VELAMMAL VIDYALAYA

SECONDARY SCHOOL COMPARTMENT

QUESTION BANK (2022-23)

CLASS: X
SUBJECT: GEOGRAPHY

CHAPTER 3 WATER RESOURCES

Answer the following questions

What kind of resource is water

Answer:Renewable resource.

Question 2.
How much world’s water exists as oceans and fresh water?
Answer:
1. As oceans – 96.5 per cent.
2. As freshwater – 2.5 per cent.
Question 3.
Which are the sources of freshwater?
Answer:
1. Precipitation
2. Surface run off
3. Groundwater.
Question 4.
Which is the major source of freshwater in India?
Answer: Groundwater.

Question 5.
Mention two causes of water scarcity.
Answer:
1. Rapid growth of population.
2. Uneven distribution of water resources.
Question 6.
How much hydroelectric power is produced in India?
Answer: In India hydroelectric power contributes approximately 22 per cent
of the total electricity produced.

Question 7.
State any one reason for conservation of water resources.
Answer:To ensure food security because water is needed for production of
crops.

Question 8.
State any two sources from which freshwater can be obtained under the
hydrological cycle.
Answer:
1. Precipitation.
2. Ground water.
Question 9.
In whose kingdom in ancient India, dams and lakes were built ?
Answer:
During the time of Chandragupta Maurya, dams, lakes and irrigation
systems were extensively built.

Question 10.
What is a dam ?
Answer:
A dam is a barrier across flowing water that obstructs, directs or retards the
flow, often creating a reservoir, lake or impoundment.

Question 11.
How dams are classified on the basis of structure and the material used ?
Answer:
Based on structure and the material used, dams are classified as timber
dams, embankment dams or masonry dams with several subtypes.

Question 12.
What did Nehru say about dams and why?
Answer:
Jawaharlal Nehru proudly proclaimed the dams as the ‘temples of modern
India’ because the dams would integrate development of agriculture and the
village economy with rapid industrialisation and growth of the urban
economy.

Question 13.
Which project has been constructed in the Satluj-Beas River Basin ?
Answer:
Bhakra-Nangal Project has been constructed in the Satluj-Beas river basin.

Question 14.
Where is the Hirakud Project and what is its advantage ?
Answer:The Hirakud Project is in the Mahanadi basin. It integrates
conservation of water with flood control.

Question 15.
Why multi-purpose projects and large dams have been opposed ? State one
reason.
Answer:These projects and dams have been opposed because they lead to
the large scale displacement of local people and communities. They have to
give up their land and livelihood and their meager access to resources.
Question 16.
Which river is called as ‘river of sorrow’ ?
Answer Damodar River.

Question 17.
In which state the farmers were agitated over the higher priority given to the
water supply in urban areas ?
Answer:
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.

Question 18.
Which state governments have raised objections over the diversion of more
water and where ?
Answer:
Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh governments have raised objections
regarding the diversion of more water of Koyna by the Maharashtra
government for a multi-purpose project. The reason was that this would
reduce downstream flow in their states with adverse consequences for
agriculture and industry.

Question 19.
Why the dams have triggered floods ?
Answer:The dams have triggered floods due to sedimentation in the
reservoir.

Question 20.
Which are the two social movements that have been started against multi-
purpose projects ?
Answer:
1. Narmada Bachao Andolan.
2. Tehri Dam Andolan.
Question 21.
On which river Salal Dam is built ?
Answer:
River Chenab.

Question 22.
Who gets benefits from multi-purpose projects ? State any two sections of
society
Answer:
1. Land owners
2. Large farmers
3. Industrialists.
Question 23.
What is an ecological consequence of irrigation under multi-purpose projects
Answer:
Salinisation of the soil that has transformed the social landscape i.e.,
increasing the social gap between the richer landowners and the landless
poor.

Question 24.
What was the position of rainwater harvesting system in ancient India ?
Answer:
In ancient India, along with the sophisticated hydraulic structures, there
existed an extraordinary tradition of water harvesting system.

Question 25.
Give any one example of rainwater harvesting system in ancient India.
Answer:
In the hill and mountainous region, people built diversion channels like the
‘guls’ or ‘kuls’ of the Western Himalayas for agriculture.

Question 26.
What method was developed in the flood plains of Bengal to irrigate their
fields ?
Answer:In the floodplain of Bengal, people developed inundation channels to
irrigate their fields.

Question 27.
Which methods were used in arid and semi-arid regions for irrigation ?
Answer:
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.

Question 28.
What are tankas ?
Answer:
Tankas are underground tanks for storing drinking water.

Question 29.
What was length and breadth of a tank in Phalodi ?
Answer:
1. Length : 4.27 meters
2. Width : 2.44 meters
3. Depth : 6.1 meters
Question 30.
What is remarkable about Gendathur a remote backward village in Mysore ?
Answer:
Nearly 200 households have installed rooftop rainwater harvesting system to
meet r their water needs. The village has earned the rare distinction of being
rich in rainwater.
Question 31.
What makes Tamil Nadu to stand out with regard to rainwater harvesting ?
Answer:
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.

