assignment on water resources for class 10

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Class 10 Geography Chapter 3 Extra Questions and Answers Water Resources

In this page, you can find CBSE Class 10 Geography Chapter 3 Extra Questions and Answers Water Resources Pdf free download, NCERT Extra Questions for Class 10 Social Science  will make your practice complete.

Water Resources Class 10 Extra Questions and Answer Geography Chapter 3 Very Short Answers Type

Question 1. How is freshwater obtained? Answer: The freshwater is mainly obtained from surface run off and ground water that continually being renewed and recharged through the hydrological cycle.

Question 2. What is meant by hydrological cycle? Answer: Hydrological cycle, also known as water cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the earth through evaporation, condensation and precipitation.

Question 3. Mention the various sources of freshwater. Answer: The various sources of freshwater are precipitation, surface run-off and groundwater.

Question 4. The availability of water resources varies over space and time. Why? Answer: It happens mainly due to the variations in seasonal and annual precipitation.

Question 5. How is water scarcity caused? Answer: Water scarcity in most cases is caused by over-exploitation, excessive use and unequal access to water among different social groups.

Question 6. How has ever increasing number of industries caused water scarcity? Answer: The ever increasing number of industries has caused water scarcity by exerting pressure on existing fresh water resources. Industries, apart from being heavy users of water, also require power to run them. Much of this energy comes from hydroelectric power.

Question 7. How are water resources being exploited for agricultural activities? Answer: Water resources are being exploited to expand irrigated area in order to increase food grain production.

Question 8. What is a hydraulic structure? Answer: A hydraulic structure is structure submerged or partially submerged in any body of water, which disrupts the natural flow of water. They can be used to divert, disrupt or completely stop the flow.

Question 9. What are dams? Answer: Dams are barriers across flowing water that obstruct, direct or retard the flow, often creating a reservoir, lake or impoundment.

Question 10. What purpose does the Bhakra Nangal project water serve? Answer: The Bhakra Nangal project water is being used both for hydel power production and irrigation.

Question 11. Why are dams now referred to as multi-purpose projects? Give example. Answer: Dams are now referred to as multi-purpose projects where the many uses of the impounded water are integrated with one another. For example, in the Sutlej-Beas river basin, the Bhakra Nangal project water is being used both for hydel power production and irrigation.

Question 12. Why did Jawaharlal Nehru call multi-purpose projects the ‘temples of modern India’? Answer: The multi-purpose projects, according to Jawaharlal Nehru integrate the development of agriculture and the village economy with rapid industrialisation and growth of the urban economy.

Question 13. Name two social movements which have been launched against the multi-purpose projects. Answer:

• The Narmada Bachao Andolan
• The Tehri Dam Andolan.

Question 14. What is a multi-purpose river valley project? Answer: Multi-purpose river valley projects generally refer to large dams that serve many purposes including impounding the water of a river.

Question 15. Mention two techniques of rooftop rainwater harvesting. Answer: These two techniques are

• recharge through hand pump and
• recharge through abandoned dugwell.

Question 16. What is meant by tanka? Answer: Tanka is a circular hole in the ground to store water.

Question 17. Classify dams on bases of structure and the materials used. Answer: Based on structure and the materials used, dams are classified as timber dams, embankment dams or masonry dams, with several subtypes.

Question 18. Who are benefited from the multi-purpose projects? Answer: The landowners and big farmers, industrialists and few urban centres are benefited from the multipurpose projects.

Question 19. How do people in the flood plains of Bengal irrigate their fields? Answer: They develop inundation channels to irrigate their fields.

Question 20. How does over-exploitation of water resources lead to its scarcity? Answer: Over-exploitation of water resources lead to falling ground water levels thus causing water scarcity.

Water Resources Class 10 Extra Questions and Answer Geography Chapter 3 Short Answers Type

Question 1. What is a dam? How are dams classified? Answer: A dam is a barrier across flowing water that obstructs, directs or retards the flow, often creating a reservoir, lake or impoundment.

• Dams refer to the reservoir rather then the structure.
• Dams are classified according to structure, intended purpose or height.
• Based on structure and the materials used, dams are classified as timber dams, embankment dams or masonry dams, with several subtypes.
• According to the height, dams are classified as large dams and major dams or alternatively as low dams, medium height dams and high dams.

Question 2. Describe any three different rainwater harvesting systems practised in India. (Imp) Answer: Three different rainwater harvesting systems practised in India are (i) In the semi-arid and arid regions of Rajasthan, almost all the houses traditionally have underground tanks or tankas for storing drinking water. These tanks are very big and are built inside the main house or the courtyard. They are connected to the sloping roofs of the houses through a pipe. The rain falling on the roof-tops travels down the pipe and is stored in these underground tanks.

(ii) In hilly and mountainous regions, people build diversion channels like the ‘guts’ or ‘kuls’ of the Western Himalayas for agriculture.

(iii) In arid and semi-arid regions, agricultural fields are converted into rain fed storage structures that allow the water to stand and moisten the soil like the ‘Khadins’ in Jaisalmer and ‘Johads’ in other parts of Rajasthan.

Question 3. How are local communities adversely affected by the construction of large dams? (Imp) OR Explain any three problems that local communities face due to the construction of large dams. Answer: Local communities face several problems due to the construction of large dams. Some of them are given below-

• Multi-purpose projects and large dams cause large scale displacement to the local communities.
• Local people are forced to give up their land, livelihood and their meagre access and control over resources.
• Their condition becomes miserable because no one pays attention on their rehabilitation.

Question 4. How has irrigation changed the cropping pattern? What is its impact on the social landscape? (Imp) Answer: Irrigation has changed the cropping pattern of many regions as farmers have shifted to water intensive and commercial crops. This has great ecological consequences like salinisation of the soil. At the same time, it has transformed the social landscape. The social gap between the richer landowners and the landless poor has been increased.

The dams create conflicts between people wanting different uses and benefits from the same water resources. In Gujarat, the Sabarmati-basin farmers were agitated and almost caused a riot over the higher priority given to water supply in urban areas, particularly during droughts.

Question 5. How have intensive industrialisation and urbanisation posed a great pressure on existing fresh water resources in India? Explain. Answer: Post-independent India witnessed intensive industrialisation and urbanisation. This created vast opportunities for us but at the same time aggravated the problem of water scarcity. The ever-increasing number of industries has put immense pressure on the existing freshwater resources. Industries, apart from being heavy users of water, also require power to run them. Much of this energy comes from hydroelectric power.

Today, In India hydroelectric power contributes approximately 22 percent of the total electricity produced. Moreover, multiplying urban centres with large and dense populations and urban lifestyles have not only added to water and energy requirements but have further aggravated the problem. Most of the housing societies and colonies in the cities have their own groundwater pumping devices to meet their water needs. We have already fragile water resources and that too are being over¬exploited causing their depletion in several of these cities.

Question 6. ‘Multi-purpose projects have failed to achieve the purpose for which they were built.’ Justify the statement. (Imp) Answer:

• The dams that were constructed to control floods have triggered floods due to sedimentation in the reservoir.
• The big dams have mostly been unsuccessful in controlling floods at the time of excessive rainfall. Many a time we have come to know about the release of water from dams during heavy rains. This only aggravates the flood situation.
• The floods have not only devastated life and property but also caused extensive soil erosion.
• It has also been observed that multi-purpose projects have induced earthquakes, have caused waterborne diseases and pests and pollution resulting from excessive use of water.

Question 7. Why are different water harvesting systems considered a viable alternative both socio economically and environmentally in a country like India? (Imp) Answer: (i) In India, the availability of water resources varies over space and time, mainly due to the variations in seasonal and annual precipitation. In such a situation, it is wise to adopt different water harvesting systems. Needless to say that water harvesting is a cheap method of conservation of water.

(ii) People in India have in-depth knowledge of rainfall regimes and soil types. They have developed wide ranging techniques to harvest rainwater, groundwater, river water and floodwater in keeping with the local ecological conditions and their water needs.

(iii) Most importantly rainwater harvesting is not harmful from any angle. It is environment-friendly as well as cheap source of water supply.

Question 8. How can you say that water scarcity is an outcome of large and growing population? Answer: A large population means more water not only for domestic use but also to produce more food. Hence, to facilitate higher food grain production, water resources are being overexploited to expand irrigated areas and dry-season agriculture. It is a fact that most farmers have their own wells and tube-wells in their farms for irrigation to increase their produce. This leads to falling groundwater levels, adversely affecting water availability and food security of the people.

