Chapter 3 Water Resources NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Geography

 

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Geography Chapter 3 Water Resources – Important Questions

Given in this post is NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Geography Chapter 3 Water Resources. The important questions we have compiled will help the students to brush up on their knowledge about the subject. Students can practice Class 10 Geography important questions to understand the subject better and improve their performance in the board exam. The NCERT solutions provided here will also give students an idea about how to write the answers.

 

• Water Resources Multiple Choice Questions
• Water Resources 1 Mark Questions
• Water Resources Assertion-reason based questions
• Water Resources Fill in the blanks
• Water Resources 2 Mark Questions
• Water Resources 3 Mark Questions
• Water Resources 4 Mark Questions
• Water Resources 5 Mark Questions
• Water Resources Map Based Questions

 
 

MCQ Based Questions

 

Q1 The freshwater is mainly obtained from surface runoff and groundwater that is continually being renewed and recharged through the ___________. 

A sulfur cycle

B rock cycle

C hydrological cycle

D none of the above

 

Ans C hydrological cycle

 

Q2 96.5 per cent of the total volume of the world’s water is estimated to exist as _____ and only 2.5 per cent as ____________. 

A freshwater, oceans

B oceans, freshwater

C groundwater, oceans

D none of the above

 

Ans B oceans, freshwater

 

Q3 Nearly 70 percent of freshwater occurs as ice sheets and glaciers in __________, Greenland and the mountainous regions of the world. 

A Antarctica 

B Siberia 

C Alaska 

D Russia 

 

Ans A Antarctica 

 

Q4 A little less than _________ of freshwater is stored as groundwater in the world’s aquifers. 

A 5%

B 20%

C 10%

D 30%

 

Ans D 30%

 

Q5 India ranks _________ in the world in terms of water availability per person per annum. 

A 133

B 135

C 17

D 98

 

Ans A 133

 

Q6 As per one of the Swedish experts, water stress occurs when water availability is between _________ and _________ cubic meters per person per year. 

A 900 and 1000

B 1000 and 1600

C 500 and 1000

D 1650 and 2650

 

Ans B 1000 and 1600

 

Q7 In India __________ contributes approximately 22 percent of the total electricity produced. 

A tidal power

B nuclear power

C thermal power

D hydroelectric power 

 

Ans D hydroelectric power 

 

Q8 From ancient times, evidence of sophisticated irrigation works have also been found in Nagarjunakonda. It is located in ________. 

A Andhra Pradesh

B Odisha 

C Karnataka 

D Tamil Nadu

 

Ans A Andhra Pradesh

 

Q9 In the 14th Century, the tank in ________ was constructed by Iltutmish for supplying water to the Siri Fort area. 

A Jaipur, Rajasthan

B Hauz Khas, Delhi

C Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

D Surat, Gujarat 

 

Ans B Hauz Khas, Delhi

 

Q10 Groundwater is evenly distributed in all the regions.

A True

B False

 

Ans B False

 

Q11 ____________ in the Mahanadi basin integrates conservation of water with flood control. 

A Krishnarajasagar project

B Teri project

C Hirakud project 

D Bhakra Nangal project 

 

Ans C Hirakud project

 

Q12 In the Sutlej-Beas river basin, the ___________ water is being used both for hydel power production and irrigation. 

A Nagarjuna Sagar project

B Sardar Sarovar project

C Kallanai project

D Bhakra – Nangal project 

 

Ans D Bhakra-Nangal project 

 

Q13 ____________ proudly proclaimed the dams as the ‘temples of modern India’ as it would integrate the development of agriculture and the village economy with rapid industrialisation and growth of the urban economy. 

A Sardar Patel

B Jawaharlal Nehru

C Mahatma Gandhi

D Dr B.R.Ambedkar

 

Ans B Jawaharlal Nehru

 

Q14 Bhadu song in a particular region narrates the troubles faced by people owing to the flooding of ________ known as the river of sorrow. 

A Damodar river

B Kaveri river

C Narmada river

D Yamuna river 

 

Ans A Damodar river

 

Q15 Narmada Bachao Andolan is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) that mobilised tribal people, farmers, environmentalists and human rights activists against the __________ dam being built across the river Narmada. 

A Sardar Sarovar

B Tehri dam

C Nagarjuna Sagar Dam

D Bhakra Nangal Dam 

 

Ans A Sardar Sarovar

 

Q16 Koyna Dam is one of the largest dams located in ___________. 

A Uttar Pradesh

B Himachal Pradesh

C Rajasthan 

D Maharashtra 

 

Ans D Maharashtra 

 

Q17 Multipurpose project leads to displacement of millions of people.

A True

B False

 

Ans A True

 

Q18 Jawahar Lal Nehru proclaimed the dams as the ‘Temples of Modern India’.

A True

B False

 

Ans A True

 

Q19 In Phalodi and Barmer, almost all the houses traditionally had underground tanks or tankas for storing drinking water. Barmer and Phalodi are located in ___________. 

