GEOGRAPHY (X) LESSON 3 WATER RESOURCES (QUESTION ANSWERS)

 

GEOGRAPHY (X) LESSON 3

WATER RESOURCES

(QUESTION ANSWERS)

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                                                  NCERT QUESTION

1. Multiple choice questions.

(i) Based on the information given below classify each of the situations as ‘suffering from water scarcity’ or ‘not suffering from water scarcity’.

(a) A region with high annual rainfall.

(b) A region having high annual rainfall and large population.

(c) A region having high annual rainfall but water is highly polluted.

(d) A region having low rainfall and low population.

Answer:

(a) A region with high annual rainfall – Not suffering from water scarcity

(b) A region having high annual rainfall and large population – Suffering from water scarcity

(c) A region having high annual rainfall but water is highly polluted – Suffering from water scarcity

(d) A region having low rainfall and low population- Not suffering from water scarcity

(ii) Which one of the following statements is not an argument in favour of multipurpose river projects?

(a) Multi-purpose projects bring water to those areas which suffer from water scarcity.

(b) Multi-purpose projects by regulating water flow help to control floods.

(c) Multi-purpose projects lead to large scale displacements and loss of livelihood.

(d) Multi-purpose projects generate electricity for our industries and our homes.

Answer:

(c) Multi-purpose projects lead to large scale displacements and loss of livelihood

(iii) Here are some false statements. Identify the mistakes and rewrite them correctly.

(a) Multiplying urban centres with large and dense populations and urban lifestyles have helped in proper utilisation of water resources.

(b) Regulating and damming of rivers does not affect the river’s natural flow and its sediment flow.

(c) In Gujarat, the Sabarmati basin farmers were not agitated when higher priority was given to water supply in urban areas, particularly during droughts.

(d) Today in Rajasthan, the practice of rooftop rainwater water harvesting has gained popularity despite high water availability due to the Indira Gandhi Canal.

Answer:

(a) Multiplying urban centres with large and dense populations and urban lifestyles have resulted in improper utilisation of water resources.

(b) Regulating and damming of rivers does affect the river’s natural flow and its sediment flow.

(c) In Gujarat, the Sabarmati basin farmers were agitated when higher priority was given to water supply in urban areas, particularly during droughts.

(d) Today in Rajasthan, the practise of rooftop rainwater water harvesting popularity has declined due to high water availability from Indira Gandhi Canal.

2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.

(i) Explain how water becomes a renewable resource.

Answer: Water can be considered as a renewable resource since there will be rains and surface water and groundwater will get recharged continuously due to the 3 process involved in the hydrological cycle.

The 3 processes of the hydrological cycle are

1.    Evaporations

2.    Condensation

3.    Precipitation

(ii) What is water scarcity and what are its main causes?

Answer: The shortage of water for drinking and domestic purpose is known as water scarcity. The cause of water scarcity are these:-

1.    water scarcity may be an outcome of large and growing population.

2.    Consequent greater demands for water, and unequal access to it.

3.    To facilitate higher food-grain production

4.    To expand irrigated areas for dry-season agriculture.

5.    Pollution of water

(iii) Compare the advantages and disadvantages of multi-purpose river projects.

Answer:Advantages:

1.    Irrigation

2.    Electricity generation

3.    Flood control

4.    Water supply for industrial and domestic purposes.

5.    Tourist attraction

6.    Inland navigation

Disadvantages:

1.    The natural flow of water is affected

2.    Aquatic life gets affected

3.    Submergence of land in the surrounding areas

4.    Ecological consequences

5.    Large scale displacement of local people.

3. Answer the following questions in about 120 words.

(i) Discuss how rainwater harvesting in semi-arid regions of Rajasthan is carried out.

Answer: In the semi-arid and arid regions of Rajasthan, particularly in Bikaner, Phalodi and Barmer, almost all the houses traditionally had underground tanks or tankas for storing drinking water. The tanks could be as large as a big room; one household in Phalodi had a tank that was 6.1 metres deep, 4.27 metres long and 2.44 metres wide. The tankas were part of the well-developed rooftop rainwater harvesting system and were built inside the main house or the courtyard. They were connected to the sloping roofs of the houses through a pipe. Rain falling on the rooftops would travel down the pipe and be stored in these underground ‘tankas’. The first spell of rain was usually not collected as this would clean the roofs and the pipes. The rainwater from the subsequent showers was then collected. The rainwater can be stored in the tankas till the next rainfall, making it an extremely reliable source of drinking water when all other sources are dried up, particularly in the summers. Rainwater, or ‘palar pani’, as commonly referred to in these parts, is considered the purest form of natural water.

