1

Ch. 6 Water Resorces

 Terminology
1) Ground Water: - Water which is
obtained from a depth of more than 15 m.
within the Earth is called groundwater.
2) Surface Water: - Water which is found
on the surface of the Earth in the form of
streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, reservoirs
etc. called surface water. The ocean,
despite being saltwater, is also considered
surface water.
3) Water Scarcity: - Shortage of water as compared to its demand is called water scarcity.

4) Dam: - Dam is a barrier across the flowing

water. It is constructed to control the flow
of water and to store it.

5) Multipurpose Project: - A river valley

project which serves a number of purposes is
called as multipurpose project. Flood
control, irrigation, hydroelectric generation,
navigation, fishing and tourism etc. are some
of the chef aims of multipurpose project.

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6) Perennial Canals: - Canals developed by

dividing water from rivers that flow
throughout the year are called perennial
canals.

7) Inundation Canal: - Canal constructed for

dividing flood waters mainly during the rainy
season are known as inundation canal.

8) Tank: - Natural or man-made reservoir to

store rain water is called tank.

9) Hydroelectricity: - It is the power which is

generated by generators with the help of
running water.

10) Irrigation: - Artificial means of supplying

water to farm lands in the form of canals,
wells, tube wells and tanks etc. is called
irrigation.

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11) Drip Irrigation: - A type of irrigation

where water gets dropped in the form of
drops near the roots of the plant mainly to
conserve the moisture.

Water Facts - Worldwide Water Supply

 Water covers about 71% of the earth's surface.
 326 million cubic miles of water on the planet
 97% of the earth's water is found in the oceans (too salty for drinking, growing crops, and
most industrial uses except cooling).
 320 million cubic miles of water in the oceans
 3% of the earth's water is fresh.
 2.5% of the earth's fresh water is unavailable: locked up in glaciers, polar ice caps,
atmosphere, and soil; highly polluted; or lies too far under the earth's surface to be extracted
at an affordable cost.
 0.5% of the earth's water is available fresh water.
 If the world's water supply were only 100 liters (26 gallons), our usable water supply of fresh
water would be only about 0.003 liter (one-half teaspoon).
 In actuality, that amounts to an average of 8.4 million liters (2.2 million gallons) for each
person on earth.
 This supply is continually collected, purified, and distributed in the natural hydrologic (water)
cycle.

Where Water is Found and the Percentage

Oceans 97.2%
Ice Caps/Glaciers 2.0%
Groundwater* 0.62%
Freshwater Lakes 0.009%
Inland seas/salt lakes 0.008%
Atmosphere 0.001%
Rivers 0.0001%
TOTAL 99.8381%

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 Questions
Q. 1 In spite of the fact that 71% of the earth is covered with water, water is scarce. Substantiate. Or
The depleting water resources may lead to social conflicts and disputes. Elaborate it with suitable
examples? (NCERT Page No. 60) (3/5)
 Answer Key Points: -
Water is a cyclic resource with abundant supplies on the globe. It sources play an important role in the
economy of a country. About, 71 % of the Earth’s surface is covered with it but fresh water constitutes
only about 3 % of the total water. Available water resources are degrading rapidly. The control of these
scars resource leads to social conflicts and disputes between communities. Regions and states in India the
overuse of groundwater resources has led to decline in groundwater table in many states.
 Examples: -
1) The sharing of powers of Satluj River
between Punjab and Haryana for
irrigation is a major issue.
2) A dispute is going on between Tamil
Nadu and Karnataka for the waters
of Cauvery River.
3) Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and
Gujarat are facing a dispute for
sharing of waters of Narmada River.
4) Pollution of river water is a also
creating problems in a society, many
rivers are being polluted by wastage
of industries of different areas for
example river Ganga at Kanpur and
Varanasi, River Yamuna at Delhi
5) The Godavari river water dispute
between Andhra Pradesh, Madhya
Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and
Karnataka.
6) Sharing of water of Brahmaputra has always been a cause of conflict between India and Bangladesh.
Much to India’s dislike and concern China is planning to build a dam on river Brahmaputra.