Question 7. Mention any six advantages of multi-purpose river projects. Answer: (i) Multi-purpose river valley projects are those projects which serve many objectives at the same time. Under these projects, a dam or a series of dams are constructed across the river for storing water. (ii) The stored water is used for several purposes, such as providing irrigation, generating hydro-electricity, navigation, etc. (iii) Sometimes when a particular region gets dry due to scanty rainfall, this water is sent to the cities for domestic purposes through canals.

Advantages of Multi-purpose river projects:

• They not only help in irrigation but also in electricity generation, water supply for domestic and industrial uses.
• They help in flood control, recreation, inland navigation and fish breeding.
• They are also associated with the development of agriculture and the village economy.
• Examples — In the Sutluj-Beas river basin, the Bhakra-Nangal project water is being used both for hydel power production and irrigation. Similarly, the Hirakud project in the Mahanadi basin integrates conservation of water with flood control.

Disadvantages of Multi-purpose river projects

• Regulating and damming of rivers affect their natural flow causing poor sediment flow and excessive sedimentation at the bottom of the reservoir, resulting in rockier stream beds and porer habitats for the rivers’ aquatic life.
• Multi-purpose projects also fragment rivers making it difficult for aquatic fauna to migrate, especially for spawning.
• The reservoirs that are created on the floodplains also submerge the existing vegetation and soil leading to its decomposition over a period of time.
• They also harm the environment and fertility of soil.
• They also lead to large scale displacements and loss of livelihood.

Question 10. Three-fourth of the earth’s surface is covered with water but there is still scarcity of water across the globe. Explain giving three reasons. (Imp) Answer:

• 96.5 percent of the total volume of world’s water is estimated to exist as oceans which are saline and not fit for human consumption.
• Only 2.5 percent is freshwater. Nearly 70 percent of this freshwater occurs as ice sheets and glaciers in Antarctica, Greenland and the mountainous regions of the world, while a little less than 30 percent is stored as groundwater in the world’s aquifers. Thus, very little quantity is left for human consumption.
• This too is not used wisely and judiciously. It is over-exploited for selfish purposes causing water scarcity.

Question 11. Is it possible that an area or region may have ample water resources but is still facing water scarcity? If yes, how? (Imp) Answer: (i) In many cities there is no shortage of water but the water is not fit for human consumption.Much of the water is being polluted by domestic and industrial wastes, chemicals, pesticides and fertilisers used in agriculture, thus making it hazardous for human use.

(ii) India’s rivers, especially the smaller ones, have all turned into toxic streams. And even the big ones like the Ganga and Yamuna are far from being pure. The assault on India’s rivers is enormous and growing by the day.

(iii) Over-exploitation and mismanagement of water resources impoverish this valuable resource and create crisis.

Question 12. Explain hydrological cycle with the help of a diagram. Answer: Hydrological cycle, also known as water cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the earth through evaporation, condensation and precipitation.

Question 13. Give a brief description of the Narmada Bachao Andolan. OR Why was the Narmada Bachao Andolan launched? Answer: Narmada Bachao Andolan, also known as Save Narmada Movement is a non-governmental organisation that took place as a result of the resistance to the multi-purpose projects due to the large scale displacement of local communities. The movement mobilised tribal people, farmers, environmentalists and human rights activists against the Sardar Sarovar Dam being built across the Narmada river in Gujarat. It originally focussed on the environmental issues related to trees that would be submerged under the dam water. Recently it has re-focused the aim to enable poor citizens, especially the oustees or displaced people to get full rehabilitation facilities from the government.

Question 14. What are the different stages of rooftop rainwater harvesting? OR Explain the rooftop rainwater harvesting technique. Answer:

• Rooftop rainwater is collected using a PVC pipe.
• The collected water is filtered using sand and bricks.
• Underground pipe takes water to sump for immediate usage.
• Excess water from the sump is taken to the well.
• Water from the well recharges the underground water.
• Now we can take water from the well.

Question 15. What do you know about the rooftop rainwater harvesting in Shillong, Megha-laya? Answer: Rooftop rainwater harvesting is the most common practice in Shillong, Meghalaya. It is interesting because Cherapunjee and Mawsynram situated at a distance of 55 km from Shillong receive the highest rainfall in the world, yet the state capital Shillong faces acute shortage of water. Nearly every household in the city has a rooftop rainwater harvesting structure. Nearly 15-25 percent of the total water requirement of the household comes from rooftop water harvesting.

Question 16. Why are multi-purpose projects facing resistance? Explain three reasons. (Imp) Answer: In recent years, multi-purpose projects and large dams have faced opposition for a variety of reasons- (i) Regulating and damming of rivers affect their natural flow causing poor sediment flow and excessive sedimentation at the bottom of the reservoir, resulting in rockier stream beds and poorer habitats for the rivers’ aquatic life.

(ii) Dams also fragment rivers making it difficult for aquatic fauna to migrate, especially for spawning.

(iii) The reservoirs that are created on the floodplains also submerge the existing vegetation and soil leading to its decomposition over a period of time.

(iv) Multi-purpose projects and large dams cause large-scale displacement of local communities. Local people are forced to give up their land, livelihood and their meagre access and control over resources. As a result, they face hardships. On the other hand, the landowners, and large farmers, industrialists, etc. are benefited.

(v) Dams not only increase social gap between the richer landowners and the landless poor but also . create conflicts between people wanting different uses and benefits from the same water resources. For example, in Gujarat, the Sabarmati-basin farmers are agitated and almost caused a riot over the higher priority given to water supply in urban areas, particularly during draughts.

(vi) Irrigation has also changed the cropping pattern of many regions with farmers shifting to water intensive and commercial crops. This has great ecological consequences like salinisation of the soil.

Water Resources Class 10 Extra Questions and Answer Geography Chapter 3 Long Answers Type

Question 1. How was water conserved in ancient India? Give any four examples in support of your answer. Answer: Archaeological and historical records show that from ancient times people have been constructing sophisticated hydraulic structures like dams built of stone rubble, reservoirs or lakes, embankments and canals for irrigation. This tradition is being followed in modern India too. People are building dams in most of the river basins. Four examples to show how water was conserved in ancient India-

(i) In the first century BC, Sringaverapura near Allahabad had sophisticated water harvesting system channelling the flood water of the river Ganga.

(ii) During the time of Chandragupta Maurya, dams, lakes and irrigation systems were extensively built.

(iii) Evidences of sophisticated irrigation works have also been found in Kalinga (Odisha), Nagarjunakonda (Andhra Pradesh), Bennur (Karnataka), Kolhapur (Maharashtra), etc.

(iv) In the fourteenth century, the tank in Hauz Khas, Delhi was constructed by Iltutmish for supply-ing water to Siri Fort area.

Question 2. “In recent years, the multi-purpose projects and large dams have come under great scrutiny.” Give reasons. (Imp) Answer: In recent years, multi-purpose projects and large dams have faced opposition for a variety of reasons- (i) Regulating and damming of rivers affect their natural flow causing poor sediment flow and excessive sedimentation at the bottom of the reservoir, resulting in rockier stream beds and poorer habitats for the rivers’ aquatic life.

(v) Dams not only increase social gap between the richer landowners and the landless poor but also. create conflicts between people wanting different uses and benefits from the same water resources. For example, in Gujarat, the Sabarmati-basin farmers are agitated and almost caused a riot over the higher priority given to water supply in urban areas, particularly during draughts.

Question 3. Explain the ecological problems being faced due to the multi-purpose river projects. (Imp) Answer: In recent years, multi-purpose projects and large dams have faced opposition for a variety of reasons- (i) Regulating and damming of rivers affect their natural flow causing poor sediment flow and excessive sedimentation at the bottom of the reservoir, resulting in rockier stream beds and poorer habitats for the rivers’ aquatic life.

Question 4. Write the features of the tankas built in the houses of Bikaner, Phalodi and Banner. Answer: (i) The tankas or tanks are found in the semi-arid and arid regions of Rajasthan, particularly, in Bikaner, Phalodi and Barmer. They are built underground to store drinking water.

(ii) These tankas are as large as a big room. One household in Phalodi has a tanka that is 6.1 metres deep, 4.27 metres long and 2.44 metres wide.

(iii) The tankas are part of the well-developed rooftop rainwater harvesting system and are built inside the main house or the courtyard.

