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’.
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
water scarcity
(b) Suffering from water scarcity
(c) Suffering from water scarcity
(d) Not suffering from water scarcity
2)(ii) Which one of the following statements is not an argument in
favour of multi-purpose river projects?
favour of multi-purpose river projects?
(a) Multi-purpose projects bring water to those areas which suffer
from water scarcity.
from water scarcity.
(b) Multi-purpose projects by regulating water flow help to control
floods.
floods.
(c) Multi-purpose projects lead to large scale displacements and
loss of livelihood.
loss of livelihood.
(d) Multi-purpose projects generate electricity for our industries and
our homes.
our homes.
ANSWER:-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.
rewrite them correctly.
(a) Multiplying urban centres with large and dense populations and
urban lifestyles have helped in proper utilisation of water resources.
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.
higher priority was given to water supply in urban areas, particularly during
droughts.
(d) Today in Rajasthan, the practise of rooftop rainwater water
harvesting has gained popularity despite high water availability due to the
Rajasthan Canal.
harvesting has gained popularity despite high water availability due to the
Rajasthan Canal.
ANSWER:- (a) Multiplying urban centres with large and dense
populations and urban lifestyles have caused the overexploitation of water
resources.
populations and urban lifestyles have caused the overexploitation of water
resources.
(b) Regulating and damming of rivers affect their natural flow and causes the sediment to settle at the bottom of the reservoir.
(c) In Gujarat, the Sabarmati basin farmers were agitated when
higher priority was given to water supply in urban areas, particularly during droughts.
higher priority was given to water supply in urban areas, particularly during droughts.
(d) Today in Rajasthan, the practise of rooftop rainwater harvesting is on the decline due to the Rajasthan canal.
2)Answer the following questions in about 30 words.
(i) Explain how water becomes a renewable resource.
(ii) What is water scarcity and what are its main causes?
(iii) Compare the advantages and disadvantages of multi-purpose
river projects.
river projects.
ANSWER:- (i) Water is a renewable resource as it is renewed by water cycle itself, where three processes take place as evaporation, condensation and
precipitation. This process of the water cycle is never-ending and
hence, water is a renewable resource.
precipitation. This process of the water cycle is never-ending and
hence, water is a renewable resource.
(ii) Water scarcity or water stress occurs when water availability
is not enough to match the demand for water. it is caused by an increase in
population, growing demand for water, and unequal access to it.
is not enough to match the demand for water. it is caused by an increase in
population, growing demand for water, and unequal access to it.
(iii) Multipurpose river projects help in irrigation, electricity production, flood control, inland navigation and fish breeding. However, the reservoirs destroy local flora and fauna. Many native villages are submerged, and people lose their livelihood, with little or no hope of rehabilitation.
3) Answer the following questions in about 120 words.
(i) Discuss how rainwater harvesting in semi-arid regions of
Rajasthan is carried out.
Rajasthan is carried out.
(ii) Describe how modern adaptations of traditional rainwater
harvesting methods are being carried out to conserve and store water.
harvesting methods are being carried out to conserve and store water.
ANSWER: – i) Houses in the semi-arid regions of Rajasthan have traditionally constructed tanks for storing drinking water. They are big and are a part of the well-developed rooftop rainwater harvesting system. The tanks are constructed inside the main house or the courtyard and are connected to the sloping roofs of the houses through a pipe. The rain falling on the rooftop travels down and is stored in the tanks. The first spell of rain is not collected as this water cleans the roof and the pipes. The rainwater from the subsequent spells is collected. This water is used till the next rainy season and is a reliable source of water even after other sources have dried up. The tanks also help in cooling the houses as rooms built around them have generally low temperatures due to conduction.
(ii) Traditional methods of rainwater harvesting like ‘the rooftop method’ are becoming popular in India. In Gendathur village, Mysore, about 200 households have adopted the rooftop rainwater harvesting method, thereby making the village rich in rainwater. The state of Tamil Nadu has made it compulsory for all the houses to have rooftop rainwater harvesting structures.
Defaulters are severely punished.
Defaulters are severely punished.