RBSE Solutions for Class 11 Indian Geography Chapter 9 Soil of India

Rajasthan Board RBSE Class 11 Indian Geography Chapter 9 Soil of India

RBSE Class 11 Indian Geography Chapter 9 Text Book Questions

RBSE Class 11 Indian Geography Chapter 9 Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
The local soil in India is:
(a) Mountain soil
(b) Sandy soil
(c) Transported soil
(d) Black soil
Answer:
(a) Mountain soil

Question 2.
The most suitable soil for cotton cultivation in India is:
(a) Mountain soil
(b) Black soil
(c) Red soil
(d) Late – rite soil
Answer:
(b) Black soil

Question 3.
Black soil in India is:
(a) Transported soil
(b) Marshy soil
(c) Lava – based soil
(d) Soil formed by weathering
Answer:
(c) Lava – based soil

RBSE Class 11 Indian Geography Chapter 9 Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What is the colour of late – rite soil?
Answer:
The colour of late – rite soil is red, just like a brick.

Question 2.
Where is older alluvial soil found in India?
Answer:
Older alluvial soil is found in flooded regions where overflowing water cannot reach.

RBSE Class 11 Indian Geography Chapter 9 Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What is meant by soil conservation?
Answer:
Soil conservation is an effort for increasing or maintaining the fertility of soil. It is the prevention of soil loss from erosion or reduced fertility Caused by over – usage, acidification, salinization or any other chemical contamination. Slash and burn and other unsustainable methods of subsistence farming are practiced in some lesser – developed areas.

Question 2.
Which type of soil gets renewed in natural form?
Answer:
The alluvial soils are found in the pains. These type of soils are formed mainly due to silt deposited by the rivers. In India, alluvial soils found in the Northern plains were formed due to the sediments deposited by Indo – Gangetic Brahmaputra rivers. In coastal regions, some alluvial deposits were formed due to tidal action. Rocks of the Himalayas form the parent material. Thus, the parent material of these soils is of transported origin.

Question 3.
What is meant by soil erosion?
Answer:
In general, soil erosion can be defined as the wearing away of top soil. Top soil is the top – most layer of soil and it is the most fertile because it contains most of organic nutrient-rich materials. The main causes of soil erosion are soil compaction, low organic matter, loss of soil structure, poor internal drainage, salinization and soil acidity.

RBSE Class 11 Indian Geography Chapter 9 Essay Type Questions

Question 1.
Describe the process of soil-formation. Also explain its types.
Answer:
Soil is the thin layer of material covering the earth’s surface which is formed from the weathering rocks. It is mainly formed of mineral particles, organic materials, air, water and living organisms, all of which interact slowly and constantly.

Types of Soil:
Indian soils have been classified into the following types on the basis of their structure and composition:

1. Alluvial soil
2. Black or Lava soil
3. Red soil
4. Late – rite soil
5. Mountain soil

1. Alluvial soil:
This type of soil is found in the Great Northern plains of India. It is fine grained fertile soil, deposited by water flowing over flood plains, on river beds, and in India, it is spread, in an area of 8 lakh sq. km. Alluvial deposit, alluvial sediment, alluvium, alluvium – clayey or silt or gravel are its other names and it is carried by rushing streams and deposited where the stream slows down.

2. Black or Lava soil:
This type of soil is found in lava region of South India and it stretches in an area of 5 lakh sq. km in India. It is formed by the weathering and cooling down of lava after a volcanic eruption. It is rich in humus, iron, and magnesia, lime and alumina. Since cotton has been the most common traditional crop grown in areas where black soils are found, so it is also called black cotton soil. It is also known as Regor soil. It requires very little irrigation.

3. Red Soil:
It is porous soil. It does not have the capacity to maintain moisture. It needs irrigation after a few days. It is not fertile. It is brownish or reddish in colour. It contains ferrous particles. There are pebbles and stones also found in it. It lacks in calcium.

4. Late – rite Soil:
Its colour is just like a clay brick. There is a primacy of pebbles in it. These types of soils are formed by the fragmentation of old rocks. There is an over – abundance of iron and aluminium, but lack of calcium, phosphorus, nitrogen, sulpher and humus is found. On drying up, it becomes as hard as a stone. This soil is suitable for tea farming.

