZiarat.Below1000 meterssub-tropical dryforestinRawalpindi,Attock,Peshawar,Mardan

and Kohat.Mangrove forestisfoundinIndusand Hab delta.IrrigatedforestisfoundinChangaManga,
Khanawal,Taunsa,Bahawalpur,Guddubarrage andHyderabad.b
Fishing industry
Topic: Marine fishing.
Q What is meant by subsistence fishing?
Ans: Subsistence fishing is done on small scale to fulfill (meet) family food needs. Traditional
wooden sail boats and nets are used. There is little surplus (extra) fish catch to earn (make)
money.
Q What is commercial fishing?
Ans: Commercial fishing is carried out at large scale, usually mechanized boats and large
nets are used. Fish catch is on large scale to earn (make) money.
Q Names the types of marine fish caught from coastal areas of Pakistan.
Ans: Shark, drum, croaker, skates, ray, herring, mackerel, sardines, shrimps and octopus.
Q Name the fishing tools used for fishing.
Ans: Nets, floats, winches, fishing rods, nylon rope and hooks.
Q Name the major fish importers of fish from Pakistan.
Ans: Srilanka, China, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, United Kingdom, U.S.A, Germany and France.
These countries import only marine fish.
Q Name the main fishing months in Pakistan.
Ans: The peak fishing months are October and November for shrimps. From November to
January other types of fish are caught from sea.
Q Name the largest fishing products of Pakistan.
Ans: Shrimps.
Q Why fishing is not practiced from many to September in coastal areas?
Ans: Due to rough sea in Monsoon season and restriction from government due to
breeding season.
Q Name the fishing ports of Balochistan.
Ans: Jiwani, Gawadar, Pasni, Ormara and Sonmiani.
Q Why fish is so plentiful in the mangroves of the Indus delta coast? (4) N2002
Ans: Fish are plentiful in the Indus delta coast because river Indus brings enough quantity
(amount) of fish food. Mangrove forest provides breeding place for shrimp and fish. Falling
leaves and fruit of mangrove provide nutrients (food) to fish. The roots of mangrove protect
small fish from predators (big fish). Roots of mangrove also trap nutrients brought by river.
Q What are uses of fish?
Ans: Fish is source of nutritious (healthy) white meat and has low cholesterol. Oil extracted
(taken out) from fish is source of nutrition. Fish waste is used to make fertilizer and poultry
feed.
Q why fish catch is more in Sindh coast than Balochistan?

Ans: Sindh coast has many creeks rich in nutrients have plenty of fish. Sindh coast has wide
continental shelf with shallow water fishing activity is easier. Indus delta along Sindh coast is
rich in nutrients (food) brought by river Indus. Commercial fishing is common along Sindh
coast. Sindh has better fish processing facility.
Q How fish can be stored and processed?
Ans: (1) Fish can be stored in ice storages or refrigeration facility. (2) Fish can be salted and
dried. (3) Fish can be packed in canned form after processing. (4) Fish oil can be extracted
from fish and fish meat can be frozen.
Q Compare Gill-netter with traditional sail boat?
Ans: Gill-netter are mechanized boats can travel 50 to 60 km in sea. It can stay in sea for
many days. It has cold storage. Winches are used to pull long nets. Navigations system,
sonar and wireless system are also equipped (set) in Gill-netter. Traditional sail boats can
travel 3 to 5 KM in sea. Traditional sail boat has to return before evening, it can catch little
amount of fish used for subsistence fishing.
Q Name fish harbor (ports) located on Sind coast.
Ans: Karachi and Korangi fish port.
Q Describe how marine fishing methods can be improved.
Ans: (1) Boats with engine can go further in sea and can stay for longer time in sea. (2) Cold
storage in boats can keep fish fresh. (3) Winches in boats can pull long net from sea along
with fish. (4) Sonar can be used to locate fish. (5) Bigger and stronger nets can catch large
quantity of fish. (6) Radio can be used for communication (contact) in case of emergency. (7)
Fishermen can use modern fishing methods by education and training. (8) Weather forecast
can warn about bad weather.
Q Why fish processing called value added? (1)
Ans: Fish processing increases profit many times.
Q Why weight of marine fish catch has decreased?
Ans: (1) Overfishing has decreased quantity of fish catch in sea; many types of fish have
became extinct. (2) Water pollution and oil spills have affected fish production. (3) Loss of
breeding areas and shelter due to deforestation of mangrove forest. (4) Fishing is closed in
breeding season. (5) Fishing on large scale by foreign boats in marine water of Pakistan. (6)
There is a ban on canned fish of Pakistan by Western countries.
Q How does poor infrastructure of Balochistan is handles in development of fishing
industry?
Ans: (1) Poor roads and no railway line on Makran coast is hurdle in transport of fish
products. (2) There is lack of electricity supply for processing. (3) Marketing is difficult due to
poor telecommunication system. (4) Lack of training and education is hurdle in adopting
modern fishing methods. (5) There is lack of clean water for processing.
Topic: Inland fishing.
Q Differentiate between marine and inland fish.
Ans: Marine fishing is done in water sources or reservoirs in the interiors of the land like
rivers and lakes etc.
Q Name the type of inland fish.