Q. 2 What are the major sources of surface water? Or

Describe the features of surface water and the groundwater distribution in India. Or
Discuss the availability of water resources in the country and factors that determine its spatial
distribution? (NCERT Page No. 60 & 61) (3/5)
 Answer Key Points: -
India accounts for about 2.45 per cent of world’s
surface area, 4 per cent of the world’s water
resources and about 17 per cent of world’s
population. The total water available from
precipitation in the country in a year is about 4,000
cubic km. The availability from surface water and
replenishable groundwater is 1,869 cubic km. Out of
this only 60 per cent can be put to beneficial uses.

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Due to topographical, hydrological and other constraints, only about 690 cubic km (32 %) of the available
surface water can be utilised. Water flow in a river depends on size of its catchment area or river basin
and rainfall within its catchment area.
 Surface Water Resources: -
1) There are four major sources of surface water.
These are rivers, lakes, ponds, and tanks. In the
country, there are about 10,360 rivers and their
tributaries longer than 1.6 km each.
2) The mean annual flow in all the river basins in
India is estimated to be 1,869 cubic km.
 Precipitation: -
1) Precipitation in India has very high spatial variation, and it is mainly concentrated in Monsoon season.
Rivers in the country like the Ganga, the Brahmaputra, and the Indus have huge catchment areas,
these rivers, although account for only about one-third of the total area in the country, have 60 per
cent of the total surface water resources.
2) Moreover Himalayan Rivers are perennial rivers
that get water from snow melt whereas Southern
rivers are seasonal and get water from rain. Much
of the annual water flow in south Indian rivers like
the Godavari, the Krishna, and the Kaveri has been
utilized, but it is yet to be done in the
Brahmaputra and the Ganga basins.
 Groundwater Resources: -
1) The total replenishable groundwater resources in
the country are about 432 cubic km. The level of
groundwater utilisation is relatively high in the
river basins lying in north-western region and parts
of south India.
2) The groundwater utilisation is very high in the
states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Tamil
Nadu. However, there are States like Chhattisgarh,
Odisha, Kerala, etc., which utilise only a small
proportion of their groundwater potentials.
3) States like Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Tripura and Maharashtra are utilising their ground water
resources at a moderate rate.
 Lagoons and Backwaters: -
1) India has a vast coastline and a number of lagoons and lakes have
formed. The States like Kerala, Odisha and West Bengal have vast
surface water resources in these
lagoons and lakes.
2) Water is generally used for fishing
and irrigating certain varieties of
paddy crops, coconut, etc.

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Q. 3 Why is the level of groundwater utilization relatively high in the river basins lying in north-western
region and parts of South India? Or
Why does the use of groundwater vary from state to state? (NCERT Page No. 61) (3)
 Answer Key Points: -
1) The rate of groundwater utilization is very high in the river basins of North West India and parts of
south India, where the rain water percolates down easily through the soft soils and recharge
underground water table.
2) It is also easy to construct wells and tube wells here. Surface water is more utilized in the crystalline
rocks of south India.
3) Northern states are mostly the agricultural states where the water is used for irrigation.
4) South India is hard in rocky terrain, percolation of the water becomes difficult, and moreover, canal
construction is costly because of topography.

Q. 4 Why the share of agricultural sector in total water used in the country is expected to decline?
(NCERT Page No. 61) (3)
 Answer Key Points: -

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1) At present the agriculture use accounts for the

highest share of utilization for both ground and
surface water resources.
2) The main reason being that the agriculture accounts
or the largest share in economy of the country, but in
recent times the share of secondary and tertiary
activities have been rising in the economy.
3) This in turn will reduce the share of the agriculture
and increase the share of industrial and domestic
sector in the consumption of all resources including
the water resources of the country.

