Water resources

1. List the utility of water ?

 Water is the basic need of life for all living things.
 We need water for Domestic Purposes - drinking, cooking food, washing our clothes
and washing ourselves.
 Water is used for agriculture purposes.
 Water is used in factories for several reasons like factories running on power supplied
by the hydel power.
 Water is also used for cleaning and cooling of machines.

2. Explain how water becomes a renewable resource ?

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 vapor. When precipitation occurs, it renews the
fresh water. Therefore, water is a renewable resource.

3. What is a hydrological cycle?

It is the journey of Watercycle that remains in a continuous flow. The total quantity of
water present on our remains constant. Water only changes its form from solid to
liquid to gas and back to liquid. This is known as the hydrological cycle.

4. What are the sources of fresh water in tropical country like India?

In tropical country like India, freshwater sources are

 Precipitation through rainfall and other forms of precipitation.

 Surface water is present in rivers and lakes.
 Groundwater water stored in underground aquifers which get recharged by rainfall
and through seepage in groundwater.

5. Mention the negative effects of over-irrigation. 2022.

Three negative effects of over irrigation are.

 Salinity of the soil increases, and fertility reduces.

 It leads to loss of water and energy consumed in supplying the water to the field.
 It causes leaching of nitrogen and other micronutrients.

5. What percentage of water is available for consumption to human beings.

 Only 3% of the total water on Earth is fresh water.
 1/3 of this fresh water is inaccessible to human beings.
 Only two third of the freshwater is accessible to human beings and fit for
consumption.
 The fresh water available to humans is obtained from surface runoff and recharge of
groundwater.

6. What is water scarcity and what are its main causes?

Or
What is the situation regarding water in post independent in India?
Or
“India has a monsoon type of climate. Even then it faces water scarcity in
many parts of the country”. Elucidate the given sentence by providing some
examples ?

Quantitative Causes of water scarcity

 Increased Demand for water -The demand for water has increased immensely over
the years, but the supply of fresh water remains constant. This has led to an alarming
situation of water scarcity in many parts of the world.
 Variation in water resources-The amount of water available varies from one region
to another due to variation in annual precipitation. The desert of Rajasthan receives
less than 20 centimeters of rainfall every year and hence it is drought prone
 Over exploitation of water resources- However, water scarcity is caused by
overexploitation, excessive use of water and unequal distribution of water among
different social groups
 Rapidly growing population- Water scarcity may be an outcome of large and
growing population and consequent greater demands for water and unequal access to
it.
 To facilitate higher food grain production- Water resources are being
overexploited to expand irrigated areas for dry season agriculture resulting in falling
ground water.
 increased Industrialization - Post independent India witnessed intensive
industrialization and urbanization creating vast opportunities for us. The ever-
increasing number of industries has made matter worse by exerting pressure on its
existing freshwater resources.
 Industries, apart from being heavy users of water, also require power to run them.
Much of this energy comes from hydroelectric power. In India, hydroelectric power
contributes almost 22% of the total electricity produced
 Urbanizarion -Moreover, multiplying urban centers with large and dense population
and urban lifestyles have not only added to water and energy requirement but have
further aggravated the problem.
 In housing societies or colonies, we would find that most of these have their own
groundwater pumping devices to meet their water needs. As a result, fragile water
resources are being overexploited and have caused their depletion in several cities.
 Personalized pumping devices in urban residential buildings and individual farmers
well and to build have aggravated water scarcity by lowering the ground level.

Qualitative causes of water scarcity.

 The availability of sufficient amounts of water does not necessarily meet the demand
of the populations in our region.
 The bad quality of water due to pollution is another reason for water scarcity.
 Pollution of water is caused by domestic waste, industrial waste, synthetic chemicals
and fertilizers in agriculture making the water hazardous for human use
 Government of India has accorded highest priority to improve the quality of life and
enhance easy living of people especially those in rural areas by announcing the JAL
Jeevan Mission (JJM)

7. In what ways are intensive industrialization and urbanization responsible

for water scarcity? 2012 ?