5. Sandy soil:
Sandy soil is a naturally – occurring granular soil, composed of finally – divided rock and mineral particles. It has abundance of alkaline substances. There is lack of nitrogen and humus in it. Due to its dryness and porous nature, it is always transported. It proves to be fertile in the areas where irrigation facilities are available.

6. Mountain Soil:
It is immature soil which is a mixture of tiny pebbles and stones. Its upper layer is thin as well as acidic. It is formed by smaller and larger particles. In the areas where this type of soil is found, terrace farming is done, under which cultivation of potato and tea is practiced and in the lesser fertile areas, pastures are seen.

Map Based Questions

Question 1.
On the map of India, show the areas of red soil and sandy soil.
Answer:

Question 2.
Show the areas of Black soil and Mountain soil on the map of India.
Answer:

RBSE Class 11 Indian Geography Chapter 9 Other Important Questions

RBSE Class 11 Indian Geography Chapter 9 Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
What per cent of Indian population earns its livelihood from agriculture?
(a) About 50 per cent
(b) About 70 per cent
(c) About 80 per cent
(d) About 90 per cent
Answer:
(b) About 70 per cent

Question 2.
The soil that is formed by the fragmentation of lava is:
(a) Sandy soil
(b) Alluvial soil
(c) Black soil
(d) Mountain soil
Answer:
(c) Black soil

Question 3.
The soil that is found in the flood affected areas of the rivers is:
(a) Older alluvial
(b) Newer alluvial
(c) Newest alluvial
(d) Late – rite soil
Answer:
(c) Newest alluvial

Question 4.
The cotton soil is:
(a) Red soil
(b) Black soil
(c) Mountain soil
(d) Alluvial soil
Answer:
(b) Black soil

Question 5.
The soil that forms due to oxidation:
(a) Newer alluvial
(b) Black soil
(c) Red soil
(d) Late – rite soil
Answer:
(d) Late – rite soil

Question 6.
The deserted soil is called as:
(a) Red soil
(b) Black soil
(c) Sandy soil
(d) Salty soil
Answer:
(c) Sandy soil

Question 7.
The immature soil is:
(a) Older alluvial
(b) Black soil
(c) Late – rite soil
(d) Mountain soil
Answer:
(d) Mountain soil

Question 8.
Where does the most of wind erosion take place?
(a) In plateau areas
(b) In desert areas
(c) In the plains
(d) In mountainous regions
Answer:
(b) In desert areas

Question 9.
The cause of the formation of ‘behads’ is:
(a) Sheet erosion
(b) Contour erosion
(c) Gully erosion
(d) None of these
Answer:
(c) Gully erosion

Question 10.
The land may naturally get renewed by:
(a) Chemical fertilizers
(b) Use of pesticides
(c) Intensive farming
(d) Leaving the land layered
Answer:
(d) Leaving the land layered

Question 11.
The State which is going to be benefited the most from the Indira Gandhi Canal Project is:
(a) Uttar Pradesh
(b) Haryana
(c) Rajasthan
(d) Madhya Pradesh
Answer:
(c) Rajasthan

Matching Type Questions

Question A.
Match Column A with Column B:

Column A	Column B
(i) Older alluvial	(a) Mountainous
(ii) Newer alluvial	(b) Bangar
(iii) Newest alluvial	(c) Black
(iv) Regur	(d) Khadar
(v) Immature soil	(e) Deltaic

Answers:

1. (b)
2. (d)
3. (e)
4. (c)
5. (a)

Question B.
Match Column A with Column B:

Column A (Name of Region)	Column B (Cause of erosion)
(i) Desert of Thar	(a) River based
(ii) Plains region	(b) Oceanic current based
(iii) Coastal areas	(c) Glacier based
(iv) Upper Himalayan region	(d) Wind based

Answers:

1. (d)
2. (a)
3. (b)
4. (c)

RBSE Class 11 Indian Geography Chapter 9 Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What is soil?
Answer:
The upper – most layer of the earth in which plants grow a black, or dark – brown material typically consisting of a mixture of organic remains, clay and rock particles.

Question 2.
What are the controlling factors of soil?
Answer:
The controlling factors of soil are climate, relief, organic – materials, fundamental rocks and time.

Question 3.
How many types of soil are there on the basis of formation?
Answer:
On the basis of formation, there are two types of soil – local soil and transported soil.

Question 4.
What is meant by local soil ?
Or
What is local soil?
Answer:
Due to the seasonal effects, when the fragmented rocks remain at the same place or at a little distance, then the soil formed in this manner is called local soil.