(ii) Describe how modern adaptations of traditional rainwater harvesting methods are being carried out to conserve and store water.

Answer: Water harvesting system is a viable alternative, both socio-economically and environmentally. In ancient India, along with the sophisticated hydraulic structures, there existed an extraordinary tradition of water-harvesting system.

1.    In hill and mountainous regions, people built diversion channels like the ‘guls’ or ‘kuls’ of the Western Himalayas for agriculture.

2.    Rooftop rainwater harvesting’ was commonly practised to store drinking water, particularly in Rajasthan.

3.     In the flood plains of Bengal, people developed inundation channels to irrigate their fields.

4.    In arid and semi-arid regions, agricultural fields were converted into rain-fed storage structures that allowed the water to stand and moisten the soil like the ‘khadins’ in Jaisalmer and ‘Johads’ in other parts of Rajasthan.

5.    Rooftop rainwater harvesting is the most common practice in Shillong, Meghalaya.

6.    Tamil Nadu is the first state in India which has made rooftop rainwater harvesting structure compulsory to all the houses across the state.

 

OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

1 MARK QUESTIONS

1. What kind of resource is water
Answer: Renewable resource.

 2. How much world’s water exists as oceans and fresh water ?
Answer: As oceans – 96.5 per cent.

As freshwater – 2.5 per cent.

 3. Which are the sources of freshwater ?
Answer:

1.    Precipitation

2.    Surface run off

3.    Groundwater.

 4. Which is the major source of freshwater in India ?
Answer: Groundwater.

 5. Mention two causes of water scarcity.
Answer:

1.    Rapid growth of population.

2.    Uneven distribution of water resources.

 6. How much hydroelectric power is produced in India ?
Answer: In India hydroelectric power contributes approximately 22 per cent of the total electricity produced.

 7. State any one reason for conservation of water resources.
Answer: To ensure food security because water is needed for production of crops.

 8. State any two sources from which freshwater can be obtained under the hydrological cycle.
Answer:    Precipitation and Ground water.

 9. In whose kingdom in ancient India, dams and lakes were built ?
Answer: During the time of Chandragupta Maurya, dams, lakes and irrigation systems were extensively built.

 10. What is a dam ?
Answer: A dam is a barrier across flowing water that obstructs, directs or retards the flow, often creating a reservoir, lake or impoundment.

 11. How dams are classified on the basis of structure and the material used ?
Answer: Based on structure and the material used, dams are classified as timber dams, embankment dams or masonry dams with several subtypes.

 12. What did Nehru say about dams and why ?
Answer: Jawaharlal Nehru proudly proclaimed the dams as the ‘temples of modern India’ because the dams would integrate development of agriculture and the village economy with rapid industrialisation and growth of the urban economy.

 13. Which project has been constructed in the Satluj-Beas River Basin ?
Answer: Bhakra-Nangal Project has been constructed in the Satluj-Beas river basin.

 14. Where is the Hirakud Project and what is its advantage ?
Answer: The Hirakud Project is in the Mahanadi basin. It integrates conservation of water with flood control.

 15. Why multi-purpose projects and large dams have been opposed ? State one reason.
Answer: These projects and dams have been opposed because they lead to the large scale displacement of local people and communities. They have to give up their land and livelihood and their meager access to resources.

 16. Which river is called as ‘river of sorrow’ ?
Answer: Damodar River.

 17. In which state the farmers were agitated over the higher priority given to the water supply in urban areas ?
Answer: In Gujarat, the Sabarmati basin farmers were agitated and almost caused a riot over the higher priority given to water supply in urban areas, particularly during droughts.

 18. Which state governments have raised objections over the diversion of more water and where ?
Answer: Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh governments have raised objections regarding the diversion of more water of Koyna by the Maharashtra government for a multi-purpose project. The reason was that this would reduce downstream flow in their states with adverse consequences for agriculture and industry.

