Class 10 Geography Chapter 3 Extra Questions and Answers Water Resources

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Class 10 Geography Chapter 3 Extra Questions and Answers Water Resources

Water Resources Class 10 Extra Questions and Answer Geography Chapter 3 Very Short Answers Type

Question 1.
How is freshwater obtained?
Answer:
The freshwater is mainly obtained from surface run off and ground water that continually being renewed and recharged through the hydrological cycle.

Question 2.
What is meant by hydrological cycle?
Answer:
Hydrological cycle, also known as water cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the earth through evaporation, condensation and precipitation.

Question 3.
Mention the various sources of freshwater.
Answer:
The various sources of freshwater are precipitation, surface run-off and groundwater.

Question 4.
The availability of water resources varies over space and time. Why?
Answer:
It happens mainly due to the variations in seasonal and annual precipitation.

Question 5.
How is water scarcity caused?
Answer:
Water scarcity in most cases is caused by over-exploitation, excessive use and unequal access to water among different social groups.

Question 6.
How has ever increasing number of industries caused water scarcity?
Answer:
The ever increasing number of industries has caused water scarcity by exerting pressure on existing fresh water resources. Industries, apart from being heavy users of water, also require power to run them. Much of this energy comes from hydroelectric power.

Question 7.
How are water resources being exploited for agricultural activities?
Answer:
Water resources are being exploited to expand irrigated area in order to increase food grain production.

Question 8.
What is a hydraulic structure?
Answer:
A hydraulic structure is structure submerged or partially submerged in any body of water, which disrupts the natural flow of water. They can be used to divert, disrupt or completely stop the flow.

Question 9.
What are dams?
Answer:
Dams are barriers across flowing water that obstruct, direct or retard the flow, often creating a reservoir, lake or impoundment.

Question 10.
What purpose does the Bhakra Nangal project water serve?
Answer:
The Bhakra Nangal project water is being used both for hydel power production and irrigation.

Question 11.
Why are dams now referred to as multi-purpose projects? Give example.
Answer:
Dams are now referred to as multi-purpose projects where the many uses of the impounded water are integrated with one another. For example, in the Sutlej-Beas river basin, the Bhakra Nangal project water is being used both for hydel power production and irrigation.

Question 12.
Why did Jawaharlal Nehru call multi-purpose projects the ‘temples of modern India’?
Answer:
The multi-purpose projects, according to Jawaharlal Nehru integrate the development of agriculture and the village economy with rapid industrialisation and growth of the urban economy.

Question 13.
Name two social movements which have been launched against the multi-purpose projects.
Answer:

The Narmada Bachao Andolan
The Tehri Dam Andolan.

Question 14.
What is a multi-purpose river valley project?
Answer:
Multi-purpose river valley projects generally refer to large dams that serve many purposes including impounding the water of a river.

Question 15.
Mention two techniques of rooftop rainwater harvesting.
Answer:
These two techniques are

recharge through hand pump and
recharge through abandoned dugwell.

Question 16.
What is meant by tanka?
Answer:
Tanka is a circular hole in the ground to store water.

Question 17.
Classify dams on bases of structure and the materials used.
Answer:
Based on structure and the materials used, dams are classified as timber dams, embankment dams or masonry dams, with several subtypes.

Question 18.
Who are benefited from the multi-purpose projects?
Answer:
The landowners and big farmers, industrialists and few urban centres are benefited from the multipurpose projects.

Question 19.
How do people in the flood plains of Bengal irrigate their fields?
Answer:
They develop inundation channels to irrigate their fields.

Question 20.
How does over-exploitation of water resources lead to its scarcity?
Answer:
Over-exploitation of water resources lead to falling ground water levels thus causing water scarcity.

Water Resources Class 10 Extra Questions and Answer Geography Chapter 3 Short Answers Type

Question 1.
What is a dam? How are dams classified?
Answer:
A dam is a barrier across flowing water that obstructs, directs or retards the flow, often creating a reservoir, lake or impoundment.