Ans: Rahu, Phalla, Thalla, Manaseer, Carp, Trout, Gulfam in Punjab, carp in Sindh.
Q Name the fishing centers.
Ans: (1) Manchar lake in Dadu (Sindh) (2) Haleji and Kairi lakes in Thatta (Sindh) (3) Kotri and
Sukkur Barrages in Sindh. (4) Lakes of Mangla and Tarbela dams. (5) Chotiari dam in
Sanghar (Sindh) (6) River Indus and its tributaries.
Q Why more people are employed in inland fisheries?
Ans: (1) More people live near rivers and lakes are busy in fishing activity. (2) Workers are
needed in maintenance of fish farm. (3)A large number of people are employed in
hatcheries. (4) Workers needed for feeding and catching fish from fish farm. (5) Workers are
employed in transport and marketing of fish and its products. (6) Government is also
encouraging inland fishing by providing loans and technical help.
Q What are advantages and disadvantages of developing fishing industry?
Ans: Advantages: (1) Fish is source of healthy food rich in protein. (2) It creates employment
and increase income of people. (3) Fishing industry increase exports and make foreign
exchange, e.g. Shrimps are exported to Japan, dried fish to Middle East and Srilanka. (4)
Fishing cause growth of industries like boat making and fish processing. (6) Fishing is
sustainable and fee source of food.
Disadvantages: (1) There is lack of skilled and trained labor. (2) Technology used for fishing
is costly. (3) There is problem of overfishing. (4) Canned fish from Pakistan is banned in
western countries. (5) Profit is not large and is delayed.
Topic: Fish farms.
Q Define Aqua culture.
Ans: Developing fish farming.
Q Describe fishing methods used in fish farm. (4)
Ans: Pond are prepared, cow dung or fertilizer is kept for decomposition to increase
nutrients. Insects are kept for fish food. Small fish are brought from hatcheries and kept in
fish farm. Regular feed in provided with poultry waste. Different species are kept in separate
pounds. Health of fish is checked regularly. Level of water is checked and water is cleaned.
Fish are transferred to ponds according to size. Fully grown or marketable size are caught by
nets and sold in fish market.
Q What is favorable condition for fish farming?
Ans: Soft mud makes it easier to dug ponds of fish farm. Nearby canals provide water. Tube
well can be used if electricity is available. If big city is located in nearby then marketing is
easier.
Q Why is fish farming of growing importance in Pakistan?
Ans: Fish farming is importance due to growing demand (needs) of fish by large population.
Fish provide white meat rich in protein and free of cholesterol. It is believed that fish form
gives more profit. Government encourages (support) fish farming.
Q What are disadvantages of fish farming?
Ans: In fish farms Sub soil water is pumped out can lower water table, chemical feed can
cause pollution. Fish farming can cause water logging and salinity.
Q Name the most common fish kept in fish farm.

