The Peninsular Plateau – Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats: Long Answer Questions
Medium Level (Application & Explanation)
Q1. Explain the location of the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats with reference to the seas and the Deccan Plateau.
reference
Answer:
- The Peninsular Plateau lies between two seas.
- The Arabian Sea is on the west. The Bay of Bengal is on the east.
- The Western Ghats run along the western edge. They face the Arabian Sea.
- The Eastern Ghats run along the eastern edge. They face the Bay of Bengal.
- Both ranges mark the borders of the Deccan Plateau.
- The Western Ghats are continuous and higher. The Eastern Ghats are discontinuous and lower.
Q2. Describe how the Western Ghats differ from the Eastern Ghats in height, continuity, and slope.
Answer:
- The Western Ghats are higher than the Eastern Ghats.
- They form a continuous mountain wall.
- The Eastern Ghats are discontinuous and broken in many parts.
- The Western Ghats slope gently eastwards toward the Deccan Plateau.
- The Eastern Ghats are not as high and show gaps due to river valleys.
- Overall, Western Ghats are steeper on the west and more rugged.
Q3. How do the Western and Eastern Ghats mark the edges of the Deccan Plateau? Explain their role in shaping the plateau.
Answer:
- The Western Ghats form the western boundary of the Deccan Plateau.
- The Eastern Ghats form the eastern boundary of the Deccan Plateau.
- Together, they act like natural walls on both sides.
- They give the plateau a distinct shape and clear edges.
- They separate the coastal plains from the interior plateau.
- This layout affects transport, settlements, and land use.
Q4. What are Thal, Bhor, and Pal (Palghat) Ghats? Why are such passes important in the Western Ghats?
Answer:
- Thal Ghat, Bhor Ghat, and Palghat Pass are mountain passes.
- They are crossing points through the Western Ghats.
- The Western Ghats are like a continuous wall.
- So, crossings are limited to such passes.
- These passes help in roads, railways, and trade routes.
- They link coastal cities with the Deccan Plateau.
Q5. The Western and Eastern Ghats affect biodiversity and climate. Explain how, with examples from the region.
Answer:
- The Western Ghats are known for rich biodiversity.
- Their continuous high relief supports thick forests and many species.
- The Eastern Ghats are fragmented. They have patchy forests and less height.
- This difference leads to varying habitats on both sides.
- The Ghats also cause climatic variations across regions.
- As natural barriers, they shape rainfall patterns and local weather.
High Complexity (Analysis & Scenario-Based)
Q6. A transport planner must connect a port on the Arabian Sea to a city in the Deccan Plateau. Compare route options across the Western and Eastern Ghats and justify the better choice.
Answer:
- Crossing the Western Ghats is hard due to their continuity and height.
- But there are known passes like Thal, Bhor, and Palghat.
- These passes already host roads and railways. They are tested routes.
- Crossing the Eastern Ghats is easier in parts due to fragmentation.
- But it may not align with a west coast port to Deccan route.
- So, using Western Ghat passes is practical and efficient for this link.
Q7. Two towns lie on the same latitude: one on the west coast, one on the east coast. Using the role of Ghats, explain differences in access and environment.
Answer:
- The west coast town faces the Western Ghats close behind it.
- Access inland needs passes like Bhor or Thal.
- The Ghats act like a barrier, shaping transport and trade routes.
- The east coast town lies near discontinuous Eastern Ghats.
- Access inland can be more direct through gaps and valleys.
- Environmental features differ due to the Ghats’ height, continuity, and relief.
Q8. As a conservation officer, you must prioritize areas for biodiversity protection. Choose between Western and Eastern Ghats and justify, using features from the notes.
Answer:
- The Western Ghats are higher and continuous.
- They support rich biodiversity and varied habitats.
- Their steep slopes and dense forests need more care.
- The Eastern Ghats are fragmented and lower.
- They also need protection but face different pressures.
- Given the notes, the Western Ghats deserve top priority for biodiversity safeguards.
Q9. A student map exercise shows the Narmada River and the Malwa Plateau. Explain how this relates to the Central Highlands and the Peninsular Plateau.
Answer:
- The Central Highlands lie north of the Narmada River.
- They include the Malwa Plateau.
- This area is a key part of the Peninsular Plateau.
- The Narmada acts like a divider within the plateau.
- South of Narmada, the land rises toward the Deccan Plateau.
- This structure clarifies the internal regions of the plateau system.
Q10. A tourism board wants two “scenic corridors” that cross the Peninsular Plateau’s edges. Propose routes and justify with the Ghats’ features.
Answer:
- Route 1: Use Bhor Ghat from the west coast to the Deccan Plateau.
- It crosses the Western Ghats where there is a pass.
- Tourists see steep slopes and lush greenery.
- Route 2: Use a gap in the Eastern Ghats along river valleys.
- It highlights fragmented hills and scenic plains beyond.
- These choices fit the Ghats’ traits: continuous west wall and broken east ranges.