(iv) They are connected to the sloping roofs of the houses through a pipe. Rain falling on the rooftops travels down the pipe and is stored in these underground tankas.

Question 5. Why is rooftop rainwater harvesting important in Rajasthan? Explain. Answer: (i) Rajasthan is a desert region which receives scanty rainfall. Most of it falls during the rainy season from June to September, leaving the soil to parch the rest of the year.

(ii) Most of the wells in Rajasthan have gone dry and people face acute water crisis.

(iii) People in Rajasthan have, therefore, built underground tankas or tanks to store water. Almost all the houses traditionally have these tankas that serve great purposes.

(iv) These tankas are part of the well-developed rooftop rainwater harvesting system. The rainwater stored in these tankas is an extremely reliable source of drinking water when all other sources are dried up, particularly in the summers.

(v) Rainwater is considered the purest form of natural water. As there is lack of perennial rivers in Rajasthan, people heavily depend on rainwater.

(vi) Rooftop rainwater harvesting is important in Rajasthan also for the reason that it is used to beat the summer heat as it keeps the room cool and comfortable.

Question 6. Give five reasons responsible for water scarcity in India. (Imp) Answer: Five reasons responsible for water scarcity in India are- (i) Population in India is growing fast. A large population means more water not only for domestic use but also to produce more food. To facilitate higher foodgrain production, water resources are being exploited to expand irrigated areas and dry-season agriculture.

(ii) The ever-increasing number of industries have made matters worse by exerting pressure on existing freshwater resources. Industries are heavy users of water. They also require power to run them. Much of this energy comes from hydroelectric power.

(iii) Most of the housing societies or colonies in the cities have their own groundwater pumping devices to meet their water needs. This has caused depletion of water resources in several of these cities.

(iv) The quality of water is deteriorating day by day due to domestic and industrial wastes, chemicals, pesticides and fertilisers used in agriculture. As a result, even areas with sufficient water are suffering from acute water scarcity. This scarcity is mainly due to bad quality of water.

(v) Unequal distribution and availability of water resources have also aggravated the problem. There are areas which do not get abundant rainfall while in some areas flood like situation prevails, especially during rainy season. In both the situations people face the problem of safe drinking water.

Water Resources Class 10 Extra Questions and Answer Geography Chapter 3 Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) Questions

Question 1. Throw light on the quantitative and qualitative aspects of water scarcity. Answer: Quantitative aspect: This aspect is associated with the availability of water resources. We know that the availability of water resources varies over space and time due to variations in seasonal and annual precipitation. But water scarcity in most cases is caused by over-exploitation, excessive use and unequal access to water among different social groups. Large population and an ever-increasing number of industries have made matters worse by exerting pressure on existing freshwater resources.

Industries are heavy users of water. Urban lifestyles have further aggravated the problem. Thus, we find that fragile water resources are being over-exploited and have caused their depletion in several areas.

Qualitative aspect: This aspect is associated with the situation where water is sufficiently available to meet the needs of the people, but, the area still suffers from water scarcity. This scarcity is mainly caused due to bad quality of water. Lately, there has been a growing concern that even if there is ample water to meet the needs of the people, much of it may be polluted by domestic and industrial wastes, chemicals, pesticides and fertilisers used in agriculture, thus, making it hazardous for human use.

Question 2. What is bamboo drip irrigation? Mention any two features of it. OR What is the mechanism of bamboo drip irrigation system? Answer: The bamboo drip irrigation system has been in practice in the north-eastern part of India, in the state of Meghalaya for more than 200 years. Here, the tribal farmers have been using this indigenous technique to irrigate their plantation crops. These farmers have developed this system of tapping stream and spring water to grow black pepper, betal leaves, etc. by using bamboo pipes.

The bamboo drip irrigation system is based on gravity and the steep slopes facilitate in implementing it. About 18-20 litres of water enters the bamboo pipe system, gets transported over hundreds of metres, and finally reduces to 20-50 drops per minute at the site of the plant.

Features/Mechanism

• In this irrigation system, bamboo pipes are used to divert perennial springs on the hilltops to the lower reaches by gravity.
• The channel sections, made of bamboo, divert water to the plant site where it is distributed into branches, again made and laid out with different forms of bamboo pipes. The flow of water into the pipes is controlled by manipulating the pipe positions.
• If the pipes pass a road, they are taken high above the land.
• The reduced channel sections and diversion units are used at the last stage of water application. The last channel section enables water to be dropped near the roots of the plant.

Question 3. Mention some of the objectives of the multi-purpose river valley projects. Answer:

• To help control floods
• To help store water which can be used for irrigation
• To provide drinking water
• To conserve soil
• To generate hydel power.

Water Resources Class 10 Extra Questions and Answer Geography Chapter 3 Value-based Questions (VBQs)

Question 1. Why is there an urgent need to conserve and manage water resources? Mention three reasons. OR ‘The need of the hour is to conserve and manage our water resources’. Justify the statement. Answer: There is an urgent need to conserve and manage our water resources to

• safeguard ourselves from health hazards
• ensure food security, continuation of our livelihoods and productive activities, and
• prevent degradation of our natural ecosystems.

Over-exploitation and mismanagement of water resources will impoverish this resource and cause ecological crisis that may have serious impact on our lives.

Question 2. Mention various methods for the conservation of water. Answer: Water is a valuable resource. It fulfils our basic needs. It is essential for life on the earth. Because the sources of water are limited and that too are reducing every year, its conservation is essential. Various methods of water conservation are-

• Rainwater harvesting— It is a method of collecting water while it rains to use it in future.
• Minimising draining off the rainwater- This method will improve underground storage. For this, vegetation cover should be expanded.
• Scientific management of the water resources of all the river watersheds from minor to major.
• Construction of dams across the rivers is also helpful in the conservation of water.
• We should try our best to prevent water resources from pollution. It is also necessary to educate and sensitize common people towards the need to conserve water.

Water Resources Class 10 Extra Questions and Answer Geography Chapter 3 Map-based Questions

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Water Resources Class 10 Important Questions Social Science Geography Chapter 3

Here we present Water Resources Class 10 Important Questions and Answers Pdf Social Science Geography Chapter 3, We have collected all the important questions which came in the previous year’s exams. You can also find Social Science Class 10 Important Questions With Answers Pdf  from the year 2010 to 2020 CBSE board exams. These questions will act as extra questions.

Water Resources Class 10 Important Questions with Answers Social Science Geography Chapter 3

Social Science Maths English Hindi A Hindi B

Very Short Answer Type Question [1 Mark]

Question 1. Why do some people oppose dams? Answer: Some people oppose dams because this may submerge the land for cultivation and disrupt the lives of the displaced people.

Short Answer Type Questions [3 Marks]

Question 2. Which multipurpose project is built on River Satluj How this project has led to the development of the country? Answer: The multipurpose project built over River Satluj is Bhakra Nangal. This project has led to the development of the country in the following ways.

• The area under irrigation is increased as ample amount of water is released from the dam.
• It has also been successful in harnessing electricity at a large scale.

Question 3. Explain any two consequences of changing crop pattern due to irrigation. Answer: The following are the two consequences of changing crop pattern due to irrigation.

•  It has resulted in ecological problems like salinisation of the soil.
• It has also transformed the social landscape by increasing the gap between the rich landowners and landless poor.

Short Answer Type Question [3 Marks]

Question 4. 4. Describe the procedure for rooftop rainwater harvesting. Answer: Rooftop rainwater harvesting involves a number of steps as follows.

•  Rooftop rainwater is collected using a PVC pipe.
•  The collected water is filtered by using sand and bricks.
• Water is taken to the sump through undergound pipes for immediate use.
• Excess water is taken from the sump to the well.
• Water in the well recharges the underground water.

Long Answer Type Question [5 Marks]

Question 5. Explain any three reasons due to which large dams have come under great opposition in recent years. Answer: In recent times the dams have come under great opposition because of the following reasons.

• The construction of dams resulted in problems like excessive sedimentation, waterlogging, soil erosion, sudden floods, large-scale deforestation, extinction of species, displacement of communities and loss of livelihood of tribal communities. Dams also fragment rivers, making it difficult for aquatic fauna to migrate especially for spawing.
• Dams that were built to control floods have triggered floods due to sedimentation in the reservoir. Big dams have been unsuccessful in controlling floods at the time of excessive rainfall. The release of water from the dams during heavy rainfall, worsens the situation.
• Multi-purpose projects cause earthquakes, water-borne diseases and pollution due to the excessive use of water.

