Chapter 3: Water Resources
Complete NCERT textbook questions with model answers for Class 10 Geography Chapter 3. These solutions follow CBSE marking scheme patterns and show how to structure answers for 1, 3, and 5 marks questions. Focus on answer writing technique rather than just memorizing content.
Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark)
Exam Tip: 1-mark answers should be precise, direct, and not exceed 20-30 words. No explanation needed.
Answer: (a) Not suffering (b) Suffering (c) Not suffering (d) Suffering
Answer: (d) Multi-purpose projects lead to large scale displacements and loss of livelihood.
Answer: (a) Multiplying urban centres with large populations has reduced water consumption. (False - increased consumption)
(b) Regulating and damming of rivers affects the river's natural flow. (True)
(c) In Gujarat, the Sabarmati basin farmers were not agitated when higher priority was given to water supply in urban areas. (False - they were agitated)
Very Short Answer Questions (1 Mark)
Exam Tip: Write one-word or one-sentence answers. No elaboration required.
Answer: Water scarcity means shortage of water or lack of access to safe water supplies.
Answer: Narmada Bachao Andolan and Tehri Dam Andolan.
Answer: Collecting and storing rainwater for future use instead of allowing it to run off.
Answer: Storage in tanks and recharge of groundwater through borewells.
Answer: Precipitation (rainfall) is the primary source of freshwater.
Short Answer Questions (3 Marks)
Exam Tip: 3-mark answers should be 60-80 words with clear points. Structure: Introduction + 2-3 points + Conclusion.
Answer: Water becomes a renewable resource through the continuous hydrological cycle where water circulates between oceans, atmosphere, and land, ensuring constant replenishment through natural processes of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
| Process | Description | Renewal Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| Hydrological Cycle | Continuous movement of water between earth and atmosphere | Ensures constant replenishment of freshwater sources |
| Evaporation & Transpiration | Water changes from liquid to vapor from surfaces and plants | Transfers water to atmosphere for future precipitation |
| Condensation & Precipitation | Water vapor condenses and falls as rain/snow | Replenishes surface and groundwater sources |
| Infiltration & Groundwater Recharge | Water seeps into soil and replenishes aquifers | Renews underground water reserves |
However, water's renewability depends on sustainable use - over-exploitation of groundwater or pollution can make it effectively non-renewable at local levels.
Answer: In semi-arid Rajasthan, traditional rainwater harvesting systems have been developed over centuries to capture scarce rainfall through innovative community-based structures that store water for drinking and irrigation during dry periods.
| Traditional System | How it Works | Purpose/Use |
|---|---|---|
| Khadin System | Earthen embankments built across slopes to capture rainwater runoff | • Water percolates to recharge groundwater • Moist soil used for agriculture |
| Tankas (Underground Tanks) | Circular pits dug in courtyards, lined with lime, connected to roof pipes | • Drinking water storage • Cool water availability in summer |
| Johads | Small earthen check dams that capture and conserve rainwater | • Increase groundwater recharge • Provide water for irrigation |
| Naadis | Village ponds that store rainwater collected from catchment areas | • Drinking water for animals • Domestic use • Recharge wells |
| Rooftop Harvesting | Pipes from rooftops direct rainwater into underground tanks | • Potable water storage • Reduces dependence on distant sources |
These systems demonstrate indigenous knowledge of water conservation, with modern adaptations now integrating traditional wisdom with contemporary technology for improved water security.
Answer: Modern adaptations of traditional rainwater harvesting combine indigenous knowledge with contemporary technology to create efficient, scalable systems that address current water challenges while preserving ecological balance.
