Water Resources Class 10th Geography Lesson 3

 NOTES PREPARED BY 

KHURSHEED AHMED

TEACHER SCHOOL 

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT 

JAMMU AND KASHMIR

CHAPTER NO 3 

'WATER RESOURCES'

IMPORTANT TERMS:-

1. Aquifer:- It means that layer of rocks which can absorb and hold the water

2. Water stress: - It means when demand of water exceeds the available amount during a certain period of time

3. Hydraulic structures:- This include dams and other infrastructure which are utilised to divert the water

4. Water harvesting: - It means collection and storing of water for future use

5. Sump: - It is a pit constructed underground where rain water collected

6. Inundation channel:- It is a channel that is connected to a large river so that the flood water of that river flow in it

7. Timber dam: - Dam made up of timber of pine and fir

8. Embankment dam: - A dam made up of earth rocks and stones to prevent flooding of a river

9. Masonry dam:-Dam made up of stones, brick and concrete joined with mortar

TEXTUAL QUESTIONS

1. Multiple choice questions.

I .Based on the information given below classify each of the situations as 'suffering from water scarcity or 'not suffering from water scarcity.

a) Region with high annual rainfall

b) Region having high annual rainfall and large population

c) Region having high annual rainfall but water is highly polluted

d) Region having low rainfall and low population

Ans: Suffering from water scarcity

b) Region having high annual rainfall and large population . 

c) Region having high annual rainfall but water is highly polluted

d) Region having low rainfall and low population

Not suffering from water scarcity

a) Region with high annual rainfall

II ?Which one of the following statement is not an argument in favour of multipurpose river projects

a) Multipurpose projects bring water to those areas which suffer from water scarcity

b) Multipurpose projects by regulating the water flow help to control floods

c) Multipurpose projects lead to large scale displacement and loss of livelihood

d) Multipurpose projects generate electricity for our industries and our homes

Ans:- Multipurpose projects lead to large scale displacement and loss of livelihood

III Here are some false statements. Identify the mistakes and rewrite them correctly.

a) Multiplying urban centres with large and dense population and urban life styles have helped in proper utilisation of water resources

b) Regulating and damming of rivers do not affect the river's natural flow and its sediment flow

c) In Gujarat, the Sabarmati basin farmers were not agitated when higher priority was given to water supply in urban areas, particularly during droughts

d) Today in Rajasthan, the practice of rooftop rainwater harvesting has gained popularity despite high water availability to the Rajasthan canal

Ans:-

a) Multiplying urban centres with large and dense population and urban life styles have not only

b) Regulating and damming of rivers do not affect the river's natural flow and which leads to the excessive sedimentation at the bottom of the reservoir, resulting in rockier stream beds and poorer habitats for aquatic life downstream

C) In Gujarat, the Sabarmati basin farmers were agitated and almost caused a riot when higher priority was given to water supply in urban areas, particularly during droughts that they were

d) Today in Rajasthan, the practice of rooftop rainwater harvesting is on decline as plenty of water is available due to the perennial Rajasthan canal

2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.

(І) Explain how water becomes a renewable resource.

Ans:- Water becomes a renewable resource through hydrological cycle. Water received in the form of rainfall flows in the form of surface runoff through rivers, canals and streams. Huge quantities of water seep into the earth's surface which leads to the recharging of groundwater reserves. On one side we utilise this groundwater in huge quantities at the same time it is recharged through hydrological cycle continuously

(II)What is water scarcity and what are its main causes?

Ans:- Water scarcity means shortage of water at a given moment of time. It is the result of higher demand but lower supply of water. The main causes of water scarcity are as follows:-

• Growing population - A large population means more water requirement for cooking, washing and bathing
• Industrialisation :- The increasing number of industries put pressure on the existing freshwater resources of the country. Industries use water in large quantities for different purposes like cooling and washing floors
• Commercialisation of agriculture: - Commercial crops ed more and continuous supply of water which results in the scarcity of water

(III) Compare the advantages with disadvantages of multipurpose projects.

Ans:-ADVANTAGES   

They provide irrigation to the crops

They are used for generating electricity

They provide water for industrial and domestic purposes 

They help to control floods

They help in inland navigation

They turn to be important fish breeding It leads grounds it 

DISADVANTAGES

Natural flow of rivers is affected which

leads to poor sediment flow downstream

It leads to the excessive sedimentation of the reservoir

Downstream riverbed becomes rockier which affect the marine life

These dams fragments a river into two parts and restrict aquatic fauna to migrate and spawn

These dams lead to the submergence of large area of forests and lead to the loss of habitat of the wild animals

It leads to the displacement of the local grounds people

3. Answer the following questions in about 120 words.

I Discuss how is rainwater harvesting in semi-arid areas of Rajasthan carried out?

Ans:- In semi-arid areas of the country particularly in Rajasthan people construct underground tanks of collecting rain water. The tanks are generally large and deep with huge water holding capacity. These tanks could be as large as a big room. These tanks are linked with the roof of the house through a pipe to obtain the water at the time of rainfall. Rain water is carried by this pipe to the underground tanks. The first spell of rainfall is generally not collected as it contains lot of impurities of the roof of house. The collected water in the tank is generally used for drinking purposes till the next season When all other sources have dried up during the summer season of the year, these tanks prove to be beneficial. Many houses constructed underground rooms adjoining the tanks to beat the summer heat as it would keep the room cool.

II Describe how modern adaptations of traditional rainwater harvesting methods are being carried out to conserve and store water.

