Date: 19-09-2022

Subject- AP GEOGRAPHY
Syllabus- Metals, Clays, Construction Materials, Reservoirs, Dams in AP
Number of questions- Mains: 02, Prelims – 10
Mains Questions of the day:
1. What is tank irrigation? Explain the pros and cons of Tank irrigation.
Introduction:
A tank acts as an irrigation storage system which is developed by constructing a
small bund dearth or stones built across a stream. The water impounded by the
bund is used for irrigation and for other purposes.

Body:
Describe in detail about advantages and disadvantages of tank irrigation.
Conclusion:
Almost 5,194 small and big Tanks are there in the state. Out of these, 38% are
in Coastal Andhra, in Rayalaseema and remains are not in use. Chittoor district
represents for highest number of Tanks and Kurnool district represents for
lowest.
Content:
Andhra Pradesh is the largest state of tank irrigation which has about 29 per
cent of tank irrigated area of India. About 1 6 per cent of the total irrigated area
of the state is irrigated by tanks.
The drainage areas of the Godavari and its tributaries have large number of
tanks. Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and Nellore districts are well known for tank
irrigation.

Advantages of Tank Irrigation

1. Most of the tanks are natural and not expensive for their construction.
Even an individual farmer can have his own tank.
2. Tanks are normally constructed on rocky bed and have a long life.
3. In many tanks, fishing is also done. This supplements both the food
resources and income of the farmer.
Drawbacks of Tank Irrigation:
 1. Major problem with tanks water storage is that tanks dry up during the
dry season and fail to provide irrigation when it is needed the most.
2. Silting of the tank bed is a serious problem and it requires de-silting of
the tank at regular intervals. Much water is evaporated from the large
expanse of shallow water and is therefore not available for irrigation.
3. Tanks cover large areas of cultivable land. In many areas, other sources
of irrigation have been adopted and the dry beds of tanks have been
reclaimed for agriculture.
4. furthermore, lifting of water from tanks and carrying it to the fields is a
tiring and expensive effort which discourages the use of tanks as a source
of irrigation.

2. Discuss in detail about the benefit of Polavaram project.

Pradesh.

Introduction:
Polavaram Project is a multi-purpose irrigation project which has been accorded
national project status by the central government. This dam across the Godavari
River is under construction located in West Godavari District and East Godavari
District in Andhra Pradesh state.

Body:

Describe in detail about the features of Polavaram project.

Conclusion:
The Multipurpose project conferring Irrigation benefits in the upland areas of
Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari and Krishna Districts. It also
envisages drinking water supply to Visakhapatnam Township and other towns
and villages enroute and Industrial water supply to the Visakhapatnam coast
based Steel Plant and other industries in the vicinity, generation of hydro Power,
affording Navigation facilities, development of pisciculture and providing
recreation and other benefits, besides urbanisation.

Content:

1. The project will provide irrigation to 2.91 Lakh Hectares(CCA) and

hydro power with installed capacity of 960 MW apart from 23.44 TMC
(663.7 MCM) drinking and industrial water supply to Vishakhapatnam
township and steel plant and diversion of 80 TMC waters to river
Krishna.
2. The ultimate irrigation potential of the project is 4.368 lakh ha and annual
power generation will be 2369.43 million units. In addition, 540 villages
will also be provided with drinking water facilities in the command area.
3. The project implements Godavari-Krishna link under Interlinking of
rivers project. The project envisages transfer of 80TMC of surplus
Godavari water to river Krishna

4. The Polavaram Project’s Main Three Purposes are 1st Supply Water for
Irrigating these Godavari, Krishna & Utharandhra Districts. 2nd Godavari
ater in diverted to Krishna River for to irrigate high lying lands. 3rd To
more secure the Krishna Godavari Deltas from Drought.

Other benefits of the project:

 Creation of Irrigation potential

 Domestic & Industrial Water supply to the cities, towns & villages en
route and Steel Plant and other industries in the vicinity.
 Utilisation of Hydroelectric Power.
 Development of Pisciculture, Navigation for Mineral & Forest produce
and urbanisation besides tourism with new picnic spots.
  Flood Control: The floods in the Godavari are causing damage to
standing crops and loss of property and cattle-worth several crores in the
plains, with the help of the Polavaram Irrigation Project flow of the river
can be regulated.

 Navigation: The Polavaram Project, in view of the formation of the

foreshore lake and the Left Canal designed for Navigation, facilitates
cheap and quick transport of forest produce and food grains to the
marketing centres and various ores and coal to the industries.

Challenges:

i. Rehabilitation: It has the potential to significantly alter the region's social,

cultural, and economic structure. Forcing people to migrate, particularly
those whose settlement sites and lands remain underwater, has a
detrimental effect on their mentality.
ii. It has the potential to result in the submergence of a significant portion of
its territory, including protected tribal reserves.
iii. The devastation of Nature: As a result of nature destruction, the water
regime may shift, unexpected floods may occur, and flora and natural
structures along riverbanks may be harmed.
iv. Affects Fauna: Territorial animal's normal passageways may be harmed.

