Class 12 Geography: INDIA - Human Settlements
I. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
Which of the following is NOT a major type of rural settlement pattern found in India?
a) Compact/Nucleated
b) Dispersed
c) Linear
d) Star-shaped (around a central hub)
Answer: d) Star-shaped (around a central hub)
A linear settlement pattern in India typically develops along:
a) A circular pond
b) A river valley or a major road
c) Isolated hilltops
d) Clustered around a temple
Answer: b) A river valley or a major road
'Palli', 'Nagli', 'Dhani', and 'Beris' are local names for which type of rural settlement in India?
a) Compact settlement
b) Semi-compact settlement
c) Hamletted settlement
d) Dispersed settlement
Answer: c) Hamletted settlement
Which factor is most crucial for the location of dispersed rural settlements in India?
a) Presence of fertile plains
b) Availability of abundant water sources
c) Highly fragmented topography or social and ethnic factors
d) Proximity to large markets
Answer: c) Highly fragmented topography or social and ethnic factors
According to the Census of India, an urban area must have a minimum population of:
a) 2,000
b) 5,000
c) 10,000
d) 20,000
Answer: b) 5,000
Which of the following is a 'statutory town' in India?
a) Any settlement with a population over 5,000
b) A settlement that has a municipality, corporation, cantonment board, or notified town area committee
c) A settlement where at least 75% of the male main working population is engaged in non-agricultural pursuits
d) A settlement with a population density of at least 400 persons per sq. km.
Answer: b) A settlement that has a municipality, corporation, cantonment board, or notified town area committee
A city where trade and commerce are the primary functions is classified as a:
a) Administrative town
b) Industrial town
c) Commercial town
d) Cultural town
Answer: c) Commercial town
Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) is a prime example of which functional classification of towns in India?
a) Industrial town
b) Defence town
c) Mining town
d) Cultural/Religious town
Answer: d) Cultural/Religious town
Which type of urban settlement is formed by the merging of several large cities, creating a continuous urban area?
a) City
b) Million-city
c) Conurbation
d) Megacity
Answer: c) Conurbation
In India, most of the metropolitan cities (population over 1 million) are located in:
a) Remote hilly regions
b) Coastal plains and major river valleys
c) Arid and semi-arid zones
d) Dense forest areas
Answer: b) Coastal plains and major river valleys
What is the primary characteristic of a 'garrison town' in India?
a) Focus on trade and commerce
b) Presence of military cantonments and strategic importance
c) Known for educational institutions
d) Center for religious pilgrimage
Answer: b) Presence of military cantonments and strategic importance
The distribution of rural settlements in the Thar Desert region of Rajasthan is largely:
a) Compact
b) Linear
c) Dispersed
d) Semi-compact
Answer: c) Dispersed
According to the 2011 Census, a settlement is considered urban if it has a minimum population density of:
a) 200 persons per sq. km.
b) 300 persons per sq. km.
c) 400 persons per sq. km.
d) 500 persons per sq. km.
Answer: c) 400 persons per sq. km.
The town of Bokaro Steel City is an example of which functional classification?
a) Cultural town
b) Administrative town
c) Mining town
d) Industrial town
Answer: d) Industrial town
What does the term 'satellite town' imply?
a) A town developed by a space research organization.
b) A smaller urban center located near a large metropolitan city, partly dependent on it.
c) A town completely independent of any larger city.
d) A town with its own distinct and isolated economy.
Answer: b) A smaller urban center located near a large metropolitan city, partly dependent on it.
II. Short Questions
Name two types of rural settlement patterns found in India.
Answer: Two types are: Compact/Nucleated settlement and Dispersed settlement.
What is a 'hamletted settlement' in the Indian context?
Answer: A hamletted settlement is one where a single, large village is fragmented into several smaller units or hamlets, often geographically separated but bearing a common name (e.g., Palli, Nagli). This fragmentation may be due to social or ethnic factors.
Give one reason for the development of linear rural settlements in India.
Answer: Linear settlements often develop along roads, railway lines, canals, or river banks, as houses are built along these linear features for easy access to transport or water resources.
What are the two main criteria used by the Census of India to define a 'statutory town'?
Answer: A statutory town must have a Municipality, Corporation, Cantonment Board, or Notified Town Area Committee.
What is a 'census town' in India?
Answer: A census town is a settlement that satisfies specific demographic criteria (population over 5,000, density over 400 persons/sq. km., and at least 75% of male main working population engaged in non-agricultural activities) but does not have a statutory urban local body.
