Class 6 Social Science Notes Chapter 3 Exploring Society India and Beyond

Landforms and Life

Humans and Landforms:

Humans, like most mammals, primarily live on land.
Land varies significantly in form and features across different regions.
Example Journey: Traveling from Chhota Nagpur (Jharkhand) to Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) and then to Almora (Uttarakhand) exposes one to diverse landscapes.

Landforms:

Definition: Physical features on Earth’s surface.
Formation: Shape over millions of years.
Categories:

Mountains
Plateaus
Plains

Climate and Flora/Fauna:

Each landform has distinct climates.
Supports diverse flora and fauna.

Human Adaptation:

Humans adapt to various landforms.
Population distribution varies depending on landform types.

Mountains Characteristics:

Higher than surrounding land.
Broad base, steep slopes, and narrow summit.
Snow Coverage:

High altitudes: Snow may be permanent.
Lower altitudes: Snow melts in summer, feeding rivers.

Hills:

Lower, less steep, and rounded tops compared to mountains.

Mountain Ranges:

Groups of mountains often stretching for thousands of kilometers.
Examples:

Himalayas (Asia)
Alps (Europe)
Andes (South America)

Notable Peaks:

Mount Everest: Between Tibet (China) and Nepal, highest peak of the Himalayas.
Kanchenjunga: Between Nepal and Sikkim, second highest in the Himalayas.
Mount Aconcagua: Highest peak of the Andes (South America).
Mount Kilimanjaro: Isolated mountain in eastern Africa.
Mont Blanc: Highest mountain of the Alps (Western Europe).
Anamudi (Anai Peak): Highest mountain in South India (Kerala).

Mountain Age:

Young Mountains:

Tall and sharp peaks.
Example: Himalayas.

Old Mountains:

Shorter, more rounded.
Example: Aravalli Range.
Affected by erosion.

Continued Upliftment:

Some mountains, like the Himalayas, are still growing in height.

Mountain Environment Montane Forest:

Characteristics:

Common in mountain slopes.
Dominated by conifer trees.

Tree Types:

Pines
Firs
Spruce
Deodar

Tree Features:

Tall and cone-shaped.
Thin, pointed leaves.

Higher Altitudes:

Trees give way to:
Grasses
Mosses
Lichen

Kālidāsa’s Poem:

Poem: Kumārasambhava.
Invocation:

Himalayas described as the “Lord of mountains”.
Imagery:

Stretches from western to eastern oceans.
Wind carries spray from the Gangā River.
Effects:

Shakes deodar trees.
Opens peacocks’ tail feathers.
Cools mountain people post-deer hunting.

Discussion Points:

Identify western and eastern oceans on Fig. 5.2.
Explore reasons for mentioning Gangā.

Fauna in Mountain Environments:

Species:
- Golden Eagle
- Peregrine Falcon
- Canadian Lynx
- Snow Leopard
- Ibex
- Himalayan Tahr
- Mountain Hare
- Yak
- Grey Fox
- Black Bear

Life in the Mountains

Terrain:
- Typically rugged and rough.
- Features steep slopes.

Agriculture:
- Regular Farming:
  - Limited to some valleys due to rugged terrain.
- Terrace Farming:
  - Practiced by cutting steps into slopes (Fig. 3.5).

Occupations:
- Herding:
  - Often preferred over agriculture in mountainous regions.
Tourism:
- Attractions:
  - Crisp mountain air.
  - Scenic beauty.
  - Sports: Skiing, hiking, mountaineering, paragliding.
  - Pilgrimages to holy sites.
- Challenges:
  - Excessive tourism can pressure fragile mountain environments.
  - Balancing tourism with environmental preservation is crucial.

Sacred Mountains

General Reverence:
- Many traditional communities around the world consider mountains sacred and worship them.
Mount Everest:
- Height: 8,849 meters (highest mountain in the world).
- Names:
  - Tibetan: ‘Chomolungma’ meaning ‘Mother Goddess of the World’.
  - Nepali: ‘Sagarmatha’ meaning ‘Goddess of the Sky’.
Mount Kailash:
- Location: Tibet.
- Sacred To:
  - Hinduism
  - Buddhism
  - Jainism
  - Bon (ancient Tibetan religion)
Reverence:
- Seen in India and globally.
- Associated with sacred practices and beliefs.

