Geography 3 – Water Resource

1. What is the importance of water? / "Water is a very inportant and critical

resource in India"- Support the statement.
a) Water is vital for human survival.
b) Water is used for transportation.
c) Water is essential in industries.
d) It is used to generate hydroelectric power.
e) Water is a basic input for agriculture.
f) The country has 18% of the world’s population, but only 4% of its water resources, making it
among the most water-stressed country in the world. A large number of Indians face high to
extreme water stress.
g) According to a recent report by the government’s policy, India is ranked 133rd in the world for
the amount of water available per person per year.
h) 5 states in India namely Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Gujarat are
facing significant water scarcity.
i) It is predicted by 2025 nearly 2 billion people will live in absolute water scarcity.
2. Give some facts and figures about the water resources in the world.
a) 96.5% of the total volume of world's water is estimated to exist as oceans.
b) Only 2.5% exist as fresh water.
c) 70% of the fresh water occurs as ice sheets and glaciers in Antarctica, Greenland and the
mountainous regions of the world.
d) Less than 30% is stored as groundwater in the world's aquifers.
e) India is ranked 133rd in the world for the mount of water available per person per year.
f) It is predicted by 2025, nearly 2 billion people will live in absolute water scarcity.
3. Explain how water becomes a renewable resource.
a) Freshwater is mainly obtained from surface runoff and groundwater.
b) This is continually being renewed and recharged through the hydrological cycle which has
three stages (Evaporation, Condensation and Precipitation)
c) All the water moves within the hydrological cycle making water a renewable resource.
4. What percentage of global precipitation does India receive?
India receives mainly nearly 4% of the global precipitation.
5. Where is India ranked in terms of water availability per person per annum? By
what year will India join countries having absolute water scarcity?
India ranks 133rd in the world in terms of water availability per person per annum. By 2025,
large parts of India will join countries having absolute water scarcity.
6. What is water scarcity? Write the main reasons for scarcity. / What are the
causes of quantitative and qualitative aspects of water scarcity?
Introduction:
a) Water scarcity means shortage of water.
b) It is usually associated with regions having low rainfall or drought prone areas. For example:
c) In the deserts of Rajasthan, women balancing many matkas (earthen pots) for collecting and
storing water by travelling long distances to get water.
d) There are many other reasons which lead to scarcity of water- overexploitation, excessive use,
unequal access to water among different social groups and overexploitation of water in the urban
areas
e) The quantitative aspect of water scarcity is related to the availability of water resource which
varies over space and time mainly due to variations in seasonal and annual precipitation.)
Quantitative Aspects of Water Scarcity:
(i)Over exploitation of water in the urban areas:
a) Housing societies or colonies in the cities have their own groundwater pumping devices to
meet their needs.
b) Urban centres with large and dense populations and urban lifestyles demand more water and
energy requirements which is leading to the depletion of fragile water resources in the cities.
(ii) Large Growing Population /( "Water scarcity is an outcome of a large and growing
population” Analyse):
a) A large growing population means more water required for domestic use and also to produce
more food. More water is required to meet energy requirement(HEP).
b) A large population means a large disposal of waste which can also lead to water pollution.
(iii) Agricultural sector/ (How has agriculture aggravated the problem of water scarcity in
India?):
a) To produce more food, farmers are using modern inputs like HYV seeds, fertilizers and other
modern farming methods and all these inputs need more water, which exert pressure on the
existing water resources.
b) In the agricultural sector, water resources are being overexploited to expand irrigated areas
and dry season agriculture.
c) To facilitate higher food grain production, water resources are being overexploited.
d) Irrigated agriculture is the largest consumer of water.
e) Overuse of water has led to groundwater depletion, adversely affecting water availability and
food security of the people.
f) Overuse of chemicals, fertilizers, etc has an adverse impact on the quality of water.
g) Modern farming methods and commercialization of agriculture has led to the drilling of
groundwater at a large scale.
Qualitative aspects of water scarcity:
(iv) Urbanisation and Industrialisation:
a) There is a greater demand for water with growing urbanization and industrialisation.
b) Excessive use of water by industries which also require water to generate hydroelectric power
to run them.
c) The quality of water is deteriorating, getting polluted by domestic and industrial wastes,
chemical fertilizers and pesticides used in agriculture.