Name two factors influencing the distribution of rural settlements in India.
Answer: Two factors are: Availability of water and nature of terrain (e.g., fertile plains vs. hills/deserts).
Give one example of an 'administrative town' in India.
Answer: New Delhi, Chandigarh, Gandhinagar.
What is a 'conurbation'? Give an example from India.
Answer: A conurbation is a large urban area formed by the merging of several previously separate towns or cities due to urban expansion. Example: Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
Briefly explain the functional classification of 'industrial towns'.
Answer: Industrial towns are urban centers where manufacturing and industrial activities are the dominant economic functions, attracting a large workforce and shaping the town's character (e.g., Jamshedpur, Bhilai).
Name two major urban agglomerations (UAs) in India (as per 2011 Census).
Answer: Two examples are: Mumbai Urban Agglomeration, Delhi Urban Agglomeration, Kolkata Urban Agglomeration.
III. Long Questions
1-Describe the different types of rural settlements found in India, explaining the factors responsible for their distribution patterns across various regions. Illustrate with examples.
Answer:
Rural settlements in India display a variety of types and distribution patterns, largely influenced by physical, socio-cultural, and economic factors.
Types of Rural Settlements:
Compact or Nucleated Settlements:
Description: Houses are built very close to each other, forming a compact, well-defined cluster. The settlement often has a discernible core (e.g., temple, common area, water source).
Factors and Distribution: Found primarily in fertile plains (e.g., Indo-Gangetic Plains, coastal plains) where land is valuable for agriculture and water is easily accessible. The need for security (historically), community feeling, and ease of access to common resources (water, grazing land) also encourage this type.
Examples: Most villages in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, and the fertile delta regions of West Bengal and Odisha.
Semi-Compact or Semi-Nucleated Settlements:
Description: These settlements comprise a main cluster of houses and one or more smaller hamlets slightly separated from the main village. This pattern may result from the segregation of different social groups or expansion from an original nucleus.
Factors and Distribution: Often found at the transition zones between highly fertile plains and areas with some geographical constraints, or where social stratification leads to the formation of smaller, distinct clusters.
Examples: Common in parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and some parts of the Peninsular Plateau.
Hamletted Settlements:
Description: A single large settlement breaks into several smaller units or hamlets, locally known as Panna, Para, Palli, Nagla, Dhani, etc. These hamlets are often geographically separated but share a common identity and name.
Factors and Distribution: This type usually arises due to social or ethnic factors (segregation of castes or tribal groups) or sometimes due to scattered pockets of cultivable land and water sources in a less fertile region.
Examples: Found in the middle and lower Ganga plains, parts of Chhattisgarh, and the lower Himalayan valleys.
Dispersed or Isolated Settlements:
Description: Houses are widely spaced and scattered over a large area, often appearing as isolated dwellings or small clusters of 2-3 houses.
Factors and Distribution: This pattern is common in areas with:
Extreme physical constraints: Hilly tracts (e.g., Himalayas), arid and semi-arid regions (e.g., Thar Desert), dense forests, or areas with highly dissected terrain.
Resource availability: Where resources like water or patches of cultivable land are scarce and scattered, people settle near their individual fields or water points.
Social factors: In some tribal areas or regions with a history of insecurity, people prefer living in isolated dwellings.
Examples: Most common in parts of Meghalaya, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan (Thar Desert), and remote forested areas of Central India.
The distribution of these types across India reflects the intricate interplay of physical geography, historical development, socio-cultural norms (caste, tribal groupings), and economic imperatives (agricultural practices, resource availability). For instance, the need for collective security and the flat, fertile land in the Gangetic plains favored compact settlements, whereas the fragmented terrain and scattered resources in the Himalayas led to dispersed dwellings.
2.Describe the various types of urban settlements in India based on their size and functional classification. Provide examples for each type to illustrate their characteristics.
Answer:
Urban settlements in India are diverse, classified primarily by their population size and the dominant functions they perform.
A. Types based on Size (as per Census of India):
Town:
Definition: An urban area with a minimum population of 5,000, a population density of at least 400 persons per sq. km., and at least 75% of the male main working population engaged in non-agricultural pursuits. It also includes "Statutory Towns" (those with a municipality, corporation, cantonment board, etc.) and "Census Towns" (those meeting demographic criteria but without a statutory body).
