Chapter - Water resources

Class 10 Geography Notes – Water Resources

Water is the most vital natural resource that sustains life on Earth. India, being a land of rivers, monsoon rainfall, and varied climatic conditions, depends heavily on water resources for agriculture, industries, electricity, and domestic use. The chapter Water Resources in Class 10 Geography explains the importance of water, challenges of water scarcity, and methods of conservation.

Importance of Water Resources

• Agriculture: Irrigation depends on rivers, groundwater, and canals.

• Industries: Water is essential for cooling, processing, and generating energy.

• Hydropower: Dams and reservoirs produce hydroelectricity.

• Drinking and Domestic Use: Essential for survival of humans and animals.

• Navigation & Tourism: Rivers, lakes, and seas are vital for transport and tourism.

Water Scarcity in India

Despite having a wide network of rivers, India faces water scarcity due to:

1. Unequal Distribution – Some regions like Rajasthan and Gujarat face drought, while others receive heavy rainfall.

2. Overexploitation of Groundwater – Uncontrolled extraction for agriculture and urban needs.

3. Pollution – Industrial waste, untreated sewage, and chemicals reduce usable water.

4. Population Growth – More demand due to rising population and urbanization.

5. Deforestation and Climate Change – Reduce rainfall and disturb the water cycle.

Multipurpose River Valley Projects

To solve water problems and generate energy, India has built large dams and river valley projects. Examples:

• Bhakra Nangal Dam on Sutlej – Irrigation and hydroelectricity.

• Hirakud Dam on Mahanadi – Controls floods and provides irrigation.

• Damodar Valley Project – Multipurpose scheme in Jharkhand and West Bengal.

• Sardar Sarovar Dam on Narmada – Provides drinking water, irrigation, and power.

• Tehri Dam on Ganga – One of the highest dams in India.

Rainwater Harvesting

A traditional and sustainable method of conserving water. It involves collecting rainwater from rooftops, fields, and natural catchments. Examples:

• Rooftop Harvesting in urban houses.

• Khadins and Johads in Rajasthan.

• Kuls in Himachal Pradesh.

• Bamboo Drip Irrigation in Meghalaya.

Water Conservation Techniques

• Check Dams and Percolation Tanks to recharge groundwater.

• Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation for efficient agricultural use.

• Interlinking of Rivers to balance water supply between drought and flood-prone areas.

• Afforestation to increase rainfall and prevent soil erosion.

Need for Sustainable Water Management

• Prevents overexploitation.

• Reduces dependency on groundwater.

• Ensures clean drinking water for all.

• Maintains ecological balance and biodiversity.

Water, A Very Important And Critical Resource Of India

• In India the total availability of water depends upon monsoon which is very uncertain.
• Water is used for drinking, domestic and various industrial purposes.
• Agriculture has been claiming a greater and greater share of water day by day.
• Water has become necessary for disposal of ever-growing municipal sewage and dirt.

Water: Some Facts And Figures

• 96.5 per cent of the total volume of world's water is estimated to exist as oceans
• 2.5 per cent as freshwater
• 70 per cent of this freshwater occurs as ice sheets and glaciers in Antarctica, Greenland and the mountainous regions of the world
• Less than 30 per cent is stored as groundwater in the world's aquifers
• India receives nearly 4 per cent of the global precipitation and ranks 133 in the world in terms of water availability per person per annum
• The total renewable water resources of India are estimated at 1,897 sq km per annum
• By 2025, it is predicted that large parts of India will join countries or regions having absolute water scarcity

