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Class 12 Geography Chapter 16 India’s Water Resources
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India’s Water Resources
Chapter: 16
PART-2
GEOGRAPHY
TEXTUAL QUESTION & ANSWER
Q.1. Which one of the following types of resources describes water as a resource?
(a) Biotic resource
(b) Abiotic resource
(c) Non-renewable resource
(d) Cyclic resource
Ans :- (d) Cyclic resource
Q.2. Which one of the following rivers has the highest replenishable groundwater resource in India?
(a) The Ganga
(b) The Indus
(e) The Brahmaputra
(d) The Mahanadi
Ans :- (a) The Ganga
Q.3. Which one of the following figures in cubic kilometers shows the total annual precipitation in India?
(a) 2,000
(b) 3.000
(e) 4,000
(d) 5,000
Ans :- (c) 4,000
Q.4. In which one of the following sectors in India used the highest amount of water?
(a) Domestic use
(b) Irrigation
(c) industries
(d) Power generation
Ans :- (b) Irrigation
VERY SHORT TYPE QUESTION & ANSWER
Q.5. How is water scarcity becoming the base of disputes among communities?
Ans :- Sharing and controlling of these scarce resources are becoming the basis of dispute issues among the regions, communities and states. Q.
Q.6. How is water necessary to ensure development?
Ans :- The assessment, efficient use and conservation of water become necessary to ensure development.
Q.7. Why is per capita availability of water dwindling?
Ans :- Per capita availability of water dwindling because of the following reasons :
(i) All the people are wasting it and are becoming more careless than they can become.
(ii) It’s dwindling day by day due to the increase in population.
(iii) Available water resources are also getting polluted with industrial, agricultural and domestic effluents.
Q.8. What is watershed?
Ans :- A watershed is an area of land that feeds all the water running under it and draining off of it into a body of water. It combines with other watersheds to form a network of rivers and streams that progressively drain into larger water areas. A watershed describes an area of land that contains a common set of streams and rivers that all drair into a single larger body of water, such as a larger river, a lake or an ocean. For example, the Mississippi River watershed is an enormous watershed. Watersheds come in all shapes and sizes. They cross county, state, and national boundaries.
Q.9. What do you mean by rain water harvesting?
Ans :- Rainwater harvesting is the accumulation and deposition of rainwater for reuse before it reaches the aquifer. Uses include water for garden, water for livestock, water for irrigation, and indoor heating for houses etc. In many places the water collected is just redirected to a deep pit with percolation. The harvested water can be used as drinking water as well as for storage and other purposes like irrigation. Rainwater harvesting is a technique used for collecting, storing, and using rainwater for landscape irrigation and other uses.
Q.10. What do you mean by hydro-electricity?
Ans :- Hydroelectricity means making electricity from the moving water of rivers and streams. Hydroelectricity is a form of renewable energy because it is constantly being renewed by a river’s water flow, It is the electricity obtained by harnessing the power of water flowing down from a high level. It is the electricity obtained by harnessing the power of water flowing down from a high level. It is a timeless and renewable resource.
Q.11. What do you understand by Multi-Purpose Projects?
Ans :- Water Resources Projects are planned for various purposes like irrigation, Hydro Power Generation, Water Supply for Drinking and industrial purpose, Flood control, navigation etc. Projects which serve more than one purpose are called Multipurpose projects. Generally the majority of multipurpose projects are a combination of irrigation and Hydro- power. A multipurpose project is a large-scale hydro project often including dams for water retention, canals for irrigation, water processing and pipelines to supply water to cities and power generation. These often include transportation improvements and industrial growth. They are also developed to reduce the dangers of flooding.
Q.12. What is a River Basin?
Ans :- A river basin is the land that water flows on its way to a river. It is normally made up of all the land drained by a river and its tributaries. Features of a river basin include: tributaries, a watershed, a confluence, source and a mouth. A river basin is the land that water flows across or under on its way to a river. Just is a bathtub catches all of the water that fills within its sides, a river basin sends all of the water falling within it to a central river and out to an estuary or to the ocean.
SHORT TYPE QUESTION & ANSWER : (MARKS – 3)
Q.13. Describe the water resources in India.