Q. 5 Name the three states which have larger area under irrigation and why? (NCERT Page No. 61) (3)
 Answer Key Points: - The three states of Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh have
larger area under irrigation. It is because: -
1) Wheat and rice are grown mainly with the help of irrigation in these states.
2) Net irrigated area of Punjab and Haryana are irrigated through wells and tube wells.
3) These states utilize large proportion of their groundwater potential.
4) Canal irrigation is the biggest source of irrigation in North India.
5) In peninsular India, tank irrigation is mostly done.

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Q. 6 What factors are responsible for the highest groundwater depletion in the states of Punjab, Haryana,
and Tamil Nadu? (NCERT Page No. 63) (3/5)
 Answer Key Points: -
1) Underground water is the main source for irrigation in the states of Punjab, Haryana and Tamil Nadu.
These states were the target regions for green revolution.
2) All the crops introduced in green revolution are water intensive; so the demand for water in these
states is very high.
3) This area is easy to be dug; so extraction of underground water is easiest source of water.
4) In Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh more than 85 per cent of their net sown area is under
irrigation.
5) Of the total net irrigated area 76.1 per cent in Punjab and 51.3 per cent in Haryana are irrigated
through wells and tube wells.
6) This shows that these states utilize large proportion of their groundwater potential which has resulted
in groundwater depletion in these states. The over-use of groundwater resources has led to decline in
ground water table in these states.
7) Wheat and rice are grown mainly with the help of irrigation in these states.
8) These regions have soft alluvial soil which allows the rain water to seep down and recharge the
underground water table.

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Q. 7 Why is there a great need for irrigation in India? Explain any three reasons. Or
Explain the importance of irrigation for agriculture in India. (NCERT Page No. 61 & 63) (3)
 Answer Key Points: - There is a great need for irrigation in India because: -
1) Irrigation is important to a country like India
because rainfall here is seasonal in nature. It
is limited to four months of a year.
2) It is also important because some crops
require more water than what it is provided
by the rainfall, so we have to depend on
irrigation.
3) Water requirement of many crops like rice,
sugarcane, jute, etc. is very high which can
meet only through irrigation.
4) Provision of irrigation makes multiple cropping possible.

Q. 8 What can be possible impacts of consumption of contaminated/unclean water on the people?

(NCERT Page No. 63) (3)
 Answer Key Points: -
1) Water constitutes a large proportion of human
body. Water intake is an essential part of human
life. Contaminated water intake is one of the
biggest reasons of many chronic diseases.
2) The intake of contaminated water is the cause of
severe water borne disease and is also one of the
main causes of high infant mortality rates.
3) The contaminated water is the reason for several
diseases like Cholera, typhoid, etc. which are
major killer diseases in India.

Q. 9 It is said that the water resources in India have been depleting very fast. Discuss the factors
responsible for depletion of water resources? (NCERT Page No.63) (3/5)
 Answer Key Points: -
1) Increasing demand and shrinking supplies of water due to over utilization and increasing pollution are
the major challenges of water scarcity.
2) The per capita availability of water is
declining day by day due to increase in
population.
3) The available water resources are also
getting polluted with industrial,
agricultural and domestic effluents, and
this is further reducing the availability of
usable water resources.
4) Some states utilize large proportion of
their ground water potential which has resulted in ground water depletion in these states.
5) Water, gets polluted by foreign matters such as micro-organisms, chemicals, industrial, domestic and
other wastes.

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6) When toxic substances enter

lakes, streams, rivers, ocean and
other water bodies, they get
dissolved water. This results in
deteriorating the quality of water
and affects aquatic systems.
Sometimes, these pollutants also
seep down and pollute
groundwater. The Ganga and the
Yamuna are the two highly
polluted rivers in the country.