Question 6. Examine the ill effects of industrialization and urbanization on water resources. Answer: After independence, India witnessed intensive industrialisation and urbanization. It posed great pressure on existing fresh water resources in the following ways.

• Large industrial houses and multinational corporations use large quantities of water. They also require power to run themselves. Much of this energy comes from hydroelectric power.
•  Urban centres with large and growing population have added to water and energy requirements. The housing societies have underground pumping devices to draw water and meet their water needs.
• A large population not only needs more water but also more food. Hence water resources are overexploited to expand irrigated areas.

Question 7. How have intensive industrialization and urbanization posed a great pressure on existing fresh water resources in India? Explain. Answer: After independence, India witnessed intensive industrialisation and urbanization. It posed great pressure on existing fresh water resources in the following ways.

• Urban centres with large and growing population have added to water and energy requirements. The housing societies have underground pumping devices to draw water and meet their water needs.

Question 8. Water resources are depleting fast in India and water is a necessity for life. Suggest three measures to conserve water. Answer: Water is a resource of utmost importance and waterbodies should not be polluted. Given the present scenario, even the multi-purpose projects are under objection. Three ways to conserve water are as follows.

• Rainwater Harvesting: Rainwater, groundwater and river water can be harvested and used for agriculture purposes and moisten the soil.
• Do not let the faucet run while brushing teeth, bathing or cleaning vegetables.
• Check for leaks in pipes, hoses, faucets and couplings.

Question 9. Why is rooftop rainwater harvesting important in Rajasthan? Explain. Answer: Rooftop rainwater harvesting is important in Rajasthan because of the following reasons.

•  The rainwater stored in tankas is an extremely reliable source of drinking water when all other sources are dried up.
• Rainwater is considered the purest form of natural water.
• Many houses have constructed underground rooms adjoining the tankas to beat the summer heat
• as it would keep the room clean.
•  There is a lack of perennial rivers in Rajasthan.
• The rainfall is not reliable in this region.

Question 10. “Water is a very important and critical resource in India.” Support the statement by explaining any three points. Answer: Water is a very important and critical resource in India. The following points support this statement.

•  Water resources are a significant part of the ecological cycle, which enable the existence of all living beings on the earth.
• Water resources help to carry out several agricultural and agriculture-related activities, thus playing a major role in the development of agricultural production.
• Water also contributes significantly to the development of industry as it supplies water to various water-based and power-based industries.

Short Answer Type Questions [3 Mark]

Question 11. What is palar parti? What is its significance in the arid regions of Rajasthan? Answer: The rainwater which is stored in underground tanks is potable water. It is a reliable source of drinking water. It is called palar pani. In the arid regions of Rajasthan, it is important in the following ways.

•  It is the main source of drinking water, when all other sources have dried up.
•  It is considered the purest form of drinking water.
•  In summer, these tanks would keep the underground rooms, adjoining them, clean.

Question 12. Analyse three major causes of water scarcity in India Answer: The following are the reasons for water scarcity in India.

• Increased demand for water: The growing population needs more water for domestic purposes and to produce more food.Agricultural purposes: For agricultural purposes, water resources are being over-exploited. More food needs to be grown for the increasing population. Intensive industrialisation and urbanisation: The increasing number of industries ‘ need more water and power to run the machinery. Hydroelectric power contributes twenty-two per cent of the electricity produced. The urban centres with large population and modern lifestyles have added to the problem of water scarcity. Over-exploitation of water resources: In some cities, housing societies have their own groundwater pumping devices to meet their needs. This has caused the depletion of water resources in several areas.
• Bad quality of water: The water is getting polluted by domestic and industrial wastes, chemical pesticides and fertilizers.

Question 13. Describe any three different rainwater harvesting systems practised in India. Answer: The rainwater harvesting systems practised India are as follows.

•  In hills and mountainous regions, people built diversion channels likeguls or kuls for agriculture.
•  Inundation canals were built in the floodplains of Bengal, to irrigate the fields.
• In arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, agricultural fields were converted into room-fed storage structures that allowed the water to stand and moisten the soil.

Question 14. What is a multipurpose river valley project? Give any four objectives of the multi-purpose river valley projects. Answer: Multipurpose river valley projects generally refer to large dams that serve several purposes in addition to impounding the water of a river. The water blocked is used for various purposes. The following are the four objectives of multi-purpose river valley projects.

• Irrigation of water deficit areas
•  Electricity generation
•  Flood control
• Water supply for domestic and industrial uses
•  Inland navigation
• Fish breeding

Question 15. Explain three traditional methods of rainwater harvesting in India. Answer: The rainwater harvesting systems practised India are as follows.

• In hills and mountainous regions, people built diversion channels likeguls or kuls for agriculture.
• Inundation canals were built in the floodplains of Bengal, to irrigate the fields.

Question 16. Why are different water harvesting systems considered a viable alternative in a country like India. Answer: Different water harvesting systems are considered a viable alternative in a country like India because of the following reasons.

•  In ancient India, along with sophisticated hydraulic structures, there existed an extraordinary tradition of rainwater harvesting system.
• People had in-depth knowledge of rainfall regimes and soil types and developed a wide range of rainwater harvesting techniques to harvest groundwater, rainwater, river water and flood water in keeping with the local ecological conditions and their water needs.
• For example, in the hilly and mountainous regions, people built diversion channels like guls or ‘kuls’ of western Himalayas for agriculture. Rooftop harvesting is practised in Rajasthan to store drinking water. In West Bengal, people developed inundation channels to divert flood waters to irrigate their fields. In semi-arid and arid regions of Rajasthan, agricultural lands were converted into rain-fed storage structures that allowed the water to stand and moisten the soil like the khadins in Jaisalmer and Johads in other parts of Rajasthan.

Question 17. Why is the need for water increasing day by day? Explain three reasons. Answer: The need for water is increasing day by day due to growing population, intensive industrialisation and urbanisation.

• A large population means more water is required not only for domestic use but also for increasing food production. To increase food production, water resources are over-exploited to increase the area under irrigation and dry season agriculture. Some of the rich farmers have their own wells in their farms for irrigation to increase food production. This in turn has resulted in lowering of groundwater levels, which affects water availability.
• Multinational companies are the heavy users of freshwater for power, which puts tremendous pressure on water resources. Morever, multiplying urban centres with large and dense populations and urban lifestyles have not only added to water and energy needs but have further aggravated the problem.
•  In cities or housing colonies, they have their own groundwater pumping devices to meet their water needs, resulting in over-exploitation and depletion of water resources in many cities.

Very Short Answer Type Questions [1 Mark]

Question 18. On which river is the Nagarjunsagar dam built? Answer: The Nagarjunsagar Dam is built on the Krishna.

Question 19. What is the traditional system of rainwater harvesting? Answer: The traditional system of rainwater harvesting is to build underground tanks or tankas for storing drinking water. This system is mainly practised in the arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan.

Question 20. Name the river on which Sardar Sarovar dam is built. Answer: Sardar Sarovar dam is built on the Narmada.

Question 21. Name the river on which Nagarjunsagar dam is constructed. Answer: The Nagarjunsagar Dam is built on the Krishna.

Question 22. Name the river on which Mettur dam has been built. Answer: Mettur dam has been built the Kaveri.

Question 23. Explain any four reasons responsible for water scarcity in India. Answer: The following are the reasons for water scarcity in India.

• Increased demand for water: The growing population needs more water for domestic purposes and to produce more food.
• Agricultural purposes: For agricultural purposes, water resources are being over-exploited. More food needs to be grown for the increasing population.
• Intensive industrialisation and urbanisation: The increasing number of industries ‘ need more water and power to run the machinery. Hydroelectric power contributes twenty-two per cent of the electricity produced. The urban centres with large population and modern lifestyles have added to the problem of water scarcity.
• Over-exploitation of water resources: In some cities, housing societies have their own groundwater pumping devices to meet their needs. This has caused the depletion of water resources in several areas.

Question 24. What was the main purpose of launching multi-purpose projects in India after independence? Answer: The main purpose of launching multi-purpose projects after independence was that they would integrate development of agriculture with rapid industrialization.