Causes Of Scarcity Of Water

1. Unequal distribution of Rainfall: Water is available in abundance and it is renewable, still in few regions people have to travel miles to get water (e.g. Rajasthan). It is because few regions receive little rainfall and are drought prone. Thus, the availability of water resource varies over space and time, due to variation in seasonal and annual precipitation.
2. Rapid Increase in Population: Rapid increase in population has resulted in greater demand for water and unequal access to it. A larger population means more water not only for domestic use but also to produce more good.
3. Increase in the Demand for food grains: Population explosion has led to increase in the demand for food grain. Hence to facilitate higher food-grain production, water resources are being over exploited to expand irrigated areas and dry-season agriculture.
4. Increased Use of Tube Wells: Most farmers are having their own tube-wells in their farms for irrigation to increase their production. This had led to fall in ground water level, adversely affecting water availability and food security of the people.
5. Intensive Industrialisation: Post independent India witnessed intensive industrialisation and urbanization. These industries not only use water as raw material, but also require power to run them. Much of this energy comes from hydroelectricity power. Today in India hydro electric power contributes approximately 22% of the total electricity produced.
6. Urbanization: Rapid increase in population and urban life style has not only increased the demand for water but have further aggravated the problem. Most of the housing societies have their own ground water pumping devices to meet their water needs. Thus fragile water resources are being over – exploited and have caused their depletion in several of these cities.
7. Scarcity due to Pollution: Many times water is available in sufficient quantity but still people cannot use it due to bad quality. Much of the water is polluted these days by domestic and industrial wastes, chemicals pesticides and fertilizers used in agriculture. Thus making it hazardous for human use.

Need For Water Conservation And Management

• Overexploitation: Most of the houses and farms have private groundwater pumping devices. This is leading to overexploitation of water resources. This is leading to depletion of underground water reservoir.
• Deteriorating Quality: Pollution by domestic and industrial waste is harming the quality of potable water. As a result even areas with abundant water reservoir is facing high concentration of pollutants.
• Adverse Effect of Economic Development: Increased business activity is further putting pressure on scarce water resources. Many industries are exploiting water resources.
• Hydroelectric Power: 22% of total electricity produced in India is through hydroelectric power. This creates additional pressure on water resources.
• River Pollution: 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 – from population growth, agricultural modernisation, urbanisation and industrialisation – is enormous and growing by the day….. This entire life stands threatened.

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Need Of Water Conservation

• To safeguard from health hazard
• To ensure food security
• To continue our livelihood
• To preserve the ecosystem

Multi-purpose River Projects And Integrated Water Resources Management

1. Dams: Dams are built not just for irrigation but for electricity generation, water supply for domestic and industrial uses, flood control, recreation, inland navigation and fish breeding. Hence, 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 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.
2. Structure of Dam: A dam is a barrier across flowing water that obstructs, directs or retards the flow, often creating a reservoir, lake or impoundment. "Dam" refers to the reservoir rather than the structure. Most dams have a section called a spillway or weir over which or through which it is intended that water will flow either intermittently or continuously. 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 can be categorised as large dams and major dams or alternatively as low dams, medium height dams and high dams.
3. Adverse Effects of Dams: 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. Dams 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.
4. Change in Cropping Pattern: 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. At the same time, it has transformed the social landscape i.e. increasing the social gap between the richer landowners and the landless poor. As we can see, the dams did create conflicts between people wanting different uses and benefits from the same water resources.

Rain Water Harvesting

Process of Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting:

1. Roof top rain water is collected using a PVC pipe
2. Filtered using sand and bricks
3. Underground pipe takes water to sump for immediate usage
4. Excess water from the sump is taken to the well
5. Water from the well recharges the underground
6. Take water from the well (later)

Traditional Water Harvesting In Rajasthan

In the semi-arid and arid regions of Rajasthan, particularly in Bikaner, Phalodi and Barmer, almost all the houses traditionally had underground tanks or tankas for storing drinking water. The tanks could be as large as a big room; one household in Phalodi had a tank that was 6.1 metres deep, 4.27 metres long and 2.44 metres wide.

The tankas were part of the well-developed rooftop rainwater harvesting system and were built inside the main house or the courtyard. They were connected to the sloping roofs of the houses through a pipe. Rain falling on the rooftops would travel down the pipe and was stored in these underground 'tankas'.

The first spell of rain was usually not collected as this would clean the roofs and the pipes. The rainwater from the subsequent showers was then collected. The rainwater can be stored in the tankas till the next rainfall making it an extremely reliable source of drinking water when all other sources are dried up, particularly in the summers. Rainwater, or palar pani, as commonly referred to in these parts, is considered the purest form of natural water.

Many houses constructed underground rooms adjoining the 'tanka' to beat the summer heat as it would keep the room cool. Roof top rain water 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 roof top rain water harvesting structure. Nearly 15-25 per cent of the total water requirement of the household comes from roof top water harvesting.

