UPSC PRELIMS 2026
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jhelum river
Forwarded from PRELIMS 2025
The Salt Range is a mountain range in the north of Punjab province of Pakistan, deriving its name from its extensive deposits of rock salt. The range extends along the south of the Potohar Plateau and the north of the Jhelum River.
πŸͺ΄Bahlul Lodi Pg.no 113 old ncert
Forwarded from PRELIMS 2025 (SP)
Satluj and Beas rivers confluence at Harike, also known as Hari-ke-Pattan, in the Punjab state of India
Kolleru Lake is a natural freshwater lake that is not formed by a single river, but rather it sits between the deltas of the Krishna and Godavari rivers
🌴Additionally, the lake is directly fed by the seasonal Budameru and Tammileru rivers.
🌴The agarwood tree (Aquilaria malaccensis), renowned for its resinous heartwood (oud), is primarily native to the tropical forests of Northeast India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and parts of Southeast Asia
πŸ’India currently has around 150 million agarwood trees, nearly 90% of which are located in the Northeastern states. Through this scheme, Tripura’s production capacity is expected to increase by up to 50%.
πŸ˜„therapeutic properties in ancient Ayurvedic texts, including the Charaka Samhita. It is also mentioned in the 5th century CE poetry of Kalidasa
πŸ€Agarwood figured in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
πŸ€©πŸ‘‰ β€œBy submitting a Non-Detriment Finding, India demonstrated that agarwood trade is sustainable, thereby avoiding scrutiny under CITES’ Review of Significant Trade and enabling regulated export quotas.”
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The Only Ape in India: The Hoolock gibbon is the only ape found in India, specifically in the northeastern states.Species Breakdown: There are two main types of Hoolock gibbons:Western Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock): Found west of the Dibang River.Eastern Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock leuconedys): Found in Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Assam.
πŸ€he Hollong Forest (often referred to as Hollong Tourist Lodge area) is located deep inside the Jaldapara National Park in the Alipurduar district of West Bengal, India. It is renowned for its dense forest, the Hollong River, and as a prime spot for viewing one-horned rhinoceroses and elephants in their natural habitat
Ansupa Lake is a freshwater oxbow lake located on the left bank of the Mahanadi River near the town of Banki in Cuttack district, in the Indian state of Odisha. It is the largest freshwater lake in Odisha and one of the Ramsar wetlands of international importance in India.
😎The Brahmani and Baitarani rivers, along with the Mahanadi, form a large, combined deltaic plain on the coast of Odisha before flowing into the Bay of Bengal at the Dhamra estuary. Together, they form a significant river basin in eastern India, contributing to the biodiversity of theπŸ’ Bhitarkanika mangrove ecosystem
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Beach sand minerals (BSMs) are a suite of seven heavy, industrially valuable minerals found in coastal sediments: ilmenite, rutile, leucoxene, zircon, garnet, sillimanite, and monazite. These minerals are concentrated by wave action and are crucial sources of titanium, zirconium, and rare earth elements, used in paints, ceramics, and aerospace, often along the Indian coast
πŸƒGuatemala is the world's largest producer and exporter of cardamom, supplying over 50% of the global market.
😍Cardamom originates from the lush, evergreen forests of the Western Ghats in Southern India. Known as the "Spice Coast," this region, particularly Kerala, is the native home of green cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum). Today, while India remains a top producer, the largest exporter is Guatemala, with significant production also in Sri Lanka and Tanzania.
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πŸ¦…Mahabaleshwar
Famous hill station in Western Ghats
Origin of Krishna River
High rainfall zone
πŸ‘‰ Trimbakeshwar

πŸ“Œ Key Points:
One of the 12 Jyotirlingas
Located near Brahmagiri Hills
Origin of Godavari River
πŸ‘‰ Kalsubai Peak

πŸ“Œ Key Points:
Highest peak in Maharashtra (β‰ˆ 1646 m)
Located in Sahyadri (Western Ghats)
Famous trekking peak
πŸ˜„Kudremukh