Ans: Rahu.
Q State the three ways in which the fish farm owners can improve the site of fish farm.
Ans: Separate ponds should be used for different species of fishponds should be lined with
bricks to prevent loss of water. Trees along bank should be planted for shade. Ponds should
be full of water for healthy growth of fish.
Q What are steps taken by government to promote fishing?
Ans: (1) A.D.B.P (Agricultural development bank of Pakistan) provides loans to fisher men. (2)
Provincial fisheries department provide technical help. (3) Government has set up hatcheries
to provide small fish to fish farms. (4) Fisheries training centers are set up to provide training
to fisher men. (5) Cold storages are setup for fish storage. (6) Processing centers are set up
for cleaning, preserving and packing fish. (7) Government has set up fish ports at Pasni,
Gawader, Korangi and Karachi. Increase of per capita use of fish. There is increase in type of
fishing products. Government has taken steps to improve socio-economic conditions of the
fishermen's community.
Q Name the sports fish.
Ans: Trout.
Q Describe fishing industry of Makran coast with reference to methods of fishing, ports and
uses of fish caught. (6)
Ans: The Makran coast is about 600 Km in length. It covers two-third of Pakistan coast. Only
one third of marine fish is caught from Makran coast. Fishing is the main job of people living
along Makran coast. Mostly subsistence fishing is common. Commercial fishing is also done.
Gawadar, Pasni, Ormara, Sonmiani are the main fishing ports set up along Makran coast.
Herring, mackerel, sardine and shark are common type of fish caught from here.
Q Name the type of fish caught along Indus Delta.
Ans: Crab, lobster, prawns (jinga) and sardines.
Q What steps are taken by government to develop fishing industry along Makran coast?
Ans: Government has set up Gawadar and Pasni fish ports with the help of Asian
development bank, ice factories and cold storages are set up for fish storage. Loading,
unloading and docking facilities are provided.
Q What are advantages and disadvantages of developing fish processing industries in the
ports of Balochistan? (6) 2011
Ans Advantages: (1) Fish processing industry could stimulate fish industry and port facilities.
(2) Processing industry in ports of Balochistan would reduce transportation charges of fish
because there would be no need to transport fish to Karachi. There will be no delay in
orders.(4) It will add to value of fish.(5) create jobs for locals will increase their income and
living standard.(6) It will increase investment and establishment of infrastructure like power,
roads, telecommunication.
Disadvantages: There is lack of infrastructure like road, power and water. Small market is
available in Balochistan. There is long distance to the main urban centers like Karachi. There
is lack of investment. Canned fish of Pakistan is ban due to poor quality. Fish Processing can
cause pollution. Climate of Balochistan is unfriendly for fish processing industry.
Hatchery: an establishment where fish eggs are hatched.