A Gujarat 

B Himachal Pradesh

C Uttarakhand 

D Rajasthan 

 

Ans D Rajasthan

 

Q20 River water is the purest form of natural water.

A True

B False

 

Ans B False

 

Q21 During whose reign were the dams, lakes and irrigation systems built extensively? 

A Ashoka 

B Chandragupta Maurya

C Akbar 

D None of these

 

Ans B Chandragupta Maurya

 

Q22 What were ‘Guls’? 

A Reservoirs 

B Artificial lakes

C Diversion channels

D None of these

 

Ans C Diversion channels

 

Q23 How much of the Earth’s surface is covered with water? 

A Two-Third

B Three-Fourth

C One-Fourth

D Two-Fourth

 

Ans B Three-Fourth

 

Q24 The water covered surface of the earth is: 

A one-fourth

B three-fourth

C half of the earth

D none of these

 

Ans B three-fourth

 

Q25 The earth is occupied mostly with water yet freshwater resources are only: 

A 3.5%

B 5.5%

C 2.5%

D 0.5%

 

Ans C 2.5%

 

Q26 Which options are true for dams? 

A They check the sediment flow in rivers.

B Dams have helped provide ample water for agriculture.

C Dams have solved problems of drought in Central India.

D Dams have helped in power generation. 

 

Ans B Dams have helped provide ample water for agriculture.

 

Q27 How much per cent of the total volume of the world’s water is estimated to exist in oceans? 

A 95.5%

B 96%

C 95%

D 96.5%

 

Ans D 96.5%

 

Q28 The primary source of water is: 

A evaporation 

B precipitation 

C rain 

D none of these

 

Ans C rain 

 

Q29 We need more and more ____________ for growing food. 

A land 

B water 

C minerals 

D none of these

 

Ans B water 

 

Q30 Which among the following regions of India experience low rainfall and is drought prone? 

A Rajasthan 

B Gujarat 

C Bihar 

D Telangana 

 

Ans A Rajasthan 

 

Q31 Apart from flood control and irrigation, what are the other uses of multipurpose projects? 

A Recreation

B Fish breeding

C Internal Navigation

D All of these

 

Ans A Recreation

 

Q32 Which place in India has an artificial lake to conserve water that dates back to the 11th century? 

A Delhi 

B Bhopal 

C Bennur 

D Kolhapur 

 

Ans B Bhopal

 

Q33 Who among the following proclaimed the dam as the Temple of Modern India? 

A Mahatma Gandhi

B Jawaharlal Nehru

C Moti Lal Nehru

D Lal Bahadur Shashtri

 

Ans D Lal Bahadur Shashtri

 

Q34 Which of the following places gets the highest rainfall in the world? 

A Mawsynram 

B Aizawl 

C Shillong 

D Cherrapunji 

 

Ans A Mawsynram 

 

Q35 What is the contribution of India’s hydroelectric power to the total electricity produced in the country? 

A 22%

B 30%

C 40%

D 50%

 

Ans A 22%

 

Q36 The Hirakud dam is built on which of the following rivers?

A Sutlej 

B Beas 

C Mahanadi 

D Krishna

 

Ans C Mahanadi 

 

Q37 A tank for storing water that was 6.1 metres deep, 4.27 metres long and 2.44 metres wide is found in _____________. 

A Jaisalmer 

B Phalodi 

C Alwar 

D Chittorgarh 

 

Ans B Phalodi 

 

Q38 Which of the following remote backward village in Mysore, Karnataka installed a household rooftop rainwater harvesting system? 

A Gendathur 

B Vanasthalipuram 

C Chilkunda 

D Kallahalli 

 

Ans A Gendathur 

 

Q39 How many households have installed this rainwater harvesting system in that village? 

A 150 households

B 175 households

C 200 households

D 225 households

 

Ans C 200 households

 

Q40 In which part of India, rooftop rainwater harvesting is chiefly practiced? 

A Western Rajasthan

B Eastern Kerala

C Eastern Rajasthan

D Western Tamil Nadu

 

Ans A Western Rajasthan

 

Q41 Water is being used both for hydel power production and irrigation of which of the following? 

A Bhakra-Nangal Dam

B Sutlej-Beas River Basin

C Hirakud Dam

D All of these 

 

Ans A Bhakra-Nangal Dam

 

Q42 Name the state where almost all the houses traditionally had tankas. 

A Rajasthan 

B Odisha 

C Tamil Nadu

D Maharashtra

 

Ans A Rajasthan

 

Q43 What is the share of hydroelectric power in total production of electricity in India? 

A 19%

B 22%

C 30%

D 36%

 

Ans B 22%

 

Q44 What is India’s rank in the global precipitation in terms of water availability per person per annum?

A 132 

B 133 

C 143 

D 142 

 

Ans B 133 

 

Q45 Which one of the following statements is not an argument in favour of multipurpose river projects?