 19. Why the dams have triggered floods ?
Answer: The dams have triggered floods due to sedimentation in the reservoir.

 20. Which are the two social movements that have been started against multi-purpose projects ?
Answer:

1.    Narmada BachaoAndolan.

2.    Tehri Dam Andolan.

 21. On which river Salal Dam is built ?
Answer: River Chenab.

 22. Who gets benefits from multi-purpose projects ? State any two sections of society
Answer:

1.    Land owners

2.    Large farmers

3.    Industrialists.

 23. What is an ecological consequence of irrigation under multi-purpose projects ?
Answer: Salinisation of the soil that has transformed the social landscape i.e., increasing the social gap between the richer landowners and the landless poor.

 24. What was the position of rainwater harvesting system in ancient India ?
Answer: In ancient India, along with the sophisticated hydraulic structures, there existed an extraordinary tradition of water harvesting system.

 25. Give any one example of rainwater harvesting system in ancient India.
Answer: In the hill and mountainous region, people built diversion channels like the ‘guls’ or ‘kuls’ of the Western Himalayas for agriculture.

 26. What method was developed in the flood plains of Bengal to irrigate their fields ?
Answer: In the floodplain of Bengal, people developed inundation channels to irrigate their fields.

 27. Which methods were used in arid and semi-arid regions for irrigation ?
Answer: In arid and semi-arid regions, agricultural fields were converted into rain fed storage structures that allowed the water to stand and moisten the soil like the ‘khadins’ in Jaisalmer and ‘Johads’ in other parts of Rajasthan.

 28. What are tankas ?
Answer: Tankas are underground tanks for storing drinking water.

 29. What was length and breadth of a tank in Phalodi ?
Answer:

Length : 4.27 meters

Width : 2.44 meters

Depth : 6.1 meters

 30. What is remarkable about Gendathur a remote backward village in Mysore ?
Answer: Nearly 200 households have installed rooftop rainwater harvesting system to meet r their water needs. The village has earned the rare distinction of being rich in rainwater.

 31. What makes Tamil Nadu to stand out with regard to rainwater harvesting ?
Answer: Tamil Nadu is the first and the only state in India which has made rooftop rainwater harvesting structure compulsory to all the houses across the state.

 32. Which system of tapping stream water is prevalent in Meghalaya ?
Answer: In Meghalaya, a 200-year-old system of tapping stream and spring water by using bamboo pipes is prevalent.

THREE AND FIVE MARKS QUESTIONS

1. Why dams are now referred as multipurpose projects?
Ans. a. Dams are now referred to as multipurpose projects as the uses of the impounded water are in integration with one another.
b. Dams are constructed to flood control, irrigation, generation and distribution of electricity.
c. Dams are constructed to conserve water, vegetation and soil.
d. It also helps to promote tourism.

2. Highlight the reverse effects of dams on aquatic life and vegetation.
Ans. a. Regulating and damming of rivers affect the natural flow of rivers, causing poor sediment flow and excessive sedimentation at the bottom of the reservoir, resulting in rockier stream beds and poorer habitats for the rivers’ aquatic life.
b. Dams also fragment rivers making it difficult for aquatic fauna to migrate, especially for spawning.
c. The reservoirs that are created on the flood plains also submerge the existing vegetation and soil leading to its decomposition over a period of time.

3. Mention the negative effect of over irrigation?
Ans. a. This has great ecological consequences like Stalinization of the soil.
b. Decrease the soil fertility.
c. It leads to water scarcity.

4. How can irrigation transform the social landscape?
Ans. a. Irrigation has also changed the cropping pattern of many regions with farmerd shifting to water intensive and commercial crops.
b. This has great ecological consequences like Stalinization of the soil.
c. At the same time, it has transformed the social gap between the richer land owner and the landless poor farmers.

5. How dams are responsible for creating conflicts between people of same society? Explain with example.
Ans. a. The dams did create conflicts between people wanting different uses and benefits from the same water resources.
b. In Gujarat, the Sabarmati-basin farmers were agitated and almost caused a riot over the higher priority given to water supply in urban areas, particularly during droughts.