7. How intensive industrialization and urbanization have posed a great pressure on
existing freshwater resources in India?
Introduction:
Post-independent India witnessed intensive industrialization and urbanization creating vast
opportunities for us. Today large industrial houses are as common place as the industrial units of
Many MNCs (Multinational Corporations). The ever-increasing number of industries has made
matters worse by exerting pressure on existing freshwater resources.
(i) Industrialisation:
a) Industries, apart from being heavy users of water, also require power to run them.
b) Arrival of MNC's: Apart from fresh water, they require electricity, much of this energy comes
from hydroelectric power.
c) Today, in India, hydroelectric power contributes approximately 22% of the total electricity
produced.
d) Industries use water as coolant, raw material, for processing of goods, solvent etc.
e) Industries release harmful chemicals which contaminate water.
f) Most of the Indian rivers are polluted due to toxic chemicals which are released by industries.
g) The untreated industrial effluents which are discharged into water bodies are polluting the
water and making it hazardous for human consumption.
(ii) Urbanisation:
Urbanisation can be defined as
a) Multiplying urban centres with large and dense populations.
b) Urban lifestyles have not only added to water and energy requirements but have further
aggravated the problems by overdrawing the groundwater by using their own groundwater
pumping devices, meeting their water needs for domestic purposes such as cleaning, cooking,
washing etc. Thus the water resources are being overexploited which has caused their depletion
in several cities.
c) As a result, fragile water resources are overexploited and depleted in the cities.
d) Most of our cities are overpopulated. A large population means more water, not only for
domestic use but also to produce more food. Multiplying urban centres with large and dense
population and urban lifestyles have not only added to water and energy requirements, but have
further aggravated the problem.
e) Large scale migration from rural to urban areas is causing the over exploitation of water
resources.
f) Unplanned urbanization adds to water pollution.
g) Urbanization also damages the existing water resources, especially in the rivers. For example,
most of Indian rivers have been polluted by the waste of cities.
8. Compare the quantitative and qualitative aspects of water scarcity
(i) Quantitative aspect:
This aspect covers water shortage due to low rainfall, overexploitation, excessive use, growing
population, agriculture, urbanization and unequal access to water among different social groups.
(ii) Qualitative aspect:
This aspect covers water shortage due to pollution by domestic and industrial wastes, chemical
fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides used in agriculture.
9. Why there is a need to conserve our water resources?
Introduction:
Our water resources are limited and our requirements are increasing day by day. The water
resources are unevenly distributed. Basically, India is a monsoon country. 90% of its rainfall
comes from monsoon. During rain-off season or failure or less amount of rainfall received from
Southwest and Northeast-India faces water scarcity. Most of our water resources especially in the
cities and urban areas are polluted and unsuitable for drinking and other purposes. Need for
conservation of water
a) To conserve and manage our water resources.
b) To safeguard ourselves from health hazards.
c) To ensure food security.
d) Continuation of our livelihoods and productive activities and also to prevent degradation of
our natural ecosystems.
e) Overexploitation and mismanagement of water resources will impoverish this resource and
ecological crisis that may have profound impact on our lives.
f) To prevent degradation of our natural ecosystems and to prevent ecological crisis.
g) The assault on India's rivers from population growth, agricultural modernization, urbanization
and industrialization is enormous and growing by the day. The entire life stands threatened.
10. Write some measures adopted for conservation of water resources.
a) Do not overdraw the water resources.
b) Recharge the groundwater by techniques like rainwater harvesting.
c) Avoid wastage of water at all levels.
d) Do not pollute the water.
e) Increasing the water resources by tapping the rainwater in reservoirs, watershed development
programmes etc.
f) Adopting water conservation techniques of irrigation, e.g., drip irrigation and sprinklers,
especially in dry areas.
g) Sufficient water percolation facilities should be increased to help in raising the level of the
water table.
11. How do we conserve and manage water?
a) 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.
b) We have continued this tradition in most of our river basins.
