RBSE Class 10 Social Science Important Questions Geography Chapter 3 Water Resources

Rajasthan Board RBSE Class 10 Social Science Important Questions Geography Chapter 3 Water Resources Important Questions and Answers. 

RBSE Class 10 Social Science Important Questions Geography Chapter 3 Water Resources

Objective Type Questions 

Question 1. 
The process of renewal and recharging of the water resource is : 
(a) Evaporation 
(b) Transmission
(c) Condensation 
(d) Hydrological cycle 
Answer:
(d) Hydrological cycle 

Question 2. 
The multipurpose project is situated on the basin of Satluj-Beas river : 
(a) Hirakud project 
(b) Bhakra-Nangal project 
(c) Nagarjuna Sagar Project
(d) Chambal project 
Answer:
(b) Bhakra-Nangal project

Question 3. 
The multipurpose project is situated on Mahanadi river basin : 
(a) Sardar Sarover project 
(b) Salal project 
(c) Metur project 
(d) Hirakud project
Answer:
(d) Hirakud project

Question 4. 
Cause of decrease in collection of rooftop rainwater harvesting in western Rajasthan is : 
(a) Ganga canal 
(b) Indira Gandhi canal 
(c) Ghaghara river 
(d) Mahi river 
Answer:
(b) Indira Gandhi canal 

Question 5. 
In which state of India, every house has roof top rainwater harvesting system?
(a) Karnataka 
(b) Kerala
(c) Tamil Nadu 
(d) Andhra Pradesh 
Answer:
(c) Tamil Nadu

Question 6. 
Approximately what percentage of hydroelectric power contributes in the total production of electricity ? 
(a) 22 per cent 
(b) 50 per cent
(c) 72 per cent 
(d) 90 per cent 
Answer:
(a) 22 per cent 

Question 7. 
Who used to call. India the temples of modern India ? 
(a) Mahatma Gandhi 
(b) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel 
(c) Jawaharlal Nehru
(d) Morarji Desai 
Answer:
(c) Jawaharlal Nehru

Question 8. 
The purpose of multi-purpose projects is-
(a) Electricity generation 
(b) Flood control 
(c) Water supply for domestic and industrial uses 
(d) All of the above 
Answer:
(d) All of the above 

Question 9. 
In the semi-arid and arid regions of Rajasthan rooftop rainwater harvesting were often made in every house-
(a) Tankas
(b) Guls 
(c) Johads
(d) Wells 
Answer:
(a) Tankas

Question 10. 
Where does the world's highest rainfall occur ? 
(a) Darjeeling 
(b) Mumbai 
(c) Cherapunjee and Mawsynram 
(d) Guwahati 
Answer:
(c) Cherapunjee and Mawsynram

Fill in the blanks 

1. There is no shortage of water in a country with an average annual of 25 cm. like ......... due to proper water management. 
2. In the 11th century ............ one of the largest artificial lakes of its time was built. 
3. Sardar Sarovar Dam being built across the .......... river in Gujarat.
4. Palar pani, is considered the ........ form of natural water. 
5. The .......... spell of rain was used to clean the roofs and the pipes.
Answer:
1. Israel
2. Bhopal Lake
3. Narmada
4. purest
5. first

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. 
How much part of the earth surface is covered with water ?
Answer:
About 3/4 of earth surface is covered with water.

Question 2. 
What did Jawaharlal Nehru call the dams ?
Answer:
Jawaharlal Nehru called the dams the temples of modern India.

Question 3. 
What is bamboo drip irrigation system?
Answer:
It is a 200 years old system of tapping streams and spring water by using bamboo pipes prevalent in Meghalaya.

Question 4. 
In which state is the Sardar Sarovar dam situated?
Answer:
It is situated in Gujarat state.

Question 5. 
What is the meaning of watershed area?
Answer:
One type of geographical area where joint development occurs by the water of surrounding sub areas is called water shed area.

Question 6. 
Mention two methods of rainwater harvesting.
Answer:
Recharge through hand pump and abandoned dug well.

Question 7. 
Which dam is constructed on Narmada River in Gujarat ?
Answer:
Sardar Sarover Dam is constructed on Narmada River in Gujarat.