Dams refer to the reservoir rather then the structure.
Dams are classified according to structure, intended purpose or height.
Based on structure and the materials used, dams are classified as timber dams, embankment dams or masonry dams, with several subtypes.
According to the height, dams are classified as large dams and major dams or alternatively as low dams, medium height dams and high dams.

Question 2.
Describe any three different rainwater harvesting systems practised in India. (Imp)
Answer:
Three different rainwater harvesting systems practised in India are
(i) In the semi-arid and arid regions of Rajasthan, almost all the houses traditionally have underground tanks or tankas for storing drinking water. These tanks are very big and are built inside the main house or the courtyard. They are connected to the sloping roofs of the houses through a pipe. The rain falling on the roof-tops travels down the pipe and is stored in these underground tanks.

(ii) In hilly and mountainous regions, people build diversion channels like the ‘guts’ or ‘kuls’ of the Western Himalayas for agriculture.

(iii) In arid and semi-arid regions, agricultural fields are converted into rain fed storage structures that allow the water to stand and moisten the soil like the ‘Khadins’ in Jaisalmer and ‘Johads’ in other parts of Rajasthan.

Question 3.
How are local communities adversely affected by the construction of large dams? (Imp)
OR
Explain any three problems that local communities face due to the construction of large dams.
Answer:
Local communities face several problems due to the construction of large dams. Some of them are given below-

Multi-purpose projects and large dams cause large scale displacement to the local communities.
Local people are forced to give up their land, livelihood and their meagre access and control over resources.
Their condition becomes miserable because no one pays attention on their rehabilitation.

Question 4.
How has irrigation changed the cropping pattern? What is its impact on the social landscape? (Imp)
Answer:
Irrigation has changed the cropping pattern of many regions as farmers have shifted to water intensive and commercial crops. This has great ecological consequences like salinisation of the soil. At the same time, it has transformed the social landscape. The social gap between the richer landowners and the landless poor has been increased.

The dams create conflicts between people wanting different uses and benefits from the same water resources. 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 5.
How have intensive industrialisation and urbanisation posed a great pressure on existing fresh water resources in India? Explain.
Answer:
Post-independent India witnessed intensive industrialisation and urbanisation. This created vast opportunities for us but at the same time aggravated the problem of water scarcity. The ever-increasing number of industries has put immense pressure on the 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.

Today, In India hydroelectric power contributes approximately 22 percent of the total electricity produced. Moreover, multiplying urban centres with large and dense populations and urban lifestyles have not only added to water and energy requirements but have further aggravated the problem. Most of the housing societies and colonies in the cities have their own groundwater pumping devices to meet their water needs. We have already fragile water resources and that too are being over¬exploited causing their depletion in several of these cities.

Question 6.
‘Multi-purpose projects have failed to achieve the purpose for which they were built.’ Justify the statement. (Imp)
Answer:

The dams that were constructed to control floods have triggered floods due to sedimentation in the reservoir.
The big dams have mostly been unsuccessful in controlling floods at the time of excessive rainfall. Many a time we have come to know about the release of water from dams during heavy rains. This only aggravates the flood situation.
The floods have not only devastated life and property but also caused extensive soil erosion.
It has also been observed that multi-purpose projects have induced earthquakes, have caused waterborne diseases and pests and pollution resulting from excessive use of water.

Question 7.
Why are different water harvesting systems considered a viable alternative both socio economically and environmentally in a country like India? (Imp)
Answer:
(i) In India, the availability of water resources varies over space and time, mainly due to the variations in seasonal and annual precipitation. In such a situation, it is wise to adopt different water harvesting systems. Needless to say that water harvesting is a cheap method of conservation of water.

(ii) People in India have in-depth knowledge of rainfall regimes and soil types. They have developed wide ranging techniques to harvest rainwater, groundwater, river water and floodwater in keeping with the local ecological conditions and their water needs.