Means β€œhorse face” mountain
Located in Western Ghats
Known for:
Iron ore deposits
Kudremukh National Park
πŸ‘‰ Doddabetta
Highest peak in Nilgiri Hills
Height β‰ˆ 2637 m
Near Ooty
πŸ‘‰ Baba Budan Giri
Hill range in Chikkamagaluru
Famous for introduction of coffee to India
Named after Sufi saint Baba Budan
πŸ”‘Mullayanagiri is the highest peak in Karnataka, India, located in the Chandra Dhrona Hill Ranges of the Western Ghats (Chikkamagaluru district) at an altitude of 1,930 meters (6,330 ft).
πŸ’πŸŸ’ Final Order (North β†’ South)

πŸ‘‰ Kalsubai β†’ Mahabaleshwar β†’ Kudremukh β†’ Baba Budan Giri β†’ Doddabetta
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πŸ€The Shencottah Gap (or Sengottai Gap) is a crucial, narrow mountain pass in the southern Western Ghats, located near the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border between Tenkasi and Kollam districts
πŸ€ Situated near Sengottai (Tamil Nadu) and Aryankavu/Punalur (Kerala). It lies in the Periyar-Agastyamalai landscape, acting as a link between the Western Ghats and the Cardamom Hills.
Forwarded from GEO-P
why soils in equatorial regions are often not rich, summarized in short points:

High Rainfall and Leaching: Heavy rainfall washes away soluble nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, and calcium.

Rapid Decomposition: Warm, humid conditions break down organic matter quickly, leaving less nutrient accumulation in the soil.
πŸ‘‰πŸ‘‰ β€œDespite heavy leaching, equatorial regions support high biomass due to rapid nutrient recycling, where nutrients are quickly taken up by vegetation and remain locked in biomass rather than soil.”

Soil Erosion: Heavy rains erode topsoil, removing the most fertile layer.

Nutrient Uptake by Vegetation: Dense, fast-growing plants absorb nutrients rapidly, leaving soil nutrient-poor.

Soil Acidity: Many tropical soils are acidic, limiting nutrient availability.

Geological Factors: Soils form from ancient, highly weathered rocks, which are low in essential minerals.

Lack of Volcanic Activity: Fewer inputs of fresh, nutrient-rich minerals from volcanic activity.
πŸ‘‰ β€œIn coniferous forests, acidic organic compounds act as chelating agents, mobilizing iron and aluminium and leading to their downward leaching, a key process in podzolization.”
πŸ‘‰ India’s Adani Power Ltd. built a large coal power plant at Mundra (Gujarat) using advanced β€œsupercritical” technology.
πŸ‘‰ This project was registered under the UN’s climate mechanism (CDM) and could earn carbon credits because it emits less COβ‚‚ than older plants.

πŸ”΅ 1) What is the CDM?

πŸ‘‰ Clean Development Mechanism under UNFCCC

Allows developing countries to run projects that reduce emissions
In return, they get carbon credits (CERs)
These credits can be sold to developed countries
πŸ‘»3) Why Mundra project got CDM status?

πŸ‘‰ The Mundra Thermal Power Station used supercritical tech instead of older tech.

So compared to a β€œbaseline” (subcritical plant), it:

Burns less coal
Emits less COβ‚‚

πŸ‘‰ That difference = emission reduction β†’ eligible for carbon credits

🟒 4) What are carbon credits?

πŸ‘‰ 1 credit β‰ˆ 1 tonne of COβ‚‚ reduced

If plant emits less than baseline
It earns credits
Can sell credits in carbon market
ain sources of sulfur emissions (SOβ‚‚) in India
Coal-based thermal power plants (largest share)
Oil refineries & diesel/petrol use
Industries (cement, smelters, brick kilns)

πŸ‘‰ Key point: When fuel contains sulfur, burning it releases SOβ‚‚ (sulfur dioxide).
Step 1: What is terrestrial radiation?

πŸ‘‰ Earth absorbs sunlight and re-emits energy as infrared (longwave) radiation.