A Multipurpose projects bring water to those areas which suffer from water scarcity.

B Multipurpose projects by regulating water flow help to control floods.

C Multipurpose projects lead to large scale displacements and loss of livelihood.

D Multipurpose projects generate electricity for our industries and our homes.

 

Ans C Multipurpose projects lead to large scale displacements and loss of livelihood.
 
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1 Mark Questions

 

Q1 How is freshwater obtained?

 

Ans Freshwater is mainly obtained from surface runoff and groundwater that is continually being renewed and recharged through the hydrological cycle.

 

Q2 What is water scarcity?

 

Ans Water scarcity may be an outcome of a large and growing population and consequent greater demands for water and unequal access to it.

 

Q3 Explain the causes of water scarcity.

 

Ans Water scarcity is caused by over-exploitation, excessive use and unequal access to water among different social groups.

 

Q4 What was the method used in the ancient period to conserve water?

 

Ans Archaeological and historical records show that from ancient times, we have been constructing sophisticated hydraulic structures like dams built of stone rubble, reservoirs or lakes, embankments and canals for irrigation.

 

Q5 What is a dam?

 

Ans A dam is a barrier across flowing water that obstructs, directs or retards the flow, often creating a reservoir.

 

Q6 What are the benefits of dams?

 

Ans Dams are built for irrigation, electricity generation, water supply for domestic and industrial uses, flood control, recreation, inland navigation and fish breeding.

 

Q7 Why were multi-purpose projects launched after the independence of India?

 

Ans Multipurpose projects, launched after independence with their integrated water resources management approach, were thought of as the vehicle that would lead the nation to development and progress, overcoming the handicap of its colonial past. 

 

Q8 Why have multipurpose dams come under great scrutiny?

 

Ans Regulating and damming of rivers affect their natural flow 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.

 

Q9 How do dams create conflicts between people?

 

Ans 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. Interstate water disputes are also becoming common with regard to sharing the costs and benefits of the multi purpose projects.

 

Q10 How are dams responsible for causing floods?

 

Ans Ironically, the dams that were constructed to control floods have triggered floods due to sedimentation in the reservoir. Big dams can be unsuccessful in controlling floods at the time of excessive rainfall. Release of water from dams during heavy rains aggravate the flood situation.

 

Q11 What is the viable alternative of multipurpose projects?

 

Ans Rising resistance against the multi-purpose projects, the water harvesting system was a viable alternative, both socio economically and environmentally.

 

Q12 How did people in ancient times exercise the water harvesting system?

 

Ans People had in depth knowledge of rainfall regimes and soil types and developed wide ranging techniques to harvest rainwater, groundwater, river water and flood water in keeping with the local ecological conditions and their water needs.

 

Q13 What were ‘Kuls’ or ‘Guls’?

 

Ans These are the diversion channels for irrigation purposes. These are mainly used in western Himalayas for water harvesting and agriculture.

 

Q14 How did people in West Bengal practise water harvesting?

 

Ans In the floodplains of Bengal, people developed inundation channels to irrigate their fields.

 

Q15 What were ‘johads’ and ‘khadins’?

 

Ans 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. These were called ‘khadins’ in Jaisalmer and ‘Johads’ in other parts of Rajasthan.

 

Q16 What are ‘tankas’?

 

Ans Tankas were underground storage tanks of drinking water in arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan. Tankas were big huge tanks for storing rain water from the rooftop of all the houses.

 

Q17 What does ‘Palar Pani’ mean?

 

Ans Rain water or ‘Palar Pani’ as commonly referred to in parts of Rajasthan, is considered the purest form of natural water.

 

Q18 Is rain water harvesting practiced these days in western Rajasthan? Support your answer.

 

Ans These days, in western Rajasthan, sadly the practice of rooftop rainwater harvesting is on the decline as plenty of water is available due to the perennial Rajasthan Canal, though some houses still maintain the tankas since they do not like the taste of tap water.

 

Q19 Which state has made rooftop rainwater harvesting compulsory?

 

Ans 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. These are legal provisions to punish the defaulters.

 

Q20 What is bamboo drip irrigation?

 

Ans In Meghalaya, a 200 year old system of tapping stream and spring water by using bamboo pipes, is practiced. It is called bamboo drip irrigation.

 
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Assertion-reason based questions

 

Q1 Assertion (A): It was observed that the multi-purpose projects induced earthquakes, causing water-borne disease.

Reason (R): People had in-depth knowledge of rainfall regimes and soil types and developed wide ranging techniques to harvest rainwater, groundwater, river water and flood water in keeping with the local ecological conditions and their water needs.

Options:

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. 
2. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A. 
3. A is true but R is false. 
4. A is false but R is true.

 

Ans a. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. 

 

Q2 Assertion (A): Today, dams are built not just for irrigation but for electricity generation, water supply for domestic and industrial uses, flood control, recreation, inland navigation and fish breeding. 

