[UPPSC-UP Special Syllabus Decoded] Geography of UP: Geographical Location, Relief and Structure, Climate, Irrigation, Minerals, Drainage System and Vegetation

1. Geographical Location, Relief & Structure

Trend: Shift from “Static Location” to “Geopolitical Significance” and “Geo-Economic Zones.”

A. Location & Frontiers

• Latitudinal/Longitudinal Extent: 23°52’N to 31°28’N and 77°3’E to 84°39’E.
• Bordering States/Nations:
  • International: Nepal (579 km) – Recent focus on “Border Area Development Programme” (BADP) in districts like Pilibhit and Maharajganj.
  • Inter-State: Shares boundaries with 8 States + 1 UT (Delhi).
• Strategic Significance: The “Chicken Neck” connectivity to Northeast India relies on UP’s transport corridors.

B. Physical Divisions (Relief)

• Bhabhar & Terai Belt:
  • Bhabhar: Porous, boulder-rich zone (Saharanpur to Kushinagar).
  • Terai: Marshy, fertile belt; recent focus on “Natural Farming” and “Eco-Tourism” (Dudhwa/Pilibhit).
• Gangetic Plains:
  • Bangar (Old Alluvium): Higher ground, intensive agriculture.
  • Khadar (New Alluvium): Flood-prone, highly fertile (Zaid crops).
• Southern Plateau (Bundelkhand/Vindhyan):
  • Structure: Part of the ancient Peninsular Block (Gneiss/Granite).
  • Geo-Economic Shift: Transformation of this rocky terrain into the UP Defense Corridor and Solar Energy Hub.

Current Affairs Linkage :

• State Capital Region (SCR): Following the NCR model, UP notified the SCR (Lucknow + 6 districts) in 2024 to manage urbanization pressure, altering the “Human Geography” of Central UP.
• Seismic Zones: Recent tremors in Western UP (2024) have renewed focus on enforcing building codes in Zone IV districts (Meerut, Ghaziabad).

2. Climate of Uttar Pradesh

Trend: “Climate Change Impact,” “Heatwaves,” and “Air Pollution Management.”

A. Climatic Regions

• Tropical Monsoon Type: Characterized by Cwg (Koppen’s classification).
• Seasons:
  • Summer (Loo): Extreme heat in Bundelkhand/Agra.
  • Monsoon: Bay of Bengal branch; decreasing rainfall from East (Gorakhpur) to West (Mathura).
  • Winter: Western Disturbances causing winter rain (Mahawat) beneficial for Wheat.

B. Climate Change & Disaster Management

• Heatwave Action Plan 2024:
  • Implementation: UP State Disaster Management Authority (UPSDMA) implemented “Cool Roof” policies and adjusted school timings based on the new “Heat Index.”
• Air Pollution (GRAP): Implementation of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) stages in NCR districts (Noida/Ghaziabad) during winter smog.

3. Drainage System (Rivers & Lakes)

Trend: “River Rejuvenation,” “Inter-linking,” and “Flood Management.”

A. Major River Systems

• Himalayan Rivers: Ganga, Yamuna, Ghaghara (Saryu), Rapti, Gandak.
  • Shift: Focus on “Riverfront Development” (Gomti, Saryu, and now Chambal).
• Peninsular Rivers: Chambal, Betwa, Ken, Son (seasonal but flash-flood prone).

B. River Inter-linking Projects

• Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP):
  • Status : Construction of the Daudhan Dam foundation inside Panna Reserve.
  • Benefit: Transfer surplus water from Ken to Betwa to irrigate 2.5 Lakh hectares in Banda, Mahoba, Jhansi, and Lalitpur.
• Future Links: Feasibility studies for Sarda-Yamuna and Ghaghara-Yamuna links.

C. Wetlands (Ramsar Sites)

• Conservation: UP has 10 Ramsar Sites (e.g., Bakhira, Haiderpur, Nawabganj).
• Amrit Dharohar Scheme: Linking these wetlands with “Nature Tourism” to support local livelihoods.

4. Irrigation System

Trend: “Micro-Irrigation” and “Groundwater Recharge.”

A. Modes of Irrigation

• Tubewells: The dominant source (~74%); leading to groundwater depletion in Western UP (“Dark Zones”).
• Canals:
  • Major Projects: Saryu Canal National Project (Eastern UP) and Arjun Sahayak Pariyojana (Bundelkhand).
  • Modernization: Lining of old canals to reduce seepage losses.

B. New Initiatives

• PM-KUSUM (Component C):
  • Solarization: Massive drive to solarize private tubewells to reduce the electricity subsidy burden and promote green irrigation.
• Farm Ponds (Khet Talab): Subsidies for digging ponds in Bundelkhand to harvest rainwater (“Khet ka paani khet mein”).

5. Mineral Resources

Trend: “Critical Minerals” and “Transparent Auctions.”

A. Mineral Belts

• Southern Belt: The primary mineral repository (Sonbhadra, Mirzapur, Bundelkhand).
• Key Minerals:
  • Limestone: Mirzapur/Sonbhadra (Cement industry base).
  • Coal: Singrauli (Sonbhadra) – “Energy Capital.”
  • Silica Sand: Shankargarh (Prayagraj).

B. Recent Discoveries & Policies

• Critical Minerals:
  • Potash: Discovery of Potash reserves in Aura-Jahanagunj (Sonbhadra) reduces import dependence for fertilizers.
  • Gold Traces: Exploration in the Hardi field (Sonbhadra).
  • Rare Earth Elements (REE): Preliminary surveys in the Lalitpur granites.
• e-Auction Policy: 100% transition to e-auctioning of mining leases (sand/morrum) led to a 25% jump in revenue in 2024-25.

6. Vegetation (Forests)

Trend: “ISFR Data” and “Carbon Forestry.”

A. Forest Cover Status (ISFR 2023 – Released 2024)

• Total Green Cover: Forest + Tree Cover is approx. 9.23%.
• Achievement: UP recorded the 2nd highest increase in green cover (559 sq km) in the country.
• Classification:
  • Very Dense Forest: Minimal area (mostly in Dudhwa/Pilibhit).
  • Open Forest: Largest share.

B. Government Initiatives

• “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” (2024): A record-breaking drive where 36.50 Crore saplings were planted in a single day (July 2024), focusing on survival rates via geo-tagging.
• Nagar Van (Urban Forests): Developing “City Forests” in Agra, Kanpur, and Varanasi to combat air pollution.
• Carbon Credits: UP became the first state to distribute cash incentives to farmers in Gorakhpur for carbon credits earned through Agro-forestry.