NIOS Class 12 Environmental Science Chapter 31 Water Conservation At Different Levels

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NIOS Class 12 Environmental Science Chapter 31 Water Conservation At Different Levels

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Water Conservation At Different Levels

Chapter: 31

Module 8 A: Water Resource Management

Textual Question Answer

INTEXT QUESTIONS 31.1

1. List at least three reasons why water conservation is important.

Ans: (i) The precipitation and runoff in India are unevenly distributed, and also are uneven regarding the time of distribution. 

(ii) Frequent floods, drought, famine, and unsteady agricultural production have been a major problem. India is a major agricultural country; its economic development is correlated with agriculture.

(iii) The major limiting issue for agriculture is water. A growing population and the subsequent need for an incline in food production requiring an increasing area of agricultural fields end irrigation are resulting in overuse of water. Due to overexploitation of water resources, it has become scarce in many parts of our country.

2. List two irrigation practices which reduce water requirement.

Ans: Sprinklers, drip irrigation.

3. List two benefits of reuse of water.

Ans: Saves water and minerals. 

4. How can transpirational loss be reduced?

Ans: Antitranspirants, K+ use.

5. What are the benefits of contours farming?

Ans: Two benefits:

(i) Conserve water by holding it for longer time in the field.

(ii) Since it prevents run off water too fast, prevents soil erosion. 

INTEXT QUESTIONS 31.2 

1. What is watershed?

Ans: An area through which a water body gets water either run off or underground path. 

2. How do forests reduce the risk of flood?

Ans: Forests prevent rains and excellent filler and excess water absorbs through the roots of the forest trees. 

3. List any two ways in which forests help in maintaining the quality of water.

Ans: Water moves through soil and little layers are excellent filters and relatively pure. 

4. What is achieved by single stem harvesting?

Ans: Only one tree is felled at any one point and the small gap so created is soon sealed by the outward growth of its neighbour. 

INTEXT QUESTIONS 31.3 

1. How can you save water at your personal level? List at least 6 ways.

Ans: The following steps can be undertaken to conserve water:

(i) Do not keep the tap running while brushing or washing your face.

(ii) Instead of frequent showers, use a bucket and mug.

(iii) Reusing water that has been used to clean vegetables for wiping the floor.

(iv) Switch to rainwater harvesting that helps to conserve groundwater.

(v) When washing the car, use a bucket instead of a hosepipe. 

(vi Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily.

2. There are many examples in Gujarat of individual and community action on rain water harvesting. List two such activities.

Ans: (i) The Bhungroo is an innovative water harvesting technique developed by Biplab Ketan Paul. 

(ii) In Gandhi’s gram, the community action resolved the drinking water crisis by building a Dam and micro-watershed project.

3. Government is promoting conservation of water. List any two reasons of such promotions.

Ans: Groundwater depletion and contamination of existing water resources have prompted the Government to promote conservation of water.

4. List the achievement of Tarun Bharat Sangh in context of water conservation.

Ans: The accomplishments of TBS include;

(i) Dead rivers began to flow. For example, the river Aravari was revived.

(ii) Wooded hills welcome back wildlife that round off forests whole-ness.

(iii) Agriculture becomes a possible round the year

(iv) There are several people-made water conservation structures.

TERMINAL EXERCISE

1. Why water conservation is important in India.

Ans: Water conservation is of great significance to the economic, social, and cultural development in India.The precipitation and runoff in India are unevenly distributed, and also are uneven regarding the time of distribution. Frequent floods, drought, famine, and unsteady agricultural production have been a major problem. India is a major agricultural country; its economic development is correlated with agriculture. The major limiting issue for agriculture is water. A growing population and the subsequent need for an incline in food production requiring an increasing area of agricultural fields and irrigation are resulting in overuse of water. Due to overexploitation of water resources, it has become scarce in many parts of our country.

2. Name few important methods of water conservation. 

Ans: The techniques for the conservation of water are:

(a) Rainwater conservation and harvesting: Rainwater has been conserved and used for agriculture in several parts of our country since ancient times. Contour farming is an example of such a harvesting technique involving water and moisture control at a very simple level. Rainwater Harvesting has enabled groundwater to replenish and lowered people’s dependency on it.