| Traditional Method | Modern Adaptation | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Stepwells (Baolis) | • Rejuvenation and restoration of old stepwells • Integration with urban water supply • Use of modern filtration systems |
• Historical preservation • Additional water source • Groundwater recharge |
| Khadin System | • Scientific watershed management • Contour trenching with geotextiles • Remote sensing for site selection |
• Increased water retention • Reduced soil erosion • Scalable implementation |
| Rooftop Harvesting | • Automated first-flush devices • Advanced filtration systems • Integration with building plumbing • Smart monitoring systems |
• Better water quality • Reduced contamination • Efficient water management |
| Community Ponds | • Lining with impermeable materials • Solar-powered aeration • Integration with wastewater treatment • Recreational and ecological use |
• Reduced seepage losses • Improved water quality • Multiple benefits |
| Bamboo Drip Irrigation | • Use of PVC pipes with traditional design • Drip irrigation with timers • Integration with solar pumps |
• Water efficiency • Reduced labor • Sustainable agriculture |
Government initiatives like MGNREGA often incorporate these adapted systems, demonstrating how traditional wisdom, when combined with modern technology, can provide sustainable water solutions for both rural and urban areas.
Long Answer Questions (5 Marks)
Exam Tip: 5-mark answers need 120-150 words with proper structure: Introduction, 4-5 main points with examples, and conclusion.
Answer: Multipurpose river valley projects are large-scale interventions that aim to achieve multiple objectives like irrigation, power generation, and flood control, but they involve significant trade-offs between developmental benefits and social-environmental costs, as exemplified by major projects across India.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Multipurpose Projects:
Balanced Approach Needed: While multipurpose projects have contributed to India's development, the Narmada Bachao Andolan and other movements highlight the need for better environmental impact assessments, participatory planning, and prioritizing smaller, decentralized water management solutions where feasible.
Answer: Water scarcity in India is significantly exacerbated by population growth, which increases demand while straining limited supplies, though it interacts with other factors like inefficient use, pollution, and unequal distribution to create complex water stress situations.
| Impact Mechanism | How Population Growth Causes Water Scarcity | Indian Context Examples | Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Increased Demand | More people need water for drinking, sanitation, agriculture, and industry | • India's population grew from 361 million (1951) to 1.4 billion (2021) • Per capita water availability declined from 5,177 m³ (1951) to 1,486 m³ (2021) |
• Water stress below 1,700 m³ per capita • Competing demands create conflicts |
| Agricultural Pressure | More food needed leads to irrigation expansion and groundwater overuse | • Agriculture uses 80% of freshwater • Groundwater extraction exceeds recharge in 16% blocks • Punjab's water table falling 0.5m/year |
• Depleting aquifers • Falling water tables • Reduced well yields |
| Urbanization Pressure | Urban growth increases concentrated demand beyond local supply capacity | • Urban population increased from 17% (1951) to 35% (2021) • Cities like Bengaluru, Chennai face acute shortages • Long-distance water transfers needed |
• Urban-rural water conflicts • High infrastructure costs • Inadequate supply in slums |
| Pollution Load | More people generate more domestic and industrial wastewater | • 80% of sewage untreated in rivers • Industrial pollution affects 70% of water bodies • Agricultural runoff with chemicals |
• Reduced usable water • Health hazards • Treatment costs increase |
| Infrastructure Strain | Existing systems inadequate for growing population needs | • 163 million lack safe drinking water • Leakage losses up to 40% in cities • Storage capacity below requirements |
• Inefficient distribution • Water losses • Unreliable supply |
Interacting Factors: While population growth is a major driver, scarcity results from its interaction with climate variability, inefficient agricultural practices (flood irrigation), industrial pollution, and governance failures. Solutions require integrated approaches including demand management, efficiency improvements, pollution control, and equitable distribution alongside population stabilization.
Map-Based Question
Important: Map questions carry 2-3 marks. Always label clearly and include a key/legend if needed.
a) Sardar Sarovar Dam
b) Tehri Dam
c) Rana Pratap Sagar Dam
d) Salal Dam
e) Hirakud Dam
[Image: Outline map of India showing major dams and river valley projects]
Map showing: Sardar Sarovar (Gujarat on Narmada), Tehri (Uttarakhand on Bhagirathi), Rana Pratap Sagar (Rajasthan on Chambal), Salal (Jammu & Kashmir on Chenab), Hirakud (Odisha on Mahanadi)
Answer Key for Map:
- Sardar Sarovar Dam: Gujarat on Narmada River - Controversial multipurpose project
- Tehri Dam: Uttarakhand on Bhagirathi River - Highest dam in India
- Rana Pratap Sagar Dam: Rajasthan on Chambal River - Part of Chambal Valley Project
- Salal Dam: Jammu & Kashmir on Chenab River - Run-of-the-river hydropower project
- Hirakud Dam: Odisha on Mahanadi River - Longest dam in India
Extra Practice Questions
Answer: Traditional and modern water conservation methods represent different paradigms of water management, with traditional systems emphasizing local adaptation and community management, while modern approaches focus on technological solutions and large-scale infrastructure, each with distinct effectiveness and sustainability characteristics.