(iii) Most importantly rainwater harvesting is not harmful from any angle. It is environment-friendly as well as cheap source of water supply.

Question 8.
How can you say that water scarcity is an outcome of large and growing population?
Answer:
A large population means more water not only for domestic use but also to produce more food. Hence, to facilitate higher food grain production, water resources are being overexploited to expand irrigated areas and dry-season agriculture. It is a fact that most farmers have their own wells and tube-wells in their farms for irrigation to increase their produce. This leads to falling groundwater levels, adversely affecting water availability and food security of the people.

Question 7.
Mention any six advantages of multi-purpose river projects.
Answer:
(i) Multi-purpose river valley projects are those projects which serve many objectives at the same time. Under these projects, a dam or a series of dams are constructed across the river for storing water.
(ii) The stored water is used for several purposes, such as providing irrigation, generating hydro-electricity, navigation, etc.
(iii) Sometimes when a particular region gets dry due to scanty rainfall, this water is sent to the cities for domestic purposes through canals.

Advantages of Multi-purpose river projects:

They not only help in irrigation but also in electricity generation, water supply for domestic and industrial uses.
They help in flood control, recreation, inland navigation and fish breeding.
They are also associated with the development of agriculture and the village economy.
Examples — In the Sutluj-Beas river basin, the Bhakra-Nangal project water is being used both for hydel power production and irrigation. Similarly, the Hirakud project in the Mahanadi basin integrates conservation of water with flood control.

Disadvantages of Multi-purpose river projects

Regulating and damming of rivers affect their natural flow causing poor sediment flow and excessive sedimentation at the bottom of the reservoir, resulting in rockier stream beds and porer habitats for the rivers’ aquatic life.
Multi-purpose projects also fragment rivers making it difficult for aquatic fauna to migrate, especially for spawning.
The reservoirs that are created on the floodplains also submerge the existing vegetation and soil leading to its decomposition over a period of time.
They also harm the environment and fertility of soil.
They also lead to large scale displacements and loss of livelihood.

Question 10.
Three-fourth of the earth’s surface is covered with water but there is still scarcity of water across the globe. Explain giving three reasons. (Imp)
Answer:

96.5 percent of the total volume of world’s water is estimated to exist as oceans which are saline and not fit for human consumption.
Only 2.5 percent is freshwater. Nearly 70 percent of this freshwater occurs as ice sheets and glaciers in Antarctica, Greenland and the mountainous regions of the world, while a little less than 30 percent is stored as groundwater in the world’s aquifers. Thus, very little quantity is left for human consumption.
This too is not used wisely and judiciously. It is over-exploited for selfish purposes causing water scarcity.

Question 11.
Is it possible that an area or region may have ample water resources but is still facing water scarcity? If yes, how? (Imp)
Answer:
(i) In many cities there is no shortage of water but the water is not fit for human consumption.Much of the water is being polluted by domestic and industrial wastes, chemicals, pesticides and fertilisers used in agriculture, thus making it hazardous for human use.

(ii) India’s rivers, especially the smaller ones, have all turned into toxic streams. And even the big ones like the Ganga and Yamuna are far from being pure. The assault on India’s rivers is enormous and growing by the day.

(iii) Over-exploitation and mismanagement of water resources impoverish this valuable resource and create crisis.

Question 12.
Explain hydrological cycle with the help of a diagram.
Answer:
Hydrological cycle, also known as water cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the earth through evaporation, condensation and precipitation.

Class 10 Geography Chapter 3 Extra Questions and Answers Water Resources 1

Question 13.
Give a brief description of the Narmada Bachao Andolan.
OR
Why was the Narmada Bachao Andolan launched?
Answer:
Narmada Bachao Andolan, also known as Save Narmada Movement is a non-governmental organisation that took place as a result of the resistance to the multi-purpose projects due to the large scale displacement of local communities. The movement mobilised tribal people, farmers, environmentalists and human rights activists against the Sardar Sarovar Dam being built across the Narmada river in Gujarat. It originally focussed on the environmental issues related to trees that would be submerged under the dam water. Recently it has re-focused the aim to enable poor citizens, especially the oustees or displaced people to get full rehabilitation facilities from the government.