Question 5.
What is meant by transported soil?
Answer:
Transported soils are formed by weathered material deposits, which are transported by natural forces to a new site, away from the place of their origin.

Question 6.
How does the transportation of soil take place?
Answer:
The transportation of soil takes place by the river flow, movement of glaciers, winds, oceanic currents etc.

Question 7.
Why is alluvial soil so important in India?
Answer:
Alluvial soil is the most fertile. The cultivation of grains is very rich in this soil due to its fertility. That is why, the regions of alluvial soil are populated densely. So, it is a very important soil for India.

Question 8.
Where is alluvial soil find in India?
Answer:
Alluvial soil is mostly found in the Great North Indian Plains and the South western coastal plains.

Question 9.
How much area do alluvial soils cover in India?
Answer:
Alluvial soils cover an area of about of eight lakh sq. km in India.

Question 10.
Into how many parts are alluvial soils divided on the basis of geographical conditions?
Answer:
On the basis of geographical conditions, alluvial soils are divided into three parts:

1. older alluvial soil
2. newer alluvial soil
3. newest alluvial soil

Question 11.
What is meant by Bangar region?
Answer:
Bangar is a slightly elevated terraced land of older alluvium soil, and due to its elevation, it is never prone to flooding.

Question 12.
What is Khadar Region?
Answer:
Khadar regions are made of fresh alluvium on low lying flood plains and they are more fertile than Bangar.

Question 13.
Mention the newest alluvial soil areas.
Answer:
The delta of Ganges – Brahmaputra is the newest alluvial soil area.

Question 14.
Why is sufficient humus found in the alluvial soil?
Answer:
Alluvial soils are formed by the deposition of materials brought down by the rivers. This soil has enough quantity of decomposed living organisms and vegetation in it. So, there is sufficient humus in alluvial soil.

Question 15.
How does the natural renewal of alluvial soil take place?
Answer:
In areas of alluvial soils, flooded rivers carry new silt along with them and form new layers of clay. In this way, the renewal of alluvial soils takes place every year.

Question 16.
Describe the formation of black soil.
Answer:
Black soil is formed by the weathering of lava and cooling down of lava after a volcanic eruption.

Question 17.
Where are the black soils found in India?
Answer:
Black soil is mainly found in India in Maharashtra, western part of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, northern Karnataka, Gujarat, South – eastern Rajasthan and western Part of Madhya Pradesh.

Question 18.
Black soils have water – containing capacity for a long period. Why?
Answer:
Due to black soils having enough quantity of a mineral named Montmorillonite, they have water containing capacity for a long time.

Question 19.
Black soil is also called cotton soil.Why?
Answer:
Since cotton has been the most common traditional crop grown in the black soil areas, therefore it is also called cotton soil.

Question 20.
Where are the red soils found in India?
Answer:
Red soils are found in Chhattisgarh, Chhota Nagpur, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Question 21.
How are the late – rite soils formed?
Answer:
Late – rite soil is formed by intensive and long – lasting weathering of the underlying parent rocks.

Question 22.
Where are late – rite soils found in India?
Answer:
In India, late – rite soil is found in the form of a narrow belt from the edge of the Eastern Ghats to Rajmahal Hills and up till Assam proceeding through West Bengal.

Question 23.
What are the responsible factors for the formation of Desert soil?
Answer;
The responsible factors for the formation of desert soil are high temperature, more temperature difference, and physical weathering of rocks.

Question 24.
Where are the sandy soil found in India?
Answer:
In India, sandy soils are found in the areas with dry climate like Western Rajasthan, Saurashtra and the Desert of Kutch.

Question 25.
Why are the mountain soils immature?
Answer:
Mountain soil lacks a well – developed profile, usually because it did not have enough time to develop. Along with this, mountain soil contains broad particles due to which vegetation part is not able to mix into it. So, as they are less – developed, mountain soils are also called immature soils.

Question 26.
What is meant by soil erosion?
Answer:
Soil erosion is the displacement of the upper layer of soil, and it is a form of soil degradation.

Question 27.
In which areas of India is the problem of soil erosion mainly seen?
Answer:
The problem of soil erosion in India is mainly seen in the states of Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar.

Question 28.
What are the problems related to soil found in India?
Answer:
The problems related to soil found in India include soil erosion, loss of fertility, soil pollution, etc.