| Aspect | Traditional Methods | Modern Methods | Comparative Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philosophy | Harmony with nature, local adaptation | Control over nature, technological mastery | Traditional more sustainable, modern more productive |
| Scale | Small-scale, decentralized | Large-scale, centralized | Traditional works at community level, modern serves larger populations |
| Examples | • Stepwells (Gujarat, Rajasthan) • Zabo system (Nagaland) • Kuhls (Himachal) • Eris (Tamil Nadu) |
• Multipurpose dams • Canal irrigation networks • Tubewells and borewells • Desalination plants |
Traditional: Low environmental impact Modern: High water delivery capacity |
| Community Role | High community participation in construction and maintenance | Managed by government agencies or private entities | Traditional fosters ownership, modern requires less local effort |
| Sustainability | • Low energy requirements • Groundwater recharge focus • Use local materials • Adaptive to climate |
• High energy requirements • Often deplete resources • Concrete intensive • Vulnerable to climate change |
Traditional more sustainable long-term, modern often unsustainable |
| Challenges | • Limited storage capacity • Labor intensive • Not suitable for urban areas • Knowledge erosion |
• Environmental damage • High costs • Displacement issues • Maintenance challenges |
Both face different but significant challenges |
Integrated Approach: The most effective water conservation combines traditional wisdom with modern technology - using traditional systems for groundwater recharge and local supply, supplemented by modern methods for distribution and treatment, as seen in successful watershed management programs across India.
Answer: Rainwater harvesting offers a decentralized, sustainable solution to India's water crisis by capturing precipitation for direct use or groundwater recharge, with tailored applications for urban and rural contexts that can significantly reduce water stress if implemented systematically.
| Application Context | Rural Applications | Urban Applications | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Agricultural irrigation and drinking water | Domestic supply and groundwater recharge | Diversifies water sources, reduces extraction pressure |
| Common Structures | • Farm ponds • Check dams • Contour bunds • Percolation tanks • Traditional systems revival |
• Rooftop collection systems • Recharge wells and pits • Stormwater harvesting • Institutional building systems |
Utilizes available surfaces, prevents runoff wastage |
| Implementation Examples | • Rajasthan's Johad revival • Maharashtra's farm pond scheme • Telangana's Mission Kakatiya • MGNREGA water conservation works |
• Chennai's mandatory rooftop harvesting • Bengaluru's recharge well movement • Delhi government buildings • Tamil Nadu's model legislation |
Demonstrates scalability, policy support effectiveness |
| Impact Potential | • Increases irrigation potential • Raises groundwater levels • Reduces drought vulnerability • Improves crop diversity |
• Reduces municipal water demand • Mitigates urban flooding • Improves groundwater quality • Lowers water bills |
Addresses multiple water challenges simultaneously |
| Challenges | • Initial investment costs • Technical knowledge gaps • Maintenance requirements • Land availability issues |
• Space constraints in dense areas • Water quality concerns • Implementation in old buildings • Lack of enforcement |
Requires targeted solutions for different contexts |
Policy Support and Success Stories: Tamil Nadu made rooftop rainwater harvesting mandatory in 2001, resulting in significant groundwater improvement in Chennai. In rural areas, community-led initiatives like Tarun Bharat Sangh's work in Rajasthan have revived rivers and improved water security for thousands. For comprehensive impact, rainwater harvesting needs integration with water demand management, pollution control, and equitable distribution policies.
Answer Writing Checklist
Final Note: These solutions demonstrate how to write answers, not just what to write. Practice adapting this structure to different questions.