Water
opic: Rivers.
Q What is importance of rivers?
Ans: Rivers provide water for domestic and industrial uses, supply irrigation water from
canals, rivers helps generate (produce) hydro-electricity, rivers adds to scenic beauty of area,
rivers are source of fish and can be used as mean of transport.
Q Describe the drainage (flow of water) pattern of river Indus.
Ans: River Indus is the largest river of Pakistan; water is provided by the glaciers of
Karakoram and Hindukush. After crossing deep gorges (narrow valleys) of Himalayas it turns
south west and enters Pakistan. After entering Gilgit district it is still in deep gorges. Indus
enters in Plain areas of Punjab at Kalabagh then Indus enters in Sindh. Indus forms delta at
Thatta and enters in Arabian Sea after travelling 3180 km.
Q Describe the drainage pattern of rivers of Balochistan.
Ans: Rivers like Zhob, Khandar and Kalachi flows east ward. These rivers join Indus River.
Most of the rivers of Balochistan are seasonal and active in rainy season. Rivers Loralai,
Chakar, Bolan and Mula have inland drainage, these rivers soaked (absorbed) in Kachi sibi
plain. River Hab, Porali, Hingol and Mushkai drains (flow) in Arabian Sea. Many small rivers
flow west ward and drains in salt lakes called Hamun.
Q What are domestic uses of water?
Ans: Drinking, cooking and washing.
Q What are uses of water in industry?
Ans: Water is used in production of thermal power hydro electricity. In food industry water is
used in juices, squashes and soft drinks. In textile industry water is used for washing,
bleaching, bluing and dying. Water in medicine industry is used in injections and syrups. In
steel industry for cooling process.
Topic: Karez.
Q Describe the main features of Karez.
Ans: In the Karez an underground tunnel is dug to reach the water table in the side of the
hill. Water is brought out the surface of land through tunnel. It is like a man made spring of
water. Karez gives continuous (nonstop) flow of water. The vertical shafts are for the
purpose of cleaning and repair of the Karez. Karez are found in Quetta, Pishin and Mastung
valley.
Q What are advantages and disadvantages of Karez? N 2010
Ans: Advantages: Karez provide continuous (nonstop) water supply, stop evaporation, and
make good use of water from mountain.
Disadvantages: Irrigate limited area; repair of Karez is difficult due to lack of skilled labor,
sources of Karez are drying up. There is lack of government investment. Many Karez became
useless because ground water level has lowered due to use of tube well in areas where
Karez are located.
Topic: Persian wheel.
Q Describe the working of three traditional methods of irrigation.

Ans: (1) Persian Wheel: is an old method of irrigation. A number of buckets are attached to
an endless chain (belt) and lowered in the wells. As wheel turns round by animal power,
Water is brought up (fetch) by buckets. The water is led in field through water channels.
(2) Charsa: is a method where animal power is used to pull out the bucket which is hanging
by a rope on a pulley fixed over the well, charsa is not common now a days.
(3) Shaduf or Dhenkli: A bucket hanging with rope on one end of a pole and a weight on the
other end. The pole is used as liver placed near river bank. The bucket is dipped (lowered)
into water by manual labor and the weight at the other end helps in lifting of the bucket.
Only irrigate small area is out of date now.
Q What are advantages and disadvantages of Persian wheel?
Ans: Advantages: Persian wheel is cheap way of irrigation, it can provide water when needed
for crops. Persian wheel is useful in mountainous (hilly) areas due to close water level; it is
suitable for small scale farming.
Disadvantages: Persian wheel can irrigate small areas, lot of effort is needed and it is time
taking.
Q What are advantages and disadvantages of tube well? J 2010
Ans: Advantages: (1) Tube well reduces dependence on rain. (2) Tube well speed can be
controlled. (3) It provides water in large quantity. (4) Tube well reduces water logging and
salinity. (5) Double cropping in a year is possible. (6) Increases yield. (7) Fulfill the need of
high yielding varieties.
Disadvantages: (1) Tube well is costly. (2) It requires lot of electricity and fuel. (3) There is
shortage of electricity in Pakistan. (4) Reduces ground water available. (5) Lack of mechanics
for repair.
Topic: Dams.
Q Describe the distribution (spread) of dams in Pakistan. [5]
Ans: (1) Tarbela dam is on river Indus. (2) Warsak dam is in river Kabul near Peshawar. (3)
Mangla dam is on River Jhelum. (4) Nari-Bolan dam in on river Bolan near Quetta in
Balochistan. (5) Khanpur dam is on river Haro in Hazara. (6) Rawal dam is on river Kurrang in
Islamabad.
Q What are the natural factors favors the construction of dams?
Ans: Suitable place to set up dam should have hilly and mountainous area with a narrow
valley which has steep slopes. Impervious (solid) rocks provide strong foundation and
prevent water soaking. Presence of Perennial River is necessary. There should be high
precipitation (rain/snowfall) in nearby areas.
Q Name two institutions set up by the government to build dams?
Ans: Small dam organization and Water and power development authority (WAPDA).
Q State three problems created due to storage of water in reservoirs (lakes).
Ans: Water logging and salinity are caused due to seepage (leakage) of water from the bed
of reservoir (lakes) and canals. Siltation reduces water capacity of reservoirs. Floods are
reduced so fertile layer of soil is not laid down on plain areas reduce their fertility. Amount
of water in downstream is reduced which is harmful for Eco-system and aqua culture (fish