Question 29.
What is meant by decrease in soil fertility?
Answer:
When the fertility power of soil decreases and it becomes unable to give a rich crop, it is called decrease in soil fertility.

Question 30.
What is green manure?
Answer:
Green manure are cover crops or plants such as gwar, sanai, moong, dhencha, etc. that are left in the field to decompose, reducing the dependence on artificial fertilizers and increasing the soil’s organic matter, and often providing a range of other benefits from preventing soil erosion to detracting the pests.

Question 31.
Where are soil – conservation research centers established in India?
Answer:
The soil conservation research centers in India are established in Dehradun, Kota, Jodhpur, Bellary and Utakamand.

RBSE Class 11 Indian Geography Chapter 9 Short Answer Type Questions (SA-I)

Question 1.
Distinguish between local and transported soils.
Answer:
Differences between local and transported soils are given as below:

Local soil	Transported soil
(i) It is formed at the place of its origin and remains there.	(i) This type of soil is transported by natural forces to a new site.
(ii) The particles of this soil are large.	(ii) The particles of this type of soil are thin and light.
(iii) Local soils are less fertile.	(iii) Transported soil is more fertile.

Question 2.
What is the contribution of soils in growing crops?
Answer:
India is an agriculture-based country and soil is a critical part of successful agriculture and is the original source of the nutrients that we use to grow crops. Hence, in India, the agricultural method adopted etc. fully depend on the type of soil. The quality and composition of soil also controls the fertilizers used, kind of seed employed and pesticides. So, soils play an important role in Indian economy.

Question 3.
What is meant by the term ‘newest alluvial soil’?
Answer:
The soils that are found in the deltas of rivers are called newest alluvial soils. These types of soils have sufficient quantity of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, sulphur, phosphorous and humus. These types of soils are very useful for agriculture. These are also found in flooded areas of plains.

Question 4.
Distinguish between Bangar areas (older alluvial) and Khadar areas (new alluvial).
Answer:
Difference between Bangar and Khadar areas is given below:

Bangar area	Khadar area
(i) These types of soils are found in the areas where flood water does not reach.	(i) It is found in the areas where flood water reaches every year.
(ii) These areas are also known as older alluvial soil areas.	(ii) These areas are also known as newer alluvial soil areas.
(iii) These areas are higher than the nearby land.	(iii) These areas are lower than the nearby land.
(iv) These types of soils need more irrigation.	(iv) These need less irrigation.
(v) There is very few quantity of chika in these soils.	(v) They have enough quantity of chika.
(vi) Intensive farming is practiced in these areas.	(vi) Subsistence farming is practiced in these areas.

Question 5.
Mention the characteristics of black soil.
Answer:
The main characteristics of black soil are:

1. Black soil has the capacity of holding moisture for a long time.
2. These soils are the same as the Charnosam soil found in the Prairies areas of North America and in Ukraine of Russia.
3. Black soils have sufficient quantity of iron, aluminium etc. minerals and sulphur and calcium.
4. Black soils are highly fertile.
5. These types of soils need very little irrigation and manure.
6. They develop deep cracks on being dried up and become hard.
7. They lack in phosphorous content.

Question 6.
Write the characteristics of red soils.
Answer:
The characteristics of Red soils are:

1. Red soils are porous.
2. They are not capable of holding moisture.
3. Red soils need irrigation again and again.
4. These soils are not fertile but by using manures their fertility can be increased.
5. Red colour is due iron oxides present in their oxidized condition.
6. These are deficient in nitrogen, phosphorous and organic matter.
7. These soils have thin layers.

Question 7.
Write the characteristics of late – rite soil.
Answer:
The main characteristics of late – rite soil are given as below:

1. It is red like a solid brick.
2. There is a large amount of pebbles in this soil.
3. It is a result of intense leaching owing to heavy tropical rains.
4. These are rich in ferrous and aluminium minerals.
5. It develops in areas with high temperature and heavy rainfall.
6. These soils are acidic in nature, coarser and crumbly in texture.
7. Due to heavy rainfall, fertile elements like cilica, salts and thinnest particles are washed out.
8. Tea plantation is practiced in areas of these soils.

Question 8.
Describe the causes of decline in soil fertility in India and its remedial measures.
Answer:
The decline of soil fertility in India is a serious problem which means a constant decrease in agricultural production. The pressure of constantly increasing production has, in turn, resulted into a persistent decline in soil fertility, a major challenge that Indian agriculture is currently facing. It is due to increasing pressure on limited agricultural land in India which has resulted in overuse of chemical fertilizers on soil, excessive Ullage, lessening of age – old organic soil revival practices and lack of crop rotation.