Reason (R): Hence, dams are now referred to as multi-purpose projects where the many uses of the impounded water are integrated with one another.

Options:

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. 
2. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A. 
3. A is true but R is false. 
4. A is false but R is true.

 

Ans a. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

 

Q3 Assertion (A): In ancient India, along with the sophisticated hydraulic structures, there existed an extraordinary tradition of water-harvesting systems. 

Reason (R): Rainwater, or palar pani, as commonly referred to in these parts, is considered the purest form of natural water.

Options:

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. 
2. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A. 
3. A is true but R is false. 
4. A is false but R is true.

 

Ans b. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.

 

Q4 Assertion (A): 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. Reason (R): Inter-state water disputes are also becoming less common with regard to sharing the costs and benefits of the multi-purpose project.

Options:

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. 
2. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A. 
3. A is true but R is false. 
4. A is false but R is true.

 

Ans c. A is true but R is false.

 

Q5 Assertion (A): Most of the objections to the projects arose due to their success to achieve the purposes for which they were built. 

Reason (R): Ironically, the dams that were constructed to control floods have triggered floods due to sedimentation in the reservoir.

Options:

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. 
2. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A. 
3. A is true but R is false. 
4. A is false but R is true.

 

Ans d. A is false but R is true.

 

Q6 Assertion (A): Water is a renewable resource. 

Reason (R): Freshwater is mainly obtained from surface runoff and groundwater that is continually being renewed.

Options:

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. 
2. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A. 
3. A is true but R is false. 
4. A is false but R is true.

 

Ans a. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

The total volume of world’s water is estimated to exist as oceans and only a few cent occurs to be fresh water. Nearly 70 per cent of this freshwater occurs as ice sheets and glaciers in Antarctica, Greenland and the mountainous regions of the world.

 

Q7 Assertion (A): The availability of water resources varies over space and time.

Reason (R): Availability of water resources helps in storing water.

Options:

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. 
2. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A. 
3. A is true but R is false. 
4. A is false but R is true.

 

Ans c. A is true but R is false.

Water resources vary over space and time due to the variation in seasonal and annual precipitation however water scarcity in most cases is caused by over- exploitation and excessive use.

 

Q8 Assertion (A): Dams are referred to as multi-purpose projects. 

Reason (R): Dams are built for irrigation, electricity generation, water supply for domestic and industrial use, flood control, recreation and fish breeding.

Options:

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. 
2. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A. 
3. A is true but R is false. 
4. A is false but R is true.

 

Ans a. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. 

Dams were traditionally built to impound rivers and rainwater that could be used later to irrigate agricultural fields. They also help in various activities. Thus, the reason justifies the assertion.

 

Q9 Assertion (A): Irrigation has also changed the cropping pattern.

Reason (R): Crops are now sown according to the amount and availability of water.

Options:

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. 
2. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A. 
3. A is true but R is false. 
4. A is false but R is true.

 

Ans a. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Irrigation has also changed the cropping pattern of many regions with farmers shifting to water intensive and commercial crops. Large farmers are benefited through changing the cropping pattern.

 

Q10 Assertion (A): Multi-purpose projects help to control floods by regulating water flow. 

Reason (R): Dafrisyere constructed to conserve water.

Options:

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. 
2. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
3. A is true but R is false. 
4. A is false but R is true.

 

Ans b. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.

Multi-purpose projects include dams which help us in conserving and managing water. Floods occur due to very rainfall. Building dams in most of our river basins helps in controlling floods as it helps in storing and regulating water resources. Thus both are true, but the reason does not justify the answer.

 
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Fill in the blanks in the following

 

Q1 The continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the earth is known as ____________.

 

Ans hydrological cycle

 

Q2 96.5% of the total volume of the world’s water is estimated to exist as ____________.

 

Ans oceans

 

Q3 _________, ___________ and ____________ are sources of fresh water. 

 

Ans Precipitation, surface runoff and groundwater

 

Q4 _________ and __________ movements were launched against the multipurpose projects. 

 

Ans ‘Narmada Bachao’ and ‘Tehri Dam’

 

Q5 The Krishna-Godavari dispute is due to the objections raised by the Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh Governments regarding the diversion of more water at Koyna by the ___________ Government for a multipurpose project.

 

Ans Maharashtra

 

Q6 Rihand Dam is located on river Rihand, a tributary of __________.

 

Ans Son river

 

Q7 A 200-year-old system of tapping stream and spring water by using bamboo pipes is prevalent in the state of ___________.

 

Ans Meghalaya

 

Q8  ____________ is the first state in India which has made rooftop rainwater harvesting structures compulsory to all the houses across the state.

 

Ans Tamil Nadu

 

Q9 _______________ is the main reason for water scarcity.

 

Ans Growing population

 

Q10 The primary source of water is ___________.