Bamboo Drip Irrigation System

In Meghalaya, a 200-year-old system of tapping stream and spring water by using bamboo pipes, is prevalent. About 18-20 litres of water enters the bamboo pipe system, gets transported over hundreds of metres, and finally reduces to 20-80 drops per minute at the site of the plant.

Hydraulic Structure In Ancient India

• In the first century B.C. Sringaverapura near Allahabad had sophisticated water harvesting system channeling the flood water of the river Ganga.
• During the time of Chandragupta Mauriya, dams lakes and irrigation systems were extensively built.
• Evidences of sophisticated irrigation works have also been found in Kalinga, Nagarjuna Konda, Bennur, Kohlapur etc.
• In 11th century, Bhopal lake, one of the largest artificial lakes of its time was built.
• In 14th century, the tank of Hauz Khas, Delhi, was constructed by Iltutmish for supplying water of Siri Fort area.

DAM:

A dam is a barrier across flowing water that obstructs, directs or retards the flow, often creating a reservoir, lake or impoundment.

• Classification of dams according to structure, intended purpose or height.
• Based on structure or material used, dams are classified as timber dams, embankment dams or masonry dams, with several sub-types.
• According to the height dams can be categories as large dams and major dams or alternatively as low dams, medium height dams and high dams.

Rain Water Harvesting

• In hill and mountainous regions, people built diversion channels like the 'guls' or 'kuls' of the western Himalayas for agriculture.
• Rooftop rain water harvesting was commonly practiced to store drinking water, in Rajasthan.
• In the flood plains of Bengal, people developed inundation channels to irrigate their fields.
• 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.
• Tankas - underground tanks or tankas for storing drinking water.
• In Bikaner, phalodi and Barmer.
• The tanks could be as large as a big room.
• Roof top rainwater harvesting as drinking water.
• The first spell of rain was usually not collected as this would clean the roofs and the pipes.
• Rain water called as Palar Pani.
• Many houses constructed underground rooms adjoining the 'tankas' to beat the summer heat as it would keep the room cool.
• Some houses still maintain the tanks since they do not like the taste of tap water.
• In Gendathur, a remote backward village in Mysore, Karnataka, villagers have installed, in their house hold's roof top, rainwater harvesting system to meet their water needs.

Multi-purpose river Valley Projects

• Damodar Valley Project is a joint venture of Jharkhand and West Bengal.
• Bhakra-Nangal Project is a joint venture of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana.
• Indira Gandhi Canal Project is the longest canal of the world.

Advantages of Multi-purpose river Valley Projects

• Generates electricity.
• Provides water for irrigation.
• Maker river, navigable.
• A big tourist spot.

Disadvantages of Multi-purpose river Valley Projects

• Causes floods down the stream.
• Large area gets submerged.
• Creates the problem of rehabilitation.
• Can cause earth quake.

Uses of Water Resources

• Water resources are used mainly for the irrigation purposes.
• For domestic purpose.
• In industries.
• For generating Hydro electricity.

Chapter-Wise Class 10 Geography Notes

Chapter-Resources and development

Chapter-Forest and wildlife resources

Chapter-Water resources

Chapter-Agriculture

Chapter-Manufacturing industries

Chapter-Mineral and resources

Chapter-Life line of the National economy

Solved Questions

1. Where is the source of river Damodar?

Ans. The source of river Damodar is in the Chhota Nagpur plateau.

2. Which irrigation canal is the longest in the world?

Ans. The Indira Gandhi irrigation canal is the longest in the world.

3. On which river is the Hirakud dam constructed?

Ans. It is constructed on the Mahanadi river in Orissa.

4. Mention two techniques for recharging ground water aquifers.

Ans. (i) Construction of percolation pits

(ii) Digging trenches around fields.

5. Mention three major sources of irrigation in India. Which source of irrigation is more popular in the southern states?

Ans. (i) Three are three major sources of irrigation in India, namely- (i) canals , (ii) wells and tubewells and (iii) tanks.

(ii) As the rivers here dry up during summer the only source of irrigation is wells and tubewells. Wells and tubewells are the major source of irrigation.