πŸ‘‰ This heat naturally wants to go out to space.
πŸŽ‰πŸ‘‰ Cirrus clouds:

Contain many tiny ice crystals
These:
Absorb outgoing infrared
Re-emit it back downward

πŸ‘‰ Result:
πŸ‘‰ Heat gets trapped (warming effect)

πŸ”΅ Step 3: What CCT changes

πŸ‘‰ CCT introduces particles β†’ forms fewer but larger ice crystals

Effect:
Large crystals:
Fall quickly (gravity)
Cloud becomes thinner & shorter-lived
πŸ”΄ Step 4: How heat escapes

πŸ‘‰ With thinner / disappearing cirrus:

βœ”οΈ Less absorption of infrared
βœ”οΈ Less back-radiation to Earth

πŸ‘‰ So:
➑️ More terrestrial radiation escapes directly to space
πŸŽ―πŸ‘‰ β€œCirrus Cloud Thinning enhances the escape of terrestrial radiation by reducing the density and lifetime of cirrus clouds, thereby decreasing their ability to absorb and re-emit infrared radiation back to Earth.”
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πŸ₯‡coffee grown in Yemen is historically significant and highly prized in the world of specialty coffee.
Why....?
🌿Unique Growing Conditions
πŸͺ‘Yemen's coffee is grown in high-altitude regions (1,000 to 2,500 meters above sea level) with terraced farms on steep mountain slopes.
πŸͺ‘Terraced Farming: Coffee is cultivated on steep, terraced slopes, which help prevent soil erosion and maximize the use of limited arable land.
Geography..
🧢Most Yemeni coffee is grown in mountainous regions such as Haraz, Ibb, Raymah, and Bani Matar.
πŸͺ΄Semi-Arid Climate with Seasonal Rains
✍️Yemen has a dry, semi-arid climate, but its coffee-growing regions receive seasonal monsoon rains, mostly during March to May and July to September.
πŸ₯‚These seasonal rains provide just enough moisture for coffee trees to grow without excessive water, leading to concentrated sugars and stronger flavors in the beans.
πŸ‚The lack of excessive rainfall prevents diseases like coffee leaf rust, which commonly affects coffee plants in wetter climates.
🧣Key Takeaway:
πŸ₯ΈYemen is considered the birthplace of commercial coffee cultivation. The port city of Mocha (Al-Makha) was historically the center of the global coffee trade
🀒Temperature inversion plays a subtle but important role in helping Yemeni coffee grow
πŸ†˜In Yemen’s high-altitude coffee-growing regions, temperature inversion can trap cooler air in the valleys at night. 🧣This prevents the coffee plants from experiencing extreme cold, which could damage them.
πŸ₯Ά India’s coffee is primarily grown in the ecologically rich Western and Eastern Ghats, areas famous for their biodiversity. Karnataka leads in production, contributing 248,020 MT in 2022-23, followed by Kerala and Tamil Nadu
πŸŒΏπŸ‘‰ Coffee in India is not grown in open sun. It is grown under trees (shade-grown).
Two layers of shade:
🀒Upper layer (tall evergreen trees)
e.g., Silver oak
Give broad shade, reduce heat
Lower layer (leguminous trees)
e.g., dadap, erythrina
Fix nitrogen in soil
😭Araku Valley is a scenic hill station in Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sitarama Raju district, located ~120 km from Visakhapatnam. Known for its lush coffee plantations, misty mountains, and tribal culture, popular attractions include the 50-million-year-old Borra Caves
πŸƒThe Western Ghats, which form one of the 25 biodiversity hotspots in the world and Eastern Ghats, provide ideal conditions, withπŸ‘» Arabica thriving in the cooler highlands and Robusta in the warmer, humid regions.😎 India’s Robusta commands top premiums globally, while its Arabica is prized for its superior quality and distinct flavour. India is now one of the world’s leading coffee producers, ranking as the seventh-largest producer of coffee and contributing about 3.5 percent to global coffee production, according to the Coffee Board of India
πŸ‘»India has emerged as a significant player in the global coffee trade, ranking as the fifth-largest exporter of coffee among coffee-producing nations
πŸ˜„Establishment of the Coffee Board

In the 1940s, India’s coffee industry faced a severe crisis, caused by World War II, declining prices, and widespread infestations of pests and diseases. To safeguard and revive the sector, the Government of India enacted the β€œCoffee Act VII of 1942”, leading to the establishment of the Coffee Board of India under the administrative control of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The Board comprises 33 members, including the Chairman, and the Secretary, & the Chief Executive Officer along with representatives of coffee growers, traders, curing units, labor, consumers, state governments of major coffee-producing regions, and Members of Parliament.
♻️#GENERALπŸ•Ά
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