Ans :- India accounts for about 2.45 percent of the world’s surface area, 4 percent of the world’s water resources and about 16 percent of world’s population. The total water available from precipitation in the country in a year is about 4,000 cubic km. The availability from surface water and replenishable ground water is 1.869 cubic km. Out of this only 60 percent can be put to beneficial uses. Thus, the total utilisable water resource in the country is only 1.122 cubic km.
Q.14. Give reasons for the deterioration of water quality in India in the recent years.
Ans :- Water gets polluted by foreign matters such as microorganisms, chemicals, industrial and other wastes. Such matters deteriorate the quality of water and render it unfit for human use. When toxic substances enter lakes, streams, rivers, ocean and other water bodies, they get dissolved or lie suspended in water. This results in pollution of water whereby quality of water deteriorates affecting aquatic systems. Sometimes, these pollutants also seep down and pollute groundwater.
Q.15. Give the reasons why water conservation is necessary?
Ans :- The reasons water conservation necessary is :
(i) Decreasing availability of fresh water and its increasing demand have forced the humans to conserve and effectively manage this precious life giving resource for sustainable development.
(ii) Water availability from sea/ocean, due to high cost of desalination. is considered negligible.
(iii) Inater has to take quick steps and make effective policies and laws. and adopt effective measures for its conservation.
(iv) Along with developing water saving technologies and methods. attempts are also to be made to prevent its pollution.
(v) We con conserve water by adopting the following techniques :
(a) Watershed development
(b) Rain water harvesting
(c) Water recycling
(d) Reuse, and
(e) Conjunctive use of water for sustaining water supply in the long run.
Q.16. Briefly discuss the recycle and reuse of water.
Ans :- Recycle and reuse of water are :
(i) Another way through which we can improve fresh water availability is recycling and reuse of water.
(a) Use of water of lesser quality like reclaimed wastewater is an attractive option for industries for cooling and fire-fighting to reduce their water cost.
(b) In the same way in urban areas water after bathing and washing utensils is used for gardening.
(c) Water used for washing vehicles is also used for gardening.
(d) This would conserve better quality of water for drinking purposes.
(ii) Currently recycling of water is practised on a limited scale.
(iii) There is enormous scope for replenishing water through recycling.
Q.17. Discuss rainwater harvesting as a method of water conservation.
Ans :- Rain water harvesting is a method to capture and store rainwater for various uses. It is also used to recharge groundwater aquifers. It is a low cost and eco-friendly technique for preserving every drop of water by guiding the rain water to bore well, pits and wells. Rainwater harvesting increases water availability, checks the declining groundwater table, improves the quality of groundwater through dilution of contaminants like fluoride and nitrates, prevents soil erosion, and flooding and arrests salt water intrusion in coastal areas if used to recharge aquifers.
Q.18. What are the factors determining Spatial Distribution of Water Resources?
Ans :- India accounts for about 2.45% of the world’s surface area and it contains 4% of the world’s water resources and about 16% of world’s population.
The total water available from precipitation in India in a year is about 4,000 cubic km. The availability from surface water and replenishable ground water is 1,869 cubic km. Out of this only 60% can be put to beneficial uses. Thus, the total utilizable water resource in the country is only 1,122 cubic km.
In India, there are four major sources of surface water that can be identified. These are (i) rivers, (ii) Lakes, (iii) Ponds and (iv) Tanks. In the country, there are about 10,360 rivers and tributaries which are longer than 1.6 km each.
The mean annual flow in all the river basins in the country is estimated to be 1.869 cubic km. Due to topographical, hydrological and other constraints only about 690 cubic km (32 percent) of the available surface water can be utilised.
Factors determining spatial distribution of water resources are :
(i) Uneven precipitation
(ii) Nature of the relief feature.
(iii) Nature of the soils
(iv) Catchment areas
(v) Human activities
LONG TYPE QUESTION & ANSWERS (MARKS – 5)
Q.1. Discuss the availability of water resources and spatial distribution patterns in India.
Ans :- India accounts for about 2.45% of the world’s surface area and it contains 4% of the world’s water resources and about 16% of world’s population.
The total water available from precipitation in India in a year is about 4,000 cubic km. The availability from surface water and replenishable ground water is 1,869 cubic km. Out of this only 60% can be put to beneficial uses. Thus, the total utilizable water resource in the country is only 1,122 cubic km.