Q. 10 What are the implications of using groundwater in drought-prone areas of Rajasthan, Gujarat,
Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu? Or
What are the emerging water problems facing India? (NCERT Page No.63) (3)
 Answer Key Points: -
1) The over-use of groundwater
resources has led to decline in
ground water table in the states of
Punjab, Haryana, and Western
Uttar Pradesh.
2) Overuse of groundwater in some
states like Rajasthan and
Maharashtra has increased
fluoride concentration in
groundwater and this practice has
led to increase in concentration of
chemical compounds in parts of
West Bengal and Bihar.
3) This practice has increased salinity
in the soil of Punjab and Haryana.
4) The per capita availability of water
is declining day by day due to
increase in population. The
available water resources are also getting polluted with industrial, agricultural and domestic effluents.

Q. 11 “Scarcity of water on account of its increased demand, possess possibility the greatest demand in
India.” Analyse the statement. Or
Increasing demand for water is a challenge to India. How? (NCERT Page No. 63) (3)
 Answer Key Points: - Increasing demand for water is a
challenge to India: -
1) India has a large population with limited water resources.
2) Rising demand for increasing population.
3) More water is required for irrigation to increase agricultural
production as rainfall is highly variable.
4) Rapid industrial growth is increasing demand for water.

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5) Urbanization and modern life style has increased the demand.

6) Water pollution has added to water shortage.

Q. 12 What are the major problems in the development of water resources in India?
(NCERT Page No. 63) (3/5)
 Answer Key Points: - Water resources in India faced many problems such as availability,
quality, usage and management.
1) Availability: - Water resources are excess in
some regions such as West Bengal whereas it is
deficient in other parts of the country like
Rajasthan and peninsular India.
2) Quality: - Water pollution is caused by domestic
waste, industrial waste and chemical use in
agriculture.
3) Usage: - Underground water resources could be
used in Northern India whereas in Gujarat,
Maharashtra, West Bengal, it increases the
concentration of arsenic (chemical compounds), fluoride and salinity in the soil.
4) Management: - The availability of fresh water is less and is also declining whereas the demand of
water is getting rapid due to industrialization and urbanization, moreover inter-state water disputes
are increasing. There are seepage losses and lack of improved irrigation facilities.

Q. 13 “The assessment, efficient use and conservation of water are necessary to ensure development.
Explain in the light of values regarding conservation of water resources. Or
Why is conservation and management of water resources essential in India? Explain any three
reasons. (NCERT Page No. 64 & 65) (3)
 Answer Key Points: -
1) India is an agriculturist country
about two-thirds of its population
has been dependent on
agriculture.
2) The share of agricultural sector in
total water utilisation is much
higher than other sectors.
3) Per capita availability of water is
decreasing day by day due to
increase in population and
changing life-style f the people.
4) The available water resources are
also getting polluted with
industrial, agricultural and domestic effluents, so India has to take quick steps and make effective
policies & laws and adopt effective measures for water conservation.
5) Pollution of water is responsible for declining the quality of water. This causes the un-usability of this
precious life giving resource. Water saving technologies and methods, are to be required to prevent
water pollution.
6) There is need to encourage watershed development, rainwater harvesting, water recycling and reuse
and proper use of water for sustaining water supply in long run.

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Q. 14 What is watershed management? Do you think it can play an important role in sustainable
development? Or
Why do we need to encourage watershed development? (NCERT Page No. 66) (3)
 Answer Key Points: -
Watershed management basically refers to efficient
management and conservation of surface and groundwater
resources. It involves prevention of runoff and storage and
recharge of groundwater through various methods like
percolation tanks and recharge wells, etc. It also includes
conservation, regeneration and judicious use of all natural
resources (like land, water, plants and animals) and human
with in a watershed.
1) Watershed management aims at bringing about balance between natural resources and society. The
success of watershed development mainly depends upon
community participation.
2) The Central and State Governments have initiated many
watershed development and management programmes in
the country. Eg. Haryali is a watershed development project
sponsored by the Central Government aims at enabling the
rural population to conserve water for drinking, irrigation,
fisheries and afforestation. The Project is being executed by
Gram Panchayats with people’s participation.
3) Neeru-Meeru (Water and You) programme (in Andhra
Pradesh) and Arvary Pani Sansad (in Alwar, Rajasthan) are
some of the other projects helping in construction of
various water-harvesting structures such as percolation
tanks, dug out ponds (Johad), check dams, etc., through people’s participation.
4) Tamil Nadu has made water harvesting structures in the houses compulsory. No building can be
constructed without making structures for water harvesting.
5) Watershed development projects in some areas have been successful in development of environment
and economy.