Question 8. 
In which state of India, every house has roof top rainwater harvesting system?
Answer:
Tamil Nadu

Question 9. 
Which states of India are related to Krishna-Godavari dispute ?
Answer:
Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh

Question 10. 
Name three sources of fresh water in India.
Answer:
Rain water, surface run off and ground water.

Question 11. 
Name three irrigational tools in India. Which type of irrigational tool is the most popular in the southern India ?
Answer:
(1) Tubewell, (2) canal and (3) pond. Pond is the most popular in southern India.

Question 12. 
What is the main objective of the multipurpose projects after independence?
Answer:
To control floods is the main objective of the multipurpose projects.

Question 13. 
What is the main objective of constructing multipurpose projects in India ?
Answer:
For controlling floods and improving irrigational facilities is the main objective of constructing multipurpose projects.

Question 14. 
Write any four uses of water. 
Answer:

1. For building and domestic purposes. 
2. For irrigational facilities. 
3. For generating hydro-electricity 
4. For fishing and navigation.

Question 15. 
“Wells and tubewells are very popular means of irrigation in northern plain regions” justify.
Answer:

• Ground water level is found just below the earth surface in these areas.
• The soil is very soft for digging wells and tubewells.

Question 16. 
Which multipurpose project is constructed on river Mahanadi ?
Answer:
Hirakud project.

Question 17. 
By the year 2025, how many people will line in absolute water scarcity ?
Answer:
By the year 2025, nearly two billion people will line in absolute water scarcity.

Question 18. 
Write the four major uses of water. 
Answer:

• For drinking and domestic purposes
• For industrial uses
• For irrigation
• For hydel power production.

Question 19. 
Why does the availability of water differ with time and place ?
Answer:
Due to the changes in monsoon rains.

Question 20. 
What are the reasons for scarcity of water in a place ?
Answer:

• Over consumption
• Over usage and 
• Unequal distribution of water.

Question 21. 
What are the causes of water pollution in the rivers of India ?
Answer:

• Over increasing population
• urbanization
• industrialization.

Question 22. 
Where were the reservoirs of flood water from Ganga River built in ancient India ?
Answer:
Shringavera near Allahabad.

Question 23. 
In which places of ancient India are improved irrigational systems found ?
Answer:
Kalinga in Odisha, Nagarjuna Konda in Andhra Pradesh.

Question 24. 
What is the objective of Dams?
Answer:

• To impound rivers and rain water that can be used later to irrigate agricultural fields.
• These are also the sources of perennial canals.

Question 25. 
Which area of India faces water scarcity ?
Answer:
Western area of Rajasthan.

Question 26. 
Write two objectives of rain water harvesting.
Answer:

• It is a cheap source of water. 
• It helps recharging ground water. 

Question 27. 
What is rain water harvesting ?
Answer:
It is the technique of increasing the recharge of ground water by capturing and storing rain water by constructing structure such as percolating pits and check dams etc.

Question 28. 
Write two ways of conserving water resource.
Answer:

• Conversion into rain fed storage: structure of agricultural fields
• Mixing of water of rivers into each other.

Question 29. 
What is the disadvantage of big dams?
Answer:
Mostly the big dams have been unsuccessful in controlling floods at the time of excessive rainfall. They cause floods and loss of life and property with excessive soil erosion.

Question 30. 
Write the main objectives of Narmada Bachao Andolan.
Answer:
Narmada Bachao Andolan was launched due to a large scale displacement of local communities.

Question 31. 
Give an argument against the construction of multipurpose projects.
Answer:
The dams that were constructed to control floods have triggered floods due to sedimentation in the reservoir.

Short Answer Type Questions (Type-I)

Question 1. 
In your opinion how is 'Dam' useful?
Answer:
Dams are useful for electricity generation, water supply, domestic and industrial uses of water, flood control, recreation, inland navigation and fish breeding.

Question 2. 
Explain the multipurpose projects.
Answer:
A river valley project which solves a number of purposes such as irrigation, flood control and generate hydroelectricity is called multipurpose project.

Aims of multipurpose projects :

• Production of hydropower
• Check on soil erosion
• Flood control
• Development of water routes
• Development of grazing grounds
• Development of irrigation
• Supply of portable water
• Development of industries.

Main projects: Damodar Project, BhakraNangal project, Hirakud project, Narmada Valley project.