In India, there are four major sources of surface water that can be identified. These are (i) rivers, (ii) Lakes, (iii) Ponds and (iv) Tanks. In the country, there are about 10,360 rivers and tributaries which are longer than 1.6 km each.
The mean annual flow in all the river basins in the country is estimated to be 1.869 cubic km. Due to topographical, hydrological and other constraints only about 690 cubic km (32 percent) of the available surface water can be utilised.
Factors determining spatial distribution of water resources are:
(i) Uneven precipitation
(ii) Nature of the relief feature.
(iii) Nature of the soils
(iv) Catchment areas
(v) Human activities
| Sl. No. | CONTENTS |
| PART-1 | |
| Chapter 1 | Human Geography Nature & Scope |
| Chapter 2 | The World Population Distribution, Density & Growth |
| Chapter 3 | Population Composition |
| Chapter 4 | Human Development |
| Chapter 5 | Primary Activities |
| Chapter 6 | Secondary Activities |
| Chapter 7 | Tertiary and Quaternary Activities |
| Chapter 8 | Transport and Communication |
| Chapter 9 | International Trade |
| Chapter 10 | Human Settlement |
| PART-2 | |
| Chapter 11 | Population Structure of India |
| Chapter 12 | Migration Pattern in India |
| Chapter 13 | Human Resources Department |
| Chapter 14 | Human Settlement of India |
| Chapter 15 | Land Resource and Agriculture |
| Chapter 16 | India’s Water Resources |
| Chapter 17 | Mineral and Fuel Resources in India |
| Chapter 18 | Manufacturing Industries of India |
| Chapter 19 | Planning and Sustainable Development in Indian Context |
| Chapter 20 | Transport and Communication in India |
| Chapter 21 | International Trade |
| Chapter 22 | Problems and Issues Geographical Perspective |
| PART-3 | |
| Chapter 23 | Assam Geography |
Q.2. The depleting water resources may lead to social and political conflicts and disputes in India; Discuss.
Ans :- Social conflicts disputes in many parts of the world also in India results the depleting water resources because :
(i) Limited water resources.
(ii) Water is the most essential element for all forms of life.
(iii) Unequal distribution of water, especially usable waters.
(iv) Water is most essential to generate hydel power.
(v) Water is needed to cultivate crops.
(vi) In transportation plays a major role. Because of these precious uses of water, social disputes and conflicts occur among the nations or communities, which results in the depleting water resources in different parts of the country and abroad.
Q.3. What do you mean by watershed management? Do you think that it can play an important role in sustainable development?
Ans :- Watershed management refers to efficient management and conservation of surface and groundwater resources. It involves prevention of runoff and storage and recharge of groundwater through various methods like percolation tank, recharge wells, etc. In broad sense watershed management includes conservation, regeneration and judicious use of all resources natural (like land, water, plants and animals) and humans within a watershed. It aims at bringing about balance between natural resources on the one hand and society on the other.
Role of watershed management in sustainable development :
In sustainable development, watershed management can play an important role, such as :
In India we have found many watershed development and management programmes initiated by the Central and state Governments, and some of these are being implemented by Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) also Hariyali, Neeru- Meeru and Arvary Pani sansad are worth mentioning programmes. The whims of Hariyali is enabling the rural population to conserve water for drinking, irrigation, fisheries and afforestation.
Watershed management projects in many areas in India have been successful in rejuvenating the environment and economy of that region.
Q.4. Discuss the National Water Policy of India.
Ans :- The National Water Policy 2002 stipulates water allocation priorities broadly in the following order : drinking water-irrigation – hydropower – navigation industrial and other uses. The policy stipulates progressive new approaches to water management.
The key features are –
(i) Irrigation and multipurpose projects should invariably include drinking water components wherever there is no alternative source of drinking water.
(ii) Providing drinking water to all human beings and animals should be the first priority.
(iii) Measures should be taken to limit and regulate the exploitation of groundwater.
(iv) Both surface and groundwater should be regularly monitored for quality. A phased programme should be undertaken for improving water quality.
(v) The efficiency of utilisation in all the diverse use of water should be improved.
(vi) Awareness of water as a scarce resource should be forested.