Q. 15 Explain how Watershed management’ and ‘rainwater harvesting’ are the methods of efficient
management and conservation of surface water resources in India. Or
Analyse the economic and social values of rainwater harvesting. Or
Give some possible solutions to water problem in India. Or
How is rainwater harvesting helped in the development of certain areas of India? Explain with
answer. (NCERT Page No. 66 & 68) (3)
 Answer Key Points: -
Rain water harvesting is a method to capture and store rainwater for various uses. It is a low cost and
eco-friendly technique for preserving every drop of water by guiding the rain water to bore well, pits
and wells.
1) Rainwater harvesting increases water availability, checks the declining groundwater table, improves
the quality of groundwater through dilution (घुलना) of compounds, like fluoride and nitrates, prevents
soil erosion etc.
2) Rainwater harvesting has been practised through various methods by different communities in the
country for a long time.

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3) Traditional rainwater harvesting in rural

areas is done by using surface storage
bodies, like lakes, ponds, irrigation tanks,
etc. In Rajasthan, rainwater harvesting
structures locally known as Kund or Tanka
(a covered underground tank) are
constructed near or in the house or village
to store harvested rainwater to
understand various ways of rainwater
harvesting).
4) There is a wide scope to use rainwater harvesting technique to conserve precious water resource. It
can be done by harvesting rainwater on rooftops and open spaces.
5) Harvesting rainwater also decreases the community dependence on groundwater for domestic use.
Besides reducing the demand supply gap, it can also save energy to pump groundwater as recharge
leads to rise in groundwater table.
6) Urban areas can take advantage of rainwater harvesting as in most of the cities and towns, water
demand is higher than its supply.

Q. 16 “Indiscriminate use of water by increasing population and industrial expansion has led to
degradation of the water quality considerably in India.” Explain the values that can help in
maintaining the quality of water. (NCERT Page No. 66 & 68) (3)
 Answer Key Points: - The values that can
help in maintaining the Quality of water: -
1) Judicious/optimum use of water
2) Controlling population
3) Recycle and Reuse of water
4) Watershed Management
5) Rain water harvesting
6) Rules and regulations

Q. 17 With the example of ‘Ralegan Siddhi’ show how watershed development projects are imperative for
development. (NCERT Page No. 67) (3)
 Answer Key Points: -
1) Ralegan Siddhi’ is a village in Maharashtra, which was under abject poverty. Transformation started
with the initiative of army personnel, who took up watershed development.
2) Voluntary work by the villagers along with their monetary contribution changed the village from a
poverty stricken village to a role model
for others to emulate.
3) Work began with a percolation tank. A
youth group called Tarun Mandal was
formed which worked to ban the
dowry system, caste discrimination
and other social evils.
4) Cultivation of water intensive crops
and practice of open grazing were
banned. Crops with low water
requirements were encouraged.

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5) Nyay Panchayat was set up to look in to the local problems. Utilising local resources, a school was
constructed.
6) The villagers want to buy land from adjoining villages for developmental purposes. The village
transformed to a self-reliant and sufficient village.