Question 25. Name two techniques of rooftop rainwater harvesting. Answer:

•  Construction of tanks so as to store the rainwater
• Collection of excess rainwater in the dugwell

Question 26. What is the need of rainwater harvesting? Answer: Rainwater harvesting is needed to provide it for agriculture, collect drinking water, irrigate the fields and to moisten the soil.

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NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Geography Chapter 3 Water Resources

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science Geography Chapter 3 Water Resources are given here. With these solutions, you will learn the right way to write answers to the questions perfectly in exams. We have updated the  NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Geography  Chapter 3 Water Resources for the current session so that you can easily score high marks in the exams. You can also download PDF of the solutions and use them whenever you are offline.

Class 10 Social Science Geography Chapter 3 NCERT Solutions

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) A region with high annual rainfall.

(b) A region having high annual rainfall and large population.

(c) A region having high annual rainfall but water is highly polluted.

(d) A region having low rainfall and low population.

Answer: (a) A region with high annual rainfall – Not suffering from water scarcity

(b) A region having high annual rainfall and large population – Suffering from water scarcity

(c) A region having high annual rainfall but water is highly polluted – Suffering from water scarcity

(d) A region having low rainfall and low population – Not suffering from water scarcity

(ii) Which one of the following statements is not an argument in favour of multipurpose river projects?

(a) Multi-purpose projects bring water to those areas which suffer from water scarcity.

(b) Multi-purpose projects by regulating water flow help to control floods.

(c) Multi-purpose projects lead to large scale displacements and loss of livelihood.

(d) Multi-purpose projects generate electricity for our industries and our homes.

Answer: (c) Multi-purpose projects lead to large scale displacements 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 populations and urban lifestyles have helped in proper utilisation of water resources.

(b) Regulating and damming of rivers does 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 water harvesting has gained popularity despite high water availability due to the Indira Gandhi Canal.

Answer. (a) Multiplying urban centres with large and dense populations and urban lifestyles have resulted in improper utilisation of water resources.

(b) Regulating and damming of rivers affect the river’s natural flow and its sediment flow.

(c) In Gujarat, the Sabarmati basin farmers were agitated when higher priority was given to water supply in urban areas, particularly during droughts.

(d) Today in Rajasthan, the practice of rooftop rainwater water harvesting popularity is declining due to high water availability from Indira Gandhi Canal.

Question 2: Answer the following questions in about 30 words.

(i) Explain how water becomes a renewable resource.

Answer: All water that is used primarily ends up in the sea. From there, it enters the hydrological cycle in the form of water vapour. Freshwater is renewed by this cycle when precipitation occurs. Hence, water is a renewable resource.

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

Answer: Water scarcity or water stress occurs when water availability is not enough to match the demand for water. It is caused by an increase in population, growing demand for water, and unequal access to it.

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

Answer: Advantages of multi-purpose river projects:  They are useful for irrigation, electricity generation, flood control, inland navigation, fish breeding, water supply for industrial and domestic purposes and tourist attraction.

Disadvantages of multi-purpose river projects:  The local flora and fauna get destroyed. Many native villages are submerged. The natural flow of water is also affected.

Question 3: Answer the following questions in about 120 words.

(i) Discuss how rainwater harvesting in semi-arid regions of Rajasthan is carried out.

Answer: Houses in the semi – arid regions of Rajasthan have traditionally constructed tanks for storing drinking water. They are big and are a part of the well-developed rooftop rainwater harvesting system. The tanks are constructed inside the main house or the courtyard, and are connected to the sloping roofs of the houses through a pipe. The rain falling on the rooftop travels down and is stored in the tanks. The first spell of rain is not collected as this water cleans the roof and the pipes. The rainwater from the subsequent spells is collected. This water is used till the next rainy season, and is a reliable source of water even after other sources have dried up. The tanks also help in cooling the houses as rooms built around them have generally low temperatures due to conduction.

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

Answer: Modern adaptations of traditional rainwater harvesting include:

• In the semi-arid and arid regions of Rajasthan ‘Rooftop rainwater harvesting’ is practiced to store drinking water.
• In hills and mountainous regions, people build diversion channels like the ‘guls’ or ‘kuls’ of the Western Himalayas for agriculture. 
• In arid and semi-arid regions, agricultural fields were converted into rain fed storage structures that allowed the water to stagnate and moisten the soil like the ‘Khadins’ in Jaisalmer and the ‘Johads’ in other parts of Rajasthan.    
• In Gendathur village, Mysore, about 200 households have adopted the rooftop rainwater harvesting method to conserve water.
• In Tamil Nadu, it has been made compulsory for all the houses to have rooftop rainwater harvesting structures.
• In the flood plains of Bengal, people developed inundation channels to irrigate their fields.    
• Bamboo drip irrigation system is also being used in Meghalaya and other states in the North-East of India.  

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Geography Chapter 3 Water Resources: Chapter Overview

We all know how much essential is water for us. Without water, we can’t even think about life. So we need to think twice before we waste-water. In this chapter, you will learn about water scarcity and the need for water conservation and management.

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NCERT Solutions For Class 10 Geography Chapter 3 : Water Resources

NCERT Solutions For Class 10 Geography Chapter 3: Water Resources includes answers to exercise questions and an explanation of social science’s water resources. All of the essential components of this chapter are covered in the NCERT Solution for Class 10th Chapter 3: Water Resources. With the help of these NCERT Solutions, students may have a deeper understanding of the concepts covered in Chapter 3: Water Resources. The NCERT Solutions provide thorough explanations of every subject taught in Chapter 3 of the Geography textbook for Class 10.

NCERT Solutions Geography Class 10 Chapter 3

NCERT Solutions For Class 10 Geography Chapter 3: Water Resources

The solutions for Chapter 3 of Water Resources have been provided below and students can check NCERT Solutions for Class 10 for other subjects as well.

Exercise Page No 46

1. multiple choice questions., (i) based on the information given below, classify each situation as ‘suffering from water scarcity’ or ‘not suffering from water scarcity’..

• Region with high annual rainfall. 
• Region having high annual rainfall and large population. 
• Region has high annual rainfall but highly polluted water. 
• Region having low rainfall and low population.
• Region with high annual rainfall- Not suffering from water scarcity
• Region having high annual rainfall and large population- Suffering from water scarcity
• Region has high annual rainfall, but water is highly polluted- Suffering from water scarcity
• Region having low rainfall and low population- Not suffering from water scarcity

(ii) Which one of the following statements is not an argument in favor of multi-purpose river projects?

• Multi-purpose projects bring water to those areas which suffer from water scarcity. 
• Multi-purpose projects by regulating water flow help to control floods. 
• Multi-purpose projects lead to large-scale displacements and loss of livelihood. 
• Multi-purpose projects generate electricity for our industries and our homes.

(3)Multi-purpose projects lead to large-scale displacements and loss of livelihood.

(iii) Here are some false statements. Identify the mistakes and rewrite them correctly.

• Multiplying urban centers with large and dense populations and urban lifestyles has helped in the proper utilization of water resources. 
• Regulating and damming rivers does not affect the river’s natural flow and sediment flow. 
• In Gujarat, the Sabarmati basin farmers were not agitated when higher priority was given to water supply in urban areas, particularly during droughts. 
• Today in Rajasthan, the practice of rooftop rainwater water harvesting has gained popularity despite high water availability due to the Indira Gandhi Canal.
• Expanding urban centers with large and densely populated areas and urban lifestyles has led to the improper utilization of water resources.
• The regulation and construction of dams on rivers do impact the natural flow of the river and the movement of sediment within it.
• Farmers in the Sabarmati basin in Gujarat expressed their dissatisfaction when urban areas were given greater priority for water supply, especially during periods of drought.
• In present times, the popularity of rooftop rainwater harvesting in Rajasthan has diminished due to the abundant availability of water from the Indira Gandhi Canal.

2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.

(i) explain how water becomes a renewable resource..

Water is considered renewable because it undergoes a continuous cycle of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation, ensuring a constant supply and making it available for various purposes repeatedly.

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

Water scarcity occurs when there is an insufficient supply of freshwater to fulfill the needs of a place or people. It is mainly caused by population growth, climate change, pollution, overuse, and inadequate water management infrastructure.

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

Multi-purpose river projects have benefits such as flood control, hydroelectric power, irrigation, and enhanced navigation. However, they also have drawbacks like community displacement, environmental impact, and disruption to river ecosystems.

3. Answer the following questions in about 120 words

(i) discuss how rainwater harvesting in semi-arid regions of rajasthan is carried out..