Question 3. 
Explain the Krishna-Godavari dispute.
Answer:
Krishna-Godavari dispute is due to the objections raised by Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh governments.
It is regarding the diversion of more water at Koyna by the Maharashtra government for a multipurpose project. 
This would reduce downstream flow in their states with adverse consequences for agriculture and industries.

Question 4. 
Roof top rainwater harvesting is unique in Shillong - explain.
Answer:
Roof top rainwater harvesting is the most common and interesting practice in Shillong. Cherapunji and Mawsynram are situated at a distance of 55 km from Shillong which receive the highest rainfall in the world, yet Shillong faces acute shortage of water.

Every household in the city has a rooftop rainwater harvesting structure. Near about 15-25% of total water requirement of the household comes from rooftop water harvesting.
Despite so much rain, roof top rainwater harvesting is unique in shillong.

Question 5. 
Water resource is an essential resource in India - explain.
Answer:

• India is an agricultural country. So, for the production of crops, irrigation facilities are necessary.
• With the increase of population India needs more and more water for household purposes.
• For industrialization and urbanization, water is a very essential resource. 

Question 6. 
In India, water resources are in a crucial condition - explain the statement.
Answer:

• Over usage of water causes decrease in amount of storage water in India.
• Water may be polluted by domestic and industrial wastes, chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers used in agriculture, thus making it hazardous for human use.
• Due to lack of rain, water becomes even more dangerous. The crop dries up, drinking water has to be rationed.

Question 7. 
Why does the rainwater in the country flow rapidly into the sea ? What are its side effects ?
Answer:
Due to the absence of proper water management according to the availability and nature of water in India, the rainwater flows rapidly into the rivers and streams and goes into the sea. As a result of this, there is a shortage of water in the country for nine months after the rains.

Question 8. 
What are the factors responsible for water scarcity in India ? How can we check this problem?
Answer:
Shortage of water as compared to its demand is called water scarcity.
Responsible factors:

• Over exploitation of water resources
• Improper management,
• Unequal access of water among different social groups
• Industrialization and urbanization. 

Ways of controlling water scarcity:

• There is need to check growth of population.
• Human beings need to care for nature.

Question 9. 
Water scarcity may also be due to bad quality of water. Explain.
Answer:
In few areas of India, water is sufficiently available to meet the needs of the people, but the areas still suffer from water scarcity. This scarcity may be due to bad quality of water.
Water may be polluted by domestic and industrial wastes, chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers used in agriculture, thus making it hazardous for human use.

Question 10. 
Write a short note on 'Roof Top Rain Water Harvesting'.
Or 
Explain the term “roof top rainwater harvesting”. 
Answer:
Roof top rainwater harvesting was commonly practised to store drinking water, particularly in Rajasthan.

Features:

• Roof top rain water is collected using a PVC pipe.
• Filtered using sand and bricks.
• Underground pipes take water to sump for immediate usage.
• Excess water from the sump is taken to the well.
• Water from the well recharges the underground. 
• Take water from the well later.

Question 11. 
What does “The Citizens's Fifth Report, CSE, 1999" say about pollution of rivers ?
Answer:
India's rivers, especially the smaller ones, have all turned into toxic streams and even the big ones like the Ganga and Yamuna are far from being pure. The assault on India's rivers, from population growth, agricultural modernisation, urbanisation and industrialisation is enormous and growing by the day. This entire life stands threatened.

Question 12. 
What do you known about Sardar Sarovar Dam ?
Answer:
Sardar Sarovar Dam has been built over the Narmada river in Gujarat. This is one of the largest water resource projects of India covering four states-Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan. The Sardar Sarovar Project would meet the requirement of water in drought-prone and desert areas of Gujarat (9,490 villages and 173 towns) and Rajasthan (124 Villages).

Short Answer Type Questions (Type-I)

Question 1. 
What are dams ? What are the main objectives of making dams ?
Answer:
Meaning of Dam-A dam is a barrier across the flowing water that obstructs, dissects or retards the flow, often creating a reservoir, lake or impoundment.

Main Objectives:

• Dams were traditionally built to impound rivers and rain water that could be used later to irrigate agricultural fields.
• Dams are also source of perennial canals.
• It integrate development of agriculture and village economy with rapid industrialization and growth of urban economy.