 

Ans Rain

 
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2 MARK QUESTIONS

 

Q1 Explain how water becomes a renewable resource. (NCERT QUESTION)

 

Ans 1. All the water that is being used mainly ends up in the sea. From there on, it enters the hydrological cycle in the form of water vapour. 

2. When precipitation occurs, it renews the freshwater. Therefore, water is a renewable resource.

 

Q2 What is water scarcity and what are its main causes? (NCERT QUESTION)

 

Ans 1. Water scarcity is the lack of sufficient available water resources to meet water needs within a region. 

2. It is caused due to an increase in population, which leads to growing demand for water and unequal access to it.

 

Q3 Compare the advantages and disadvantages of multi-purpose river projects. (NCERT QUESTION)

 

Ans 1. Multi-purpose river projects help in irrigation, electricity production, flood control, inland navigation and fish breeding. 

2. Nevertheless, the reservoirs destroy local flora and fauna. Many native villages are submerged and people lose their livelihood, with little or no hope of rehabilitation.

 

Q4 How is Gendathur included as one of the rare villages to adopt rainwater harvesting?

 

Ans 1. In Gendathur, a remote backward village in Mysore, Karnataka, villagers have installed, in their household’s rooftop rainwater harvesting system to meet their water needs. 

2. Nearly 200 households have installed this system and the village has earned the rare distinction of being rich in rainwater.

 

Q5 What do you understand by the term ‘scarcity of water’?

 

Ans  It is a situation where water is sufficiently available to meet the needs of the people, but the area still suffers from water scarcity.

1.  This scarcity may be due to bad quality of water.
2. 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.

 

Q6 Why did Jawaharlal Nehru proudly proclaim the dams as the ‘temples of modern India’?

 

Ans 1. Multipurpose projects launched after independence with their integrated water resources management approach, were thought of as the vehicle that would lead the nation to development and progress.

2. Jawaharlal Nehru proclaimed the dams as the ‘temples of modern India’ as it would integrate the development of agriculture and village economy with rapid industrialisation and growth of the urban economy.

 

Q7 How does urbanization and urban lifestyle lead to over-exploitation of water?

 

Ans 1. Multiplying urban centres with large and dense populations and urban lifestyles have not only added to water and energy requirements but have further aggravated the problem. 

2. Fragile water resources like groundwater are being overexploited and have caused their depletion in several cities.

 

Q8 ‘Rainwater harvesting system is a viable alternative both socio-economically and environmentally.’ Support the statement with three examples.

 

Ans 1. Keeping into view the disadvantages and rising resistance against the multipurpose dams, water harvesting system is considered a viable alternative both socio-economically and environmentally.

2. For example, rooftop rainwater harvesting is the most common practice in Shillong, Meghalaya Though this region receives the highest rainfall in the world, yet the state capital, Shillong faces acute shortage of water. Nearly every household in the city has a rooftop rainwater harvesting structure.

 

Q9 “India is heading towards water scarcity.” Trace the possible solutions to tackle this problem. (CBSE SAMPLE PAPER 2018-19)

 

Ans Possible Solutions to tackle water scarcity:

1. Rain water harvesting 
2. Bamboo drip irrigation system 
3. Avoiding wastage of water in day to day life activities

 
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3 Mark Questions

 

Q1 Here are some false statements. Identify the mistakes and rewrite them correctly. (NCERT QUESTION)

1. Multiplying urban centres with large and dense populations and urban lifestyles have helped in proper utilisation of water resources. 
2. Regulating and damming of rivers does not affect the river’s natural flow and its sediment flow.
3. In Gujarat, the Sabarmati basin farmers were not agitated when higher priority was given to water supply in urban areas, particularly during droughts.

 

Ans 1. Multiplying urban centres with large and dense populations and urban lifestyles have caused the over exploitation of water resources.

2. Regulating and damming of rivers affects their natural flow and causes the sediment at the bottom of the reservoir.
3. In Gujarat, the Sabarmati basin farmers were agitated when higher priority was given to water settlement supply in urban areas, particularly during the droughts.

 

Q2 Discuss how rainwater harvesting in semi-arid regions of Rajasthan is carried out. (NCERT QUESTION)

 

Ans 1. Tankas: They consist of traditionally constructed tanks for storing drinking water. They are big and are a part of the well-developed rooftop rainwater harvesting system. The tanks are mainly constructed inside the house or the courtyard, and are connected to the sloping roofs of the houses through a pipe. 

2. The first spell of rain is not collected as this water cleans the roof and the pipes. The rainwater from the subsequent spells is collected. This water serves as a reliable source till the next rainy season after the other sources have dried up. 
3. The tanks also help in cooling the houses as rooms built around them have generally low temperatures due to conduction.

 

Q3 Describe how modern adaptations of traditional rainwater harvesting methods are being carried out to conserve and store water. (NCERT QUESTION)

 

Ans 1. The rooftop method is considered to be a traditional method of rainwater harvesting, which is becoming popular in India. 

