Understand water scarcity in India,
water conservation techniques,
and the importance of multi-purpose river projects
for sustainable development.
Chapter 3: Water Resources
Class 10 NCERT Geography: Contemporary India-II |
Questions Answers
Updated for 2024-2025 Exams
Q.1.1(i) Based on the information given below, classify each
of the situations as ‘suffering from water scarcity’ or ‘not suffering from water
scarcity’.
Ans.
– (a) Region with high annual rainfall: Not suffering from
water scarcity
– (b) Region having high annual rainfall and large
population: Suffering from water scarcity
– (c) Region having high annual rainfall but water is highly
polluted: Suffering from water scarcity
– (d) Region having low rainfall and low population: Not
suffering from water scarcity
Q.1.1(ii) Which one of the following statements is not an
argument in favour of multi-purpose river projects?
Ans. (c) Multi-purpose projects lead to large scale
displacements and loss of livelihood.
Q.1.1(iii) Here are some false statements. Identify the
mistakes and rewrite them correctly.
Ans.
– (a) False statement: Multiplying urban centres with large
and dense populations and urban lifestyles have helped in proper utilisation of
water resources.
Corrected statement:
Multiplying urban centres with large and dense populations and urban lifestyles
have aggravated the misuse and over-exploitation of water resources.
– (b) False statement: Regulating and damming of rivers does
not affect the river’s natural flow and its sediment flow.
Corrected statement:
Regulating and damming of rivers affect the river’s natural flow and its
sediment flow.
– (c) False statement: Today in Rajasthan, the practice of
rooftop rainwater harvesting has gained popularity despite high water
availability due to the Indira Gandhi Canal.
Corrected statement:
Today in Rajasthan, the practice of rooftop rainwater harvesting has declined
due to high water availability from the Indira Gandhi Canal.
—
Q.2.2(i) Explain how water becomes a renewable
resource.
Ans. Water becomes a renewable resource through the
hydrological cycle. The water evaporates, condenses in the atmosphere, and
falls as precipitation. This process continually renews and recharges surface
and groundwater supplies.
Q.2.2(ii) What is water scarcity and what are its main
causes?
Ans. Water scarcity refers to the lack of sufficient water
resources to meet the demands of water usage. Its main causes include
over-exploitation, increasing population, pollution, and unequal distribution
of water.
Q.2.2(iii) Compare the advantages and disadvantages of
multi-purpose river projects.
Ans.
Advantages:
– Provide irrigation, electricity, and drinking water.
– Control floods and support inland navigation.
Disadvantages:
– Cause displacement of people.
– Lead to ecological damage and affect aquatic life.
—
Q.3.3(i) Discuss how rainwater harvesting in semi-arid
regions of Rajasthan is carried out.
Ans. In semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, traditional
rainwater harvesting methods like khadins and Johads are used. Fields are
converted into storage structures, allowing water to stand and moisten the
soil. Houses in regions like Bikaner and Phalodi have tankas (underground
tanks) to store rainwater collected from rooftops. This stored water, known as
palar pani, is considered the purest form and is used when other sources dry
up. These methods ensure sustainable water availability in arid and
drought-prone regions.
Q.3.3(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
include rooftop rainwater harvesting, where rainwater is collected through
pipes and stored in tanks for future use. In Gendathur, Karnataka, 200
households have installed rooftop harvesting systems, capturing up to 50,000
litres of water annually. In urban areas like Shillong, rooftop rainwater
harvesting is compulsory, supplying 15-25% of household water needs. These
methods are environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and help to replenish
groundwater, reduce dependency on other water sources, and conserve rainwater.