Geography, Rivers & Mountains — Set 16

Correct Answer: C. 9.4%

Madhya Pradesh covers an area of approximately 3,08,252 square kilometres, which is about 9.4% of India's total geographical area. MP is the second largest state in India by area after Rajasthan. The state was the largest state in India before Chhattisgarh was carved out in November 2000. MP's central location and large size have earned it the nickname 'Heart of India'.

Correct Answer: A. Godavari

The Wainganga River rises in the Satpura Range in Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh and flows southeastward through eastern MP and Chhattisgarh before joining the Wardha River to form the Pranhita River, which is a major tributary of the Godavari. The Wainganga flows through the famous Pench and Kanha wildlife corridors. Rudyard Kipling used the Seoni forests along the Wainganga as the setting for 'The Jungle Book'. The river is crucial for the ecology of central Indian tiger landscapes.

Correct Answer: C. Satpura Range

Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve is located in the Satpura Range of Madhya Pradesh and encompasses Satpura National Park along with Bori and Pachmarhi wildlife sanctuaries. The biosphere reserve was designated by UNESCO in 1999 and covers an area of about 4,926 sq km. Pachmarhi at 1,067 metres altitude is the only hill station in MP and is famous for its beautiful waterfalls, ancient caves, and diverse flora and fauna. The Dhupgarh peak within the reserve is the highest point of the Satpura Range.

Correct Answer: B. Panna National Park

The Ken River flows through Panna National Park in Panna district of Madhya Pradesh, making it one of the most ecologically significant rivers in the state. The river and its tributaries support the tiger population of Panna Tiger Reserve and provide crucial water sources for wildlife. The proposed Daudhan Dam on the Ken River for the Ken-Betwa River Link Project is located near the boundary of Panna National Park. The Ken River originates in the Vindhya Range and flows northward to join the Yamuna near Banda in Uttar Pradesh.

Correct Answer: C. Sagar

Sagar district in central Madhya Pradesh is known to border the maximum number of other districts in the state due to its central location. Madhya Pradesh has 55 districts in total following various reorganizations. The district of Sagar is strategically located at the crossroads of several major divisions of MP. The centrality of Sagar has made it a significant administrative and commercial hub for the Bundelkhand and Vindhya regions.

Correct Answer: C. Shahdol-Umaria region

The Johila River originates near Amarkantak in MP and flows through the Shahdol-Umaria region before joining the Son River. This region contains significant coal deposits and the Johila Coal Mine is an important source of coal in Madhya Pradesh. The Shahdol district is one of the mineral-rich districts in eastern MP. The Amarkantak area where Johila rises is also significant as it is the origin point of both the Narmada and Son rivers.

Correct Answer: B. Narmada and Son

The Maikal Hills form the watershed between the Narmada River flowing westward and the Son River flowing eastward, both originating from the Amarkantak plateau in this range. The Amarkantak plateau sits at the junction of the Vindhya, Satpura, and Maikal ranges in eastern Madhya Pradesh. The Maikal Hills are covered with sal forests and form part of the larger Central Indian Highlands. This watershed region is ecologically important as it feeds river systems draining into both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.

Correct Answer: C. 25%

Madhya Pradesh has approximately 25.14% of its total geographical area under forest cover according to India State of Forest Report, making it one of the states with the largest forest area in absolute terms. The state has dense forests in the eastern and central parts particularly in Balaghat, Mandla, Seoni, Dindori, and Anuppur districts. MP is home to major forest types including tropical moist deciduous forests with teak, sal, bamboo, and mixed forests. The forests support a rich biodiversity including tigers, leopards, elephants, and numerous endemic species.

Correct Answer: B. Jabalpur

Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh lies very close to the Tropic of Cancer (23.5 degrees North latitude). The Tropic of Cancer roughly bisects India and passes through several states including Gujarat, Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram. In Madhya Pradesh, the Tropic passes through districts like Sheopur, Rajgarh, Raisen, Jabalpur, Umaria, and Shahdol. Being near the Tropic gives this region a hot and dry climate with pronounced summer temperatures.

Correct Answer: C. Narmada

The Narmada River forms a significant part of the natural boundary between Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra in the western section of their shared border. The river's course along the Narmada Valley has historically served as a geographic and cultural divide between the Malwa region to the north and the Deccan to the south. The valley has been a traditional highway for movement between North and South India. Several dams on the Narmada including the Sardar Sarovar (in Gujarat) and Indira Sagar, Omkareshwar, and Maheshwar (in MP) harness the river's hydroelectric and irrigation potential.