Characteristics: Smaller urban centers, often serving as service hubs for surrounding rural areas. They may have a limited range of specialized functions.
Examples: Panipat (Haryana), Aligarh (Uttar Pradesh), or thousands of smaller urban centers across India.
City:
Definition: An urban area with a population exceeding 100,000 (one lakh).
Characteristics: Larger, more complex urban centers with a wider range of services, better infrastructure, and a more diversified economic base than towns. They often have multiple functions.
Examples: Mysore (Karnataka), Nashik (Maharashtra), Kochi (Kerala).
Million City:
Definition: An urban area with a population of 1 million (10 lakh) or more.
Characteristics: Significant regional centers, attracting considerable migration. They have well-developed infrastructure, diverse economic activities, and often act as regional administrative or commercial hubs.
Examples: Pune, Jaipur, Lucknow, Ahmedabad.
Urban Agglomeration (UA):
Definition: A continuous urban spread constituting a town and its adjoining outgrowths, or two or more contiguous towns with or without their outgrowths. It's a functional definition of continuous urban growth.
Characteristics: Represents the actual urban footprint, combining administrative units with their suburban extensions.
Examples: Delhi Urban Agglomeration (includes Delhi, Ghaziabad, Noida, Faridabad, Gurgaon), Mumbai Urban Agglomeration.
Megacity:
Definition: An urban agglomeration with a population of 10 million (one crore) or more.
Characteristics: Global or national hubs with immense economic, political, and cultural influence. They face severe challenges related to overcrowding, infrastructure, and environmental management.
Examples: Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad.
B. Functional Classification of Towns (based on predominant activity):
Administrative Towns:
Characteristics: Cities serving as the administrative headquarters of states, union territories, or districts. They house government offices, legislative bodies, and related services.
Examples: New Delhi (National Capital), Chandigarh (Capital of Punjab & Haryana), Gandhinagar (Capital of Gujarat), Bhopal (Capital of Madhya Pradesh).
Industrial Towns:
Characteristics: Towns whose economy is primarily based on manufacturing and industrial activities. They often develop around specific industries.
Examples: Jamshedpur (Iron and Steel), Bhilai (Iron and Steel), Durgapur (Iron and Steel), Bokaro (Steel), Ludhiana (Textiles, Hosiery).
Commercial Towns:
Characteristics: Towns that are significant centers for trade and commerce, acting as collection and distribution points for goods. They often have large markets, wholesale centers, or ports.
Examples: Kolkata (Port and trade), Saharanpur (Trade), Muzaffarnagar (Trade), Nagpur (Orange trade).
Mining Towns:
Characteristics: Towns that developed around mineral-rich areas, with mining as their primary economic activity.
Examples: Raniganj (Coal), Jharia (Coal), Digboi (Oil), Ankleshwar (Oil).
Garrison/Cantonment Towns:
Characteristics: Towns primarily established as military bases or cantonments, housing armed forces personnel and associated facilities.
Examples: Ambala, Mhow, Babina, Jalandhar Cantonment.
Educational Towns:
Characteristics: Towns renowned for their educational institutions, attracting students and faculty from various regions.
Examples: Pilani (BITS Pilani), Aligarh (Aligarh Muslim University), Allahabad (University of Allahabad), Roorkee (IIT Roorkee).
Cultural/Religious Towns:
Characteristics: Towns that hold significant religious or cultural importance, often attracting pilgrims and tourists.
Examples: Varanasi, Haridwar, Prayagraj, Puri, Tirupati, Ajmer.
Tourist Towns:
Characteristics: Towns whose economy is heavily reliant on tourism, offering natural beauty, historical sites, or recreational facilities.
Examples: Shimla, Nainital, Mussoorie, Darjeeling, Ooty, Udaipur.
Many Indian cities are multi-functional, possessing more than one dominant function (e.g., Delhi is administrative, commercial, and educational). However, this classification helps understand the primary drivers of their growth and character.
3.Analyze the problems faced by human settlements in India, focusing on both rural and urban challenges. Suggest concrete measures and strategies for sustainable settlement planning and development.
Answer:
Human settlements in India, both rural and urban, face a multitude of problems stemming from rapid population growth, uneven development, inadequate planning, and resource constraints.
I. Problems of Rural Settlements in India:
Lack of Basic Infrastructure: Many rural areas suffer from insufficient access to reliable electricity, safe drinking water (especially piped water), proper sanitation facilities (toilets), and all-weather roads.