Question 14.
What are the different stages of rooftop rainwater harvesting?
OR
Explain the rooftop rainwater harvesting technique.
Answer:

Rooftop rainwater is collected using a PVC pipe.
The collected water is filtered using sand and bricks.
Underground pipe takes water to sump for immediate usage.
Excess water from the sump is taken to the well.
Water from the well recharges the underground water.
Now we can take water from the well.

Question 15.
What do you know about the rooftop rainwater harvesting in Shillong, Megha-laya?
Answer:
Rooftop rainwater harvesting is the most common practice in Shillong, Meghalaya. It is interesting because Cherapunjee and Mawsynram situated at a distance of 55 km from Shillong receive the highest rainfall in the world, yet the state capital Shillong faces acute shortage of water. Nearly every household in the city has a rooftop rainwater harvesting structure. Nearly 15-25 percent of the total water requirement of the household comes from rooftop water harvesting.

Question 16.
Why are multi-purpose projects facing resistance? Explain three reasons. (Imp)
Answer:
In recent years, multi-purpose projects and large dams have faced opposition for a variety of reasons-
(i) Regulating and damming of rivers affect their natural flow causing poor sediment flow and excessive sedimentation at the bottom of the reservoir, resulting in rockier stream beds and poorer habitats for the rivers’ aquatic life.

(ii) Dams also fragment rivers making it difficult for aquatic fauna to migrate, especially for spawning.

(iii) The reservoirs that are created on the floodplains also submerge the existing vegetation and soil leading to its decomposition over a period of time.

(iv) Multi-purpose projects and large dams cause large-scale displacement of local communities. Local people are forced to give up their land, livelihood and their meagre access and control over resources. As a result, they face hardships. On the other hand, the landowners, and large farmers, industrialists, etc. are benefited.

(v) Dams not only increase social gap between the richer landowners and the landless poor but also . create conflicts between people wanting different uses and benefits from the same water resources. For example, in Gujarat, the Sabarmati-basin farmers are agitated and almost caused a riot over the higher priority given to water supply in urban areas, particularly during draughts.

(vi) Irrigation has also changed the cropping pattern of many regions with farmers shifting to water intensive and commercial crops. This has great ecological consequences like salinisation of the soil.

Water Resources Class 10 Extra Questions and Answer Geography Chapter 3 Long Answers Type

Question 1.
How was water conserved in ancient India? Give any four examples in support of your answer.
Answer:
Archaeological and historical records show that from ancient times people have been constructing sophisticated hydraulic structures like dams built of stone rubble, reservoirs or lakes, embankments and canals for irrigation. This tradition is being followed in modern India too. People are building dams in most of the river basins. Four examples to show how water was conserved in ancient India-

(i) In the first century BC, Sringaverapura near Allahabad had sophisticated water harvesting system channelling the flood water of the river Ganga.

(ii) During the time of Chandragupta Maurya, dams, lakes and irrigation systems were extensively built.

(iii) Evidences of sophisticated irrigation works have also been found in Kalinga (Odisha), Nagarjunakonda (Andhra Pradesh), Bennur (Karnataka), Kolhapur (Maharashtra), etc.

(iv) In the fourteenth century, the tank in Hauz Khas, Delhi was constructed by Iltutmish for supply-ing water to Siri Fort area.

Question 2.
“In recent years, the multi-purpose projects and large dams have come under great scrutiny.” Give reasons. (Imp)
Answer:
In recent years, multi-purpose projects and large dams have faced opposition for a variety of reasons-
(i) Regulating and damming of rivers affect their natural flow causing poor sediment flow and excessive sedimentation at the bottom of the reservoir, resulting in rockier stream beds and poorer habitats for the rivers’ aquatic life.