(vi) Conservation consciousness should be promoted through education, regulation incentives and disincentives.
Q.5. Discuss the causes of water pollution in India and briefly write the ways and means of prevention of such pollution.
Ans :- Water pollution is caused due to several reasons.
Here are the few major causes of water pollution :
(i) Sewage And WasteWater: Sewage, garbage and liquid waste of households, agricultural lands and factories are discharged into lakes and rivers. These wastes contain harmful chemicals and toxins which make the water poisonous for aquatic animals and plants.
(ii) Dumping : Dumping of solid wastes and litters in water bodies causes huge problems. Litters include glass, plastic, aluminum, styrofoam etc. Different things take different amounts of time to degrade in water. They affect aquatic plants and animals.
(iii) Industrial Waste : Industrial waste contains pollutants like asbestos, lead, mercury and petrochemicals which are extremely harmful to both people and the environment. Industrial waste is discharged into lakes and rivers by using fresh water, making the water contaminated.
(iv) Oil Pollution : Sea water gets polluted due to oil spilled from ships and tankers while traveling. The spilled oil does not dissolve in water and forms a thick sludge polluting the water.
(v) Acid Rain : Acid rain is pollution of water caused by air pollution. When the acidic particles caused by air pollution in the atmosphere mix with water vapor, it results in acid rain.
(vi) Global Warming : Due to global warming, there is an increase in water temperature. This increase in temperature results in the death of aquatic plants and animals. This also results in bleaching of coral reefs in water.
(vii) Eutrophication : Eutrophication is an increased level of nutrients in water bodies. This results in a bloom of algae in the water. It also depletes the oxygen in water, which negatively affects fish and other aquatic animal populations.
There are many things that we can carry out individually to prevent water pollution.
(a) Toxic products like paints, automobile oil, polishes, and cleaning products should be stored and disposed of properly. As a matter of fact, it is better to use non-toxic products for the house as far as possible. Also, never dispose of such products by throwing them into your toilet or sink.
(b) Dispose of your trash in a proper manner and try to incorporate the recycling habit as far as possible. Non-degradable products like tampons, sanitary napkins, and diapers should not be flushed down the toilet, for these can end up damaging the process of sewage treatment, and usually end up as litter on beaches.
(c) Refrain from throwing litter into streams, lakes, rivers, or seas. If you do spot litter on beaches or in water systems, after ascertaining that it is safe, collect them and dispose them off in any nearby waste disposal system
(d) Try using environmentally friendly household products like toiletries, soap-based household cleaning material, and washing powder as far as possible.
(e) Try using natural fertilizers and pesticides as far as possible, or if not, do not overuse them or over-water gardens and lawns. This will help in reducing the pollutants that get into water systems due to runoffs.
(f) Automobile oil should be re-used as far as possible. Also, it is important to keep your automobile well maintained in order to prevent leakages of toxic fluids like antifreeze and oil.
(g) Also, actively conserve water by turning the tap off when you do not need running water, such as while brushing teeth. Apart from preventing water shortages, it lessens the amount of water that needs to be treated.
(h) Do not use colored bathing bars. They are known to contribute more to water pollution.
(i) Avoid buying packaged water as far as possible. The best policy to adopt is to carry a bottle of water when you step out of the house. You can carry one big bottle per head. This has two advantages: you eliminate your contribution to pollution related to plastic boules, and you save money.
Q.6. Discuss the water availability scenario in India and what do you think about its future.
Ans :- Availability of water resources in the country and factors that determines the Spatial Distribution :
(i) India has about 2.45 percent of the world’s surface area.
(ii) It has 4 percent of the world’s water resources. It also has about 16 percent of the world’s population.
(iii) The total water available from precipitation in the country in a year is about 4,000 cubic km.
(iv) Water available from surface water and replenishable groundwater is 1,869 cubic km.
Out of this only 60 percent is put to beneficial uses. Thus, the total utilisable water resource in the country is only 1,122 cubic km.
(v) Four major sources of surface water rivers, lakes, ponds, and tanks.
(vi) In the country, there are about 10,360 rivers and their tributaries longer than 1,6 km each.
(vii) The mean annual flow in all the river basins in India is nearly 1,869 cubic km.
