WORKSHEET / QNA

Subject: GEOGRAPHY (SST) Topic: Water

Name: Date: Grade: X-

1. Answer the following questions :

(i) Explain how water becomes a renewable resource.
Groundwater is being renewed due to the hydrological cycle, which includes
evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.

(ii) What is water scarcity and what are its main causes?
Water scarcity occurs when the water demand exceeds its availability, or when
water quality is so compromised that it cannot be used for human needs. The
main causes of water scarcity include:
1. Population Growth: Increasing populations demand more water for
domestic, agricultural, and industrial uses.
2. Over-exploitation: Excessive water withdrawal, especially for agriculture,
depletes surface and groundwater reserves.
3. Industrialisation and Urbanization: Industrial activities consume large
amounts of water and generate pollutants, which reduce the quality and
availability of freshwater.
4. Climate Variability: Regions with variable rainfall or prone to drought
may experience shortages. Human-induced climate change also exacerbates
these effects.
5. Unequal Access and Distribution: Water scarcity can be worsened by
unequal access to water resources, often leading to regional imbalances in
water availability.

(iii) Compare the advantages and disadvantages of multi-purpose river projects.

Multi-purpose river projects involve constructing dams, reservoirs, and canals that serve
various purposes, such as irrigation, power generation, water supply, flood control, and
recreation. While these projects have significant benefits, they also present considerable
environmental and social challenges.
Advantages:
o Assured Water Supply: These projects ensure a reliable water supply for
drinking, agriculture, and industrial needs. They help address regional water
shortages and support irrigation, which increases agricultural productivity.
o Flood Control: By regulating river flow, these projects help prevent
downstream flooding. Dams can store excess water during heavy rainfall and
release it gradually, protecting lives and property in flood-prone areas.
o Hydroelectric Power Generation: Dams generate renewable electricity by
using water flow, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and helping meet energy
demands sustainably.
o Recreation and Tourism: Reservoirs and water bodies created by these
projects offer recreational opportunities like boating, fishing, and tourism,
generating economic benefits for local communities.
o Navigation and Transportation: In some cases, these projects facilitate inland
navigation, allowing for the transport of goods and people over long distances.
Disadvantages:
o Environmental Degradation: Multi-purpose projects can significantly impact
ecosystems. For example, damming disrupts natural sediment flow, which
affects river habitats and aquatic biodiversity. Sediment buildup in reservoirs
can reduce water quality and harm aquatic life.
o Displacement of Communities: Constructing large dams and reservoirs often
requires relocating entire communities. This displacement leads to loss of
livelihoods, cultural heritage, and social upheaval, as affected populations are
forced to leave their ancestral lands.
o Soil and Water Salinization: Prolonged irrigation, especially in arid regions,
can lead to soil salinization, reducing soil fertility and harming crop
productivity. Irrigation without adequate drainage causes salt to accumulate in
the soil.
o Triggering Floods: Ironically, dams built to control floods can sometimes
exacerbate flooding due to sediment buildup and reservoir overflow during
heavy rains.
o Health Hazards: Stagnant water in reservoirs can become breeding grounds for
disease-carrying organisms, leading to outbreaks of waterborne illnesses like
malaria and schistosomiasis.
o Conflict over Water Sharing: Large projects that span multiple states or
countries can lead to disputes over water rights, as seen with the
Krishna-Godavari dispute in India, where downstream states experience reduced
water flow due to upstream diversions.
2. Answer the following questions in about 120 words.
(i) Describe how modern adaptations of traditional rainwater harvesting methods are being
carried out to conserve and store water.
India has a rich tradition of water harvesting, with techniques developed to suit various
climates and terrains. Here are some notable methods:
1. Khadins (Jaisalmer, Rajasthan): A traditional method in arid areas, khadins are
embankments built around fields to capture rainwater. The embankments allow water
to slowly percolate into the soil, enhancing moisture retention and allowing for crop
growth without additional irrigation.
2. Tankas (Western Rajasthan): Tankas are underground storage tanks constructed to
collect rainwater from rooftops. The system channels rainwater through pipes from
sloping roofs into these tanks, providing drinking water for households. Often, the first
rain is discarded to clean roofs and pipes, and subsequent rainfall is stored.
3. Guls and Kuls (Western Himalayas): These are diversion channels that transport
water from springs and rivers to fields for irrigation. Guls and Kuls are communal
systems maintained by local communities, providing a consistent water supply for
agriculture in mountainous areas.
4. Inundation Channels (Flood Plains of Bengal): In regions that experience seasonal
flooding, farmers use inundation channels to divert floodwater to their fields. This
technique irrigates crops while naturally fertilizing the soil with silt.
5. Bamboo Drip Irrigation (Meghalaya): In Meghalaya, a centuries-old system uses
bamboo pipes to channel water from springs to agricultural fields. The water flow is
controlled to provide a steady drip, ideal for crops and conserving water.
6. Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting: Practiced in several parts of India, including
Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, rooftop harvesting systems collect rainwater from roofs
and channel it into underground tanks. In Rajasthan, this harvested water, known as
palar pani, is stored and used during dry months. Tamil Nadu has made it mandatory
for houses to have this system. A Similar method of water harvesting system is used in
Gendathur village where the residents tap 50000 litres of water annually.

3. What is the primary objective of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in India?
a) To ensure groundwater levels remain stable
b) To provide piped water to every rural household
c) To reduce water usage in agriculture
d) To promote urban rainwater harvesting
4. Which state in India was the first to make rooftop rainwater harvesting compulsory?
a) Rajasthan
b) Tamil Nadu
c) Karnataka
d) Gujarat

5. Which of the following is an ancient water harvesting method used in the Western
Himalayas?
a) Khadin
b) Kuls
c) Tankas
d) Stepwells