 Industrialization and urbanization -Post independent India witnessed intensive

industrialization and urbanization creating vast opportunities for us. The ever-
increasing number of industries has made matter worse by exerting pressure on its
existing freshwater resources.
 Industries, apart from being heavy users of water, also require power to run them.
Much of this energy comes from hydroelectric power. In India, hydroelectric power
contributes almost 22% of the total electricity produced
 Moreover, multiplying urban centers with large and dense population and urban
lifestyles have not only added to water and energy requirement but have further
aggravated the problem.
 In housing societies or colonies, we would find that most of these have their own
groundwater pumping devices to meet their water needs. As a result, fragile water
resources are being overexploited and have caused their depletion in several cities.
 Personalized pumping devices in urban residential buildings and individual farmers
well and to build have aggravated water scarcity by lowering the ground level

8. Write the main causes of water pollution?

 The main causes. Of water pollution R. Dumping of domestic waste directly into the
water bodies, polluting it and rendering it hazardous to aquatic life.
 Dumping industrial waste into the water bodies without any treatment. Release oil. All
toxins and harmful chemicals into the water.
 Chemical effluents from farmland like pesticides and insecticides seep into the ground,
polluting the underground water resource and neighboring lakes.
 Water pollution is also caused by excessive tourism and associated activities.
 Various other anthropologic activities like custom rituals in various religion practices,
construction of dams, etc, all causes water pollution.

9. Is it possible that an area suffers from water scarcity even if water is

sufficiently available? How?
Or
Even if three fourths of the world is covered with water and water is a
renewable resource, then how is it that countries and regions around the
globe suffer from water scarcity?

 This scarcity may be due to the bad quality of water.

 Lately there has been growing concern that even if there is ample water to meet the
needs of the people, much of it is polluted by domestic and industrial waste, chemical,
pesticides and fertilizers used in agriculture, thus making it hazardous for human use.
 Some of India's river, especially the smaller ones, have turned into toxic streams and
even big ones like Ganga and Yamuna are far from being pure.
 Government of India has accorded highest priority to improve the quality of life and
enhance ease of living of people, especially those living in rural areas by announcing
the JAL Jeevan Mission. (JJM)

10. Water scarcity may be an outcome of large and growing population in

India” Analyze the statement

Water scarcity may be an outcome of large and growing population in India as:
 Growing population leads to consequent greater demands for water and unequal
access to it.
 To facilitate higher food grain production, Water resources are being overexploited to
expand irrigated areas for dry season agriculture resulting in falling of ground water.

11. What is Jal Jeevan mission. (JJM)

 Government of India has accorded highest priority to improve the quality of life and
enhance ease of living of people, especially those living in rural areas by announcing
the JAL Jeevan Mission. (JJM)
 The goal of JJM is to enable every rural household to get assured supply of potable
pipe water at a service level of 55 litre per capital per day regularly on long term basis
by ensuring functionality of the tap water connections.

12. How can we revolutionize agriculture to reduce water scarcity?

 It is needed to revolutionize agriculture through developing drought resistant crops
and dry farming techniques.

13. What could be the result if farmers have their own tubewell in their
farms for irrigation?
This may lead to falling groundwater levels, adversely affecting the water availability
and food security of the people.

14. “What is the need to conserve and manage Water? How can it be done?
OR

“It is essential to conserve and manage our water resources.”

Support the statement with suitable examples. OR

How Can we manage and conserve water resources?

 It is necessary to conserve water resources to protect us from health hazards,

diseases, ensure food security and protect our ecosystem.
 We must use water resources wisely.
 Revolutionization of agriculture practices is necessary. Drought resistant crops and
dry farming techniques are gaining popularity among farmers.
 Reduce, Reuse and recycle is a motto to conserve water.
a. Reduce the amount of water needed for each activity awards its wastage.
b. Reuse water for more than one purpose when possible. For example, water used to
wash vegetables can be reused to water the plants.
c. Processes to recycle water such as Desalinization is very expensive in certain parts of
the world. This process is being used to fight water scarcity.
 And awareness should prevail that exploitation of water resources would endanger
human life and future.

15. What was the Atal Bhujal Yojna?

 This was implemented in 8220 water stressed gram panchayat of 229 administered
block / taluks in 80 districts of seven states viz. Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka,
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
 The selected states account for about 37% of the total number of water stressed
(Overexploited critical and semi critical) blocks in India.
 One of the key aspects of Atal Jal Yojana is to bring in behavioral change in
community from the prevailing attitude of consumption of conservation and a smart
water management.

16. What are hydraulic structures?

 Hydraulic structures are constructed to store flowing water or reduce the speed of its
flow or redirect its path.
 What structures have been constructed since ancient times to conserve water?
 Examples of such water structures are.