2. In Gendathur village, Mysore, about 200 households have adapted the rooftop rainwater harvesting method, thereby making the village rich in rainwater. 
3. The state of Tamil Nadu has made it compulsory for all the houses to have rooftop rainwater harvesting structures.

 

Q4 What are the main causes of water scarcity?

 

Ans 1. Overpopulation: Water scarcity may be an outcome of a large and growing population which results in greater demand for water and unequal access to it.

2. Commercialisation of agriculture: After the success of the Green Revolution, farmers are producing commercial crops. The commercial crops need more water for irrigation.
3. Urbanisation: Urbanisation is another factor for scarcity of water. Since new lifestyles have developed in the urban cities, overexploitation of water continues; there is water scarcity.

 

Q5 Explain ‘Narmada Bachao Andolan’.

 

Ans 1. Save Narmada Movement is a Non-Governmental Organisation. 

2. It mobilised tribal people, farmers, environmentalists and human rights activists against the Sardar Sarovar Dam, being built across the Narmada river in Gujarat.
3. It focused on the environmental issues related to trees that would be submerged under the dam water. Recently, it has refocused its aim to rehabilitate displaced people. 

 

Q6 Give various methods of rainwater harvesting since ancient times.

 

Ans 1. Guls or Kuls: In hilly and mountainous regions, people built diversion channels called Kuls or Guls in the Western Himalayas. A Kul or Gul leads to a circular village tank, from which water is released as and when required. 

2. Inundation Channels: In the flood plains of Bengal, people developed inundation channels to irrigate their fields.
3. Khadins and Johads: 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, called ‘Khadins’ in Jaisalmer and ‘Johads’ in other parts of Rajasthan.
4. Tankas: Cirular holes are made in the ground, lined with fine polished line. In Bikaner, Phalodi and Barmer of Rajasthan, almost all the houses traditionally had underground tanks or tankas for storing drinking water.

 

Q7 What is Gendathur village renowned for?

 

Ans 1. The villagers of Gendathur village had installed their household’s rooftop rainwater harvesting system to meet their water needs. 

2. Nearly 200 households had installed this system and the village earned a rare distinction of being rich in rainwater.
3. Gendathur receives an annual precipitation of 1,000 mm, and with 80 percent of collection efficiency, every house can collect and use about 50,000 litres of water annually.

 

Q8 What are the main factors of river pollution in India?

 

Ans 1. India’s rivers, especially the smaller ones have all turned into toxic streams. Even the big ones like Ganga and Yamuna are far from being pure. 

2. The assault on Indian rivers is from the population growth. It increases the pollution in the river and reduces the amount of water available for industries and agriculture. 
3. Besides that, other culprits are the modernisation of agriculture, urbanisation and the growth of industries. The chemical fertilisers and the effluents from industries on the river banks are also responsible for its pollution.

 

Q9 What is a dam? What are the different types of dams?

 

Ans 1. A dam is a barrier across flowing water that obstructs, directs or retards the flow, often creating a reservoir, lake or impoundment. 

2. Dams are classified according to their structure, intended purpose or height. On the basis of structure and material used, dams are classified as:

(i) Timber dams

(ii) Embankment dams or masonry dams.

3. According to their height, dams can be categorised as:

(i) Large dams or major dams 

(ii) Low dams

(iii) Medium height dams

(iv) High dams

 

Q10 Explain the river-water dispute between the states of India.

 

Ans 1. Krishna-Godavari dispute is due to the objections raised by the governments of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. 

2. It is regarding the diversion of more water at Koyna by the Maharashtra government for a multipurpose project. This would reduce downstream flow in their states with adverse consequences for agriculture and industry. 
3. Similar disputes arise as the Kaveri issue between the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and Yamuna water dispute between Haryana and Delhi governments regarding the use of water.

 

Q11 Why is the practice of rooftop rainwater harvesting slowly declining in Rajasthan? Which state has made rooftop rainwater harvesting compulsory?

 

Ans 1. In Rajasthan, sadly the practice of rooftop rainwater harvesting is on decline.

2. It is due to availability of plenty of water from Perennial Rajasthan Canal. New generation considers stored rainwater unhygienic so they don’t prefer to drink that water.
3. Tamil Nadu is the state which has made rooftop rainwater harvesting compulsory.