Plateaus

Definition:
- A plateau is a landform with an elevated flat surface.
- Surrounded by steep slopes on some sides.
Age:
- Can be classified as young or old in geological terms.
Examples:
- Tibetan Plateau:
  - Largest and highest plateau in the world.
- Deccan Plateau:
  - Another significant plateau.
Height:
- Ranges from a few hundred meters to several thousand meters.
Mineral Richness:
- Rich in mineral deposits.
- Known as ‘storehouses of minerals’.
- Mining:
  - Major activity on plateaus.
  - East African Plateau: Famous for gold and diamond mining.
  - Chhota Nagpur Plateau (India): Known for iron, coal, and manganese reserves.
Plateau Environment:
- Soil:
  - Rocky soil, less fertile than plains.
  - Exception: Lava plateaus, often have rich black soil.
Waterfalls:
- Victoria Falls: Zambezi River, southern Africa.
- Hundru Falls: Subarnarekha River, Chhota Nagpur Plateau.
- Jog Falls: Sharavati River, Western Ghats.
- Nohkalikai Falls: Drops 340 meters from Cherrapunji Plateau, Meghalaya.

Plains

Definition:
- Landforms with extensive flat or gently undulating surfaces.
- Generally free of large hills or deep valleys.
- Typically not more than 300 meters above sea level.
Floodplains:
- Formed by rivers from mountain ranges.
- Collect sediments (rock, sand, silt) from rivers.
- Soil Fertility:
  - Fertile due to deposited sediments.
  - Ideal for agriculture.
- Economic Importance:
  - Major area for crop cultivation.
  - Supports diverse flora and fauna.

Life in the Plains

Historical Significance:
- Early Civilizations:
  - Developed around rivers in fertile plains thousands of years ago.
- Current Population:
  - A significant portion of the world’s population lives in plains.
Gangetic Plain:
- Population:
  - About 40 crore people, more than one-fourth of India’s population.
- Occupations:
  - Major activities include river fishing and agriculture.
  - Crops:
    - Food Crops: Rice, wheat, maize, barley, millets.
    - Fibre Crops: Cotton, jute, hemp.
- Agricultural Practices:
  - Traditionally rainfed (watered by rainfall).
  - Modern agriculture has shifted to irrigation through canals or groundwater.
  - Challenges:
    - Irrigation has led to groundwater depletion.
    - High population and pollution issues.
Cultural and Economic Importance of Rivers:
- Cultural Value:
  - Rivers are often considered sacred, especially their sources and confluences.
  - India hosts numerous festivals, ceremonies, and rituals at river sites.
- Economic Activities:
  - River Navigation: Facilitates trade and economic activities.
  - Historically used for travel and transportation.
  - Current Usage: In places like the Ganga, boats are still used for transportation (Fig. 3.10).

Deserts

Definition:
- Large, dry expanses with minimal precipitation.
- Unique flora and fauna adapted to harsh conditions.
Types of Deserts:
- Hot Deserts:
  - Example: Sahara Desert (Africa), Thar Desert (Indian Subcontinent).
- Cold Deserts:
  - Example: Gobi Desert (Asia).
  - Some experts also classify Antarctica as a desert.
Human Adaptation:
- Cultural Traditions:
  - Communities in deserts, like the Thar Desert in India, have rich cultural traditions, including folk songs and legends.

Tiṇais of Ancient Tamil Sangam Poetry

Concept:
- Five landscapes associated with specific deities, lifestyles, and emotions.
Tiṇai Landscapes and Main Occupations:
1. Kuriñji:
  - Landscape: Mountainous regions.
  - Occupation: Hunting and gathering.
2. Mullai:
  - Landscape: Grassland and forests.
  - Occupation: Cattle rearing.
3. Marudam:
  - Landscape: Fertile agricultural plains.
  - Occupation: Farming.
4. Neydal:
  - Landscape: Coastal regions.
  - Occupation: Fishing and seafaring.
5. Pālai:
  - Landscape: Arid, desert-like regions.
  - Occupation: Journeying and fighting.
Significance:
- Reflects a deep awareness of diverse regions and their characteristics.
- Illustrates the connection between humanity and the natural environment.

Summary

Landform Classification:
- Main Types: Mountains, plateaus, plains.
- Characteristics: Each landform has unique physical features and environments.
- Impact on Human Life:
  - Different landforms present various challenges and opportunities.
  - Significant influence on culture and activities throughout history.