Rainwater harvesting in semi-arid regions of Rajasthan involves various methods to collect and store rainwater. One approach is rooftop harvesting, where rainwater from rooftops is directed into storage tanks or underground reservoirs. Check dams and small reservoirs are also constructed to capture rainwater and allow it to percolate into the ground, recharging groundwater levels. Traditional methods like “khadins” and “johads” use earthen embankments and ponds to collect and retain rainwater. Community involvement and awareness campaigns are crucial in promoting these practices. The government supports rainwater harvesting initiatives through incentives and schemes. Overall, rainwater harvesting helps address water scarcity, replenish groundwater, and mitigate drought impacts, contributing to sustainable water management in Rajasthan’s semi-arid regions.

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

Modern adaptations of traditional rainwater harvesting methods aim to enhance water conservation and storage. Improved materials and technologies are utilized to construct more durable structures. Reinforced concrete or plastic linings are employed in traditional earthen tanks to minimize seepage and extend their lifespan. Innovations in rooftop rainwater harvesting systems involve incorporating advanced filters and purification mechanisms to ensure the collected water is safe for various purposes. Rainwater harvesting pits or trenches with drainage systems are designed to direct runoff water into excavated underground reservoirs. To optimize water storage, techniques such as percolation tanks and recharge wells are implemented. These methods divert rainwater into specially designed structures that facilitate groundwater replenishment.

Community-driven initiatives and government programs play a vital role in promoting modern adaptations of rainwater harvesting. They provide technical expertise, financial assistance, and awareness campaigns to encourage widespread adoption. These modern adaptations enhance water conservation efforts, improve storage capacity, and contribute to sustainable water management practices in various regions.

Important Topics Discussed in the Chapter

• Water scarcity and the need for water conservation and management
• Multipurpose river projects and integrated water resources management
• Rainwater harvesting

FAQs on NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Geography Chapter 3

Q 1. what is the importance of water resources.

Water resources are of vital importance for various reasons: Sustaining Life Agriculture and Food Production Industry and Economy Biodiversity and Ecosystems Climate Regulation Recreation and Cultural Importance Environmental Balance

Q 2. What are the important topics in NCERT Solution for Class 10th Chapter 3: Water Resources?

Water scarcity and the need for water conservation and management Multipurpose river projects and integrated water resources management Hydraulic structures in ancient India Rainwater harvesting

Q 3. How can benefit NCERT Solution for Class 10th Chapter 3: Water Resources advantaged students?

The NCERT Solution for Class 10th Chapter 3: Water Resources assists students in comprehending the ideas and principles associated with water resources. It offers straightforward answers, supports exam readiness, and instills confidence in students.

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NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science Geography Chapter 3 Water Resources

Textbook Exercises

1. Multiple Choice Questions.

Question 1. 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. Answer: a, b are situations not suffering from water scarcity, c, d are situations, suffering from water scarcity.

Question 2. Which one of the following statements is not an argument in favour of multi-purpose river projects? (a) Multi-purpose projects bring water to those areas which suffer from water scarcity. (b) Multi-purpose projects by regulating water flow helps to control floods. (c) Multi-purpose projects lead to large scale displacements and loss of livelihood. (d) Multi-purpose projects generate electricity for our industries and our homes. Answer: (c) Multi-purpose projects lead to large scale displacements and loss of livelihood.

Question 3. Here are some false statements. Identify the mistakes and rewrite them correctly. (a) Multiplying urban centres with large and dense populations and urban lifestyles have helped in proper utilization of water resources. Answer: Multiplying urban centres with large and dense populations and urban lifestyles have helped in proper utilisation of water resources. The mistake is that urban lifestyles have helped: The sentence should read: the urban lifestyles have not helped in proper utilisation of water resources.

(b) Regulating and damming of rivers does not affect the river’s natural flow and its sediment flow. Answer: Regulating and damming of rivers (does not is the mistake and the correct words should be) affects the natural flow and its poor 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. Answer: In Gujarat, the Sabarmati basin farmers (were not agitated is the mistake, the correct sentence should be) were agitated when higher priority was given to water supply in urban areas, particularly during droughts.

(d) Today in Rajasthan, the practice of rooftop rainwater water harvesting has gained popularity despite high waste availability due to Rajasthan Canal. Answer: Today in Rajasthan, the practice of roof-top rainwater water-harvesting (has gained popularity is the mistake and the correct answer should be) is on the decline because there is high water availability due to Rajasthan canal.

2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.

Question 1. Explain how water becomes a renewable resource? Answer: With freshwater from surface runoff and groundwater being renewed and recharged, through the hydrological cycle, water continues to be renewed.

Question 2. What is water scarcity and what are its main causes? Answer: Water scarcity means non-availability or less availability of water. It is caused by exces¬sive use of water, over-population, and greater demand of water.

Question 3. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of multipurpose river projects? Answer: Multi-purpose river projects have their merits and demerits. Nehru would call them us temples of modem India. They have led nation to development and progress, industrialisation. They have also led to poor sediment flow and excessive sendimentation at the bottom of the reservoir, leading to soil decomposition. Numerous social movements have been directed and launched to these problems.

3. Answer the following questions in about 120 words.

Question 1. Discuss how rainwater harvesting in semi-arid regions of Rajasthan is carried out? Answer: Rainwater harvesting in semi-arid and arid regions of Rajasthan is carried out through underground tanks for storing drinking water. These tanks are made part of the well-developed rooftop rainwater harvesting system which are built inside the main house of the courtyard.

They are connected to the sloping roofs of the houses and through a pipe. Rain falling in the rooftops travel down the pipe and is stored in these under¬ground tankers. The first spell of rain is usually not collected as this would clean the roof and the pipe. The rainwater from the subsequent showers is than collected for the purpose.

Question 2. Describe how modem adaptations of traditional rainwater harvesting methods are being carried out to converse and store water. Answer: Dams help us conserve, store and manage water. They were traditionally built to im¬pound rivers and rainwater that could be used later to irrigate agricultural fields. Thirdly, they are not just built for irrigation, but they are there for generating electricity water, supply for domestic and industrial use, flood control, recreation, inland navigation and they are now for multipurpose objects. These replace the traditional adaptations of methods conserving and managing water.

These Solutions are part of  NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science. Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science Geography Chapter 3 Water Resources.

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NCERT Solutions for Class 10th: Ch 3 Water Resources Geography

Ncert solutions for class 10th: ch 3 water resources geography social studies (s.st), contact form.

Comprehensive Notes on Water Resources for Class 10 Students

Water Resources are essential for the survival and well-being of all living organisms. In this comprehensive guide, students can find detailed notes on Class 10 Geography Chapter 3 Water Resources , including the importance of water conservation and management. Explore the various aspects of water resources and gain a deeper understanding of this crucial topic.

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Water Resources Class 10 Notes

Table of contents, water is a renewable resource.

Freshwater is mainly obtained from surface runoff and groundwater that is continually being renewed and rechanged through the hydrological cycle. All water moves within the hydrological cycle ensuring that water is a renewable resource.

The availability of water resources varies over space and time, mainly due to the variations in seasonal and annual precipitation.

Water Scarcity and the Need for Water Conservation and Management:

Water Scarcity is the lack of freshwater resources to meet the demands of water usage within a region.

Main causes of water scarcity:

• Water scarcity in most cases is caused by over-exploitation, excessive use, and unequal access to water among different social groups.
• Water scarcity may be an outcome of a large and growing population and consequent greater demands for water and unequal access to it.
• To facilitate higher food-grain production, water resources are being over-exploited to expand irrigated areas for dry-season agriculture.
• Intensive industrialization and urbanization exerted pressure on existing freshwater resources.
• Even if water is sufficiently available to meet the needs of the people, much of it is maybe polluted by domestic and industrial wastes, chemicals, pesticides, and fertilizers used in agriculture, thus causing water scarcity.

Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)

The Goal of JJM is to enable every rural household to get an assured supply of potable piped water at a service level of 55 liters per capita per day regularly on a long-term basis by ensuring the functionality of the tap water connections.