 Dams- A wall that acts as a barrier against flow of water. The wall neither obstructs,
directs, or slows down the flow of water.
 Stone rubble- Stones of irregular shapes, sizes and textures are used as a filling to
obstruct the flow of water.
 Reservoir or lake - These are either formed naturally or created artificially by
humans. These are large motor bodies used as means of water supply.
 Embankment - An artificial wall or bank is raised above the surrounding areas To
stop flooding.
 Canals - An artificial waterway that allows the passage of boats and ships from one
place to another.

17. What do archaeological and historical records from ancient times say
about building of dams.
Or
Highlight any 3 hydraulic structure as a part of Water management
programs initiated in ancient India.
 Archaeological and historical records show that from ancient times we have been
constructing sophisticated hydraulics structures like dams ,stone rubble, reservoirs or
lakes, embankments and canals for irrigation.
 It is not surprising that we have continued this tradition in modern India by building
dams in most of our river basins. A few examples of hydraulic structures in ancient
India are.

A few examples of hydraulic structures in ancient India are

1. A well-developed water harvesting system was constructed during the 1st century BC
in Srigaverapura near Prayagraj to channelize the flood water of River Ganga.
2. Dams, lakes and irrigation systems were constructed during the rule of Chandragupta
Maurya.
3. Old, Well - Plant irrigation works in Orisha, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and
Maharashtra are also counted under the hydraulic structures of ancient India.
4. During the 11th century, the largest artificial lake of its time was built in Bhopal.
5. Construction of Hauz Khas tank in Delhi by Iltutmish is also noted for its water supply
to the city Fort area.

18. What are dams and what are the merits and demerits of multipurpose
projects?
 A dam is a wall, or a barrier built across flowing water.
 The primary purpose of a dam is to obstruct, direct or retard the flow of water.
 Dams are used to create reservoirs of water on lakes.
 Dams can be classified on the basis of structure and height.
 On the basis of structure, dams are timber Dams, embankment dams or masonry
dams and their subtypes.
 On the basis of Dams are large dams and major dams, or alternatively low dams,
medium height dams and high dams.

19. Name any two major dams in India.

Two major dams in India are

 Hirakud Dam.
 Sardar Sarovar Dam.
 Bhakra Nangal Dam.
 Koyna Dam.

20. Multipurpose. projects have formed backbone of Indian development

process post independence but they have been facing backlash in
recent past. Draw parallel between the advantages and the
disadvantages of these project?

Advantages. Disadvantages.
1. Dams generate electricity Regulating and damming of rivers
through hydel energy, affect their natural flow
which is clean source of causing poor sediment
power. flow.

2. Dam store water which could Dams cause excessive

be used for drinking or sedimentation at the
irrigation. bottom of the reservoir.
This might trigger floods.

Dams also fragment rivers,

3. Dams help in flood control. making it difficult for
aquatic fauna to migrate.

21. How to dams help in conserving and managing. water?

 Dams are used to collecting stored river and rainwater for future use.
 In olden times, water from dams was mainly used for irrigation in agricultural fields.
 Nowdays dams are used for various purposes, such as.
1. Irrigation.
2. Generation of electricity.
3. Water supply for domestic and industrial use.
4. Flood control.
5. Recreation (boating, watersport, etc.)
6. Inland Navigation.
7. Fish breeding (pisciculture)
 Dams as multipurpose projects. For example.
1. Bhakra Nangal Dam on the Sutluj - beas river basin is used for both irrigation and
hydel power generation.
2. The Hirakud project on Mahanadi basin helps flood control and adjoining areas
and conserves water for future use.

22. How were multipurpose projects launched after independence?

 After independence, multipurpose projects were launched with integrated water

management approach.
 Integrated water resource, their management is a process to develop land and water
resources to maximize economic and social welfare keeping in mind the sustainability
of present ecosystem.
 With this approach, dams are considered as a means for the overall development of
the nation.

23. Why are dams considered as temples of modern India?

Or
Why did Jawaharlal Nehru proudly proclaimed the dams as the “temple of
modern India”?

 Jawaharlal Nehru proclaimed the dams were “the temples of modern India”.
 He referred to them as temples because he could foresee that the construction of
dams would help in the development of agriculture.
 This in turn, would help industrialization and growth in urban and village economies.

24. Where is Sardar Sarovar dam built?

Sardar Sarovar dam has been built over the Narmada River in Gujarat. This is one of
the largest water resource projects of India covering 4 states, Maharashtra, Madhya
Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan. the Sardar Sarovar project would meet the
requirement of

25. What are the disadvantages of multipurpose river projects?

Or
“In recent years, multipurpose projects and large dams have come under
great scrutiny and opposition for a variety of reasons”. Explain?
Or

What is the impact of multipurpose projects?