resource). Storage of water in dams is harmful for delta and mangrove trees because
amount of alluvial material has reduced.
Q what is purpose of multi-purpose dam?
Ans: Dams store water for irrigation, reduce floods, generate (make) electricity and act as a
picnic spot. Dams can be used for aqua culture (fishing) and act as a bridge.
Q Why some hydro-electric power stations in Pakistan have additional dam wall?
Ans: To check silt. If silt is allowed to come in main dam silt will go on settle down in dam
which will reduce storage capacity of dam.
Q What evidence shows that water level in dam is low?
Ans: Dry ground in dams lake, silt, scars at edges, sand and flat land at edges shows that
water level in dam is low.
Q How electricity is transmitted from a dam to consumer?
Ans: Electricity is supplied by transmission lines (electric wires), poles, transformers and grid
stations.
Q Name the farming area irrigated by Warsak dam.
Ans: Peshawar and Mardan.
Q How electricity is produced in dam?
Ans: Tunnels lead water from lake of dam to the turbine. The force of water rotate turbines
which rotate shaft in generator and electricity in produced.
Q Why dams like Warsak dam are difficult to establish?
Ans: Dams like Warsak dam needs large sums of money to set up dam wall, tunnels and
power station. Loans are needed from World Bank and friendly countries. Foreign experts
are needed. Setting up of transmission lines add to the cost.
Q What are advantages of small hydro-electric power (H.E.P) stations?
Ans: Small hydro-electric power projects can be set up in shorter time, less capital is needed,
can be build by Pakistani engineers; many sites (locations) are available for small hydro-
electric projects.
Q Why reservoir of Mangla and Tarbela holds large amount of water?
Ans: These dams are set up in deep, large valleys have steep slopes. These dams have high
dam walls. Large perennial rivers like Indus and Jhelum provides water to Tarbela and
Mangla dams. High rainfall take place in nearby areas and evaporation rate is low.
Q Why Hydro-electric power (H.E.P) is an important source of electricity in northern areas?
Ans: (1) Hydro-electric power is cheap to generate. (2) H.E.P is a renewable resource. (3) No
fossil fuels and thermal power station are available in northern areas. (4) Rivers are available
due to high precipitation and glaciers so H.E.P can be produced. (5) There is lack of
evaporation in northern area and sites for dams like deep valleys with steep slopes are
available. (6) H.E.P does not cause pollution.
Q Why can the supply of power from these stations in northern areas is unreliable? (3) N
2010.
Ans: Machinery of these projects is old and worn off, sometime power lines are damaged
due to snow storms, some time there is shortage of water due to low rain or snowfall,
siltation can reduce storage capacity of small dams, load shedding due to less production.

