Water Resources
I. Answer the following:
1. Give few reasons for water scarcity in post independent India.
Ans:(i) Growing population : Growing population is one of the basic factors
which is responsible for the scarcity of water. A large population means more
water not only for domestic use but also to produce more food.
(ii) Commercialisation of agriculture : After the success of Green Revolution,
our farmers are producing commercial crops. The commercial crops need more
water and other inputs.
(iii) Industrialisation : The post independent India witnessed intensive
industrialisation and urbanisation. Industries, apart from being heavy users of
water, also require power to run them.
(iv) Urbanisation : Urbanisation has also aggravated the problem of water
scarcity. Most of our cities are overpopulated. Overpopulation leads to over-
utilisation of the water resources, and also pollutes the existing resources.
v) Bad quality of water: The water is getting polluted by domestic and
industrial wastes, chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
2. Why we should conserve our water resources. Explain any three
reasons.
Answer: (i) Precondition for life : Water is necessary for life on earth. It
is believed that life originated in water before it invaded land.
(ii) Water essential for crops: Cultivation of crops depends on the
availability of water. India is an agricultural country so availability of
water is a must.
(iii) Water for industries : Industries need water as coolant, solvent, raw
material, etc.
(iv) Water for daily life : Water is also used for drinking and domestic
consumption. The growing urbanisation with its modern lifestyle has
been demanding greater share of water day by day.
(v) Water an important component of ecosystem : Conservation of water
is also important to prevent degradation of our natural ecosystems.
3. Give any five objectives of the multipurpose river valley projects.
Answer: (i) Generation of Power (electricity) :
These multipurpose projects are the main source of power generation.
They provide us neat, pollution free and cheapest energy which is the
backbone of industry and agriculture.
(ii) Flood Control : These projects control the floods because water can
be stored in them. These projects have converted many ‘rivers of
sorrows’ into ‘rivers of boon’.
(iii) Soil Conservation : They help to conserve the soil because they slow
down the speed of water.
(iv) Irrigation : These projects are the main source of irrigation for our
country. These irrigate the fields during the dry seasons.
v) It also helps in recreational activities, improves Inland navigation and
helps in Fish breeding
4. Why are multipurpose projects facing resistance. Explain with
three reasons.
Ans: (i) Adverse effect on the fertility of the soil : Due to the construction of
dams, there are no annual floods in the river. This decreases the fertility of the
soil.
(ii) Adverse impact on aquatic life: Due to the construction of dams on the
rivers makes it difficult for aquatic fauna to migrate for spawning i.e., to
produce eggs.
iii) Regulating and damming of rivers affect the natural flow of rivers causing
poor sediment flow.
(iv) Displacement of local communities : The building of large dams results in
displacement of local communities.
(v) Change in the cropping pattern : The multipurpose projects are responsible
for providing assured means of irrigation to farmers. So farmers have changed
the cropping pattern shifting to water intensive and commercial crops.
5. Describe any three different rainwater harvesting systems practised in India.
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. 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.