(ii) Dams also fragment rivers making it difficult for aquatic fauna to migrate, especially for spawning.

(iii) The reservoirs that are created on the floodplains also submerge the existing vegetation and soil leading to its decomposition over a period of time.

(v) Dams not only increase social gap between the richer landowners and the landless poor but also. create conflicts between people wanting different uses and benefits from the same water resources. For example, in Gujarat, the Sabarmati-basin farmers are agitated and almost caused a riot over the higher priority given to water supply in urban areas, particularly during draughts.

Question 3.
Explain the ecological problems being faced due to the multi-purpose river projects. (Imp)
Answer:
In recent years, multi-purpose projects and large dams have faced opposition for a variety of reasons-
(i) Regulating and damming of rivers affect their natural flow causing poor sediment flow and excessive sedimentation at the bottom of the reservoir, resulting in rockier stream beds and poorer habitats for the rivers’ aquatic life.

(ii) Dams also fragment rivers making it difficult for aquatic fauna to migrate, especially for spawning.

(iii) The reservoirs that are created on the floodplains also submerge the existing vegetation and soil leading to its decomposition over a period of time.

Question 4.
Write the features of the tankas built in the houses of Bikaner, Phalodi and Banner.
Answer:
(i) The tankas or tanks are found in the semi-arid and arid regions of Rajasthan, particularly, in Bikaner, Phalodi and Barmer. They are built underground to store drinking water.

(ii) These tankas are as large as a big room. One household in Phalodi has a tanka that is 6.1 metres deep, 4.27 metres long and 2.44 metres wide.

(iii) The tankas are part of the well-developed rooftop rainwater harvesting system and are built inside the main house or the courtyard.

(iv) They are connected to the sloping roofs of the houses through a pipe. Rain falling on the rooftops travels down the pipe and is stored in these underground tankas.

Question 5.
Why is rooftop rainwater harvesting important in Rajasthan? Explain.
Answer:
(i) Rajasthan is a desert region which receives scanty rainfall. Most of it falls during the rainy season from June to September, leaving the soil to parch the rest of the year.

(ii) Most of the wells in Rajasthan have gone dry and people face acute water crisis.

(iii) People in Rajasthan have, therefore, built underground tankas or tanks to store water. Almost all the houses traditionally have these tankas that serve great purposes.

(iv) These tankas are part of the well-developed rooftop rainwater harvesting system. The rainwater stored in these tankas is an extremely reliable source of drinking water when all other sources are dried up, particularly in the summers.

(v) Rainwater is considered the purest form of natural water. As there is lack of perennial rivers in Rajasthan, people heavily depend on rainwater.

(vi) Rooftop rainwater harvesting is important in Rajasthan also for the reason that it is used to beat the summer heat as it keeps the room cool and comfortable.

Question 6.
Give five reasons responsible for water scarcity in India. (Imp)
Answer:
Five reasons responsible for water scarcity in India are-
(i) Population in India is growing fast. A large population means more water not only for domestic use but also to produce more food. To facilitate higher foodgrain production, water resources are being exploited to expand irrigated areas and dry-season agriculture.

(ii) The ever-increasing number of industries have made matters worse by exerting pressure on existing freshwater resources. Industries are heavy users of water. They also require power to run them. Much of this energy comes from hydroelectric power.

(iii) Most of the housing societies or colonies in the cities have their own groundwater pumping devices to meet their water needs. This has caused depletion of water resources in several of these cities.

(iv) The quality of water is deteriorating day by day due to domestic and industrial wastes, chemicals, pesticides and fertilisers used in agriculture. As a result, even areas with sufficient water are suffering from acute water scarcity. This scarcity is mainly due to bad quality of water.

(v) Unequal distribution and availability of water resources have also aggravated the problem. There are areas which do not get abundant rainfall while in some areas flood like situation prevails, especially during rainy season. In both the situations people face the problem of safe drinking water.