Or
 What were the reasons for the failure of multipurpose project in achieving
their aim?

Or

Explain the ecological problems being faced due to multipurpose River

Valley projects.

 Dams affects the natural flow of the river, causing poor sediment flow and excessive
sedimentation at the bottom of the reservoir. It destroys the habitats for the rivers
aquatic life.
 It submerges the existing vegetation and soil if created on the Flood plains.
 It also causes soil erosion.
 It displaces the local people of the place where it was created.
 These are unsuccessful in controlling floods at the time of excessive rainfall. These
projects include earthquakes caused by waterborne disease and pests and pollution
resulting from excessive use of water.
 Dams have played a positive role in the economic development of India. Many
multipurpose projects could not achieve the aim for which they were constructed. In
many instances, these projects have adverse effects etc.
 Instead of preventing floods, they lead to floods upstream due to heavy
sedimentation.
 Releasing dam water during heavy rains also leads to flooding downstream. For
example, the flood in Maharashtra and Gujarat in 2006.
 Obstruction of the flow of sediments results in degradation of the surrounding land as
planes are deprived of the natural fertilizers, that is silt deposited by the river.
 Other effects of multipurpose projects were Tensive and commercial crops. Such
practices by farmers have an adverse impact on the quality of the soil causing it
salination.
 Multipurpose projects have increased the gap between the rich and the poor by
providing unequal access to water resources. These projects have also created
conflicts among people, for example, Sabarmati Basin farmers protested because
urban areas were granted more water supply.
 Such projects are also cause of Interstate disputes regarding the sharing of costs and
benefits of the project.

26. “The dams that were constructed to control floods have triggered
floods”, analyzed the statement.

 Dams have played a positive role in the economic development of India.

 Many multipurpose projects could not achieve the aim for which they were
constructed. In many instances, these projects have adverse effects etc.
 Instead of preventing floods, they lead to floods upstream due to heavy
sedimentation.
 Releasing dam water during heavy rains also leads to flooding downstream. For
example, the flood in Maharashtra and Gujarat in 2006.
 Obstruction of the flow of sediments results in degradation of the surrounding land as
planes are deprived of the natural fertilizers, that is silt deposited by the river.

27. How do dams create between conflict between people?

Or

How have multipurpose project and large dams been the cause of many new
social movements?

Or

What are the social consequences of multipurpose projects.

 Narmada Bachao Andolan and Tehri Dam Andolan 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.
 Irrigation has changed the cropping pattern from shifting to commercial crops. It is
responsible for salinization of soil.
 Multipurpose projects have increased the gap between the rich and the poor by
providing unequal access to water resources. These projects have also
created conflicts among people, for example,
 In Gujrat in Sabarmati Basin, farmers protested because urban areas were granted
more water supply.
 Such projects also cause of interstate disputes regarding the sharing of costs and
benefits of the project.

28. Explain any 3 problems faced by local communities due to the

construction of large dams 2017, 2013.

 Some significant problems faced by local communities due to the construction of

large dams are. Dams have resulted in large scale displacement of local
communities.
 Local people have to give up their land and livelihoods.
 Local people have to be been deprived of the locals resources on which they have
control. Before the construction of the project, many settlements and
agricultural lands are submerged under water.

29.Explain Narmada Bachao Andolan.

 Narmada Bachao Andolan is a non governmental. Organization.

 It mobilized tribal people, farmers, environmentalists and human rights activists
against the Saordar Sarovar dam being built across the Narmada river in
Gujarat.
  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.

30. What are the movements against multipurpose projects?

 Pradhan Mantri Krishi sinchayee yojana has been started which ensures access to
some means to protective irrigation for all agricultural farms in the country. Thus
bringing much desired rural prosperity.
 Some of the broad objectives of this program are to enhance the physical access of
water on the farms and expand cultivable area under assured navigation. (Har khet ko
pani)
 This program aims to improve on farm water use efficiency to reduce waste and
increase availability both in duration and extent. Irrigation and other waste saving
technologies. And introduce sustainable water conservation practices, etc

31. Explain the river water dispute between the states of India.

 The krishna Godavari dispute is due to the objections raised by Karnataka and Andhra
Pradesh governments.
 It is regarding the diversion of more water at Koyna by the Maharashtra government
for multipurpose projects.
 This would reduce downstream flow in their states, with adverse consequences for
agriculture and industry.