Remedial Measures:

1. Use of compost or green manure to make the soil fertile.
2. Use of crop rotation.
3. Leaving the land without sowing for 3 to 4 years.

RBSE Class 11 Indian Geography Chapter 9 Short Answer Type Questions (SA-II)

Question 1.
Write the characteristics of Alluvial soil.
Or
Give the main features of Alluvial soil.
Answer:
The main characteristics of alluvial soil found mainly in the Indian plains are as follows:

1. This type of soil is normally found in the plains on which it is very easy to build canals, dig wells as well as to cultivate.
2. Alluvial soils are capable of retaining the moisture in it for a long time.
3. It is a soil having tiny, loose particles, by which it becomes easy to grow crops and the plants are easily able to absorb the nutrients.
4. This is a transported soil, so it is very fertile.
5. There is a lot of humus in these soils because various decomposed substances are mixed into it by the water of the rivers.
6. These soils get a new layer of silt every year and so they always get naturally renewed.
7. Fertilizers are not required in these types of soils.
8. These soils are also known as the bowl of food grains and the population belt of India.

Question 2.
Distinguish between sandy and mountain soils.
Answer:
The difference between sandy and mountain soils can be described on the basis of the following points:

Basis of Comparison	Sandy Soil	Mountain Soil
Composition	This type of soil has weak and minute particles.	This type of soil has hard and corpulent particles.
Factor of Transportation	These soils are generally transported by the winds.	This soil is transported by the river’s flow and rain water.
Form	These are dry and porous soils.	Such soil is hard and full of stones and pebbles.
Chemical Property	This type of soil shows alkalinity.	This type of soil is acidic.
Maturity	These soils are mature.	This soil is immature.
Fertility	On the basis of availability of irrigation facilities, these soils prove to be suitable for agriculture.	These type of soils are mostly unfertile.

Question 3.
Explain the problem of soil erosion in India.
Or
“Soil erosion is a major problem of Indian soils.” Explain how?
Answer:
Soil erosion, lack of organic matter, loss of soil structure, poor internal drainage, salinisation and soil acidity are serious soil degradation conditions. These can accelerate the soil erosion process. Soil erosion is a major problem of Indian soils that makes the fertile land unfit for agriculture. Approximately, one – forth of Indian land is suffering from this type of problem.

Areas of soil erosion:
The main areas of soil erosion in India are Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar. This problem emerges due to the overflow of the rivers Yamuna, Chambal, Damodar, Mahanadi, and is generally seen in their valleys. The soil erosion is seen in two forms as sheet erosion and gully erosion. Due to gully erosion, ‘behads’ have formed in the regions of Yamuna and Chambal rivers.

Question 4.
What are the causes of soil erosion in India?
Or
Why does soil erosion take place in India? Explain.
Or
Describe the factors responsible for soil erosion.
Answer:
The responsible factors for soil erosion in India are given below:

1. The monsoon rainfall in India is heavy. This heavy rainfall is the main cause of soil erosion.
2. In excessive rainfall areas, gruesome floods are seen, which make the soil loose.
3. During the summer season, when the fields are empty and the winds blow violently, the fertile soil of the fields gets bio wed away along with the winds.
4. Due to the continuous practice of agriculture performed by the humans, the soil looses its composition due to which soil erosion gets encouraged.
5. The soil erosion is enhanced by improper surface drainage, removal of forest litter, overgrazing etc.
6. Deforestation is one of the major factors responsible for soil erosion. Removal of forest cover which functions as a binder of the top layer of the soil has resulted in enhancing extent of soil erosion.
7. The chemical form of soils and the types of Indian soils also accelerate soil erosion.
8. The tradition agricultural methods of Indian agriculture are also one of the responsible
   factors of soil erosion.

Question 5.
Describe the types of soil erosion.
Answer:
There are two types of soil erosion:

1. Sheet erosion
2. Gully erosion

1. Sheet erosion:
In arid and semi – arid areas with less rainfall, the wind acts as a powerful agent of soil erosion causing heavy loss to agricultural land. Winds blowing at considerable speed remove the fertile, arable loose soils, leaving behind a depression devoid of top soil.

