Geography and Environment
Geography and Environment tests Kerala's physical setting, rivers, soils, protected areas and environmental issues, plus basic Indian and world geography.
Kerala physical frame
- Area about 38,863 sq km; 14 districts; coastline roughly 590 km.
- 44 rivers; 41 flow west, 3 east. Periyar is the longest (about 244 km), then Bharathapuzha.
- Highest peak Anamudi (2,695 m); the Western Ghats run along the eastern border.
- Vembanad is the largest lake; Ashtamudi and Sasthamkotta are Ramsar sites.
Climate and soil
- Southwest monsoon (June-September) and northeast monsoon (October-November).
- Laterite soil dominates the midlands; alluvial soil in valleys; acidic soils in highlands.
- The state is prone to landslides and floods; the 2018 floods highlighted dam regulation and quarrying.
Environment
- The Western Ghats is a global biodiversity hotspot; Silent Valley, Eravikulam, Periyar and Parambikulam are key protected areas.
- Mangroves, wetlands and coastal regulation matter during disaster duty.
Worked example
Which Kerala lake is the largest and a Ramsar site? Vembanad. It receives the Periyar and several backwaters and hosts the Nehru Trophy boat race. Ashtamudi is also Ramsar but smaller; Sasthamkotta is a freshwater Ramsar lake. Answer: Vembanad.
Traps
- Saying all 44 rivers flow west.
- Confusing Anamudi with Agasthyarkoodam.
- Mixing the months of the two monsoons.
- Treating backwaters as rivers.