Question 32.
Which system of tapping stream water is prevalent in Meghalaya ?
Answer:
In Meghalaya, a 200-year-old system of tapping stream and spring water by
using bamboo pipes is prevalent.

Answers should be in about 80/100 words.

Question 1.
Give some facts and figures about water in the world.
Answer:
Some facts and figures about water are given below :

1. 96.5 per cent of the total volume of world’s water exists as

oceans.
2. 2.5 per cent of the total volume of world’s water exists as
freshwater. 70 per cent of the fresh water occurs as ice-sheets
and glaciers in Antarctica, Greenland and the mountainous
regions of the world. Only less than 30 per cent is stored as
groundwater in the world’s aquifers.
3. The total renewable water resources of India are estimated at
1,897 sq. km per annum.
4. India receives nearly 4 per cent of the global precipitation and
ranks 133 in the world r in terms of water availability per person
per annum.
5. By 2025, it is predicted that large parts of India will join
countries or regions having absolute water scarcity.

Question 2.
In Israel average annual rainfall is 25 cm but there is no shortage of water
but in India, average rainfall is 114 cm but here we find drought in one
region or the other every year. Why?
Answer:
In Israel large scale projects to desalinate sea water, direct water from rivers
and reservoirs in the north, make optimal use of groundwater and reclaim
flood overflow and sewage have been undertaken. On the other hand, in
India there is no proper arrangement of using rainwater. As a result of it,
most of the water flows in to drains and to the sea. The rainy season is only
for three months. Thereafter there is no rain for remaining nine months. As
a result of these conditions we, in India, face shortage of water.
Question 3.
Explain three causes of water scarcity.
Or
Water scarcity in most cases is caused by over-exploitation, excessive use
and unequal access to water among different social groups.” Explain the
meaning of statement with the help of
examples.
Answer:
The statement means that there are various reasons for the scarcity of
water as mentioned below :

1. Over-exploitation
2. Excessive use
3. Unequal access of water among different social groups.

Question 4.
Is it possible that an area or region may have ample water resources but is
still facing water scarcity ? Explain with the help of three relevant examples.
Answer:
It is possible that an area or region may have ample water resources, but is
still facing water scarcity.

1. Such scarcity may be due to bad quality of water. The available

water may be polluted by domestic and industrial wastes,
chemicals, pesticides and fertilisers used in agriculture, thus
making it harmful for human use.
2. Growing population and consequent greater demands for water.
3. Own wells/tubewells and falling groundwater level affecting
water availability.

Question 5.
Why is it important to conserve and manage our water resources ? Give any
three reasons.
Answer:
It is necessary to conserve and manage our water resources due to the
following reasons :

1. To safeguard ourselves from health hazards : Polluted water is

not good for health. It may cause various kinds of water borne
diseases. Water polluted by domestic and industrial wastes,
chemicals, pesticides and fertilisers makes it hazardous for
human use.
2. To ensure food security : Sufficient water is required for
growing crops to meet the food requirement in the country.
Shortage of water may lead to condition of drought and failure of
crops.
3. To prevent degradation of our natural ecosystems : Over
exploitation and mismanage¬ment of water resources will
 impoverish this resource and cause ecological crisis that may
have profound impact on our lives.
We cannot imagine a life without water. Thus it is very necessary
to conserve and manage our water without which there can be no
life on earth.

Question 6.
How was the water conserved in ancient India ? Give some examples in
support of your answer.
Answer:
The water was conserved in ancient India by constructing sophisticated
hydraulic structures like dams built of stone rubble, reservoirs or lakes,
embankments and canals for irrigation.
Some of the hydraulic structures in ancient India were as follows :

1. In the first century B.C., Sringaverapura near Allahabad, had

sophisticated water harvesting system channelling the flood
water of the river Ganga.
2. During the reign of Chandragupta Maurya, dams, lakes and
irrigation systems were extensively built.
3. Irrigation works have been found in many places viz., Kalinga
(Orissa), Nagarjunakonda (Andhra Pradesh), Bennur (Karnataka)
and Kolhapur (Maharashtra).
4. In the 11th century, Bhopal Lake was built. It was one of the
largest artificial lakes of its time.
5. In the 14th century, the tank in Hauz Khas, Delhi was
constructed by Iltutmish. It supplied water to Siri Fort area.

Question 7.
Name any two multipurpose projects of India. State four objectives of
multipurpose projects.
Answer:
(1)
1. Bhakra-Nangal Project in the Satluj-Beas river basin.
2. Hirakud Project in the Mahanadi basin.
(2) Four objectives of multipurpose projects are as given below :

1. Electricity generation
2. Irrigation
3. Flood control
4. Inland navigation
5. Fish breeding.

Question 8.
What is a dam ? How are they classified ?
Or
What is a dam ? Describe the classification of dams on the basis of their
structure and materials used and height.
Answer:
(1) A dam is a barrier across flowing water that obstructs, directs or retards
the flow, often creating a reservoir, lake or impoundment. It has a section
called a spillway or weir over which or through which water flows
intermittently or continuously.
(2)
1. Based on structure and the materials used, dams are classified
as timber dams, embankment dams or masonry dams.
2. According to the height, dams can be categorised as large dams
and major dams or alternatively as low dams, medium height
dams and high dams.