Need for Water Conservation

• Sustainable Resource Management: Conserving water ensures its availability for future generations and sustains ecosystems.
• Mitigating Water Scarcity: Many regions face water scarcity, and conservation helps balance supply and demand.
• Preserving Aquatic Ecosystems: Conserved water supports healthy habitats for aquatic plants and animals.
• Reducing Energy Consumption: Water treatment and distribution consume energy, and conserving water lowers energy demands.
• Agricultural Efficiency: Efficient irrigation practices save water and optimize agricultural productivity.
• Economic Benefits: Water conservation lowers costs for individuals, businesses, and governments.
• Addressing Climate Change: Reduced water wastage contributes to climate change mitigation.
• Minimizing Water Pollution: Conservation reduces the need for pollutant removal from water sources.

Multi-purpose River Projects and Integrated Water Resources Management:

A dam is a barrier across flowing water that obstructs, directs, or retards the flow, often creating a reservoir, lake, or impoundment. “Dam” refers to the reservoir rather than the structure.

Jawaharlal Nehru proclaimed the dams as the ‘ Temples of modern India ’ because

• They integrate the development of agriculture and the village economy with rapid industrialization and growth of the urban economy.
• They provide water for irrigation.
• They provide water for electricity generation
• Provide water supply for domestic and industrial uses.
• Helps in flood control.
• Provide recreation
• Helps in inland navigation.
• Useful for fish breeding.

Hence, dams are now referred to as multi-purpose projects where the many uses of the impounded water are integrated with one another.

In recent years, multi-purpose projects and large dams have come under great scrutiny and opposition for a variety of reasons

• Regulating and damming of rivers affect their natural flow causing poor sediment flow and excessive sedimentation at the bottom of the reservoir, resulting in rockier stream beds and poorer habitats for the rivers’ aquatic life.
• Dams also fragment rivers making it difficult for aquatic fauna to migrate, especially for spawning.
• The dams have triggered floods due to sedimentation in the reservoir and the release of excess water during heavy rains.
• Multipurpose projects induced earthquakes, caused water-borne diseases, and pests, and lead to pollution resulting from excessive use of water.
• Irrigation has changed the cropping pattern of many regions with farmers shifting to water-intensive and commercial crops. This has great ecological consequences like salinization of the soil.
• The dams increase the social gap between the richer landowners and the landless poor.
• The dams create inter-state water disputes with regard to sharing the costs and benefits of the multi-purpose project.

Most of the objections to the projects arose due to their failure to achieve the purposes for which they were built.

• Ironically, the dams that were constructed to control floods have triggered floods due to sedimentation in the reservoir.
• Moreover, the big dams have mostly been unsuccessful in controlling floods at the time of excessive rainfall. The floods have not only devastated life and property but also caused extensive soil erosion.
• Sedimentation also meant that the flood plains were deprived of silt, a natural fertilizer, further adding to the problem of land degradation.
• It was also observed that the multi-purpose projects induced earthquakes, causing water-borne diseases and pests, and pollution resulting from excessive use of water.

Narmada Bachao Andolan or Save Narmada Movement

• It is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) that mobilized tribal people, farmers, environmentalists, and human rights activists against the Sardar Sarovar Dam being built across the Narmada River in Gujarat.
• It originally focused on the environmental issues related to trees that would be submerged under the dam water.
• Recently it has re-focused the aim to enable poor citizens, especially the oustees (displaced people) to get full rehabilitation facilities from the government.

Rainwater Harvesting

The need for rainwater harvesting are:

• Rainwater harvesting is needed to provide it for agriculture, collect drinking water, irrigate the fields, and to moisten the soil.
• Rainwater harvesting is a viable alternative, both socio-economically and environmentally to multipurpose projects.

Traditional methods of rainwater harvesting:

• In hill and mountainous regions, people built diversion channels like the ‘guls’ or ‘kuls’ of the Western Himalayas for agriculture.
• ‘Rooftop rainwater harvesting’ was commonly practiced to store drinking water, particularly in Rajasthan.
• In the flood plains of Bengal, people developed inundation channels to irrigate their fields.
• In semi-arid and arid regions, agricultural fields were converted into rain-fed storage structures that allowed the water to stand and moisten the soil like the ‘khadins’ in Jaisalmer and ‘Johads’ in other parts of Rajasthan.

Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater is commonly referred to as Palar Pani in the arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan.

• In the semi-arid and arid regions of Rajasthan, particularly in Bikaner, Phalodi, and Barmer, almost all the houses traditionally had underground tanks for storing drinking water.
• The tanks could be as large as a big room.
• The tanks were part of the well-developed rooftop rainwater harvesting system.
• They were connected to the sloping roofs of the houses through a pipe.
• Rain falling on the rooftops would travel down the pipe and be stored in these underground tanks.
• The first spell of rain was usually not collected as this would clean the roofs and the pipes.
• The rainwater from the subsequent showers was then collected.

Tamil Nadu is the first state in India that has made rooftop rainwater harvesting structures compulsory for all houses across the state.

Importance of rooftop rainwater harvesting in Rajasthan:

• It was commonly practiced to store drinking water.
• The rainwater can be stored in the tanks till the next rainfall, making it an extremely reliable source of drinking water when all other sources are dried up, particularly in the summers.
• Rainwater (Palar Pani) is considered the purest form of natural water.
• Many houses construct underground rooms adjoining the ‘tanks’ to beat the summer heat as it would keep the room cool.
• Some houses still maintain the tanks since they do not like the taste of tap water.

Bamboo Drip Irrigation system

It is a 200-year-old system of tapping stream and spring water by using bamboo pipes and transporting water from higher to lower regions with the help of gravity.

• 18-20 liters of water enter the bamboo pipe system, gets transported over hundreds of meters, and finally reduces to 20-80 drops per minute at the site of the plant.
• The flow of water into the pipes is controlled by manipulating the pipe positions.
• If the pipes pass a road, they are taken high above the land.

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Thanks for making such detailed notes .. A small request to add examples to wherever required .😊

I love your notes with detailed and continuity words

You have the best notes

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• Social Sciences /

Water Resources Class 10

• Updated on  
• Jul 26, 2021

Approximately three-fourths of the Earth’s surface is covered with water yet we are facing the scarcity of water at a global level. As only 2.5% accounts as freshwater and the rest 97.5% exists in the form of oceans, the issues of water degradation and scarcity have now become a major problem, especially in India. The primary source of fresh water is groundwater that is very limited, hence, water scarcity is one of the biggest issues which India has to combat. Class 10 Social Science students are familiarized with Water Resources through a detailed chapter which explains the global issues related to water scarcity. Through this blog, we have prepared comprehensive study notes on water resources class 10 covering all the major pointers you must know about.

Water Scarcity

Water scarcity is defined as the shortage or scarce availability of water. While studying the chapter on water resources in class 10, it is important to know the reasons which lead to water scarcity. The following are important pointers:

• The areas that are drought-prone and have low rainfall are usually more prone to the shortage of water.
• The increasing population has also led to overexploitation and excessive use of water.
• Moreover, sometimes the water available is of bad quality, which creates further scarcity.

Need for Water Conservation and Management

Since water scarcity is increasing with each passing day, there is an urgent need to conserve water. This will ensure that people are safe from health hazards, and the natural ecosystems are not degraded. This can be done by preventing water pollution and avoiding wastage of water.

Hydraulic Structure of Ancient India

The topic of hydraulic structure in ancient India is important in this chapter. There is a long history of water resources in India. In the first century BC, there was a water harvesting system in Allahabad named Sringaverapura that was used to channelize the floodwater of the Ganga river.

But the development of dams, lakes, and irrigation systems happened during the time of Chandragupta Maurya. Moreover, in Kalinga, Nagarjuna, Konda, Benner, and Kolhapur, early irrigation works have also been found. One of the largest artificial lakes, Bhopal lake, was built in the 11th century. Three centuries later, Iltutmish constructed the Tank of Hauz Khas to supply water in the Siri Fort area.

Water Resources Class 10 PDF Download

Multipurpose River Projects and Integrated Water Resources Management

The construction of dams was one of the revolutionary incidents that took place at that time. Let us take a deep look at the major pointers covered in the chapter on water resources in class 10.

Dams can be defined as a barrier that obstructs, directs, or retards the flow of flowing water. It often creates a lake, reservoir, or impoundment. Dams are used for various purposes. Here are some of the uses of Dams:

• Electricity generation is the most crucial use of dams.
• Rivers and rainwater can be impounded with the help of dams for irrigation of agricultural land.
• Apart from this, dams supply water for domestic and industrial purposes.
• Dams also play a role in flood control.
• Inland navigation and fish breeding is also a less common use of dams.