(iii)The tank irrigation is also common in the eastern and southern states.

6. State any three objectives of rainwater harvesting.

Ans. The objectives of rainwater harvesting are:

(a) To meet the increasing demand for water.

(b) To reduce run off.

(c) To avoid flooding of roads.

(d) To reduce ground water pollution.

7. What is the importance of water as a natural resource? Describe any four methods of conserving water.

Ans. (a) Water is in fact a pre-condition of life.

(b) It is a very important and critical resource of India.

(c) The monsoonal rainfall throughout the country has further added to its critical nature.

(d) The list of its uses has been ambitious because it is required for drinking and domestic consumption.

Some common measures to increase water resources are creation more water storage reservoirs, inter-basin transfer of water and measures to raise underground water level. Among the various water conservation techniques, watershed development and rain water harvesting have become very popular.

8. Discuss the three major has also led to growing demand of water.

Ans. (i) After Green revolution demand of water has increased due to the use of HUV seeds.

(ii) Increasing urbanization has also resulted in more demand of water.

(iii)Growing Industrialization has also led to growing demand of water.

9. What are the points which are to be kept in mind for the efficient water management?

Ans. For efficient water management the following points are to be kept in mind:

(i) For water conservation and its efficient management, awareness among the communities should be created. People should be involved in all the activities of water management.

(ii) Treated water should not be used in gardening, washing vehicles, toilets and wash basins.

(iii)All the tubewells and borewells through which ground water is obtained should be registered to ascertain the amount of water extraction.

(iv) Drying up the underground acquifers should be prevented.

(v) Water bodies should be kept pollution free.

(vi) Water supply pipelines should be repaired immediately to avoid wastage of water.

10. State four major uses of water.

Ans. There are many uses of water :

(i) Water is used for drinking, cooking food, washing clothes, etc.

(ii) It is used to irrigate lands.

(iii)It is used to generate hydro-electricity.

(iv) It is used in many industries for dyeing, bleaching, etc.

11. Define rainwater harvesting. Discuss in short the objectives of the rain water harvesting.

Ans. Rain water harvesting is the human effort to increase and recharge of groundwater by capturing and storing rain water through deep wells, percolating pits, check dams and by adopting artificial recharge water table. We can even harvest rainwater on roof top.

The main objectives of rainwater harvesting are:

(i) To reduce or check the wastage of water through run-off.

(ii) To fulfill the increasing demand of water.

(iii)To augment the groundwater storage and raise the water table of underground water.

(iv) To avoid flooding of roads.

(v) To be used as supplement domestic water need, during summer and long dry spells.

(vi) To reduce the groundwater pollution and improve its quality.

12. Discuss the position of irrigated areas in India.

Ans. (i) Since independence, the total irrigated area in India has increased by about four times. Today it is about 85 million hectares.

(ii) About 38 percent of the net sown area in India is under irrigation.

(iii)There is a great variation in the distribution of irrigated areas in different states. In Mizoram, only 7.3 percent of the net shown area is under irrigation, while in Punjab this percentage is 90.8.

(iv) The proportion of net irrigated area to the net sown area is very uneven. Punjab, Haryana, Uttarpradesh, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Tamil Nadu and Manipur have more than 40 percent of their net sown areas under irrigation.

13. Discuss the method of rainwater harvesting in Hood prone area, arid region and hilly area.

Ans. (i) In hill and mountainous regions, people built diversion channels like the 'guls' or 'kuls' of the Western Himalayas for agriculture.

(ii) 'Rooftop rain water harvesting' was commonly practiced to store drinking water, particularly in Rajasthan.

(iii)In the flood plains of Bengal, people developed inundation channels to irrigate their fields.

(iv) 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.

14. Multiple Choice Questions:

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.

Ans. (a, b, c) Not suffering water scarcity.

(d) Suffering from water scarcity.

(ii) Which of these statements is not an argument in favour of multi-purpose river projects?

(a) Multi-purpose projects bring water to those areas which suffer from water scarcity.

(b) Multi-purpose projects by regulating water flow helps 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.

Ans. 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 utilization of water resources.

(b) Regulating and damming of rivers does not affect the river's natural flow 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 roof-top rainwater harvesting has gained popularity despite high water availability due to Rajasthan Canal.

