NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Geography Contemporary India – II Chapter 3 Water Resources Questions and Answers
We provide free downloadable PDF format NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Geography Chapter 3 – Water Resources. These solutions, prepared by subject experts, offer answers to all exercise questions. They are designed with an examination perspective in mind, aiding students in achieving high marks during the CBSE Term I exam. By referring to these solutions, students can also enhance their answer writing skills, enabling them to express their answers effectively. Take advantage of these NCERT Solutions for Class 10 and maximize your learning experience.
1. Multiple choice questions.
(i) Based on the information given below, classify each of the situations as ‘suffering from water scarcity’ or ‘not suffering from water scarcity’.
(a) Region with high annual rainfall.
(b) Region having high annual rainfall and large population.
(c) Region having high annual rainfall but water is highly polluted.
(d) Region having low rainfall and low population.
Answer:
(a) Not suffering from water scarcity
(b) Suffering from water scarcity
(c) Suffering from water scarcity
(d) Not suffering from water scarcity
(ii) Which one of the following statements is not an argument in favour of multipurpose river projects?
(a) Multi-purpose projects bring water to those areas which suffer from water scarcity.
(b) Multi-purpose projects by regulating water flow help to control floods.
(c) Multi-purpose projects lead to large scale displacements and loss of livelihood.
(d) Multi-purpose projects generate electricity for our industries and our homes.
Answer:
(c) Multi-purpose projects lead to large scale displacements and loss of livelihood
(iii) Here are some false statements. Identify the mistakes and rewrite them correctly.
(a) Multiplying urban centres with large and dense populations and urban lifestyles have helped in proper utilisation of water resources.
(b) Regulating and damming of rivers does not affect the river’s natural flow and its sediment flow.
(c) In Gujarat, the Sabarmati basin farmers were not agitated when higher priority was given to water supply in urban areas, particularly during droughts.
(d) Today in Rajasthan, the practice of rooftop rainwater water harvesting has gained popularity despite high water availability due to the Indira Gandhi Canal.
Answer:
(a) Multiplying urban centres with large and dense populations and urban lifestyles have resulted in improper utilisation of water resources.
(b) Regulating and damming of rivers does affect the river’s natural flow and its sediment flow.
(c) In Gujarat, the Sabarmati basin farmers were agitated when higher priority was given to water supply in urban areas, particularly during droughts.
(d) Today in Rajasthan, the practice of rooftop rainwater water harvesting popularity has declined due to high water availability from the Indira Gandhi Canal.
2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.
(i) Explain how water becomes a renewable resource.
Answer: Water is considered a renewable resource because of the water cycle. Through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation, water constantly replenishes itself, making it available for use again. This natural process ensures that water is not permanently consumed but can be reused over time.
(ii) What is water scarcity and what are its main causes?
Answer: Water scarcity refers to a situation where the demand for water exceeds the available supply in a region or for a population. Its main causes include population growth, climate change, inadequate infrastructure, pollution, overconsumption, and inefficient water management. These factors contribute to a lack of access to clean and sufficient water, posing significant challenges to human health, agriculture, and economic development.
(iii) Compare the advantages and disadvantages of multi-purpose river projects.
Answer:
Advantages of Multi-Purpose River Projects:
1. Water Supply: Provides a reliable source of water for irrigation, drinking, and industrial purposes.
2. Hydropower Generation: Generates clean and renewable energy, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
3. Flood Control: Helps regulate river flows, reducing the risk of floods and associated damages.
4. Navigation: Facilitates inland transportation and improves connectivity for trade and commerce.
5. Recreation and Tourism: Creates reservoirs and lakes that offer recreational activities and boost tourism.
6. Drought Mitigation: Can store water during periods of high rainfall for use during dry spells.
Disadvantages of Multi-Purpose River Projects:
1. Environmental Impact: Can lead to habitat destruction, loss of biodiversity, and disruption of natural river ecosystems.
2. Displacement of Communities: Construction of dams may require the relocation of communities, leading to social and cultural disruptions.
3. Sedimentation: Dams trap sediments, causing downstream erosion and affecting aquatic habitats.
4. Cost and Time Overruns: Large-scale projects often face delays, cost escalations, and financial challenges.
5. Resettlement Challenges: Relocating affected communities can result in social conflicts and livelihood disruptions.
6. Climate Change Vulnerability: Altered rainfall patterns and increased variability may affect the efficiency of projects.
3. Answer the following questions in about 120 words.
(i) Discuss how rainwater harvesting in semi-arid regions of Rajasthan is carried out.
Answer: In the semi-arid and arid regions of Rajasthan, specifically Bikaner, Phalodi, and Barmer, an age-old tradition has prevailed, ensuring a sustainable water supply for households. This practice involves the construction of underground tanks or tankas exclusively designed to store drinking water. These tanks exhibit remarkable dimensions, resembling spacious rooms. To provide a tangible example, there exists a household in Phalodi boasting a tanka with awe-inspiring measurements of 6.1 meters deep, 4.27 meters long, and 2.44 meters wide.
