Geography – Chapter 3: Water Resources
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):-
1. Which one of the following factors is mainly responsible for declining water
level in India?
(a) Irrigation (b) Industrialisation
(c) Urbanisation (d) Over-utilisation
2. Who among the following proclaimed the dam as the 'Temples of Modern
India'?
(a) Mahatma Gandhi (b) Jawaharlal Nehru
(c) Moti Lal Nehru (d) Lal Bahadur Shastri
3. Apart from flood control and irrigation, what are the other uses of
multi-purpose projects?
(a) Recreation (b) Fish breeding
(c) Inland navigation (d) All of these
4. The Hirakud dam is built on which of the following rivers?
(a) Satluj (b) Beas
(c) Mahanadi (d) Krishna
5. Choose the correct option regarding major states involved in the Krishna -
Godavari issue.
(a) Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu
(b) Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh
(c) Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh
(d) Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha
6. Which among the following regions of India experience low rainfall and is
drought prone?
(a) Rajasthan (b) Gujarat
(c) Bihar (d) Telangana
7. In which part of India, rooftop rainwater harvesting is declining?
(a) Western Rajasthan (b) Eastern Kerala
(c) Eastern Rajasthan (d) Tamil Nadu
8. Which one of the following is the irrigation system in Meghalaya?
(a) To irrigate land only during the rainy season.
(b) To use large volumes of water.
(c) To remove water from soil for irrigation.
(d) To use bamboo drip irrigation system.
9. In a debate competition at a school two groups of students had an issue
over whether water is a renewable resource or a non-renewable resource.
The teacher resolved the situation by telling them that the water is a
renewable resource because
I. Three-fourth of Earth is covered with water.
II. A large amount of fresh water is stored as Groundwater.
III. There is a hydrological cycle on the Earth.
IV. It is available everywhere on Earth.
Codes
(a) Only I
(b) III and IV
(c) Only III
(d) I, II, III and IV
10. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding 'water scarcity'?
I. Water scarcity is also due to human factors.
II. Availability of sources of water varies over space and time.
III. Water availability affects food production adversely.
IV. Irrigated agriculture is preferred over dry season agriculture to conserve
water.
Codes
(a) Only I
(b) Only II
(c) I, II, III and IV
(d) I, II and III
Assertion Reason
1. Assertion (A) The availability of water resources varies over space and
time.
Reason (R) Availability of water resources helps in storing water.
Codes
(a) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(c) Both A and R are incorrect
(d) A is correct, but R is incorrect
2. Assertion (A) Irrigation is considered to be the major source of agriculture.
Reason (R) Dams are well-known for their capacity to hold water for
agriculture.
Codes
(a) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(c) Both A and R are incorrect
(d) A is correct, but R is incorrect
Very short answer type questions:-
1. What are the sources of freshwater on the Earth?
Ans. Precipitation, surface runoff that goes into the rivers and groundwater are
the sources of freshwater on Earth.
2. What is the most important benefit of the 'hydrological cycle'?
Ans. Hydrological cycle is important as it renews and recharges the fresh
water which is quite essential for sustenance of life.
3. What are popularly termed as 'The Temples of Modern India'?
Ans. Multi-purpose projects are popularly known as "The Temples of Modern
India'.
4. What is the importance of the Hirakud project?
Ans. The Hirakud Dam project is important for irrigation, flood management
and power production. It is essential for agriculture and generating electricity.
5. Name some hydroelectric projects on Damodar river basin.
Ans. Some major hydroelectric projects on the Damodar river are Damodar
Tilaya, Konar, Maithon and Panchet.
Short Answer type questions:-
1. "Water scarcity may be an outcome of the large and growing population in
India." Analyse the statement.
Ans. Water scarcity may be an outcome of the large and growing population in
India. It can be analysed through the following points
(i) Post-independent India witnessed intensive industrialisation and
urbanisation. This situation increased water demand.
(ii) The increasing demand of water by the growing population leads to the
over-exploitation of water resources for various purposes. For example, for
drinking, domestic uses, agriculture, electricity generation and so on.
(iii) Increasing 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 of water scarcity.
2. Multi-purpose projects are 'Temples of Modern India'. Justify.
OR
Why are multi-purpose projects considered as the 'Temples of Modern India'?
Ans. Multi-purpose river projects are 'Temples of Modern India' due to the
following reasons
•They were considered to bring development in agriculture and the village
economy with rapid industrialisation and growth in the urban economy.
•The dams were an important symbol of these projects and consequently of
the modernisation of India. That is why, Nehru called dams as the "Temples of
Modern India'.
•The multi-purpose projects control floods as well as are useful in irrigation,
electricity generation, fish breeding, etc.
2. Do you think multi-purpose projects have failed to achieve the purpose for
which they were built? Justify your answer.
Ans. Yes, multi-purpose projects have failed to achieve their purpose. The
following reasons support the statement:
•The multi-purpose projects were constructed to control floods, but due to
excessive sedimentation at the bottom of the reservoir, these cause floods in
nearby areas.
•These projects have displaced the local population leading to mass protests,
agitations and movements.
•They also cause destruction of the environment, as forest land has to be
cleared around the rivers to construct huge reservoirs.