Question 9.
Describe the factors that are responsible for the poor condition of India’s
rivers – both smaller and big rivers.
Answer:
The following factors are responsible for the poor condition of India’s
rivers :
(1) Smaller rivers :

1. The growing domestic, municipal, industrial and agricultural

demand it water from rivers has affected the quality of water. The
volume of rivers has been reduced as more and more water is
being drained out of them.
2. A heavy load of untreated sewage and industrial effluents are
emptied into the rivers. This also affects the self-cleansing
capacity of the rivers leading to rising pollution of their water. As
a result of above factors, the smaller rivers have all turned into
toxic streams.

(2) Big rivers : These rivers have been affected by the following factors :

1. Population growth
2. Agricultural modernisation
3. Urbanisation
4. Industrialisation : Industries are heavy users of water and also
require hydroelectric power to run them.
For example in Delhi, a large amount of domestic and industrial
waste falls in the Yamuna river that leads to water pollution.
Thus, even the big”rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna are far
from being pure and efforts are being made to clean the rivers.

Question 10.
What is a multi-purpose river project ? Give four objectives of these projects
?
Answer:
(1) Dams are referred to as multi-purpose projects where the many uses of
the impounded water are integrated with one another. Dams are now built
not just for irrigation but for electricity generation, water supply for
domestic and industrial uses, flood control and recreation.
(2) The objectives of the projects were as mentioned below :

1. It would integrate development of agriculture and the village

economy with rapid industrialisation and growth of the urban
economy. It was thought that they would lead the nation to
development and progress, overcoming the handicap of its
colonial past.
2. These projects generate hydro-electricity. For example the
Bhakra-Nangal project water is being used for hydel power
production.
3. The projects are useful for irrigation as is the case of Bhakra
project.
4. Flood control : These projects help in the control of floods. For
example the Hirakud project in the Mahanadi basin integrates
conservation of water with flood control.
5. The other objectives are navigation, fish breeding, water supply
for domestic and industrial uses and to encourage tourism.

Question 11.
Describe the factors that are responsible for the various objections against
the multi-purpose projects.
Answer:
The factors that are responsible for the various objections against the
various multi-purpose projects are as given below:

1. Failure of the projects to achieve their objectives.

2. Some dams that were constructed to control floods were
responsible for the floods due to sedimentation in the reservoir.
3. Generally, big dams are not successful in controlling flood at the
time of heavy and excessive rainfall because in such cases the
release of water from dams aggravated the flood situation. This
has happened in Maharashtra and Gujarat in 2006. The floods
have not only devastated life and property but also caused
extensive soil erosion.
4. Sedimentation deprived flood plains of silt, a natural fertiliser
and was responsible for land degradation.
5. Multi-purpose projects induce earthquakes, cause water-borne
diseases and pests and pollution resulting from excessive use of
water.

Question 12.
What is rainwater harvesting? How was it used in ancient times?
Or
What is rainwater harvesting? Explain any two different methods of
rainwater harvesting in different regions of India.

Answer:
(1) Rainwater harvesting is a technique of increasing the recharge of
groundwater by capturing and storing rainwater by constructing structures,
such as dug wells, percolation pits, check dams.
(2) Keeping into view the disadvantages and rising resistance against the
multi-purpose projects, water harvesting system is considered a viable
alternative both socio-economically and environmentally.
(3) Ancient Times :

1. In ancient India, along with the sophisticated hydraulic

structures, there existed an extraordinary tradition of water-
harvesting system.
2. People had in-depth knowledge of rainfall regimes and soil types.
3. They had developed wide ranging techniques to harvest
rainwater, groundwater, river water and flood water in keeping
with the local ecological conditions and their water needs.
4. In hilly 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.
5. In the flood plains of Bengal, people developed inundation
channels to irrigate their fields.
6. 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.
7. In Bikaner, Phalodi and Barmer, almost all the houses had
underground tanks for storing drinking water.

Question 13.
What is rooftop rainwater harvesting system ? In which state is it
compulsory to follow this system ?
Answer:
(1) Rooftop rainwater harvesting means the rainwater that falls on the
sloping roofs of houses is taken through pipe into an underground tanka
(circular holes in the ground), built in the main house or in the courtyard.
(2) In the semi-arid and arid regions of Rajasthan, particularly Bikaner, this
practice was followed.
(3)

1. Roof top rainwater harvesting is the most common practice in

Shillong, Meghalaya.
2. 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. There are legal provisions to punish
the defaulters.

Question 14.
What is Bamboo Drip Irrigation system ?
Answer:
In Meghalaya, a 200-year-old system of tapping stream and spring water by
using bamboo pipes is prevalent. About 10-20 litres of water enters the
bamboo pipe system, gets transported over hundreds of meters, and finally
reduced to 20-80 drops per minute at the site of the plant. Bamboo pipes
are used to divert perennial springs on the hilltops to the lower reaches by
gravity.