Correct Answer: Option A) 1 only
Statement 1: "Himalayan rivers create oxbow lakes and meanders."This statement is Correct.
Himalayan rivers flow through plains and soft soil regions in their middle and lower courses. Due to their high volume of water and the relatively flat terrain they traverse, they develop meanders (curved bends) in their path. Over time, these meanders can get cut off from the main river channel, forming oxbow lakes.
Examples of Himalayan rivers that form such features include the Ganga and Brahmaputra.
Statement 2: "Peninsular rivers are perennial and navigable."This statement is Incorrect.
Peninsular rivers are mostly seasonal, depending primarily on rainfall for their water supply. Unlike Himalayan rivers which receive water from both rainfall and melting snow, peninsular rivers like the Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery experience significant fluctuations in water volume between monsoon and dry seasons. Additionally, peninsular rivers are generally not navigable because they flow through rocky terrain, have rapids and waterfalls, and don't maintain sufficient depth throughout the year.