Prelims Questions of the day

1. Zangamrajupalle deposits In Kadapa district are related to?

a) Iron
b) Beachsand
c) Lithium
d) Copper

Answer: d

Explanation:
 In the 50 km long N-Strending Zangamrajupalle-Varikunta belt in the
southcentralpart of Cuddapah Basin, lead-zincmineralisation associated with
copper is found atseveral places such as Zangamrajupalle,
Gollapalle,Karredukuppa, Varikunta, Chinnarampadu,Gadageribodu,
Gavulabhavi, Ankireddibhavi,Ambavaram, Nagasanapalle, Kotluru and
Hulurukond.
2. Polavaram project envisages how much transfer of surplus Godavari
water to river Krishna

a) 86TMC
b) 80TMC
c) 96TMC
d) 90TMC

Answer: b

Explanation:

The project will provide irrigation to 2.91 Lakh Hectares(CCA) and hydro
power with installed capacity of 960 MW apart from 23.44 TMC (663.7 MCM)
drinking and industrial water supply to Vishakhapatnam township and steel
plant and diversion of 80 TMC waters to river Krishna.

3. How much percentage of the total irrigated area of the AP state is

irrigated by tanks?
a) 25
b) 26
c) 15
d) 16

Answer: d

Explanation:
Andhra Pradesh is the largest state of tank irrigation which has about 29 per
cent of tank
irrigated area of India. About 1 6 per cent of the total irrigated area of the state
is irrigated by tanks.
4. Andhra Pradesh accounts for how much percentage of barytes in the
country?

a) 66
b) 92
c) 56
d) 36

Answer: b

Explanation:

It accounts for 92% barytes, 40% calcite, 41% mica, 31% each kyanite &
garnet, 19% titanium minerals, 16% bauxite, 15% dolomite, 13% sillimanite
and 12% each vermiculite & limestone resources of the country.
5. Which of the following mineral deposits in AP are associated with copper
deposits
1. Bandlamottu deposit
2. Nallakonda deposit
3. Agnigundala belt

Choose the correct code given below

a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 3 and 1 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: d
Explanation:
In the Bandlamottu deposit, copper-leadmineralisation associated with upper
dolomite/dolomitic limestone could be established over a strikelength of 1200 m
with lodes ranging in width from 1m to 11 m.
In the Nallakonda deposit, coppermineralisation is localised in coarse
grainedcalcareous quartzite found as intercalations within thechlorite
phyllite/argillite
The Agnigundala belt, which hosts important basemetal deposits, is situated
near Vinukonda in thenortheast of Cuddapah Basin.
6. What is the rank of Andhra Pradesh in mica production in India?

a) Second
b) Third
c) First
d) fourth

Answer: c

Explanation:

Andhra Pradesh is the largest producer of mica in India. In Andhra Pradesh,

Nellore district produces the best quality mica. Mica is mainly used in the
electrical and electronic industries. It can be split into very thin sheets which are
tough and flexible.
7. Which of the following types of clay are found in Andhra Pradesh?
1. Alluvial clay
2. Fire clay
3. China clay

Choose the correct option given below

a) 1 and 2
b) 2 and 3
c) 1 and 3
d) 1,2 and 3

Answer: c

Explanation:
All three types are found in AP
8. How much installed capacity of hydro power is planned under
Polavaram project?
a) 960 MW
b) 900 MW
c) 860 MW
d) 800 MW
Answer: a

Explanation:
Indira Sagar (Polavaram) project is located on river Godavari near Ramayyapet
village of Polavaram Mandal of West Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh. The
project is multipurpose major terminal reservoir project on river Godavari for
development of Irrigation, Hydro power and drinking water facilities to East
Godavari, Vishakhapatnam, West Godavari and Krishna districts of Andhra
Pradesh. The project will provide irrigation to 2.91 Lakh Hectares(CCA) and
hydro power with installed capacity of 960 MW apart from 23.44 TMC (663.7
MCM) drinking and industrial water supply to Vishakhapatnam township and
steel plant and diversion of 80 TMC waters to river Krishna. The ultimate
irrigation potential of the project is 4.368 lakh ha and annual power generation
will be 2369.43 million units. In addition, 540 villages will also be provided
with drinking water facilities in the command area.

9. Which state is the leading producer of apatite in India?

a) Gujarat
b) Andhra Pradesh
c) Odisha
d) Rajasthan

Answer: b

Explanation:

Andhra Pradesh is the sole producer of apatite.

10. Andhra Pradesh accounts for how much percentage of mica in the
country?
a) 80
b) 61
c) 41
d) 16
Answer: c
Explanation:
It accounts for 92% barytes, 40% calcite, 41% mica, 31% each kyanite &
garnet, 19% titanium minerals, 16% bauxite, 15% dolomite, 13% sillimanite
and 12% each vermiculite & limestone resources of the country.