Question 2. 
“Multipurpose river projects have failed to achieve the purpose for which they were built.” Justify by giving reasons.
Answer:

• Multipurpose project dams were constructed to control floods. But they have triggered floods due to sedimentation in the reservoir.
• Moreover the big dams have been unsuccessful mostly in controlling floods in the time of excessive rainfall.
• Many a time the authorities are forced to release water from the dams during the heavy rainfall.
• Dams also fragment river making it difficult for the aquatic fauna to migrate specially for spawning.
• 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 salinization of the soil.

Question 3. 
What is rainwater harvesting and what is its importance?
Answer:
It is the technique of increasing the recharge of ground water by capturing and storing rain water by constructing structure such as percolating pits, check dams etc.

Importance of rainwater harvesting : 

• It is a cheap source of water. 
• It helps recharging ground water.
• Rainwater harvesting is the need of the hour as demand for water is increasing day by day.
• It reduces pressure on existing water resources. 
• The rainwater store is extremely reliable source of drinking water when all other sources are dried up.

Question 4. 
Write a note on some hydraulic structure in ancient India.
Answer:

• In the 1st century B.C, Sringaverapura, near Prayagraj, had sophisticated water harvesting system channeling the flood water of the Ganga river. 
• During the time of Chandragupta Maurya, dams, lakes and irrigation systems were extensively built.
• Evidences of sophisticated irrigation works have also been found in Kalinga (Odisha), Nagarjunakonda (Andhra Pradesh), Bennur (Karnataka), Kolhapur (Maharashtra) etc.
• In the 11th century, Bhopal lake, one of the largest artificial lake of its time was built.
• In the 14th century, the tank in Hauz Khas, Delhi was constructed by Iltutmis for supplying water to Siri Fort area.

Question 5. 
"Irregular availability of water has affected agriculture in different parts of India”. Explain.
Answer:

• The climate of India is dependent on monsoon. That is why, rainfall occurs only for 3-4 months in a year. As a result the supply of water varies according to the monsoon rain.
• Except the northern plain region of India, other states of India are completely dependent on monsoon rain.
• Many villages of India are facing acute shortage of drinking water even today.
• Due to the tropical climate, India faces shortage of water in the dry season.

Question 6. 
Write the importance of multipurpose projects in the development of the country and human life.
Answer:
(i) Generation of power (electricity): The 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’. For example, the river Kosi.

(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. They irrigate the fields during the dry seasons. Many perennial canals have been dug to irrigate dry areas.

Question 7. 
State the main features of 'tankas' that are made for rainwater harvesting.
Answer:
Features of Tankas:

• A tanka is an underground tank that was built to store rainwater in homes in semi-arid and arid regions of Rajasthan.
• Tanka could be as large as a big room.
• The tankas were built inside the main house or the courtyard.
• They were connected to the sloping roofs of the houses through a pipe. Rain falling on the rooftops would travel down the pipe and was stored in these underground 'tankas'
• The rainwater can be stored in the tankas till the next rainfall.
• Many houses constructed underground rooms adjoining the tanka to beat the summer heat as it would keep the room cool.

Question 8. 
“Although water is sufficiently available, but few areas still suffer from water scarcity” explain.
Answer:

• The ever increasing number of industries has made matters worse by exerting pressure on the existing freshwater resources.
• In few areas of India, water is sufficiently available to meet the needs of the people, but the areas still suffers from water scarcity: This scarcity may be due to bad quality of water.
• Water may be polluted by domestic and industrial wastes, chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers used in agriculture, thus making it hazardous for human use.

Question 9. 
How have industrialization and urbanization aggravated water scarcity in India?
Answer:
(i) Industrialisation: Independent India witnessed intensive industrialisation and urbanization. Number of industries has made matters worse by exerting pressure on the existing freshwater resources.

(ii) Urbanisation: Urbanisation has also aggravated the problem of water scarcity. Most of our cities are over populated. So it leads to over utilisation of the water resources and pollutes the existing resources.

Question 10. 
“Multipurpose projects and large dams have also been the cause of many social movements”. Name any two such movements and why these movements were launched.
Answer:
Multipurpose projects and large dams have also been the cause of many social movements. Two such movements are : 

• Narmada bachao Andolan, and 
• Tehri dam Andolan etc.

