Geography 2023 Paper I 50 marks Discuss

Q3

(a) What are the causes of origin of local winds? Discuss their significance on prevailing weather and climate in various regions, with suitable examples. (20 marks) (b) Define Peneplains. Describe the landscape features associated with peneplains under different geomorphic cycles. (15 marks) (c) What are the factors affecting regional ecological changes? How do these affect human health? (15 marks)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

(a) स्थानीय पवनों की उत्पत्ति के कारण क्या हैं ? समुचित उदाहरण दे कर विभिन्न क्षेत्रों में प्रचलित मौसम एवं जलवायु पर इनके महत्व की चर्चा कीजिये । (20 अंक) (b) समप्राय भूमि को परिभाषित कीजिए । विभिन्न भू-आकृतिक चक्रों के अन्तर्गत समप्राय भूमि के साथ जुड़ी हुई दृश्यभूमि विशेषताओं का वर्णन कीजिए । (15 अंक) (c) प्रादेशिक पारिस्थितिकीय परिवर्तनों को कौनसे कारक प्रभावित करते हैं ? मानव स्वास्थ्य को ये किस प्रकार प्रभावित करते हैं ? (15 अंक)

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Directive word: Discuss

This question asks you to discuss. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.

See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

The directive 'discuss' for part (a) demands critical examination with multiple perspectives, while parts (b) and (c) require descriptive-explanatory treatment. Allocate approximately 40% of time/words to part (a) given its 20 marks, and 30% each to parts (b) and (c). Structure with a brief integrated introduction, then three distinct sections addressing each sub-part sequentially, and conclude with synthesis on human-environment interaction.

Key points expected

Part (a): Thermal, dynamic, and topographic causes of local winds; significance in modifying temperature, humidity, precipitation patterns; examples like Loo, Kal Baisakhi, Chinook, Foehn, Santa Ana, Mistral
Part (a): Distinguish between hot dry winds (Loo, Santa Ana) and cold moist winds (Mistral, Bora); explain seasonal occurrence and diurnal variation
Part (b): Definition of peneplain as near-base level erosion surface; Davisian cycle features (low relief, meandering streams, swampy areas) vs. Penckian cycle features (piedmont treppen, parallel retreat of slopes)
Part (b): Landscape evolution through youth, maturity, old age stages; residual hills (monadnocks); comparison with pediplains and etchplains
Part (c): Biotic factors (deforestation, invasive species), abiotic factors (climate change, natural disasters), anthropogenic factors (urbanization, pollution, land use change)
Part (c): Direct health impacts (respiratory diseases from air pollution, water-borne diseases, heat stress) and indirect impacts (vector-borne disease expansion, food security, mental health)

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Concept correctness	25%	12.5	Precise definitions: for (a) distinguishes pressure-gradient force, thermal expansion, and Coriolis influence on local winds; for (b) accurately contrasts Davis's peneplain (graded to base level) with Penck's endform (piedmont flats and steep slopes); for (c) correctly classifies ecological drivers as biotic, abiotic, and anthropogenic with clear causal mechanisms	Basic definitions present but conflates concepts: mixes up peneplain with pediplain, or treats all local winds as thermally driven without dynamic/topographic distinction; ecological factors listed without clear categorization	Fundamental errors: describes peneplain as 'formed by wind erosion,' confuses Chinook with Foehn mechanisms, or lists health effects without linking to ecological change factors
Map / diagram	15%	7.5	Minimum three relevant diagrams: for (a) annotated pressure-wind relationship or cross-section of valley wind system; for (b) labeled sketch of peneplain evolution through Davisian/Penckian cycles; for (c) flowchart showing factor-disease pathways; all properly titled, labeled, and integrated with text	One or two simple diagrams present but poorly labeled or generic (e.g., standard wind rose without regional application); peneplain sketch lacks stage differentiation	No diagrams, or irrelevant sketches (e.g., world pressure belts for local winds question); diagrams copied without explanation or integration
Indian regional examples	20%	10	Rich Indian specificity: for (a) Loo (NW India, May-June), Kal Baisakhi/Westerly Disturbances (Bengal), Mango showers (Kerala), Nor'westers; for (b) Chota Nagpur peneplain, Mysore plateau, or Rajmahal Hills as residual features; for (c) Delhi air pollution-health crisis, Kerala's chikungunya/dengue expansion, Arsenic in Gangetic groundwater	Mentions India in passing (e.g., 'Loo blows in India') without specific regional locations, seasons, or impacts; peneplain examples from abroad only (Colorado, Appalachians)	Entirely foreign examples (Chinook/Canada, Foehn/Alps, Santa Ana/California) with no Indian content; or incorrect attribution (e.g., 'Mistral blows in Kerala')
Spatial analysis	20%	10	Demonstrates spatial reasoning: for (a) explains why Loo intensifies in May (thermal low over Pakistan-Thar) and Kal Baisakhi forms at convergence of moist Bay air with dry NW winds; for (b) relates peneplain distribution to structural controls (basement complex vs. sedimentary cover); for (c) maps disease belts (malaria in NE, fluorosis in Rajasthan, Japanese encephalitis in UP-Bihar) linked to ecological zones	Describes spatial patterns without explaining underlying processes; lists wind locations or disease areas without connecting to physiographic/climatic controls	No spatial dimension; treats phenomena as placeless or randomly distributed; confuses spatial patterns (e.g., places Loo in Kerala)
Application / policy	20%	10	Integrates applied dimensions: for (a) wind energy potential mapping, agricultural adaptation (orchard heaters for frost protection); for (b) land use planning on peneplains (intensive agriculture vs. conservation of residual hills); for (c) One Health approach, National Action Plan on Climate Change and Human Health, bioremediation strategies, urban greening for heat island mitigation	Brief mention of relevance without specific policy instruments; generic statements like 'local winds affect agriculture' or 'pollution is bad for health'	No applied dimension; purely academic treatment ignoring human welfare implications; or irrelevant policy discussion (e.g., monetary policy for ecological health)

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