Geography

Chapter 3

Water Resources

Q. What is Palar Pani?

Ans. Rain water harvesting is called Palar Pani.

Q. On which river is Koyna Dam built?

Ans. River Krishna.

Q. What is the major source of freshwater in India?

Ans. Groundwater

Q. On which river has Bhakra Nangal Dam been constructed ?

Ans. River Satluj

Q. Name the largest artificial lake built in 11th century ?

Ans Bhopal lake .

[Link] multi purpose project is situated in Punjab ?

Ana Bhakra Nangal Dam .

Q. What is the main cause of water scarcity ?

Ans. Growing population and less rainfall.

Q . In which state is Hirakund Dam situated?

Q. Rainwater harvesting structures built in Rajasthan are

known by what name?

Ans. Khadians and Johads.

Q. Name the king (Sultan) who built Hauz Khas in Delhi?

Ans. Sultan Iltutmish in 14th century

Q. How much total volume of the world's water estimated to exist as ocean is ?

Ans 96.5%

Q. On which river has Nagarjun Sagar Dam been constructed?

Ans. River Krishna

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

Q. State any three objectives of Rainwater harvesting?

Ans.(a) We can reduce run off water by rainwater harvesting.

(b) It helps to raise the water table.

(c) It reduces ground water pollution.

Q What is multipurpose river valley project? State any two purposes which are fullfied by a river valley
project?
Ans. A multipurpose river valley project in a project which provides many benefits simultaneously. It
consists of a dam or series of dams on a river or rivers to fulfil

many purposes like: (a) Irrigation

(b) Control flood

(c) Inland navigation

(d) Generating hydroelectricity

(e) Check soil erosion

(f) Fisheries, etc.

Q. Mention three major sources of irrigation in India. Which source of irrigation is most popular in
southern states and why?

Ans. (i) The three major sources of irrigation in India are:

(a) Canals

(b) Wells and tube wells

(c) Tanks

(ii) Tank irrigation

(ii) Because southern states mostly come under Deccan plateau which are not suitable for irrigation by
canals.

Q. What is water scarcity? What are its main causes?

Ans. Water scarcity means shortage of water as compared to its demand. Causes:
(a) Unequal distribution of rainfall (b) Large and growing population (c) Over-exploitation of water

(d) Wastage of water by people

Q. Name any two multipurpose river valley projects or dams which are causes of new social movements.
Why did people oppose them ?

Ans. Two multipurpose projects which caused social movements are:

(a) Narmada-Bachao Andolan

(b) Tehri-Dam Andolan

(c) Sardar Sarovar Dam

People opposed it due to:

Large-scale displacement of local communities

Environment issues

Demand for rehabilitation facilities from Government

Q. Why do we conserve water resources?

Ans. (i) To safeguard ourselves from health hazards

(ii) To ensure food security

(iii) To protect natural ecosystem.

Q. Mention a negative effect of irrigation. How can irrigation transform the social landscape ?
OR

What are the ill effects of irrigation ? How is it responsible for transforming social landscape ?

Ans. Irrigation has changed the cropping pattern of many regions with farmer shifting to cultivation of
water intensive and commercial crops. This has great ecological consequences. It leads to water logging
and consequent salinisation of the soil. This is a negative effect of irrigation. as which farmers have
better access to irrigation they have earn

more money due to the production of commercial crops. On the other hand, the landless poor who
couldn't avail of its benefit became poorer. Thus, irrigation has transformed the social landscape by
increasing the social gap between the rich landowners and the landless poor farmers.

Q. Why should we conserve and manage our water resources? How can we control overexploitation and
mismanagement of water resources? State any two points that should be kept in mind for efficient
management of water.

Ans. We should conserve and manage our water resources to safeguard ourselves from health hazards,
to ensure food security as well as to continue our livelihood and productive activities. Taking into
consideration the problem of water scarcity and decreasing freshwater resources, the need of the hour
is to conserve and manage our water resources.

Overexploitation and mismanagement of water resources can be controlled through conservation and
management of water resources. Conservation can also prevent degradation of our natural ecosystem
as well as control the ecological crisis that may arise due to its scarcity.

Two points that should be kept in mind for efficient management of water are:

(i) Prevention of water pollution, so that available water sources are not rendered unusable,

(i) Integrated Water Resource Management should develop water saving technology and recycling and
reuse of water. Rainwater harvesting should be
promoted.

Q. How far have the multipurpose projects been able to achieve their purpose for which they were
made ?Explain .

Ans. To some extend multipurpose river valley projects have been able to achieve their purpose.
Irrigation has increased power generation is a classic example of their success. But there are some
concerns too .

(i)They have obstructed the natural flow of rivers causing destruction of habitat of aquatic life.

(ii)People have also been affected as their habitat too have been submerged. It leads to socioeconomic
problems of big magnitude as lakhs of people are displaced.

(iii)This has led to huge destruction of flora and fauna, forests and biodiversity.

Q. Why is the need for water increasing day by day? Explain three reasons.

(i) Rapid industrialisation and urbanisation have led to greater demand for water.

(ii) Industries need water for various purposes.

(iii) Large population means more water is needed for domestic use and for agriculture to produce more
food.

(iv)Multiplying urban centres with large and dense population and urban life- styles have led to greater
need for water.

Q.' Large multi-purpose projects also lead to land degradation.' Explain.

Ans. Regulating and damaging of rivers affect their natural flow causing poor sediment flow and
excessive sedimentation at the bottom of reservoir. Large reservoirs submerge large tracts of forests,
flora and fauna. They also submerge soil leading to its decomposition over a period of time.
Q. From your everyday experiences, write a short proposal on how you can conserve

Ans. A short proposal to conserve water in our surrounding are given below:

(i) Don't overuse water.

(ii)Turn the tap off, when it is not in use. (iii) Reuse kitchen water for gardening.

Q. Make a list of inter-state water disputes.

Ans.

(i) Krishna-Godavari water dispute between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh

(ii) Kaveri water dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka

(iii) Krishna water dispute between Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh

(iv) SYL between Punjab and Haryana

Q. Find out rainwater harvesting systems existing in and around your locality .

Ans. Rainwater harvesting systems existing in our surrounding or locality are: Rand

(a) Water tanks

(b) Village Pond

(c) Rainwater harvesting

(d) Pit making for conserving and harvesting water.

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of multipurpose river projects.

Or
Explain any three advantages and disadvantages each of the multipurpose

river projects.

Ans. Anvantages of multipurpose river projects:

(i) Such projects help in checking floods.

(ii) Ample water is available for irrigation.

(iii)These projects help in electricity generation.

(iv) Water of these projects is used for domestic supply and industrial uses.

(v) Generally, surrounding areas of these projects are developed into touris picnic spots.

(vi) These are used for inland navigation and fish-breeding.

Disadvantages of multipurpose river projects:

(i) Displacement of people: In the process of construction of a dam, people living in

a large area are evicted and displaced.

(ii) Loss to land: Land nearby a dam suffers from seepage, water-loggin immersion conditions.

(iii) Loss of lives and property: As slight cleft or rift in the wall of a dam may result

in inundation of vast area around and loss of human lives and property.

(iv)Loss to vegetation and soil: A dam submerges the existing vegetation in the vast region around it. Soil
erosion, landslides and a rupture are formed parental rock.