Resistance to these projects has primarily been due to the large scale displacement of local communities. Local people often had to give up their land, livelihood and their meagre access and control over resources for the greater good of the nation.

Question 11. 
Write a note on Narmada Bachao Andolan.
Answer:
Narmada Bachao Andolan or Save Narmada Movement is a non-governmental organization that mobilized tribal people, farmers, environmentalists and human right activists against the Sardar Sarover Dam being built across the Narmada river in Gujarat.

It originally focused on environmental issue related to trees that would be submerged under the dam water. Recently it has refocused the aim to enable poor citizens to get full rehabilitation facilities from the government. 

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1. 
What is water scarcity ? Give reasons for water scarcity and mention how can we conserve water resources.
Answer:
Water Scarcity-Shortage of water as compared to its demand is known as water scarcity.

Main Causes:
(i) Growing population: Growing population is one of the basic factors which is responsible for the scarcity of water. Most of our cities are facing this problem due to overpopulation.

(ii) Commercialization of agriculture: After the success of Green Revolution, commercial crops need more water and other inputs. Assured means of irrigation like tubewells and wells are responsible for the falling groundwater level.

(iii) Industrialization: Independent India witnessed intensive industrialisation and urbanization. Number of industries has made matters worse by exerting pressure on the existing freshwater resources.

(iv) Urbanization: Urbanisation has also aggravated the problem of water scarcity. Most of our cities are over populated. So it leads to over utilisation of the water resources and pollutes the existing resources. 

Conservation of water resources :

• To safeguard ourselves from health hazards.
• To ensure food security.
• To prevent degradation of our natural eco system.
• To save the future generation from water crisis. 

Suggestions :

• Turn off the tap while brushing.
• We should spread awareness about water conservation.
• Rainwater harvesting.

Question 2. 
Why the river valley projects are called multipurpose projects ?
Answer:
A river valley project (dam) is a barrier across the flowing water that obstructs, dissects or retards the flow, often creating a reservoir, lake or impoundment.

Today, dams are built not just for irrigation, but for generation of electricity, water supply for domestic and industrial uses, flood control, recreation, island navigation and fish breeding. Hence dams are referred to as multipurpose projects where the many uses of the impounded water are integrated with one another. e.g., in the Satluj-Beas river basin, the Bhakra Nangal Project, the water is being used both for hydel power production and irrigation.

Question 3. 
What is the meaning of multipurpose projects ? Mention the importance of these projects. Why have the multipurpose projects failed to achieve the purpose for which they were built ?
Answer:
Multipurpose Project- A river valley project which solves a number of purposes such as irrigation, flood control and generate hydroelectricity is called a multipurpose project.

Importance :
(i) Generation of power (electricity): The multipurpose projects are the main source of power generation. According to the economic survey 2013, these produce more than 39,788.40 MW power. 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’. For example, the river Kosi.

(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. They irrigate the fields during the dry seasons. Many perennial canals have been dug to irrigate dry areas.

Reasons for not meeting the purpose :

• Multipurpose project dams were constructed to control floods. But they have triggered floods due to sedimentation in the reservoir.
• Moreover the big dams have mostly been unsuccessful in controlling floods in the time of excessive rainfall.
• Many a time the authorities are forced to release water from the dams during the heavy rainfall.
• Dams also fragment river making it difficult for the aquatic fauna to migrate specially for spawning.
• 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 salinization of the soil.

Question 4. 
What is Bamboo Drip Irrigation System ? Explain its various steps.
Answer:
Bamboo Drip Irrigation systemIn Meghalaya, a 200 year-old system of tapping stream and spring water by using bamboo pipes, is prevalent. About 18-20 liters of water enters the bamboo pipe system, gets transported over hundreds of metres, and finally reduces to 2080 drops per minute at the site of the plant.

Its various steps are as follows:

• Bamboo pipes are used to divert perennial springs on the hilltops to the lower reaches by gravity.
• The channel sections, made of bamboo, divert water to the plant site where it is distributed into branches, again made and laid out with different forms of bamboo pipes.
• The flow of water into the pipes is controlled by manipulating the pipe positions.
• If the pipes poss a road, they are taken high above the land.
• Reduced channel sections and diversion units are used at the last stage of water application. The last channel section enables water to be droped near the roots of the plant.