(b) Catchment Protection Area: They are a significant measure to protect the quality of water in a watershed and in soil conservation. It helps in retarding runoff water temporarily by a check bund constructed across the streams in hilly terrains. These methods include tribal belts.

(c) Artificial Recharge: This helps to replenish the groundwater by artificial means. The water is spread over the ground to increase the area and length of time for water to remain in contact with soil. So as to allow the maximum possible opportunity for water to enter into the ground.

3. What an individual can do for water conservation at house hold level. 

Ans: The following steps can be undertaken to conserve water:

(i) Do not keep the tap running while brushing or washing your face.

(ii) Instead of frequent showers use a bucket and mug.

(iii) Reusing water that has been used to clean vegetables for wiping the floor.

(iv) Switch to rainwater harvesting that helps to conserve groundwater.

(v) When washing the car, use a bucket instead of a hosepipe.

(vi) Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily.

4. How watershed management helps promoting water conservation? 

Ans: Watershed management provides an important measure to protect the quality of water in a watershed. It aids in restraining runoff briefly by a check bund made across the streams in hilly terrains that also helps in greater time for water to percolate underground. This method also aids in soil conservation. Afforestation can also be done in the catchment area for water and soil conservation.

5. What is rainwater harvesting? How it helps conserving water? 

Ans: Rainwater harvesting is the method to collect and conserve rainwater for later use. It can be done at the household or community level.

Rainwater harvesting helps preserve water, and depletion of groundwater is reduced. It reduces stormwater run-off, flooding, and soil erosion.

6. Explain in brief the example from Gujarat on rainwater harvesting. 

Ans: Bhungroo is an innovative, unique rainwater harvesting model that functions as an injection module to store excess rainwater underground. The inventor is Biplab Ketan Paul. The soil of Gujarat has high salinity that leads to water retention and standing water. Bhungroo consists of pipes erected underground, and water gets filtered as it passes through it. It can hold 40 million liters of water and helps avoid evaporation loss.

Gujarat Chief Minister recently called for RWH in government schools and offices. The project covered 1000 Government schools in phases. Another project launched is RWHS.

7. What are the benefits of rainwater harvesting? 

Ans: Rainwater harvesting is the method to collect and conserve rainwater for later use. It can be done at the household or community level. The prerequisite is defining a catchment area. Rainwater harvesting helps preserve water, and depletion of groundwater is reduced. It decreases stormwater run-off, flooding and soil erosion. The elimination of run-off can further decrease the contamination of surface water.

8. What are the main attributes of ground water? 

Ans: (i) Groundwater is a reliable and sustainable source of water.

(ii) It is an economic resource, less vulnerable to evaporation losses compared to surface water.

(iii) It is usually free from pathogens and often requires minimal treatment before use.

(iv) It is a lifeline in arid and semi-arid areas, especially where surface water is scarce.

(v) There are no conveyance losses, as it is directly drawn from underground.

However, once contaminated (by arsenic, fluoride, nitrates, or industrial effluents), it is very difficult to purify.

9. Name few initiatives of the Government on water conservation. 

Ans: Groundwater depletion and pollution of existing water resources have prompted the Government to take such measures:

(i) The government has launched various schemes and projects to conserve water like National Water Policy, 2002.

(ii) The government of Tamil Nadu has made Rainwater Harvesting mandatory in all existing buildings.

(iii) Gujarat Chief Minister recently called for RWH in government schools and offices. The project covered 1000 Government schools in phases.

(iv) The government has undertaken several projects for the construction of dams. They have also promoted the construction of bunds in villages.

10. How Tarun Bharat Sangh has changed the face to few villages in Rajasthan?

Ans: The work of Tarun Bharat Sangh (TBS) and its founder Shri Rajendra Singh in the districts of Rajasthan can easily be over-simplified as water-shed management whereas, it is, in fact, a revolution in regenerating life and society in denuded and deserted lands.

The accomplishments of TBS are:

(i) Dead rivers began to flow. For example, the river Aravari was revived.

(ii) Wooded hills welcome back wildlife that round off forests whole-ness.

(iii) Agriculture becomes possible round the year.

(iv) More than 3,500 water conservation structures were constructed (johads, check dams, etc.) that rejuvenated rivers and restored groundwater.