 

Q12 “Multi- purpose projects and large dams have come under great scrutiny.” Identify the problems caused by the setting up of these projects and dams. (CBSE SAMPLE PAPER 2018-19)

 

Ans Problems caused by setting up of Multi-purpose projects and large dams: 

1. Regulating and damming of rivers affect their natural flow causing poor sediment flow.
2. Dams fragment rivers 
3. Difficulty for aquatic fauna to migrate 
4. Submergence of existing vegetation 
5. Decomposition of soil 
6. Large scale displacement of local communities

 
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4 Mark Questions

 

Q1 Read the given extract and answer following questions: (CBSE SAMPLE PAPER 2022-23)

 

Narmada Bachao Andolan or Save Narmada Movement is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) that mobilised tribal people, farmers, environmentalists and human rights activists against the Sardar Sarovar Dam being built across the Narmada river in Gujarat. It originally focused on the environmental issues related to trees that would be submerged under the dam water. Recently it has re-focused the aim to enable poor citizens, especially the oustees (displaced people) to get full rehabilitation facilities from the government. People felt that their suffering would not be in vain… accepted the trauma of displacement believing in the promise of irrigated fields and plentiful harvests. So, often the survivors of Rihand told us that they accepted their sufferings as sacrifice for the sake of their nation. But now, after thirty bitter years of being adrift, their livelihood having become even more precarious, they keep asking: “Are we the only ones chosen to make sacrifices for the nation?” Source: S. Sharma, quoted in In the Belly of the River. Tribal conflicts over development in Narmada valley. A. Baviskar. 1995. 

 

1. With what objective ‘Sardar Sarovar Dam’ was built?

 

Ans a. To secure power 

1. Irrigation 
2. Drinking water for the drought-prone region

 

2. Analyse the reason for protest by the tribal people.

 

Ans a. Huge displacement of people 

1. Demand for rehabilitation
2. Harm of harvest
3. Loss of livelihood 

 

3. Highlight the issues on which ‘Save Narmada Movement’ worked on.

 

Ans  a. Against huge displacement of people 

1. Environmental issue 
2. Demand for rehabilitation of tribal
3. To provide tribal the source of livelihood 

 

4. Sardar Sarovar Dam being built across the _____________ river.

 

Ans Narmada 

 

Q2 Read the given extract and answer following questions:

 

Today, dams are built not just for irrigation but for electricity generation, water supply for domestic and industrial uses, flood control, recreation, inland navigation and fish breeding. Hence, dams are now referred to as multi-purpose projects where the many uses of the impounded water are integrated with one another. For example, in the Satluj-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. Multi-purpose projects, launched after Independence with their integrated water resources management approach, were thought of as the vehicle that would lead the nation to development and progress, overcoming the handicap of its colonial past. Jawaharlal Nehru proudly proclaimed the dams as the ‘temples of modern India’, the reason being that it would integrate development of agriculture and the village economy with rapid industrialisation and growth of the urban economy.

 

1. Which of the following multipurpose projects is found in the Satluj-Beas river basin?

A Hirakud project

B Damodar Valley Corporation

C Bhakra Nangal Project

D Rihand Project

 

Ans C Bhakra Nangal Project

 

2. Hirakud dam is built on which river?

A Chenab

B Mahanadi

C Krishna

D Satluj

 

Ans B Mahanadi

 

3. For which of the following purposes were dams traditionally built?

A For generating electricity

B For supplying water to industries

C For Flood control

D To impound river and rain water for irrigation

 

Ans D To impound river and rain water for irrigation

 

4. Which one of the following is not an adverse effect of dams?

A  Interstate water disputes

B Excessive sedimentation of Reservoir

C Displacement of population

D Flood control

 

Ans D Flood control

 

Q3 Read the given extract and answer following questions:

 

Many thought that given the disadvantages and rising resistance against the multipurpose projects, water harvesting system was 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. People had in-depth knowledge of rainfall regimes and soil types and developed wide ranging techniques to harvest rainwater, groundwater, river water and flood water in keeping with the local ecological conditions and their water needs. In hill and mountainous regions, people built diversion channels like the ‘guls’ or ‘kuls’ of the Western Himalayas for agriculture. ‘Rooftop rainwater harvesting’ was commonly practised to store drinking water, particularly in Rajasthan. In the flood plains of Bengal, people developed inundation channels to irrigate their fields. 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. 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.

 

1. Agricultural fields which are used as rainfed storage structures are called:

A Kuls

B Khadins/Johads

C Recharge pits

D None of the above

 

Ans A Kuls

 

2. In which of the following regions, people built ‘Guls’ and ‘Kuls’ for irrigation?

A Northern Plains

B Western Himalayas

C Coastal areas

D None of these

 

Ans B Western Himalayas

 

3. The diversion channels seen in the Western Himalayas are called:

A Guls or Kuls

B Khadins

C Johads

D Recharge pits

 

Ans A Guls or Kuls

 

4. Underground tanks seen in Rajasthan to store rainwater for drinking is called:

A Tankas

B Khadins

C Ponds

D Kuls

 

Ans A Tankas

 
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5 Mark Questions

 

Q1 In what ways are intensive industrialisation and urbanisation responsible for water scarcity?

OR

“It is essential to conserve and manage our water resources.” Support the statement with suitable examples.

 

Ans 1. The ever increasing number of industries has made matters worse by exerting pressure on existing freshwater resources.