12.Highlight the hydraulic structures as a part of water management programs
initiated in ancient India.
Introduction:
Archaeological and historical records show that from ancient times we have constructing
sophisticated hydraulic structures like dams built of stone rubble, reservoirs on lakes
embankments and canals for irrigation.
We have continued this tradition in most of our river basins.
Hydraulic structures in Ancient India:
a) In The first century B.C, Sringaverapura near Allahabad had sophisticated water harvesting
system channeling the flood water of the river Ganga.
b) During the time of Chandragupta Maurya, dams, lakes and irrigation systems were extensively
built.
c) Evidences of sophisticated irrigation works have also been found in Kalinga (Odisha)
Nagarjunakonda (Andhra Pradesh), Bennur (Karnataka), Kolhapur (Maharashtra) etc.
d) In the 11th century, Bhopal Lake, one of the largest artificial lakes of its time was built
e) In the 14th century, the tank in Hauz Khas, Delhi was constructed by Iltutmish for Supplying
water to the Siri fort area.
f) Kallanai is an ancient dam built by King Karikala of Chola dynasty in 150 CE. It is built
across the Kaveri River flowing from Tiruchirappalli District of Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu.
13. What are dams? How are dams classified and how do they help us in conserving
and managing water?
a) A dam is a barrier across flowing water that obstructs, directs or retards the flow, often
creating a reservoir, lake or impoundment.
b) 'Dam refers to the reservoir rather than the structure.
c) Dams were traditionally built to impound rivers and rainwater that could be used later to
irrigate agricultural fields.
d) Today, dams are built not just for irrigation but also for electricity generation, water supply for
domestic and industrial uses, flood control, recreation, inland navigation and fish breeding
e) Hence, dams are now referred to as 'Multi-Purpose Projects (MPP) where the many uses of the
impounded water integrated with one another.
Eg: Bhakra-Nangal Project (HEP and irrigation)
Hirakud Project (Water conservation and flood control)
Classification of dams:
a) Dams are classified according to their structure, intended purpose or height.
b) Based on the structure and the materials used, dams are classified as Timber dams
Embankment dams or Masonary dams.
c) According to the height, dams can be categorized as large dams and major dams,
medium height and high dams, low dams.
14, The availability of water resources vary over space and time. Explain.
Due to variation in seasonal and annual precipitation, the availability of water resources varies
over space and time.
15. Distinguish between a dam and a multi-purpose project.
Dam:
a) A dam is a barrier across the flowing water that obstructs, dissects or retards the flow, often
creating a reservoir, lake or an impoundment.
b) It is a traditional concept.
Multi-purpose project:
a) A multi-purpose project fulfils a variety of purposes at the same time.
Eg : Irrigation, generation of electricity, flood control, fish breeding, inland navigation,
recreation, industrial uses etc.
b) It is a modern concept.
16. Why did Jawaharlal Nehru proclaim the dams as the temples of modern India ?/
Advantages of multi-purpose projects.
Multi-purpose river projects were launched after Independence with the approach of integrated
water resource management. The objective was to provide multifarious benefits that would lead
to the development and progress of the nation. Jawaharlal Nehru has proudly proclaimed the
present-day dams or multi-purpose projects as 'temples of modern India', the reasons behind it
was that it would integrate development of agriculture and the village economy with rapid
industrialization and growth of Urban economy-
a) Providing water to those areas which suffer from water scarcity.
b) Irrigation of agricultural fields during dry season as well as in regions of scanty or inadequate
rainfall.
c) This helps in increasing agricultural productivity and bringing more area under cultivation.
d) Flood control by regulating flow of water.
e) Water supply for domestic and industrial purposes.
f) Generation of hydroelectricity for our industries and homes.
g) Inland navigation for the purpose of transport and trade.
h) Fish breeding.
i) Recreational facilities.
j) Soil conservation through afforestation
17. What are the three sources of freshwater?
a) Precipitation - from rainfall
b) Surface water -in rivers, lakes etc.
c) Groundwater - water stored in underground aquifers which gets recharged by rainfall.