Q What is siltation how it is caused? J 2001.
Ans: Siltation means settle down of silt, mud and sand on the bed of the reservoir
(dam/barrage). Silt is caused by erosion process of river. Land sliding and soil creep add to
eroded material in rivers. Deforestation in hilly areas increases erosion process.
Q Why siltation a problem?
Ans: Silt brought by river settle down in dam’s bed and reduces its storage capacity as well
making of electricity. Siltation shortens the life of dam. It dam may block tunnels and
damage machinery.
Q How siltation can be reduced?
Ans: Fixing of silt trap in dams, allow free flow of water at low level during flood cleans silt
from reservoir (Dam Lake). Raising height of dam also increases storage capacity.
Topic: Barrages.
Q What is the main purpose of barrages? J 2004.
Ans: Irrigation canals are taken out from barrages. Barrages control floods and store water,
used for fish culture, picnic spot and act like a bridge over river. Some barrages also supply
water to link canals.
Q Describe the changes taken place in lower Indus due to construction of barrages.
Ans: Lower Indus plain has low rainfall. Sukkar, kotri and Ghuddu barrages irrigate lower
Indus plain. Due to these barrages large waster land has been changed into green farms
land, where crops, vegetables and fruit is grown. Villages, towns and big cities are set up in
belt close to these barrages. Roads and railway network is established.
Q Compare the height and length of a barrage with a major dam.
Ans: Barrage is lower in height than dams, barrages are longer than dams, and barrages do
not produce electricity and store less water. Tarbela dam is 9000 feet long and 485 feet high
and has 50km long lake.
Sukkur barrage is 1.6km long and 18 feet high. It has 66 gates.
Q Name and state the location of two barrages.
Ans: Sukkur and Kotri barrages are set up on River Indus in Lower Indus plain (Sindh).
Q State the meaning of the term ground water aquifer.
Ans: Water in subsoil or water found under the surface of land is called ground water
aquifer.
Topic: Canals.
Q Explain the difference between perennial canal and inundation canals.
Ans: Perennial canals supply water throughout the year is takeout from barrages or
headwork. Inundation canals are seasonal canals only active in rainy season. These canals
divert flood water. Length of inundation canals is short.
Q Explain the difference between lined and unlined canals.
Ans: Lined canals are paved (lined) with cement and bricks from inside and bed to check
loss of water through seepage. Unlined canals are without any brick cover inside and bed.
Their bottom and sides are made of earth and soil.
Q Define link canal.

Ans: Link canal transfer water from western rivers Indus, Jhelum and Chenab to eastern
rivers Ravi and Sutlej.
Q Name a link canal.
Ans: Marala-Ravi, Rasul-Qadirabad and Taunsa-Panjnad are link canals.
Q What are advantages and disadvantages of perennial canals?
Ans: Advantages: (1) Provide water when needed and fill the gap of rainfall.(2) Steady and
continuous supply of water.(3) Provide water throughout the year.(4) Provide water in large
quantity.(5) Double cropping is possible.(6) increase yield.(7) less labor in needed. (8) Fulfill
the needs high yielding variety.
Disadvantages: (1) Perennial canals are expensive to set up. (2) Canals may dry up. (3) There
is shortage of water at tail end perennial canals. (4) Unlined canals may cause water logging
and salinity.
Q Describe the distribution of the perennial canals.
Ans: Canal network is mainly set up on Indus Plain because the rivers are widespread in
Punjab. In Sindh province canals are only taken out of Indus river. The flow of canal are
mostly NE to SW in Punjab and Upper Sindh mostly NW to SE in Lower Sindh. In south and
east of highlands no canal is set up. No canals are located in Balochistan, northern and
western mountains.
Topic: Water logging and salinity.
Q Name the project setup to control salinity. J 2002
Ans: Salinity control and reclamation project (SCARP).
Q How Salinity and water logging is caused? N 2002
Ans: Seepage (leakage) of water from unlined perennial canals for long time increases
ground water table. When water table comes close to the surface, the moisture (water)
comes above surface due to capillary action. Water evaporates and a layer of salt left on the
surface is called salinity. Salt left behind after evaporation forms a hard crust on surface so
Soil becomes unfit for crops. Water logging and salinity is caused because farmers use too
much water, Fertilizers add to salts in soil, Perennial canals water supply is available
throughout the year also causes water logging and salinity.
Q How water logging and salinity can be controlled?
Ans: (1) Lining of canals reduces leakage of water. (2) Canals should be closed when water is
not needed for crops. (3) Setting up of tube well reduces ground water level. (4) Planting
eucalyptus trees which transpire large quantity of water reduces water logging. (5) Making
surface drains (channels). (6) Education to improve farming methods and Government
schemes SCARP is also working to reduce water logging.
Q How have tube well been used to help control salinity?
Ans: Tube well draws out water at double the speed of rising underground water. Tube well
is used to flush (wash) out the salt from the surface of land. Salty water is thrown (poured) in
nearby water channel. Water can be thrown in deep wells made for this purpose. Water
evaporates from these wells then they are covered with soil.
Q Explain problem created by water logging and salinity to farmers.