32. What is water harvesting?

 Water harvesting is collecting grain water and storing it for future use because it is
lost as surface runoff.
 Water harvesting has been in practice since ancient times. Ancient people had good
knowledge of rainfall and soil types, which they used to develop a range of water
harvesting techniques. They used to harvest rainwater, river water, groundwater and
floodwater using simple techniques to meet their future needs for water. The method
that are used by ancient people to harvest water were envoirmentally friendly.

33. What are the different traditional water harvesting systems in India?

Various traditional water harvesting techniques are as follows.

1. Creating divergent channels like Guls and Kuls.
2. khadins and Johads.
3. Inundation channels
4. Rooftop Harvesting
5. Tankas
6. Gendathur Model

1.Guls and Kuls.

 Gulls and kuls are channels, constructed in hilly areas.
 These channels collect rainwater and function as irrigation canals.
 Such channels are commonly used in mountainous western Himalayas for agriculture.

2. Khadins and Johads.

 In arid areas and semi-arid regions agriculture fields are converted into rain fed
storage structures.
 Agricultural fields are used for storing rainwater. They are known as johads in some
parts of Rajasthan and Kadins in Jaisalmer.
 The water is allowed to stand in these fields, which moisten the soil.

3. Inundation channels.
 Inundation channels are long canals constructed mainly for rivers.
 They carry excess river water to agricultural field during heavy rains and floods.
 Such channels are commonly constructed in floodplain of West Bengal.

4. Bamboo drip irrigation system

 In Meghalaya, 200 year old system of using Of tapping stream and spring water by
using. bamboo pipes Is prevalent.
 Bamboo pipes are used to divert perineal springs on the hilltops to the lower reach by
gravity.
 The channel selection made of bamboo divert water to plant site where it is
distributed into branches.
 If the pipes pass roads, they are taken high above the land on the tree branches.
 Reduced channel selections 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.
 About 18 to 20 liters of water enters the bamboo pipe System. It gets transported
over hundreds of meters and finally reduces to 20 to 80 drops per minute at the site
of the plant.

Rooftop harvesting.
 In this method, rainwater is collected from the roots of the houses or roof catchments
and stored in reservoir.
 The Reservoir can be above or under the ground.
 Rooftop hard rain harvesting is the most common practice in Shillong Meghalaya.
Because Cherrapunji and Maison Ram, situated at 55 kilometer from Shillong,
received the highest rainfall in the world, yet the state capital city Shillong faces acute
shortage of water.
 Every household in the city has a rooftop rainwater harvesting structure. 15 to 25% of
the total water requirements of the household come from rooftop water harvesting.

1. Tankas system
 Tankas are among the best traditional methods to harvesting water.
 They are seen mostly in arid and semi arid areas of Rajasthan, (Bikaner,
Phalodhi ,Barmer)
 Tankas are like rooms built inside the main house or in courtyards.
 They are connected to the sloping roof of the house through the pipe
 Rain falling on the rooftop would travel down the pipe and are stored in these
underground Tankas.
 The rainwater can be stored in tankas till the next rainfall, making it an extremely
reliable source of drinking water.
 When all the sources are dried up, particularly in summer's rain, water or “palar
pani” as commonly referred to in these parts, is considered as the purest form of
natural water.
 Tankas are also used for cooling effects. Underground rooms are constructed
adjoining tankas to enjoy this cooling effect.
Gendathur model
 Describe how modern adaptations of traditional rainwater harvesting
methods are being carried out to conserve and store water?
 In Gendathur, a remote backward village in Mysuru, Karnataka villages have
installed rooftop rainwater harvesting system to meet their water needs.
 Nearly 200 households have installed the system, and the villages have earned the
rare distinction of being rich in rainwater.

34. Is rainwater harvesting practice these days in western Rajasthan

support your answer?
Or
Why is the practice of rooftop rainwater harvesting slowly declining in
Rajasthan? Which state has made rooftop rainwater harvesting compulsory?
 Today in western Rajasthan, the practice of rooftop rain water harvesting is on decline
as plenty of water is available due to perineal Indira Gandhi canal. Though some
houses still maintain their tankas, since they do not like tap water of tap water.
 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.
 35. Why is rainwater harvested in Shillong.
Rainwater is harvested in Shillong and many other northern eastern states.
Because.
 Despite receiving enough precipitation, water retention of these region is very low.
The availability of fresh water is meager.


36. Which is the first state in India which have made rooftop rainwater
harvesting structure 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.

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