Ans. (a) Multiplying urban centres with large and dense populations and urban lifestyles have not helped in proper utilization of water resources.

(b) Regulating and damming of rivers affect the river's natural flow its sediment flow.

(c) In Gujarat, the Sabarmati basin farmers agitated when higher priority was given to water supply in urban areas, particularly during droughts.

(d) Today in Rajasthan, the practice of roof-top rainwater harvesting has gained popularity due to low water availability from Rajasthan Canal. 15. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.

(i) Explain how water becomes a renewable resource?

Ans. Fresh water is mainly obtained from surface and ground water that is continually being renewed and recharged through the hydrological cycle. All water moves within the hydrological cycle ensuring that water is a renewable resource.

(ii) Describe how modern adaptations of traditional rainwater harvesting methods are being carried out to conserve and store water.

Ans. Water harvesting of a technique of increasing the recharge of ground water by capturing and storing rain water.

We should keep some points in mind for efficient management of water:

(a) Inundation channels in west Bengal.

(b) Tankas for storing rain water in arid regions.

(c) Rooftop rainwater harvesting in western Rajasthan.

(d) Khadins and Johads in arid regions of Rajasthan.

(iii) What is water scarcity and what are its main causes?

Ans. Water scarcity means non-availability of water in some extent.

Main causes of water scarcity are as under:
(a) Growing population: Growing population is one of the basic factors which is responsible for the scarcity of water.

(b) Commercialisation of agriculture: After the success of green revolution our farmers are producing commercial crops. The commercial crops need more water and other inputs.

(c) Urbanisation: Urbanisation is another factor which is responsible for the scarcity of water.

(d) Pollution: Pollution of water resources is another factor which is responsible for scarcity. Domestic waste and industrial waste are the main factors responsible for pollution of water.

(iv) Compare the advantages and disadvantages of multi-purpose river projects.

Ans. Advantages multi-purpose river projects:

1. To store water, which can be used when it is in greater demand.

2. To control floods.

3. To conserve water and soil resources.

4. To generate hydro-electric power.

5. To provide irrigational facilities.

6. To promote navigation through canals.

7. To promote tourism and

8. To promote fish culture.

The traditional irrigation projects could serve only purpose i.e., providing water for irrigation. The multi-purpose projects aim at many purposes as mentioned above. These river valley projects are called new temples of modern India.

Disadvantages of multi-purpose river projects:

1. In recent years, multi-purpose projects and large dams have come under great scrutiny and opposition for a variety of reasons.

2. 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. 3. Dams 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 time.

3. Multi-purpose projects and large dams have also been the cause of many new social movements like the 'Narmada Bachao Andolan' and the 'Tehri Dam Andolan' etc. Resistance to these projects has primarily been due to the large scale displacement of local communities.

4. The local people often had to give up their land and livelihood and their meager assess and control over resources for the greater good of the nation. 16. Answer the following questions in about 120 words.

(i) Discuss how rainwater harvesting in semi-arid regions of Rajasthan is carried out.

(ii) Describe how modern adaptations of traditional rainwater harvesting methods are being carried out to conserve and store water.

Ans. (i) In the semi-arid and arid regions of Rajasthan, particularly in Bikaner, Phalodi an Barmer, almost all the houses traditionally had underground tanks or tanks for storing drinking water.

(ii) The tanks were part of the well developed rooftop rain water harvesting system and were built inside the main house or the courtyard.

(iii)They were connected to the sloping roofs of the houses through a pipe. Rain falling on the rooftops would travel down the pipe and was stored in the underground tanks.

(iv) Today, in many parts of rural and urban India, rooftop rainwater harvesting is being adapted to store and conserve water.

(v) Gendathur a remote backward village in Mystore, Karnataka, Villagers have installed, in their house hold's rooftops; rainwater harvesting system to meet their water needs.

Multiple Choice Quesions (MCQs)

1. ----------- percent of the total volume of world's water is estimated to exist as oceans and only ------ percent as fresh water.

(a) 92.5, 7.5 (b) 2.5, 96.5 (c) 96.5, 2.5 (d) None of these

Answer: (c) 96.5, 2.5 2. India receives nearly ------------ percent of the global precipitation and ranks ---------- in the world in terms of water availability per person pen annum.