2. Industries, apart from being heavy users of water, also require power to run them. Much of this energy comes from hydroelectric power.
3. Multiplying urban centres with large and drose populations and urban lifestyles have not only added to water and energy requirements but have further aggravated the problem. 
4. In housing societies or colonies, we would and that most of them have their own groundwater pumping devices to meet their water needs. With the result, fragile water resources are being overexploited and have caused their depletion in several cities.

 

Q2 How have multi-purpose projects and large dams been the cause of many new social movements?

 

Ans 1. Narmada Bachao Andolan and the Tehri Dam Andolan, etc., were the movements to resist large-scale displacement of local communities. Local people often had to give up their land, livelihood and their control over resources for the greater good of the nation.

2. Irrigation has changed the cropping pattern from shifting to commercial crops. It is responsible for salinisation of the soil. At the same time, it has its social impact by increasing the social gap between the rich landowners and the landless poor. 
3. Dams also created conflicts between people wanting different uses and benefits from the same water resource. In Gujarat, the Sabarmati basin farmers were agitated over the priority given to water supply in urban areas, particularly during droughts.
4. Interstate water disputes are also common with regard to sharing the costs and benefits of the multi-purpose projects. 
5. For eg., Krishna-Godavari dispute, is due to the objections raised by Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh governments regarding the diversion of more water at Koyna by the Maharashtra government for a multi-purpose project.

 

Q3 What do you know about the ‘Bamboo-Drip Irrigation System’?

 

Ans 1. In Meghalaya, a 200 year old system of tapping stream and spring water by using bamboo pipes, is prevalent. 

2. Barnboo pipes are used to divert perennial springs on the hilltops to the lower reaches by gravity. 
3. The channel sections, made of bamboo, divert water to the plant site, where it is distributed into branches.
4. If the pipes pass roads, they are taken high above the land on the free branches.
5. Reduced channel sections and diversion units are used at the last stage of water application. The last channel section enables water to be dropped near the roots of the plant.

 

Q4 Give a brief description of ‘Hydrological Cycle’.

 

Ans 1. Three-fourth of the earth’s surface is covered with water, but only a small proportion of it accounts for freshwater that can be put to use. 

2. The process of hydrological cycle begins with the evaporation process due to the heat of the Sun on all water bodies of the earth including seas and oceans.
3. These minute particles of the water then get condensed. In this process of condensation, clouds are formed with dust particles and pollen grains present in the atmosphere. 
4. When saturation takes place, then clouds precipitate in the form of rain or snow. This fresh water then becomes surface run-off water, in the form of rivers, ponds and lakes. 
5. This water again gets drained into sea or ocean and forms a hydrological process.

 

Q5 Highlight any three hydraulic structures as a part of water management programmes initiated in ancient India.

 

Ans 1. In the first century BC, Sringaverapura near Allahabad had a sophisticated water harvesting system, channeling the flood water of river Ganga.

2. During the time of Chandragupta Maurya, dams, lakes and irrigation systems were extensively built.
3. Evidence of sophisticated irrigation works have also been found in Kalinga (Odisha), Nagarjun-Konda (Andhra Pradesh), Bennur (Karnataka) and Kolhapur (Maharashtra).
4. In the 11th century, Bhopal Lake, one of the largest artificial lakes of its time, was built. 
5. In the 14th century, the tank in Hauz Khas, Delhi was constructed by Iltutmish for supplying water to the Siri Fort area.

 

Q6 Explain the ecological problems being faced due to multi-purpose river valley projects.

 

Ans 1. In recent years, the multipurpose projects and large dams have come under great scrutiny and opposition for a variety of reasons: flow

2. Regulating and damming of rivers affect the natural flow of rivers, causing poor sediment and excessive sedimentation at the bottom of the reservoir, resulting in rockier stream beds and poorer habitats for the rivers’ aquatic life.
3. Adverse environmental effects in the form of water-logging, salinity have led to the degradation of soil. Cropping patterns of many regions have changed due to irrigation with farmers shifting to water intensive and commercial crops.
4. Dams also fragment rivers, making it difficult for the aquatic fauna to migrate, especially for spawning. 
5. The reservoirs that are created on the floodplains also submerge the existing vegetation and soil leading to its decomposition over a period of time.

 
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Map Based Questions

 

Q1 On the map of India, mark the following dams of India.

1. Bhakra Nangal Dam (CBSE SAMPLE PAPER 2019-20) (CBSE SAMPLE PAPER 2021-22)
2. Rana Pratap Sagar Dam MAP (CBSE SAMPLE PAPER 2020-21) (CBSE SAMPLE PAPER 2021-22)
3. Salal Dam (CBSE SAMPLE PAPER 2021-22)
4. Tehri Dam (CBSE SAMPLE PAPER 2021-22)
5. Hirakud Dam (CBSE SAMPLE PAPER 2022-23)
6. Sardar Sarovar Dam
7. Tungabhadra Dam
8. Nagarjuna Dam

 

Ans

 

 

Q2 On the map of India, mark the major rivers of India.

 

Ans

 
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