Ans: Water logging and salinity makes land unfit for agriculture. If water table comes closer
to roots it damage crops and reduce yield. Reduce income of farmers and it is expensive to
recover or treat soil. Salts left behind forms a hard crust (layer) on surface so soil becomes
infertile.
Q Explain why there is a shortage of water for irrigation in Indus Plain?
Ans: Causes of water shortage in Indus plain are (1) Canals are blocked by silt. (2) Lack of
rainfall. (3) High rate of evaporation. (4) loss of water due to seepage from unlined canals.(5)
increasing demand of water for domestic uses due to growing population, demand of water
is also increasing in agriculture and industry.(5) Siltation of dams and barrages have
decreased their storage capacity.(6) large amount of water is used in Punjab so there is
shortage of water in Sindh.
Q suggests why the amount of water stored in the reservoir is decreased? J 2009
Ans: Siltation has reduced storage capacity due to soil erosion caused by deforestation,
overgrazing, less water supply, less rain due to climatic changes, evaporation.
Q To what extent is it possible to increase water supply in Pakistan?
Possibilities: Cleaning of canals and desalination of dams is necessary. Loss of water should
be reduced. More storage facilities should be set up like dams and barrages. Leakage should
be checked by lining of canals. Ration usage means water should be divided between
provinces and users. Control misuse of water by education. Water sources should be
protected from pollution.
Q What can be done to stop the amount of water in the reservoir from reducing further?
Ans: Silt traps in dams, afforestation and terracing in hilly slopes can reduce soil erosion,
removing silt from dams, reduce wastage of water.
Q Name two conflicting users of water supplies in the Punjab. Explain briefly why each user
thinks that they should have more water.
Ans: conflicting users of water: are farmer, industrialist, home-owner, power industry.
Farmers: Reasons for demanding more water because farmers want more water for more
crop production. More food for growing population is needed, farmers wanted to earn
more income. Large amount of water is needed in crops like rice and sugarcane.
Industrialist: wants water for to increase industrial output. More production would increase
trade, exports, industrialist wanted to increase income, example of high usage, e.g. drinks,
chemicals, steel industry.
Domestic users: Home owner wants more water for domestic use – better hygiene, food
preparation, healthy living, example of high usage, e.g. washing, drinking. [5]
Q Explain some causes of water pollution and why it is problem? J 2011
Ans: Causes: Dumping of chemical waste by industry in rivers. Due to lack of sanitation
facilities human waste is drained in rivers without treatment. Pesticides and fertilizers are
also some time drains off in water sources through rainfall. Oil spills through oil tankers due
to accident also contaminate sea water.
Problems: Drinking water is polluted by poisonous chemicals and human waste causes
diseases like cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, diarrhea etc. Water pollution increases cost of
treatment from drinking water, reduces fish production, and can’t be used in food

processing industry. There is risk of smell and malaria from still water. Plastic bags in water
damage crops.
Q Consider the feasibility (possibility) of improving water supply to farmers in Punjab and
Sindh. [6]
Ans: In favor: Rainfall in monsoon season can be stored. Snow melt from mountains bring
water to Indus river system. Government can make more storage like dams and barrages
can build more canals and can use groundwater and can setup more tube wells
Against: Cost of setting up new dams, barrages, canals and tube wells is high. There is Lack
of dams and barrages in Pakistan. Indus Treaty has limits supply of water in rivers. There is
dispute with India over water supply. Lower water table restricts use of groundwater in arid
areas. Water logging and salinity problems are created due to canal system in Punjab and
Sindh. There is lack of electricity and cost of power supplies for pumps is high. Other
problems are e.g. lack of awareness, wastage of water, conflict between provinces
Physics notes
Mid term
2020-21
O1 cs

Geography notes

More Related Content

Geography notes