The correct option is 1 only
Explanation
The course of a river is generally divided into three stages based on its erosional and depositional activities: the Youth (Upper) Stage, the Mature (Middle) Stage, and the Old (Lower) Stage. These stages are clearly observable in the Himalayan Drainage System, unlike the Peninsular rivers which are mostly in a senile or old stage.
Statement 1 is Correct:
The Mature Stage corresponds to the river entering the plains. Here, the slope is gentler, and the volume of water increases due to tributaries. The river shifts from vertical erosion to lateral erosion, widening the valley. This leads to the formation of meanders (loops in the river course). As erosion intensifies along the meander necks, loops get cut off to form ox-bow lakes. While these features persist into the Old Stage, they are characteristic developments of the Mature stage as the river transitions from the mountains to the plains.
Statement 2 is Incorrect:
V-shaped valleys are characteristic features of the Youth (Upper) Stage, not the Old Stage. In the Youth stage, the river flows with high velocity over steep slopes, engaging in intense vertical (downward) erosion. This creates deep, narrow valleys with steep sides (V-shaped), gorges, and canyons. The Old Stage is characterized by a gentle gradient, vast floodplains, and depositional features like deltas, not erosional valleys.
Key Takeaway:
Youth Stage: Vertical erosion, V-shaped valleys, Gorges, Waterfalls.
Mature Stage: Lateral erosion, Meanders, Ox-bow lakes, wider valleys.
Old Stage: Deposition, Deltas, Distributaries, flat gradients.