These tankas form an integral component of a highly efficient rooftop rainwater harvesting system, ingeniously integrated within the main house or courtyard. Seamlessly connected to the sloping roofs through a network of pipes, they serve as the repository for rainwater cascading from above. Interestingly, during the initial downpour, the first spell of rainwater is deliberately not collected. This strategic omission enables the rainwater to cleanse the roofs and pipes of any accumulated impurities. It is the subsequent showers that are carefully channeled and collected in the tankas.
The stored rainwater within these underground reservoirs proves to be an extraordinarily reliable source of drinking water, especially during periods of scarcity when other sources run dry, particularly in the scorching summers. The rainwater remains securely stored within the tankas until the arrival of the next rainfall. This remarkable practice showcases the astute understanding and utilization of rainwater, aptly referred to as “palar pani” in the local language. Within these regions, rainwater is revered as the purest form of natural water, embodying the essence of sustainability and self-sufficiency.
(ii) Describe how modern adaptations of traditional rainwater harvesting methods are being carried out to conserve and store water.
Answer: The practice of water harvesting systems presents a viable and sustainable alternative, benefiting both society and the environment. Ancient India showcased an extraordinary tradition of water harvesting, where communities possessed extensive knowledge of rainfall patterns, soil types, and local ecological conditions. They devised diverse techniques to harness rainwater, groundwater, river water, and floodwater according to their water requirements.
In hilly regions, diversion channels like the ‘guls’ or ‘kuls’ were constructed in the Western Himalayas to support agriculture. Rajasthan embraced the practice of ‘rooftop rainwater harvesting,’ a prevalent method for storing drinking water. In the flood plains of Bengal, people developed inundation channels to irrigate their fields. Arid and semi-arid areas witnessed the conversion of agricultural fields into rain-fed storage structures such as ‘khadins’ in Jaisalmer and ‘Johads’ in other parts of Rajasthan. These structures allowed water to stand and moisten the soil, serving as efficient water storage solutions.
Gendathur, a remote village in Mysuru, Karnataka, stands as an example of local innovation. Villagers have implemented rainwater harvesting systems on their rooftops to meet their water needs. Approximately 200 households in the village have adopted this method, earning Gendathur the distinction of being rich in rainwater. Similarly, Shillong, Meghalaya, renowned for receiving the highest rainfall globally in Cherapunjee and Mawsynram, faces water shortages in the state capital. To address this, nearly every household in Shillong has embraced rooftop rainwater harvesting. A remarkable 15-25 percent of the total water requirement for households is met through this practice.
Tamil Nadu takes the lead as the first state in India to make rooftop rainwater harvesting structures mandatory for all houses across the state. This step highlights the significance placed on sustainable water management and emphasizes the role of individual households in contributing to water conservation.
The rich heritage of water harvesting techniques in India exemplifies the harmonious relationship between humans and their environment, showcasing the wisdom and innovation of the past that can inspire sustainable solutions for the future.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) on “NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Geography – Contemporary India – II Chapter 3 – Water Resources”:
Q1: What topics are covered in the NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Geography Chapter 3 on Water Resources?
Ans: The solutions cover a wide range of topics related to water resources, including the importance of water, water scarcity, sources of freshwater, river systems in India, dams and their benefits, and the challenges of water pollution and conservation.
Q2: How can these NCERT Solutions help me understand the significance of water resources in India?
Ans: These solutions provide detailed explanations and answers to questions, helping you grasp the importance of water management, its impact on agriculture, industry, and human life, and the measures taken for water resource conservation in India.
Q3: Are there real-world examples and case studies included in these NCERT Solutions?
Ans: Yes, the solutions often include real-world examples and case studies to illustrate concepts and challenges related to water resources in India, making the subject more relatable and informative for students.
Water Resources Extra Questions and Answers Class 10
Q1: What are the three primary sources of fresh water, as mentioned in the text?
Ans: The three primary sources of fresh water are precipitation (rainfall), surface water (rivers and lakes), and groundwater.
Q2: What are the key reasons for water scarcity in various regions, according to the text?
Ans: The text lists several reasons for water scarcity, including large population growth, over-exploitation of water resources in agriculture and industry, urbanization, unequal access to water resources, water pollution, and excessive use of water by industries and hydro-electric power generation.
Q3: What are some adverse effects of over-exploiting groundwater resources mentioned in the text?
Ans: Over-exploitation of groundwater can lead to falling groundwater levels, negatively impacting water availability, agriculture, food security, and the ecological cycle.
Q4: What are the main causes of water pollution, as discussed in the text?
Ans: The main causes of water pollution mentioned in the text include domestic waste, industrial waste without proper treatment, chemical effluents from industries and agriculture, and various human activities such as religious rituals and immersing of idols in water bodies.
Q5: What is the significance of traditional rainwater harvesting methods in India, and can you provide examples of such methods mentioned in the text?
Ans: Traditional rainwater harvesting methods have historical significance in India for water storage and conservation. Examples mentioned in the text include ‘Guls’ and ‘Kuls’ in mountainous areas, rooftop rainwater harvesting in Rajasthan, inundation channels in West Bengal, and structures like ‘Khadins’ and ‘Johads’ in arid regions.