18. In recent years, Multi-Purpose projects and large dams have come under great
scrutiny and opposition. Explain why?/ Disadvantages of Multi-purpose Projects.
Introduction:
Dam:
A dam is a barrier across the flowing water that obstructs, dissects or retards the flow, often
creating a reservoir, lake or an impoundment.
Multi-Purpose Project:
A multi-purpose project fulfils a variety of purposes at the same time.
Eg: Irrigation, generation of electricity, flood control, fish breeding, inland navigation,
recreation, industrial uses.
Multi-Purpose Projects have come under great scrutiny because
a) Excessive sedimentation at the bottom of the reservoir.
b) Rockier stream beds -poorer habitats for aquatic life.
c) Fragment rivers - difficult for aquatic fauna to migrate for spawning.
d) Floodplains submerge the existing vegetation.
e) Fertility of the soil will be lost over time.
f) Large scale displacement of local communities.
g) Deforestation.
h) Sedimentation leads to floods.
i) Multi-purpose projects induce earthquakes
J) Cause waterborne diseases and pests and pollution resulting from excessive use of water.
19, Many new social movements are the result of multipurpose projects and large
dams. Elaborate.
a) Narmada Bachao Andolan and Tehri Dam Andolan are the results of these multi-purpose
projects. Resistance to these projects has primarily been due to the large-scale displacement of
local communities. Local people often had to give up their land, livelihood and their meagre
access and control over resources for the greater qood of the nation.
b) Dams have transformed the social landscape, that is increasing the social gap between the rich
landowners and the landless poor.
c) The dams also created the conflict between people wanting different benefits from the same
water resources. In Gujarat, the Sabarmati basin farmers were agitated and rioted over the higher
priority given to water supply in urban areas, particularly during the droughts. Interstate water
disputes have become popular related to sharing of the costs and benefits of the multipurpose
projects
Eg: Kaveri water dispute between Tamil nadu and Karnataka
20. How has irrigation changed the cropping pattern in many regions of India?
Explain with examples. / How has irrigation changes the social landscape?
a) Due to irrigation facilities many farmers have shifted to water intensive and commercial crops.
b) For example, Punjab has become the major producer of rice in spite of low rainfall. Impact on
social landscape
c)This has great ecological consequences like salinization of the soil. This transformation has
widened the gap between rich and poor. The rich and mighty who can afford higher inputs have
become more rich whereas the poor have failed to get benefits due to lack of capital.
d) 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.
e) Inter-state water disputes are also becoming common with regard to sharing the costs and
benefits of the multi-purpose projects.
Eg: Kaveri water dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka
21, Write a note on Sardar Sarovar Dam.
a) Sardar Sarovar Dam has been built over the Narmada River in Gujarat.
b) This is one of the largest water resource projects of India covering four states- Maharashtra,
Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan.
c) The Sardar Sarovar Project would meet the requirement of water in drought prone and desert
areas of Gujarat (9490 villages and 173 towns) and Rajasthan (124 villages).
d) Narmada Bachao Andolan- Resistance to these projects has primarily been due to the large-
scale displacement of local communities. Local people often had to give up their land, Iivelihood
and their meagre access and control over resources for the greater good of the nation. It focused
on environmental issues related to submerging of treasures under the dam water.
22. What are interstate water disputes? Why are such issues raised? Give examples
of interstate water disputes.
Tension created between two or more states regarding sharing of river water mainly due to
construction of multipurpose projects is termed as interstate water dispute. When a river flows
through two or more states, damming at one state may affect the flow and volume in another
state. If the flow is not regulated, one state may derive benefits from the river, and another state
may suffer leading to interstate disputes. Interstate water disputes even arise between states
regarding sharing of costs and benefits of a multi-purpose project.
Examples:-
a) The Krishna-Godavari dispute due to objections raised by Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh
regarding the diversion of more water at Koyna.
b) Kaveri water dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
c) Krishna water dispute between Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
d) Mandvi-Mahadayi-Vamsadhara dispute between Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and
Odisha.
e) SYL canal (Satluj Yamuna Link Canal) dispute between Punjab and Haryana.