Water Resources Class 10 Extra Questions and Answer Geography Chapter 3 Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) Questions

Question 1.
Throw light on the quantitative and qualitative aspects of water scarcity.
Answer:
Quantitative aspect: This aspect is associated with the availability of water resources. We know that the availability of water resources varies over space and time due to variations in seasonal and annual precipitation. But water scarcity in most cases is caused by over-exploitation, excessive use and unequal access to water among different social groups. Large population and an ever-increasing number of industries have made matters worse by exerting pressure on existing freshwater resources.

Industries are heavy users of water. Urban lifestyles have further aggravated the problem. Thus, we find that fragile water resources are being over-exploited and have caused their depletion in several areas.

Qualitative aspect: This aspect is associated with the situation where water is sufficiently available to meet the needs of the people, but, the area still suffers from water scarcity. This scarcity is mainly caused due to bad quality of water. Lately, there has been a growing concern that even if there is ample water to meet the needs of the people, much of it may be polluted by domestic and industrial wastes, chemicals, pesticides and fertilisers used in agriculture, thus, making it hazardous for human use.

Question 2.
What is bamboo drip irrigation? Mention any two features of it.
OR
What is the mechanism of bamboo drip irrigation system?
Answer:
The bamboo drip irrigation system has been in practice in the north-eastern part of India, in the state of Meghalaya for more than 200 years. Here, the tribal farmers have been using this indigenous technique to irrigate their plantation crops. These farmers have developed this system of tapping stream and spring water to grow black pepper, betal leaves, etc. by using bamboo pipes.

The bamboo drip irrigation system is based on gravity and the steep slopes facilitate in implementing it. About 18-20 litres of water enters the bamboo pipe system, gets transported over hundreds of metres, and finally reduces to 20-50 drops per minute at the site of the plant.

Features/Mechanism

In this irrigation system, bamboo pipes are used to divert perennial springs on the hilltops to the lower reaches by gravity.
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. The flow of water into the pipes is controlled by manipulating the pipe positions.
If the pipes pass a road, they are taken high above the land.
The reduced channel sections 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.

Question 3.
Mention some of the objectives of the multi-purpose river valley projects.
Answer:

To help control floods
To help store water which can be used for irrigation
To provide drinking water
To conserve soil
To generate hydel power.

Water Resources Class 10 Extra Questions and Answer Geography Chapter 3 Value-based Questions (VBQs)

Question 1.
Why is there an urgent need to conserve and manage water resources? Mention three reasons.
OR
‘The need of the hour is to conserve and manage our water resources’. Justify the statement.
Answer:
There is an urgent need to conserve and manage our water resources to

safeguard ourselves from health hazards
ensure food security, continuation of our livelihoods and productive activities, and
prevent degradation of our natural ecosystems.

Over-exploitation and mismanagement of water resources will impoverish this resource and cause ecological crisis that may have serious impact on our lives.

Question 2.
Mention various methods for the conservation of water.
Answer:
Water is a valuable resource. It fulfils our basic needs. It is essential for life on the earth. Because the sources of water are limited and that too are reducing every year, its conservation is essential.
Various methods of water conservation are-

Rainwater harvesting— It is a method of collecting water while it rains to use it in future.
Minimising draining off the rainwater- This method will improve underground storage. For this, vegetation cover should be expanded.
Scientific management of the water resources of all the river watersheds from minor to major.
Construction of dams across the rivers is also helpful in the conservation of water.
We should try our best to prevent water resources from pollution. It is also necessary to educate and sensitize common people towards the need to conserve water.

Water Resources Class 10 Extra Questions and Answer Geography Chapter 3 Map-based Questions

Question 1.
On a political outline map of India, locate and label the following dams:
(a) Hirakud
(b) Sardar Sarovar
(c) Tehri
(d) Nagarjuna Sagar
(e) BhakraNangal
(f) Rana Pratap Sagar
Answer:
Class 10 Geography Chapter 3 Extra Questions and Answers Water Resources 2