Limited Economic Opportunities: Dependence on agriculture, which is often unremunerative, leads to disguised unemployment, underemployment, and low incomes. Lack of diversified rural industries exacerbates this.
Poor Social Services: Inadequate access to quality education (schools, teachers) and healthcare facilities (primary health centers, qualified doctors) often forces people to migrate.
Out-migration and Ageing Population: Continuous rural-urban migration of young, able-bodied individuals leads to a 'brain drain' and 'labor drain,' leaving behind an aging population and affecting agricultural productivity.
Environmental Degradation: Over-extraction of groundwater, soil degradation due to unsustainable farming practices, and localized pollution from agricultural runoff or traditional energy sources.
Social Fragmentation: In some regions, caste divisions and social inequalities can lead to fragmented settlement patterns and limited access to resources for marginalized groups.
II. Problems of Urban Settlements in India:
Overcrowding and Slums: Rapid and unplanned urbanization, driven by rural-urban migration, leads to severe overcrowding and the proliferation of slums (e.g., Dharavi in Mumbai) characterized by sub-standard housing, lack of basic amenities, and unhygienic conditions.
Inadequate Infrastructure: Cities struggle to provide sufficient housing, clean water, sewerage, electricity, and solid waste management for their burgeoning populations. This results in water scarcity, open defecation, frequent power cuts, and accumulating garbage.
Traffic Congestion and Pollution: The surge in private vehicles combined with insufficient public transport and poorly planned road networks leads to severe traffic jams, air pollution (major cities like Delhi), and noise pollution.
Unemployment and Poverty: Despite being economic magnets, urban centers often cannot generate enough formal jobs for all migrants, leading to high unemployment, a large informal sector, and widespread urban poverty.
Environmental Degradation: Intense industrial and vehicular pollution, inadequate waste treatment, noise pollution, loss of green spaces, and encroachment on wetlands severely degrade urban environments and impact public health.
Social Problems: High population density, anonymity, income disparities, and lack of social cohesion can contribute to increased crime rates, social fragmentation, and mental health issues.
Housing Crisis: The formal housing market is often too expensive for low-income groups, leading to a severe shortage of affordable housing.
III. Measures and Strategies for Sustainable Settlement Planning and Development:
Integrated Regional Planning: Develop comprehensive regional plans that integrate rural and urban development. This involves creating growth poles in rural areas, improving connectivity, and managing peri-urban expansion to reduce pressure on megacities.
Rural Development and Diversification:
Invest in Rural Infrastructure: Provide universal access to clean water, sanitation, electricity, and all-weather roads.
Promote Rural Non-Farm Economy: Encourage small-scale industries, agro-processing units, rural tourism, and skill development to diversify income sources and reduce dependence on agriculture.
Strengthen Social Services: Improve the quality of rural education and healthcare facilities to enhance human capital and reduce push factors for migration.
Sustainable Urban Planning and Governance:
Smart City Approach: Focus on sustainable infrastructure, efficient resource management, smart mobility, and digital governance.
Affordable Housing: Implement policies and schemes for low-cost housing, slum upgradation (in-situ rehabilitation with basic services and secure tenure), and rental housing.
Public Transport Priority: Invest heavily in robust, integrated, and accessible public transport systems (metros, BRTS, suburban railways) to reduce reliance on private vehicles and alleviate congestion.
Waste Management: Implement comprehensive solid waste management systems focusing on segregation, recycling, composting, and scientific disposal.
Environmental Management and Green Urbanism:
Pollution Control: Enforce strict environmental regulations for industries and vehicles. Promote renewable energy and energy-efficient building designs.
Urban Green Spaces: Preserve and create more parks, green belts, and urban forests to improve air quality and enhance livability.
Water Management: Implement rainwater harvesting, wastewater recycling, and efficient water distribution to ensure water security.
Participatory Planning: Involve local communities, NGOs, and the private sector in the planning and implementation of development projects to ensure solutions are context-specific and sustainable.
Capacity Building: Strengthen the capacity of local urban and rural bodies for effective governance, planning, and resource mobilization.
Financial Support: Secure adequate funding through public investment, private sector participation, and international aid for large-scale infrastructure and social development projects.
By adopting a holistic and integrated approach, India can address the multifaceted problems of its human settlements, ensuring more equitable, efficient, and sustainable living environments for its vast population.