(vii) Due to topographical, hydrological and other constraints, only about 690 cubic km (32 percent) of the available surface water is utilised.
Q.7. Discuss the Water resource availability in India.
Ans :- Availability of water resources in the country and factors that determines the Spatial Distribution :
(i) India has about 2.45 percent of the world’s surface area.
(ii) It has 4 percent of the world’s water resources. It also has about 16 percent of the world’s population.
(iii) The total water available from precipitation in the country in a year is about 4,000 cubic km.
(iv) Water available from surface water and replenishable groundwater is 1,869 cubic km.
Out of this only 60 percent is put to beneficial uses. Thus, the total utilisable water resource in the country is only 1,122 cubic km.
(v) Four major sources of surface water rivers, lakes, ponds, and tanks.
(vi) In the country, there are about 10,360 rivers and their tributaries longer than 1,6 km each.
(vii) The mean annual flow in all the river basins in India is nearly 1,869 cubic km.
(vii) Due to topographical, hydrological and other constraints, only about 690 cubic km (32 percent) of the available surface water is utilised.
Q.8. Give an account of prevention of Water Pollution.
Ans :- Water pollution is caused due to several reasons.
Here are the few major causes of water pollution :
(i) Sewage And WasteWater: Sewage, garbage and liquid waste of households, agricultural lands and factories are discharged into lakes and rivers. These wastes contain harmful chemicals and toxins which make the water poisonous for aquatic animals and plants.
(ii) Dumping : Dumping of solid wastes and litters in water bodies causes huge problems. Litters include glass, plastic, aluminum, styrofoam etc. Different things take different amounts of time to degrade in water. They affect aquatic plants and animals.
(iii) Industrial Waste : Industrial waste contains pollutants like asbestos, lead, mercury and petrochemicals which are extremely harmful to both people and the environment. Industrial waste is discharged into lakes and rivers by using fresh water, making the water contaminated.
(iv) Oil Pollution : Sea water gets polluted due to oil spilled from ships and tankers while traveling. The spilled oil does not dissolve in water and forms a thick sludge polluting the water.
(v) Acid Rain : Acid rain is pollution of water caused by air pollution. When the acidic particles caused by air pollution in the atmosphere mix with water vapor, it results in acid rain.
(vi) Global Warming : Due to global warming, there is an increase in water temperature. This increase in temperature results in the death of aquatic plants and animals. This also results in bleaching of coral reefs in water.
(vii) Eutrophication : Eutrophication is an increased level of nutrients in water bodies. This results in a bloom of algae in the water. It also depletes the oxygen in water, which negatively affects fish and other aquatic animal populations.
There are many things that we can carry out individually to prevent water pollution.
(a) Toxic products like paints, automobile oil, polishes, and cleaning products should be stored and disposed of properly. As a matter of fact, it is better to use non-toxic products for the house as far as possible. Also, never dispose of such products by throwing them into your toilet or sink.
(b) Dispose of your trash in a proper manner and try to incorporate the recycling habit as far as possible. Non-degradable products like tampons, sanitary napkins, and diapers should not be flushed down the toilet, for these can end up damaging the process of sewage treatment, and usually end up as litter on beaches.
(c) Refrain from throwing litter into streams, lakes, rivers, or seas. If you do spot litter on beaches or in water systems, after ascertaining that it is safe, collect them and dispose them off in any nearby waste disposal system
(d) Try using environmentally friendly household products like toiletries, soap-based household cleaning material, and washing powder as far as possible.
(e) Try using natural fertilizers and pesticides as far as possible, or if not, do not overuse them or over-water gardens and lawns. This will help in reducing the pollutants that get into water systems due to runoffs.
(f) Automobile oil should be re-used as far as possible. Also, it is important to keep your automobile well maintained in order to prevent leakages of toxic fluids like antifreeze and oil.
(g) Also, actively conserve water by turning the tap off when you do not need running water, such as while brushing teeth. Apart from preventing water shortages, it lessens the amount of water that needs to be treated.
(h) Do not use colored bathing bars. They are known to contribute more to water pollution.
(i) Avoid buying packaged water as far as possible. The best policy to adopt is to carry a bottle of water when you step out of the house. You can carry one big bottle per head. This has two advantages: you eliminate your contribution to pollution related to plastic boules, and you save money.
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