CHAPTER – 3 (CLASS X)

WATER RESOURSES

Q1). Define the following terms –

• Palar Pani
• Dam
• Narmada Bachao Andolan
• Multi Purpose Projects – These are sophisticated hydraulic structure that are built on
rivers for serving more than one purpose like irrigation, water supply for domestic and
industrial use, fishing, hydel power, flood control, etc.

Q2). What are the causes of water scarcity.

OR

Describe the quantitative and qualitative aspects of water scarcity.

ANS-2) 1)QUANTITATIVE - ASPECTS :-

• The availability of water resources varies over space and time due to the variation in
seasonal and annual precipitation.
• Water scarcity occur due to intensive industrialization and urbanization.
• Unequal access to water resources among different social groups is also a major
contributing factor.
• Water scarcity in most cases is caused due to over exploitation to expand irrigated areas
and dry season agriculture.
• Improper management of water resources is one of the major causes of water scarcity
in India.

2)QUALITATIVE - ASPECTS:-

• This scarcity is due to bad quality of water caused by domestic and industrial waste.
• Water also gets polluted by Chemicals, Pesticides and Fertilizers used in agriculture
making it hazardous for human use.

Q3). Explain 5 advantages and disadvantages of multi-purpose river projects.

1)ADVANTAGES:-
 • Dams are build for generating hydroelectricity.
• Canals are made, which are used for irrigation purposes.
• Dams help in controlling floods, Canals can be used for inland navigation.

2)DISADVANTAGES:-

• Regulating and damming of river can affect their natural flow causing poor sediment
flow and excessive sedimentation at the bottom of the reservoir.
• It results in rocky 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 ( laying of eggs ).
• Reservoir submerges the existing vegetation and leads to forest depletion.
• Large scale displacement of tribal communities takes place.

Q4). Describe the traditional method of water harvesting system in ancient India.

Q5). Dams have transformed the social landscape. Explain.

ANS-5) Dams have transformed the social landscape by:-

• Increasing the social gap between the richer landowner and landless poor.
• These dams have also created conflicts between people wanting different uses and
benefits from the same water resources. Example – In Gujarat the Sabar – Mati Basin
farmers were agitated and almost caused a riot over the higher priority given to water
supply in urban areas.
• Inter – state water despites are also becoming common with regards to sharing the cost
and benefits of the multi-purpose project.

Q6). Describe how rainwater harvesting in semi arid region of Rajasthan carried out. (4m)

Q7). Explain how water becomes a renewable resources. (1m)

Q8). Who proclaimed the dams as the temple of modern India and why? (2m)

Q9). Classify dams on the basis of structure and heights. (3m)

Q10). Write a short note on the following-

1). Bamboo drip irrigation system. (4m)

2). Objectives of modern roof top harvesting. (2m)

Q11). Describes how rainwater harvesting is carried out in various parts of India with example.
(4m)

• IN RAJASTHAN – In Bikaner, Phalogi and Barmer all houses have ground tanks or tankas
for storing drinking water. Tankas are the part of well developed roof tops rainwater
harvesting system. Rain collected at rooftop would travel down the pipe and stored in
‘Tankas’.
• IN GENDATHUR – A remote backward village in Mysore, Karnataka roof top rain water
harvesting is practiced. Nearly 200 houses have installed this system and the village has
earned the rare distinction of being rich in rain water.
• IN MEGHALAYA – A 200 year old system of tapping stream and spring heater by using
Bamboo pipes is practiced. It is called Bamboo drip irrigation.
• IN TAMIL NADU – First and the only state of India to make roof top rain water
harvesting system compulsory to all houses.

MAP WORK :-

1)DAMS

❖ Salal ( Jammu & Kashmir )

❖ Bhakar Nangal ( Punjab)
❖ Theri Dam ( UttaraKhand )
❖ Ranapratap Sagar ( Rajasthan )
❖ Sardar Sarovar ( Gujarat )
❖ Herakund ( Odissa)
❖ Nagarjuna Sagar ( Andhra Pradesh )
❖ Tungabhadra ( Karnataka)