Geography , Class 10 , Water Resources (Long Answers ) Up Board, Ncert,CBSE.

Answer the following questions 

1- Explain any five reasons responsible for water scarcity in India.

                      Or

Describe the important factors responsible for water scarcity in the world .

Answer - Some of the major causes of water scarcity are ....

 A- Growing population -  Water scarcity is an outcome of large and growing population and consequently more demand for water and unequal access to it .

B- Expansion of Agriculture - To facilitate higher food grain production for the increasing population, more water is required for the increased area under production .

C - Industrialization - Industries not only require water in production but  also to generate power to run them . Much of this electricity is generated by hydro electric power.

D - Pollution -  Water gets polluted with domestic and industrial use and becomes unfit for human consumption due to various chemicals and fertilizers that get mixed in it .

E - Urbanisation - As urban settlement have multiplied, the water and energy requirements have increased.

Question 2- How do increasing number of industries exert pressure on existing fresh water resources ?

Answer -  Rapid Industrialization since independence has put immense pressure on water resources. As the fresh water is limited, its mismanagement and overutilzation by the industries is exerting pressure on the fresh water resources.

A-  Heavy industries use a large amount of water for industrial purpose and pollute and waste the water .

B -  These industries depend on hydro electric water for their energy consumption. Making dams in the upper streams dry up the rivers in the lower stream areas.

C- When the industries discharge the waste in the river, the polluted water becomes unfit for human consumption. Even the groundwater gets contaminated through seepage of chemicals .

Question 3- Explain five reasons for water pollution in India ?

Answer - The reasons for water pollution in India are ....

  1- Households: Human uses water for drinking, preparation of food and cleaning the house. Most of the used water is drained out through municipal drains and poured into river or lake.

2- Agriculture - Modern agriculture uses chemicals and pesticides and herbicides which flow into the river and cause water pollution.

3- Industries -  Similarly, industries discharge all industrial waste into the water sources without treating them .

4- Offshore drilling and oil spills - This involves risk to the marine environment and is of great environment concern.

5- Nuclear waste - Nuclear power plants, nuclear weapons testing can pollute the entire water resources of a region.

Question 4 - Why are different water harvesting systems considered a viable alternative , both socio - economically and environmentally in a country like India ?

Answer - Water harvesting is the accumulation and deposition of rain water for reuse on site rather than allowing it run off .India traditionally possesses the knowledge of rain water harvesting and water conservation compatible with the culture and region of the country.

  People have in depth knowledge of rainfall regions and soil types and have developed wide ranging techniques to harvest rainwater, groundwater , river water and flood water in keeping with the local ecological condition and their needs .

      Modern India on its way to progressive development ,has depleted much of its fresh water and groundwater resources. Now it is a matter of conservation of such a valuable resource from further depletion. Different rain water harvesting method are not only economical but also eco friendly. Hence these methods are desirable to be followed in each and every state of India and reduce the stress on fresh water availability. Rain water harvesting puts no harm on environment and society or economy and satisfaction the basic human needs for water. It is therefore a viable alternative,both socio-economically and environmentally in India.

Question 5 - Why are multipurpose projects facing resistance ? Give reasons .

            Or 

"In recent years, the multipurpose projects and large dams have come under great scrutiny ." Give reasons.

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

a- Regulating and damming of rivers affect their natural flow causing poor sediments flow and excessive sedimentation at the bottom of the reservoir , resulting in rockier stream beds and poorer habitats for the aquatic life . Dams also fragment rivers making it difficult for aquatic fauna to migrate especially for spawning.

b -   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 salination of the soil.

C-  The reservoir that are created on the flood plains also submerge the existing vegetation and soil leading to its decomposition over a period of time .

D- Resistance to multipurpose projects and large dams has been primarily due to the large-scale displacement of local communities. Local people often have to give up their land and livelihood for the greater goods of the nation.

E - It has increased the social gap between the richer landlords and landless poor .

F -  Interstate water dispute are also becoming common with regard to sharing the costs and benefits of the multipurpose projects.

G - Dams create conflict among people. For instance, the Sabarmati basin Farmers almost caused a riot over the higher priority given to urban areas in terms of water supply , particularly during draughts.

Question 6 - Make a list of multipurpose projects of India , with river in which they are made.

Answer - The following are multipurpose projects

1-Damodar valley corporation on Damodar river.

2-Bhakra Nangal project on Satluj river .

3- Indira Gandhi Canal or Rajasthan canal on beas and Satluj river .

4- Hirakud project on Mahanadi .

5- Tungabhadra project on Tungabhadra river .

6- Kosi project on kosi river.

7- Nagarjun Sagar project on Krishna river.

8- Rihand project on Rihand river.

9- Chambal valley project on Chambal river .

10- Narmada valley project ( Sardar Sarovar.                 project) on Narendra river.

11- Farakka Barrage project on Ganga river .

12- Tehri Dam project on Bhagirathi river.

13- Salal Dam on chenab river.

14- Chamera dam on Ravi river.

15- Rana Pratap Sagar dam on Chambal river.

16- Kota Barrage on Chambal river.

17- Ramagundam ( Pochampad dam ) on                       Godavari river.

18- Koyna Dam on Koyna river (tributory of kaveri)

19- Tilaiya project ( a DVC project  ) on Barakar .

20- Bokaro dam on Ganga river.

21- Maithan dam (a DVC project ) on Barakar.

22- Panchet dam ( a DVC project  )on Damodar river.

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