Ans:- In ancient times people had in depth knowledge of rainfall regimes and soil types and

developed wide ranging techniques to harvest rainwater, groundwater, river water and flood

water. Several modern adaptations of traditional rainwater harvesting systems include:-

(a) Rooftop rainwater harvesting technique practiced in Rajasthan to store rain water

(b) In hilly and mountainous regions people build diversion channels to divert some water to

those areas which were facing scarcity of water particularly in western Himalayas for

agriculture

(c) In arid and semi-arid areas of Rajasthan agricultural fields were converted into storage

structures for moistening the soil like 'Khadins' and 'Johads',

(d) In Bengal people developed inundation canals to irrigate their agricultural fields

(e) Bamboo drip irrigation system was prevalent in many parts of North Eastern India

CONCEPTUAL QUESTIONS

Qno 1 . Define Dam?

Ans:- A dam is a barrier constructed across a river to regulate the flow of water and raise its

level. Sometimes it is also referred as a reservoir of water.

Qno2. Describe the important factors responsible for water scarcity in India/World?

Ans:- Following reasons are responsible for the water scarcity in India/World:-

Growing Population: - Tremendous growth of population in the world has increased the

demand of water as well. Demand of water for drinking purposes, washing purposes is

continuously increasing in the whole world but at the same time there is unequal access

to this resource due to pollution

Expansion of Agriculture: - To increase the food production and to meet the demand of

dietary needs of growing population water resources are being over exploited all over

the world

Industrialisation : - Industries are the heavy users of water because water in large

quantities is required for several purposes like washing and cooling. At the same time.

industries operate on hydro power which is generated by damming a particular river.

Urbanisation : - Unchecked urban expansion

and dense population in cities and towns have

not only resulted in greater demands of water but other resources as well.

Pollution:- Much of the water is polluted by domestic and industrial wastes, chemicals

and fertilizers used in agriculture thus leading to water pollution and make the water unfit for consumption

Qno 3. Explain why multipurpose projects are considered as the temples of Modern India?

Ans:- Multipurpose projects are very important for the economy of every country of the world,

These projects are utilised for irrigation, power generation, fish breeding etc. These projects

were considered to bring development in villages and make India a modern nation that is why

these projects were termed as 'Temples of Modern India' by Jawaharlal Nehru.

Qno4. Explain some ancient hydraulic structures of ancient India?

Ans: - Following are some of the ancient hydraulic structure of ancient India:-

• In the first century BC, Sringaverapura near Allahabad had sophisticated water harvesting system channelling the flood water of river Ganga

• During the reign of Chandargupta Maurya, dams, lakes and irrigation canals were extensively built

• In 11th century, Bhopal lake, the largest lake of that time was built 

• The tank in Hauzkhas,Delhi was built by the uprish for supplying water to Siri Fort in 1411 century

Qno4. What is rain water harvesting system?? Mention various components of rooftop rain water

Ans - Rain water harvesting is a technique of collecting and storing the rain water from

rooftops or by constructing check dams in underground tanks and then using this water later in the year. It is particularly done in dry, hilly, urban and coastal areas. Main components of rain water harvesting system are as under:-

Catchments:-It is the roof top of every house. Catchment area generally measures 100

square meters

Gutters:- These include channels all around the edges of the sloping roof to collect and

transport water to the storage water

Coarse mesh:- It is required to cover the top of the gutters so that impurities from the

catchment area do not flow into the underground tank

Conduit:- These are pipelines that carry rain water from the catchment area to the harvesting system

First flush: - An extra valve is installed in the system which helps us to drain the first flush of water out of the system before it enter into the filter. First flush of rain fall generally carries impurities.

Filter:- Filter is a small underground pit filled with boulders, gravels and sand which helps in the filtration of water before it enter into a large reservoir

Storage tanks:- These are large underground storage tanks with huge storage capacity.

Qno5. Explain why multipurpose projects are facing resistance/opposition in recent years?

Ans:- On one hand multipurpose projects were termed to be the pillars of modern India but on

the other hand they have created several problems for which they have come under great

opposition and scrutiny. Following are some reasons for hich they have come under great

opposition recently-

• Large numbers of local people have been displaced in many parts of India by the construction of these dams. These people have lost their everything including livelihood and property

• These projects create social gap because big landlords take more benefits than the small farmers

• Rising water level in the dam leads to the submergence of large forested areas and subsequent loss of habitat of wild animals

Qno6. What are the various causes of water pollution in India?

Ans:- Following are the main reasons of water pollution in India :-

• Industries: - Industries discharge various chemicals and wastes into the lakes, ponds and

canals without treating it

• Agriculture: - Modern agriculture practices use chemicals in the form of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides which seeps into the rivers or into groundwater

• Households: - Water is used for washing, bathing and for cleaning houses. After its utilisation this water drains into rivers or lakes through municipal drains

• Oil spills: - leakage of oil from a submarine pipeline or from a commercial oil tanker also leads to the water pollution

• Nuclear wastes: - Nuclear facilities located near the rivers or coastal areas can pollute the water of a large area.

POINTS TO REMEMBER

1. Hydroelectricity contributes about 22% of the total electricity production in India

2. Hirakud project has been built across Mahanadi River and is located in the state of Odisha

3. The tank in Hauz Khas Delhi was constructed by Iltutmish.

4. Sardar Sarovar Dam has been built over the Narmada River in Gujarat

5. Tamil Nadu is the first state in India which has made rooftop rainwater harvesting

compulsory across the state

***********************************************