Q. 18 Explain important features of National Water Policy, 2002. Or

When was National Water Policy undertaken? Give its key features. (NCERT Page No. 69) (3)
 Answer Key Points: -
The National Water Policy was undertaken in 2002, to
prioritize the ‘water allocation in the different sectors in the
following order: - Drinking water, Irrigation, Hydro
power, Navigation, Industrial and Other uses.
 Highlights: -
1) Providing drinking water is the first priority.
2) Irrigation and multi-purpose projects should
include drinking water in areas where it is not available.
3) Regulate and limit groundwater exploitation.
4) Regular monitoring of water sources for quality.
5) Improvement in the efficiency of water utilisation.
6) Awareness and conservation consciousness should be promoted.
7) Conservation consciousness should be promoted through education, regulation, incentives and
disincentives

Q. 19 Explain Jal Kranti Abhiyan (2015-16). Give its features. (NCERT Page No. 69 & 70) (3)
 Answer Key Points: -
Water is a recyclable resource but its
availability is limited and the gap between
supply and demand will be increasing over
time due to climate. There is high
population growth and rapid economic
development with high water demand in
India. The Jal Kranti Abhiyan launched by
the Government of India in 2015–16 with an
aim to ensure water security through per
capita availability of water in the country. It
also aims at involving local bodies, NGOs and citizens, at large, in creating awareness regarding its
objectives. The following activities have been proposed under the Jal Kranti Abhiyan: -
1) Jal Kranti Abhiyan is designed to provide livelihood and food security through water security.
2) Selection of one water stressed (तंगी) village in each 672 districts of the country to create a ‘Jal Gram’.
3) Identification of model command area of about 1000 hectares in different parts of the country, for
example, UP, Haryana (North), Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu (South), Rajasthan, Gujarat (West),
Odisha (East), Meghalaya (North-East).
4) Decrease of pollution: -
 Water conservation and artificial recharge.
 Reducing groundwater pollution.
 Construction of Arsenic-free wells in selected areas of the country.

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5) Creating mass awareness through social media, radio, TV, print media, poster and essay writing
competitions in schools.

Q. 20 Give a few examples where water can be recycled and reused to improve the availability of fresh
water. (Value ßased) (3)
 Answer Key Points: -
1) Use of water of lesser quality such as
reclaimed waste-water would be an attractive
option for industries.
2) Purifying and cooling industrial water to
reduce their water costs.
3) In urban areas water after bathing and
washing utensils can be used for gardening.
4) Water used for washing vehicle can also be
used for gardening.
5) Collecting overflowing water from plants.

Q. 21 Study the given diagram and answer the questions that follow: (Value ßased) (3)

1) Which sector accounts for most of the groundwater utilisation?

2) Why is the share of water utilization in domestic sector lower in groundwater as compared to surface
water?
 Answer Key Points: -
1) Agricultural sector as irrigation is essential to enhance agricultural productivity.
2) a) People prefer to live in areas with easy accessibility productivity.
b) Underground water is not always available.
c) Underground water is not always accessible and portable.

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In-text Questions
 Page No: 63 Activity
Q.1. Intensive irrigation in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh is increasing salinity in the soil and
depletion of groundwater irrigation. Discuss its likely impacts on agriculture.
 Answer: -
Increasing salinity and depletion of groundwater is harmful for growth of crops which in turn reduces
the agricultural production. Some ions (particularly chloride) are toxic to plants and as the
concentration of these ions increases, the plant is poisoned and dies.
Activity
Q.2. Find out which are the major towns/cities located on the bank of the Ganga and its tributaries and
major industries they have.
 Answer: -
The important cities and towns situated on the banks of the Ganga are Haridwar, Kanpur, Allahabad,
Varanasi, Patna, Bhagalpur, Badrinath (Alaknanda), Durgapur (Damodar), Gwalior, Kota & Dhaulpur
(Chambal), Jhansi (Betwa), Jamshedpur (Subarnarekha) Kolkata (London of East) (Hugli), Agra & Delhi
(Yamuna), Allahabad (Sangam of Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati) Lucknow & Jaunpur (Gomti), Ayodhya
(Saryu {Ghaghra})etc. The Ganga has a special place in the psyche of the Indian people as being the
most sacred of all Indian rivers.
 Major industries Located on River Ganga: - The Suagr, Pulp and Paper and Chemicals are the major
industrial sector which discharged 70% of total wastewater generated in the state. Out of 688
industries 594 are located in the main stem of Ganga River.