7. Explain the quantitative aspects of water scarcity.
Ans. a. Let us consider another situation where water is sufficiently available to meet the needs of the people, but the area still suffers from water scarcity.
b. This scarcity may be due to bad quality of water. Lately there has been a growing concern that even if there is ample water to meet the needs of the people, much of it may be polluted by domestic and industrial wastes, chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers used in agriculture, thus, making it hazardous for human use.

8. Highlight the facts given by The Citizens’ Fifth Report, CSE, 1999.
Ans. a. India’s rivers, especially the smaller ones, have all turned into toxic streams.
b. And even the big ones like the Ganga and Yamuna are far from being pure.
c. The assault on India’s rivers-from population growth, agricultural modernization, urbanization and industrialization-is enormous and growing day by day.
d. This entire life stands threatened.

9. What do you know about Krishna Godavari Dispute?
Ans. a. The Krishna Godavari dispute is based on the objections raised by the Governments of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
b. The reason is diversion of more water flow at Koyna by the Maharashtra Government for irrigation and a hydro electricity project.
c. It was felt that this would lessen the flow in their states which would have adverse affects on industry and agriculture.

10. What is rain water harvesting? State the objectives of rainwater harvesting.
Ans. a. Rain water harvesting as a method of utilizing rainwater for domestic and agriculture use is already widely used throughout the world.
b. It has become a widely accepted technique of providing potable water in development projects all over the world.
c. Rain water harvesting is done for storing rainwater in containers above or below the ground.
d. Rainwater harvesting is done for charging into soil for withdrawal later.

11. What are benefits of rainwater harvesting?
Ans. a. Rainwater harvesting increases water availability.
b. It checks the declining water table.
c. It is environment friendly.
d. Rainwater harvesting improves the quality of groundwater through the dilution of fluoride, nitrate and salinity.
e. Prevent soil erosion and flooding especially in urban areas.

12. Explain any three human values to reduce water wastage.
Ans. a. The Public should be made aware about the water scarcity and causes of shortage of water.
b. People should use water wisely and in a planned way.
c. Over irrigation should be stopped.
d. The habit of conserving water needs to be developed among the people.

13. What can be the effects of over-exploitation and excessive use of water resources?
Ans. a. Deletion of water resources.
b. Degradation of our natural ecosystem.
c. Shortage of availability of food which may adversely affect food security in the country.
Serious health hazards

14. Describe the qualitative aspect of water scarcity.
Ans. According to qualitative aspects of water scarcity, it is a situation where water sufficiently available to meet the needs of the people, but, the area still suffers from water scarcity. This scarcity may be due to bad quality of water. Lately, there has been a growing concern that even if there is ample water to meet the needs of the people, much of it may be polluted by domestic and industrial wastes, chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers used in agriculture, thus, making it hazardous for human use.

15. Why are dames now referred to as multi-purpose projects?
Ans. Today dams are built not just for irrigation but for electricity generation, water supply for domestic and industrial use, flood control, recreation, inland navigation and fish breeding. Hence, dams are now referred to as multipurpose projects where the many uses of the impounded water are integrated with one another. For example, in the Sutlej-Beas river basin, the Bhakra- Nangal project water is being used both for hydel power production and irrigation. Similarly, the Hirakud project in the Mahanadi basin integrates conservation of water with flood control.

16. What are the difference between traditional dams and multi-purpose projects?
Ans. a. Traditional dams were built to impound rivers and rainwater that could be used later to irrigate agricultural fields only but now multipurpose projects are built not just for irrigation.
b. But for electricity generation, water supply for domestic and industrial use, flood control, recreation, inland navigation and fish breeding.
c. Hence, dams are now referred to a multiple river projects where the many uses of the impounded water are integrated with one another.

17. How were the understand ‘Tankas’ beneficial to the people of Rajasthan?
Ans. a. The underground tankas were able to provide reliable sources of drinking water during summer when other sources had dried up.
b. The rainwater or palar pani was considered to be purest form of water.
c. They would help in keeping the room cool to manage the hot summer.