[Link] two reasons why rainwater harvesting is important in India. Name two
states which practise rainwater harvesting in India.
OR
Analyse the importance of rainwater harvesting.
[Link] of rainwater harvesting can be analysed through the following
points
(i) With the help of rainwater harvesting techniques groundwater can be
recharged and its level can be increased.
(ii) The water harvested can be conserved and used during the dry season.
Thus, the water demand of the growing population can be met.
Two states practising rainwater harvesting in India are Rajasthan and Gujarat.
NCERT BOOK QUESTIONS
Q.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) Region with high annual rainfall.
Ans- Not suffering from water scarcity
(b) Region having high annual rainfall and large population.
Ans- Suffering from water scarcity
(c) Region having high annual rainfall but water is highly polluted.
Ans- Suffering from water scarcity
(d) Region having low rainfall and low population.
Ans- Suffering from water scarcity
(ii) Which one of the following statements is not an argument in favour of
multi-purpose river projects?
(a) Multi-purpose projects bring water to those areas which suffer from water
scarcity.
(b) Multi-purpose projects by regulating water flow helps 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.
(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.
Ans- Multiplying urban centres with a large and dense populations and urban
lifestyles have not only added to water and energy requirements, but have
further aggravated the problem.
(b) Regulating and damming of rivers does not affect the river's natural flow
and its sediment flow.
Ans- Regulating and damming of rivers affect their natural flow causing poor
sediment flow and excessive sedimentation at the bottom of the reservoir. It
results in rockier stream beds and poorer habitats for the rivers' aquatic life.
(c) Today in Rajasthan, the practice of rooftop rainwater harvesting has gained
popularity despite high water availability due to the Indira Gandhi Canal.
Ans- Today, in Western Rajasthan, 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 tanks since they do not like the
taste of tap water.
0.2 Answer the following questions in about 30 words.
(i) Explain how water becomes a renewable resource.
Ans. Water becomes a renewable resource through the hydrological cycle.
Freshwater is mainly obtained from the surface runoff and groundwater is
continually being renewed and recharged through the hydrological cycle.
(ii) What is water scarcity and what are its main causes
Ans. The shortage of water as compared to its demand is known as water
scarcity.
The main causes of water scarcity are as follows
•Growing Population A large population means more water requirement for
cooking, washing and bathing.
•Industrialisation The increasing number of industries put pressure on the
existing freshwater resources. Industries are heavy users of water.
•Commercialisation of Agriculture Commercial crops need more water and
other inputs. Means of irrigation like tubewells and canals are responsible for
the falling groundwater levels.
(iii) Compare the advantages and disadvantages of multi-purpose river
projects.
Ans. The various advantages and disadvantages of multi purpose river
projects can be compared as given belon
Advantages
•Irrigation of crops
•Electricity generation
•Water supply for industrial and domestic purposes
•Flood control
•Inland navigation
•Fish breeding
Disadvantages
•Effect on soil fertility
•Impact on aquatic life
•Change in cropping pattern
•Excessive sedimentation at the bottom of the reservoir
•Excessive use of water
•Increasing social crop
0.3 Answer the following questions in about 120 words.
(i) Discuss how rainwater harvesting in semi-arid regions of Rajasthan is
carried out.
Ans. Rainwater harvesting in semi-arid regions of Rajasthan is carried out in
the following ways
•In arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, agricultural fields were converted
into rainfed storage structures that allowed the rain water to stand and moister
the soil like the Khadins in Jaisalmer and Johads in other parts of Rajasthan.
•Rooftop rainwater harvesting was commonly practiced to store drinking water
in semi-arid and arid regions of Rajasthan, particularly in Bikaner, Phalodi,
Barmer and across the towns and villages of the Thar desert.
•Every house in these regions had underground tanks or tankers to store the
water for drinking purposes.
•These tankers are large and deep tanks which were built inside the courtyard.
They were linked to the sloping roofs of the houses through a pipe. Rainwater
falling on the rooftops would run down through the pipe and collect in the
underground tanks.
•The collected rainwater was stored in the underground tankers providing
drinking water till the next seasons. When all other sources have dried up,
these tankas were beneficial to beat the summer heat as they kept the room
cool.
(ii) Describe how modern adaptations of traditional rainwater harvesting
methods are being carried out to conserve and store water.
Ans. Modern adaptations of traditional rainwater harvesting methods which
are being carried out to conserve and store water are as follows-
•'Rooftop rainwater harvesting' is practiced in semi-arid areas of Rajasthan to
store drinking water.
•In the semi-arid and arid regions of Rajasthan, particularly in Bikaner,
Phalodi, Barmer and across the towns and villages of the Thar desert, almost
all the houses traditionally had underground tanks or tankers for storing
drinking water.
•In hills and mountainous regions, people build diversion channels to collect
rainwater, spring water and store in circular tanks.
•In arid and semi-arid regions, agricultural fields were converted into rainfed
storage structures that allowed the water to stand and moisten the soil like the
'Khadins' in Jaisalmer and the 'Johads' in other parts of Rajasthan.
•In the flood plains of Bengal, people developed inundation channels to
irrigate their fields.
•Bamboo drip irrigation systems are also being used for water from streams
and springs in the hills to be transported to agricultural fields by using bamboo
as pipes.