 Page No: 65
Q.3. Discuss the issues highlighted in the news items.
 Answer: -
1) There are conflicts among different states of India for sharing the water of different rivers.
2) There are many countries in the world that are economically rich but lack water resources e.g. Saudi
Arabia.
3) Deforestation for agriculture leads to climate change.
4) Many rivers are having annual floods.

 Page No: 66 Activity

Q.4. Observe the quantity of water used at your home in various activities and enlist the ways in which the
water can be reused and recycled in various activities.
 Answer: - Do it Yourself
{Hint: - The water can also be used to clean the house, sinks, toilets and dishes. For those areas that get
a lot of rain, one can install rain harvesting systems. The stored water can be used to feed the livestock
most especially for those people rearing livestock in their homes.}
 Page No: 67 Case Study
Q.5. What a mitigation approach can do? A success story.
 Answer: -
The discipline of mitigation provides the means for reducing the impacts of disaster events. Mitigation is
defined as a sustained action to reduce or eliminate risk to people and property from hazards and their
effects.

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 Page No: 69 Activity

Q.6. Collect information about National Water Policy, 2012, and Ganga Rejuvenation from the website
(www.wrmin.nic.in) and discuss in the classroom.
 Answer: -
 National Water Policy, 2012: - With a goal to address the present challenges in water sector,
revision of National Water Policy 2012 has been envisaged by the Department of Water Resources,
River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti and a drafting committee has been
constituted on 5th November, 2019 to revise the National Water Policy.
 Ganga Rejuvenation: - The Ganga Action Plan or GAP was a program launched by Government of
India in April 1985 in order to reduce the pollution in the river Ganga. The program was launched with
more importance but it failed to reduce the pollution level in Ganga. This plan spent 901.71 Crore
rupees over a period of 15 years.

Exercise
 Page No: 70
Q. 1 Multiple choice questions.
(i) Which one of the following types describes water as a resource?
(a) Abiotic resource (b) Non-renewable Resources
(c) Biotic Resource (d) Cyclic Resource
► (d) Cyclic Resource

(ii) Which one of the following south Indian states has the highest groundwater utilisation (in per
cent) of its total ground water potential?
(a) Tamil Nadu (b) Karnataka (c) Andhra Pradesh (d) Kerala
► (a) Tamil Nadu

(iii) The highest proportion of the total water used in the country is in which one of the following
sectors?
(a) Irrigation (b) Industries (c) Domestic use (d) None of the above
► (a) Irrigation

Q. 2 Answer the following briefly in not more than 30 words.

(i) It is said that the water resources in India have been depleting very fast. Discuss the factors
responsible for depletion of water resources?
 Answer: - Already Done.

(ii) What factors are responsible for the highest groundwater development in the states of Punjab,
Haryana, and Tamil Nadu?
 Answer: - Already Done.

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(iii) Why the share of agricultural sector in total water used in the country is expected to decline?
 Answer: - Already Done.

(iv) What can be possible impacts of consumption of contaminated/unclean water on the people?
 Answer: - Already Done.

Q. 3. Write the answers of the following questions in 120 words.

Mr. ßalkar
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(i) Discuss the availability of water resources in the country and factors that determine its spatial
distribution?
 Answer: - Already Done.

(ii) The depleting water resources may lead to social conflicts and disputes. Elaborate it with suitable
examples?
 Answer: - Already Done.

(iii) What is watershed management? Do you think it can play an important role in sustainable
development?
 Answer: - Already Done.

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Mr. ßalkar