23. What is rainwater harvesting? What is its importance?
Introduction;
Rainwater harvesting is a technique of increasing the recharge of groundwater by capturing and
storing rainwater by constructing structures such as percolating pits, check dams etc.
Importance:
a) Rainwater harvesting is the need of the hour as demand for water is increasing day by day.
b) It reduces pressure on existing water resources.
c) It is cheap source of water supply.
d) It helps in recharging ground water.
e) The stored rainwater is an extremely reliable source of drinking water when all other resources
are dried up.
f) Tamil Nadu is the first state in India which has made rooftop rainwater harvesting structure
compulsory to all the houses across the state. There are legal provisions to punish the defaulters.
24. Why are different water harvesting systems considered a viable alternative both
Socio -economically and environmentally in a country like India? Describe the
traditional (ancient) methods of rainwater harvesting adopted in different parts of
India?
Introduction:
Like dams, rainwater harvesting does not displace local people. It also does not cause
environmental problems like decrease in flora and fauna. During the rainy season, excess water
is released from dams, which induces floods or creates the flood situation, which is definitely not
in the case of water- harvesting systems.
a) In ancient India, people developed wide-ranging techniques to harvest rainwater.
b) In mountainous areas 'Guls' and 'Kuls' the diversion channels were built for agriculture.
c) Rooftop rainwater harvesting- was commonly practiced to store drinking water, especially in
Rajasthan.
d) Inundation channels for irrigation were developed in the flood plains of West Bengal.
e) In arid and semi-arid regions, agricultural fields were, converted into rainfed storage
structures, Eg. 'Khadins' in Jaisalmer and Johads' in other parts of Rajasthan.
f) In the semi-arid and arid regions of Rajasthan, particularly in Bikaner, Phalodi and Barmer,
almost all the houses had underground 'tanks' or 'tankas' built inside the house for storing water.
They were a part of the well-developed rooftop rainwater harvesting system.
25. What are the basic safety precautions to be taken during floods?
a) Listen to radio/TV for the latest weather bulletins and flood warnings, pass on information to
others.
b) Make a family emergency kit which should include, a portable radio/transistor, torch, spare
batteries, a first aid box along with essential medicines, ORS, dry food items, drinking water,
match boxes, candles, and other essential items.
c) Keep hurricane lamps, ropes, rubber tubes, umbrellas and bamboo sticks in your house. This
could be useful.
d) Keep cash, jewelry, valuables, important documents etc in a safe place.
e) If there is a flood, move along with your family members and cattle to safe areas like relief
camps, evacuation centres, elevated grounds where you can shelter.
f) Turn off power and gas connections before leaving your house.
g) Don't enter into flood water, it could be dangerous.
h) Don't allow children to play in or near flood waters.
i) Stay away from sewage line, gutters, drains, culverts etc.
j) Be careful of snakes as snakebites are common during floods.
k) Stay away from electric poles and fallen power lines to avoid electrocution.
l) Don't use wet electrical appliances without checking them before use.
m) Eat freshly cooked and dry food. Always keep your food covered.
n) Use boiled and filtered drinking water.
o) Keep all drains, gutters near your house clean.
p) Stagnation of water can breed vector/water-borne diseases. In case of sickness, Seek medical
assistance.
q) Use bleaching powder and lime to disinfect the surroundings.
26. of Explain the Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting technique?/ Describe how modern
adaptation traditional water. rainwater harvesting methods are being carried out to
conserve and store water
Modern technique of rooftop rainwater harvesting
a) Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting technique uses PVC pipe to collect rainwater.
b) Collected water is filtered using sand and bricks.
c) Underground pipe is used to take the water to sump for immediate usage.
d) Excess water from the sump is taken to the well
e) Water from the well recharges the underground water.
f) Take water later from well.
27. Explain how rainwater harvesting in semi-arid regions of Rajasthan is carried
out. Write the features of 'tankas' built in the houses of Bikaner, Phalodi and
Barmer.
Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting was commonly practiced to store drinking water especially in
semi-arid and arid regions like Bikaner, Phalodi, and Barmer.
a) In Semi-arid and arid regions all the houses had underground tanks or tankas for storing
drinking water built inside the house. They were the part of the well-developed rooftop rainwater
harvesting system.
b) The 'tankas' could be as large as a big room. One household in Phalodi had a tank that was 6.1
meters deep, 4.27 meters long and 2.44 meters wide.
c) The 'tankas' were built inside the main house or the courtyard.
d) The tanks were connected to the sloping roofs of the houses through a pipe. The falling rain
would not travel be down the pipes and get stored in the underground 'tankas'. The first spell of
rain would not be collected as it is used to cleaned the roof and pipes. The rainwater (Palar-Pani-
Pure water) from subsequent showers was collected.
e) Many houses constructed underground rooms adjoining the as 'tankas' to beat the summer heat
it would keep the room cool.
28. Why rooftop rainwater harvesting is on the decline in Western Rajasthan?
a)Today in Western Rajasthan sadly the practice of rainwater harvesting is on the decline as
plenty water is available due to the perennial Indira Gandhi Canal. (from Satluj and Beas rivers
in Punjab).
b) Though some houses still maintain the 'tankas' they do not like the taste of tap water.
c) Fortunately, in many parts of rural and urban India, rooftop rainwater harvesting is being
Successfully adopted to store and conserve water.
29. How has Gendathur, a village in Karnataka earned the rare distinction of being
rich in rain water?
a) In Gendathur, a remote village in Mysore. Karnataka, the villagers have installed in their
households a rooftop rainwater harvesting system to meet their water needs.
b) Nearly, 200 households have installed this system and this village have earned the rare
distinction of being rich in rain water.
c) Gendathur receives an annual precipitation of 1000mm and with 80% of collection efficiency
and of about 10 fillings, every house can collect and use about 50,000 liters of water annually.
d) From the 200 houses, the net amount of rain water harvested annually amounts to 1,00,000
liters.
30, Write a note on Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting in the Thar desert of Rajasthan.
a) Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting was common across the 1000 villages of the Thar desert.
b) The rainwater that falls on the sloping roofs of houses is taken through a pipe into an
undergrounds 'Tanka' (circular holes in the ground) built in the main house or in the courtyard.
31. Write about the Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting system prevailing in Meghalaya.
a) Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting is the most common practice in Shillong, Meghalaya.
b) It is interesting because Cherapunjee and Mawsynram situated at a distance of 55 km from Shillong
receives the highest rainfall in the world yet the state capital faces acute shortage of water.
c) Nearly every household in the city has a Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting structure.
d) Nearly 15.25% of the total requirement of the household comes from Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting.
32. In which state Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting is compulsory?
Tamil Nadu is the first state in India which has made rooftop rainwater harvesting structure
compulsory to all the houses across the state. There are legal provisions to punish the defaulters.
33. Describe the Bamboo drip irrigation system. In which state of India it is
practiced?
a) About 18-20 liters of water enters the bamboo pipe system, get transported over hundreds of
meters and finally reduces to 20-80 drops per minute at the site of the plant.
b) Bamboo drip irrigation system is practiced in Meghalaya.
Features of Bamboo drip irrigation:
a) Bamboo drip irrigation system is 200 years old system of tapping stream and spring water by
using bamboo pipes.
b) Bamboo pipes are used to divert water perennial springs on the hilltops to the lower reaches
by gravity.
c) The channel sections, made of bamboo divert water to the plant site where it is distributed into
branches, again made and laid out with different forms of bamboo pipes.
d) The flow of water into the pipes is controlled by manipulating pipe positions.
e) Reduced channel sections and diversion units are used at the last stage of water application.
f) The last channel section enables water to be dropped near the roots of the plants.
34, Write the main causes of water pollution.
Water gets polluted by:
a) Domestic wastes, especially urban sewers.
b) Industrial wastes are disposed off in the water without proper treatment.
c) Chemical effluents from industries and from agricultural sectors.
d) Pesticides and fertilizers used in agriculture may get washed into rivers by rainwater and may pollute
the water by enriching it with chemicals.
e) Many human activities like religious rituals, immersing of idols etc., in the water also pollutes water.