2. Gully erosion:
Gully erosion is the removal of the top soil along drainage channels by surface water run – off. It is the type of soil erosion that consists of an open, incised and unstable channel, generally more than 30 cm deep. The ‘behads’ of rivers Yamuna and Chambal are the result of the gully erosion.

Question 6.
Describe the steps taken for soil conversation.
Or
Write the measures to control soil erosion.
Or
Describe the efforts which can be made for soil development.
Answer:
For soil conservation, the following steps can mainly be taken:

1. Increased plantation of trees can stop soil erosion. The roots of plants, grass and shrubs grasp the soil tightly. So more and more trees, grass and shrubs should be planted in green belts.
2. Dams can be built and large reservoirs can be formed to stop soil erosion.
3. On the slopes of mountains, terrace farming should be practiced.
4. The ridges of the land should be made strong.
5. Over – grazing should be checked to prevent soil erosion.
6. Contour farming should be practiced on land slopes.
7. Blockades should be made on the drainage so that the overflow of water can be checked,
8. Check should be imposed on uncontrolled forest cutting.
9. Restoring the wetlands and leaving the agricultural land less – layered as possible.

Question 7.
Describe the efforts made by the Indian Government for soil conservation.
Answer:
In India, central as well state governments are making various efforts for soil conservation. Out of these, some major ones are given as below:

1. Central Arid Zone Research Institute was established in Jodhpur to control the problem of desertification of soil.
2. The trees that can beer arid and semi – arid conditions are being planted with the help of Indira Gandhi Canal.
3. Central Land Protection Board was established to turn wasteland into agricultural land. It is also trying to conserve the fertility of soil.
4. Many research centers have been established by the central Government for soil conservation.
5. To develop the pastures for conservation of soil, the seeds are being spread by aeroplanes and helicopters.
6. Research centers related to soil conversation have been established in many cities.
7. People are being made aware towards it.
8. Rock phosphate and gypsum is being mixed in the soil to reduce the acidity and alkalinity of the soil.

Question 8.
Describe the importance of soils with reference to India.
Or
What is the importance of soils in India? Explain briefly.
Answer:
India is an agriculture-based country. Most of its people depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Soils play an important role in agriculture. The contribution of soil in India can be described in the following way:

1. The soils decide the nature of agriculture.
2. Soils provide the basic ground for different types of crops.
3. Alluvial soils have been proved very useful for the growth of crops such as rice, wheat, sugarcane etc.
4. Indian soils show the distribution of different type of minerals.
   For example: There is enough quantity of monozite mineral in the coastal soil of Kerala.
5. Soils provide the basis for the cultivation of various types of vegetation.

RBSE Class 11 Indian Geography Chapter 9 Essay Type Questions

Question 1.
Explain the Indian soils in detail.
Or
Classify the Indian soils on the basis of physical structure and colour.
Or
Indian soils show variations on regional basis, how? Explain.
Or
Indian soils are controlled by their forming factors. Explain.
Answer:
Indian soils are a result of vast Indian geographical area, and are a result of variations in relief, climate, vegetation and the lengthy process of erosion of rocks. All these conditions have controlled the Indian soils at large. Therefore, colour, composition and structure of Indian soils is also different. Indian soils can be divided as:

1. Alluvial soil
2. Black soil
3. Desert soil
4. Mountainous soil
5. Gray – brown soil
6. Late – rite soil
7. Red and Yellow soil
8. Red soil
9. Glacial and Skeletal soil
10. Sub – mountainous soil

1. Alluvial soil:
These types of soils are found in the central plains part of India and coastal zones. Alluvial soils mainly found in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, North – Eastern part of Rajasthan and Assam.

2. Black soil:
These types of soils are mainly found in the central part of India. Black soils are mainly found in South – Eastern part of Rajasthan, Most of Madhya Pradesh, South – Eastern Gujarat, Maharashtra, Northern Karnataka, west, north and north – east part of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, etc.

3. Desert soil:
These types of soils are found mostly in the desert regions of Rajasthan. This soil is arid and porous and is found in the Rann of Kutch and Saurashtra.

4. Mountainous soil:
It is found in the Himalayan zones. It is immature soil and is full of pebbles and stones. It is a soil with thin layer and it lacks in calcium and humus content.

5. Gray – Brown soil:
These types of soils are mainly found in the North and central part of Gujarat and foothills of Aravalli mountain range of Rajasthan.