18. Why is rooftop rainwater harvesting the most common practice in Shilong in spite of the fact that Cherapunjee and Mawsynram are situated only at a distance of 55 kilometers from there? Explain
Ans. a. Shillong receives heavy rainfall during monsoon period but the state faces acute water shortage.
b. Once chirrapunji was famous because it received the highest rainfall in world. Today this area faces an acute water shortage. This is a consequence of extensive deforestation and no efforts toward rainwater harvesting
c. It is mainly due to lack of water storage system.
d. Nearly every household in the city has a rooftop rain water harvesting structure.
e. Nearly 15-25 percent of the total water requirement of the household comes from roof top water harvesting.

19. Why is the need for water increasing day by day? Explain three reasons.
Ans. a. Population is increasing day by day. A large population means more water is required not only for domestic purpose but for agricultural purpose.
b. Industries are the heavy users of fresh water for power which put tremendous pressure on water resources.
c. In cities or housing colonies, they have their own groundwater pumping devices to meet their needs resulting in over exploitation of water resources.

20. What is the importance of water as a natural resource?
Ans. a. It is essential for life.
b. It is essential for domestic consumption.
c. Agriculture is possible only due to water.
d. In is a source of hydraulic energy.
Indispensable for disposal of sewage

21. Suggest some ways to conserve water resources.
Ans. a. Creation of more water storage.
b. Awareness should be spread about reasons of water scarcity.
c. Development of rainwater harvesting techniques and watershed developments.
d. Over irrigation should be stopped.
e. Setting up of more and more recycling of water plants.

22. How do the dams create conflicts between the people?
Ans. a. The dams have created conflicts between people wanting different uses and benefits from the same water resources.
b. Inter-state water disputes are becoming common with regard to sharing the costs and benefits of the projects.
c. The landowners, the rich farmers. Industrialists and urban centers are benefitting at the cost of local communities.

23. “Multipurpose projects have failed to achieve the purpose for which they were built”. Justify by giving reasons.
Ans. a. These dams were constructed to control floods but sometimes they are unable to control floods.
b. Regulating and damming of rivers affect the natural flow of rivers causing poor sediment flow and excessive sedimentation at the bottom of the reservoir.
c. Dams also create conflict between the states and people, wanting different uses and benefits from the same water resources.

24. Why is groundwater a highly overused resource?
Ans. a. Farmers dependent on groundwater to raise their crops.
b. Maximum people of the world are dependent on groundwater for drinking purpose and other house hold purpose because according to them this water is fresh and clean.
c. Due to urbanization and industrialization maximum groundwater is used.

25. Why are multipurpose projects called as the temples of modern world?
Ans. Jawaharlal Nehru proudly proclaimed the dams as the ‘Temples of the modern India’ due to the following reasons:
a. It would integrate development of agriculture and the village economy with rapid industrialization and growth of the urban economy.
b. They not only help in irrigation but also help in electricity generation, water supply for domestic and industrial uses, flood control, recreation, inland navigation and fish breeding.

26. Why is the scarcity of water increasing day by day in India?
Ans. a. Rapid growth of population.
b. Rising area under agriculture and rise in the demand of food and cash crops.
c. Water resources are being exploited to expand irrigated areas in dry seasons.
Due to industrialization

27. Why should we conserve and manage our water resources?
Ans. a. To maintain the water cycle.
b. To overcome the problem of water scarcity.
c. To stop the excessive use, overutilization and unequal access to water among different social groups.
d. Variation in seasonal and annual precipitation may affect the availability of water over time and space so there is a need of water management.

28. How can we control over exploitation and mismanagement of water resources?
Ans. a. Conservation and management of water resources is a combined effort-each one of us contributing towards it positively.
b. Multipurpose river projects should be created by the government to stop the flowing water.
c. Awareness should be spread among the people regarding water management and conservation.

29. State any three points that should be kept in mind before the construction of Dams?
Ans. a. While the construction of dams environment issues, displacement of people should be keep in mind.
b. Distribution of water in between the states should be judicial, while constructing dams.
c. More benefits of dams should be given to the local people whose life gets affected due to the construction of dam.

30. Why is there a need to conserve and manage our water resources?
Ans. a. Because water is essential for life, that’s why there is need to conserve water resources.
b. To ensure food security, that’s why there is need to conserve water resources.
c. For continuation of our livelihood and productive activities, that’s why there is need to conserve water resources.
d. To safeguard ourselves from health hazard that’s why there is need to conserve water resources.