(a) 2, 130 (b) 10, 110 (c) 6, 132 (d) 4, 133

Answer: (d) 4, 133 3. The total ------------- water resources of India are estimated at 1897 sq. km per annum.

(a) Renewable (b) Underground (c) Perennial (d) River

Answer: (a) Renewable 4. Freshwater can be obtained directly from -

(a) Precipitation (b) Surface runs off (c) Groundwater (d) all of the above

Answer: (d) all of the above 5. To facilitate higher food-grain production, water resources are being ------------ to expand irrigated areas and dry-season agriculture.

(a) Utilized (b) Over -exploited (c) Exploited (d) Yet to be used

Answer: (b) Over -exploited 6. Post -independent India witnessed ---------- industrialization and urbanization, creating vast opportunities for us.

(a) Decreasing (b) Increasing (c) Intensive (d) None of the above

Answer: (c) Intensive 7. In India hydroelectric power contributes approximately ---------- percent of the total electricity produced.

(a) 11% (b) 22% (c) 33% (d) 44%

Answer: (b) 22% 8. Over exploitation and mismanagement of water resources will impoverish this resource and cause ---------- crisis that may have profound impact on our lives.

(a) Economical (b) Ecological (c) Social (d) Political

Answer: (b) Ecological 9. ----------- are now referred to as multi-purpose projects where the many uses of impounded water are integrated with one another.

(a) Ponds (b) Rivers (c) Oceans (d) Dams

Answer: (d) Dams 10. Jawaharlal Nehru proudly proclaimed the ------------- as the `Temples of modern India'.

(a) Steel industries (b) Heavy industries (c) Dams (d) Schools

Answer: (c) Dams 11. The reservoirs that are created on the floodplains also -------------- the existing vegetation and soil leading to its decomposition over a period of time.

(a) Submerge (b) Promotes (c) Protects (d) None of the above

Answer: (a) Submerge 12. Ironically, the dams that were constructed to control floods have triggered floods due to ------------

(a) Poor construction (b) Sedimentation in the reservoirs (c) Submergence of land (d) Mechanical failures

Answer: (b) Sedimentation in the reservoirs 13. In ancient India, along with the sophisticated hydraulic structures, there existed an extraordinary tradition of ----------- system.

(a) Water-harvesting (b) Water discharging (c) Water-purifying (d) Stalinization of water

Answer: (a) Water-harvesting 14. 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 ---------- in Jaiselmer.

(a) `Kuls' (b) Khadins (c) `Johads' (d) `Tankas'

Answer: (b) Khadins 15. In hill and mountainous regions, people built diversion channels like the ------------ of the Western Himalayas for agriculture.

(a) 'Kuls' (b) `Khadins' (c) `Johads' (d) `Tankas

Answer: (a) 'Kuls' 16. In which state is Govind Sagar lake located

(a) It is located in Uttaranchal (b) It is located in Punjab (c) It is located in Uttar Pradesh (d) It is located in Himachal Pradesh

Answer: (d) It is located in Himachal Pradesh 17. How many Wet lands are there in the country?

(a) Twenty (b) Thirty (c) Twelve (d) Thirteen

Answer: (a) Twenty 18. What percentage of water is used by our irrigation system?

(a) About 62% (b) 20% (c) 30% (d) About 84%

Answer: (d) About 84% 19. What is the average annual rainfall in India?

(a) It is about 180 cm in a year (b) It is about 130 cm in a year (c) It is about 117 cm in a year (d) It is about 127 cm in a year

Answer: (c) It is about 117 cm in a year 20. What is the rank of India is water availability

(a) 130 (b) 133 (c) 136 (d) 140

Answer: (b) 133 21. Majority of fresh water is in the form of

(a) River water (b) Lakes (c) Ice caps (d) ground water

Answer: (c) Ice caps 22. Which is not a perennial river

(a) Tapi (b) Ganga and Brahmputra (c) Indus (d) Satluj

Answer: (a) Tapi 23. Hirakund is constructed on

(a) Tapi (b) Indus (c) Mahanadi (d) Narmada

Answer: (c) Mahanadi