6. Late – rite soil:
It is red soil, like a solid brick. There are mostly pebbles in it. It is found in the areas with high temperature and surplus rainfall. It is formed by the disintegration of old rocks. It is mainly seen in Western Ghats, and in the form of a narrow belt from the Rajmahal hills along the Eastern Ghats through West Bengal up till Assam.

7. Red – yellqw soil:
It is found in a scattered form in India. Banswara, Pratapgarh, Chittorgarh, Bhilwara districts of Rajasthan and some parts of Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Chhattisgarh are the regions of this soil.

8. Red soil:
It is porous soil and is found in Chhattisgarh, Chhota Nagpur plateau, Orissa, Eastern Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Central and South – Eastern part of Telangana.

9. Glacial and Skeletal soil:
These types of soils are found in the high regions of the hilly areas of Jammu and Kashmir and Sikkim.

10. Sub – Mountainous soil:
These types of soils are mainly found in central part of Uttarakhand, Central and Eastern part of Himachal Pradesh and Southern part of Jammu and Kashmir.

The distribution of Indian soils is shown in the following map:

Question 2.
Describe the different types of soil-erosion in India.
Or
Different types of soil-erosion in India are seen. How? Explain.
Or
Soil erosion is a result of several processes and reactions. Describe its different forms.
Answer:
There are many causes of soil erosion in India. Soil erosion can be divided into several types:

1. Wind Erosion
2. Water Erosion
3. Gravity Erosion
4. Saline and Acidic Erosion
5. Alkali Erosion
6. Rill Erosion

1. Wind Erosion:
Wind erosion is a serious problem in arid and semi – arid parts of North – west India. About 45 million hectares of land is subject to severe wind erosion in Western Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana,Gujarat and western Uttar Pradesh.

2. Water Erosion:
It is more active in wet areas receiving more rainfall. This type of erosion is mainly seen in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam and eastern and western coastal plains of India.

3. Gravity Erosion:
It is an erosional process that moves rocks and sediments down slope due to the force of gravity. It may be slow or rapid and is found in the eastern states of India Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya.

4. Saline and Acidic Erosion:
This process of soil erosion is mainly found in Haryana, coastal area of southern Gujarat, Chambal drainage area in Rajasthan, western part of Uttar Pradesh and central part of Andhra Pradesh.

5. Alkali Erosion:
It takes place in waste land with alkalies in surplus and is found in the Rann of Kutch and the banks of Indian rivers.

6. Rill Erosion:
It is the removal of soil by concentrated water running through little streamlets or head cuts. It is found in most of the peninsular plateau parts of India. This type of erosion is mainly found in central plains part of Rajasthan, south – eastern peninsular part, most part of Maharashtra, eastern part of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Madhya Pradesh.

7. Glaciated Erosion:
A landslide, or the extra weight caused by the moisture going deep in to the soil during heavy rains causes a large layer of overlying soil to move. It is mainly seen in the high regions of Himalayas, Uttarakhand, Jammu – Kashmir and Sikkim.

Different patterns of soil erosion in India are shown in the following map:

Question 3.
Write the characteristics of Indian soils.
Or
Indian soils are different from the soils found in the rest of the world. How ? Explain.
Or
“ India soils are beyond compare.” Explain.
Answer:
Indian soils have a unique identity which separates them from other soils of rest of the world. The main features of Indian soils can be described as follows:

1. The soils that are found in the North Indian Plains are alluvial soils. Parent rocks, climate, vegetation, and other erosional forces play an important role in their formation.
2. The peninsular soils contain the particles of base rocks. The parent rocks are eroded by various forces like wind, water and gravity and form the Regolith.
3. Indian soils are absolutely different from the soils found in the world on the basis of composition, time period and formation.
4. Most of the Indian soils are ancient, mature and full of humus.
5. There is less quantity of nitrogen, organic matter and vegetation in Indian soils.
6. Indian soils have higher temperature.
7. Depth of the soils on the hills, plateaus and slopes is lesser, while it is deeper in the great northern plains.
8. Due to intensive farming and agriculture, Indian soils have become weaker.
9. Without proper irrigation, the quantitative and quantitative form of Indian soils show deficiency.
10. In case of availability of adequate manure and irrigation, Indian soils prove to be highly fertile.
11. The process of basic formation of Indian soils is lengthy and mature.

RBSE Solutions for Class 11 Geography