But there are some disadvantages of dams as well, and they are-

• Many people oppose the construction of dams due to several reasons. Many new social movements have risen due to the construction of multipurpose projects and large dams. This is because local people suffer the loss of land and livelihood when dams are constructed.
• There has been a change in cropping patterns in many regions since farmers have shifted to water-intensive and commercial crops.
• It has widened the social gap between the wealthy landowners and the poor.
• Sometimes the dams fail to achieve the purpose for which they are built. For instance, because of sedimentation in the dams’ reservoirs, the dams have sometimes triggered floods instead of controlling them. This has mostly happened in huge dams at times during excessive rainfall.
• Dams have also led to soil erosion.

Water Resources Class 10:Narmada Bachao Andolan

The chapter on water resources in class 10 also explains various revolutions and movements which were started to boycott the construction of dams, such as Narmada Bachao Aandolan. Narmada Bachao Andolan, also known as Save Narmada Movement, is one such movement against dam construction. This movement is led by human rights activists, environmentalists , farmers, and tribals who opposed the construction of the Sardar Sarovar Dam, which was supposed to be built across the Narmada river in Gujarat.

Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is a simple technique to avoid wastage of water by collecting rainwater for future usage. The rainwater is stored and then used for multiple purposes. The methods of rainwater harvesting vary across different regions. Here are some important pointers on this topic as per the chapter on Water Resources in class 10:

• In areas with high altitudes like hills, diversion channels were built for agriculture, just like the ‘Guls’ or ‘Kuls’ of the Western Himalayas.
• In Rajasthan, a common practice for storing drinking water was ‘Rooftop rainwater harvesting.’
• Almost all the houses in the semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, such as Bikaner, Barmer, and Phalodi, had underground tanks used to store drinking water. These underground tanks were also known as tankas. A pipe was connected to these tanks with the sloping roofs. During rainfall, the rain from the rooftops traveled through these pipes to reach the underground tanks.
• This was a reliable source of drinking water, especially in summers, because the water could be stored in these tanks for a long time.
• This rainwater, also known as the Pular Pani, is considered the purest form of water.
• The first state in India that has made rooftop rainwater harvesting compulsory in all the houses is Tamil Nadu.

Water Resources Class 10 MCQS

Choose the right answers of the following from the given options.

(i) Which one of the following types describes water as a resource?

(a) Abiotic resource (b) Non-renewable Resources (c) Biotic Resource (d) Non-cyclic Resource 

(ii) Which one of the following south Indian states has the highest groundwater utilization (in per cent) of its total groundwater potential?

(a) Tamil Nadu  (b) Karnataka (c) Andhra Pradesh (d) Kerala

(iii) The highest proportion of the total water used in the country is in which one of the following sectors?

(a) Irrigation (b) Industries (c) Domestic use (d) None of the above

Water Resources Class 10 PPT

Water resources class 10 extra questions.

• What are the causes of water scarcity in India?
• Which is the first state in India to mandate rainwater harvesting in India?
• What is Narmada Bachao Andolan?
• Explain the advantages and disadvantages of Dams?
• Why is there a need to conserve water?
• What is sustainable development?
• Explain watershed management with the help of examples.

Water Resources Class 10 Questions and Answers

Water scarcity is defined as a shortage of water. The reason behind scarcity is not low rainfall. The major reasons are overexploitation, excessive use.

Sometimes the dams fail to achieve the purpose for which they are built. For instance, because of sedimentation in the dams’ reservoirs, the dams have sometimes triggered floods instead of controlling them. This has mostly happened in huge dams at times during excessive rainfall. Dams have also led to soil erosion.

Rainwater harvesting is a simple technique to avoid wastage of water by collecting rainwater for future usage. The rainwater is stored and then used for multiple purposes. The methods of rainwater harvesting vary across different regions.

Thus, we hope that this blog provided with a comprehensive summary of the chapter on Water Resources in class 10. Get in touch with our experts at Leverage Edu and they will assist you in selecting the right stream depending upon your interests and favourable career options. Sign up for an e-meeting with us today!

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Case Study Questions Chapter 3 Water Resources

Please refer to the Case Study Questions Chapter 3 Water Resources with answers provided for Class 10 Social Science. These solved case study based questions are expected to come in the Class 10 Economics exam in the current academic year. We have provided Case study for Class 10 Social Science for all chapters here. You should practise these solved case studies to get more marks in examinations.

Chapter 3 Water Resources Case Study Questions Class 10 Social Science

1. Read the source given below and answer the following questions:

Today, dams are built not just for irrigation but for electricity generation, water supply for domestic and industrial uses, flood control, recreation, inland navigation and fish breeding. Hence, dams are now referred to as multi-purpose projects where the many uses of the impounded water are integrated with one another. For example, in the Sutluj-Beas river basin, the Bhakra – Nangal project water is being used both for hydel power production and irrigation. Similarly, the Hirakud project in the Mahanadi basin integrates conservation of water with flood control. Multi-purpose projects, launched after Independence with their integrated water resources management approach, were thought of as the vehicle that would lead the nation to development and progress, overcoming the handicap of its colonial past. Jawaharlal Nehru proudly proclaimed the dams as the ‘temples of modern India’; the reason being that it would integrate development of agriculture and the village economy with rapid industrialisation and growth of the urban economy.

Answer the following MCQs by choosing the most appropriate option.

(i) Which of the following multipurpose projects is found in the Satluj-Beas river basin? (a) Hirakud project (b) Damodar Valley Corporation (c) Bhakra Nangal Project (d) Rihand Project

(ii) Hirakund dam is built on which river? (a) Chenab (b) Mahanadi (c) Krishna (d) Satluj

(iii) For which of the following purposes were dams traditionally built? (a) For generating electricity (b) For supplying water to industries (c) For Flood control (d) To impound river and rain water for irrigation

(iv) Which one of the following is not an adverse effect of dams? (a) Interstate water disputes (b) Excessive sedimentation of Reservoir (c) Displacement of population (d) Flood control

2. Read the source given below and answer the following questions:

Many thought that given the disadvantages and rising resistance against the multipurpose projects, water harvesting system was a viable alternative, both socio-economically and environmentally. In ancient India, along with the sophisticated hydraulic structures, there existed an extraordinary tradition of water-harvesting system. 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 in keeping with the local ecological conditions and their water needs. In hill and mountainous regions, people built diversion channels like the ‘guls’ or ‘kuls’ of the Western Himalayas for agriculture. ‘Rooftop rainwater harvesting’ was commonly practised to store drinking water, particularly in Rajasthan. In the flood plains of Bengal, people developed inundation channels to irrigate their fields. In arid and semi-arid regions, agricultural fields were converted into rain fed storage structures that allowed the water to stand and moisten the soil like the ‘khadins’ in Jaisalmer and ‘Johads’ in other parts of Rajasthan. In the semi-arid and arid regions of Rajasthan, particularly in Bikaner, Phalodi and Barmer, almost all the houses traditionally had underground tanks or tankas for storing drinking water.

(i) Agricultural fields which are used as rainfed storage structures are called: (a) Kuls (b) Khadins/Johads (c) Recharge pits (d) None of the above

(ii) In which of the following regions, people built ‘Guls’ and ‘Kuls’ for irrigation? (a) Northern Plains (b) Western Himalayas (c) Coastal areas (d) None of these

(iii) The diversion channels seen in the Western Himalayas are called: (a) Guls or Kuls (b) Khadins (c) Johads (d) Recharge pits

(iv) Underground tanks seen in Rajasthan to store rainwater for drinking is called: (a) Tankas (b) Khadis (c) Ponds (d) Kuls

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Water Resources (Important Assignment for Class 10th)

Assignment questions:.

Q.1 Why do some regions suffer from water scarcity despite the Earth’s abundance of water?

Q.2 How can integrated water resources management help in addressing water scarcity?

Q.3 What are the major factors contributing to water scarcity in urban areas?

Q.4 Why do we need to conserve water? (Recently asked question in first term exam) (3)

Q.5 How did dams affect the natural flow of rivers and aquatic life? (2)

Q.6 Why did the construction of multi-purpose projects lead to social movements like the ‘Narmada Bachao Andolan’? (2)

Q.7 How might the government address the concerns of local communities affected by these projects while still pursuing national development goals? (3)

Q.8 How have multi-purpose projects contributed to inter-state water disputes, and can you provide examples? (2)

Q.9 Explain the traditional methods of water harvesting in Rajasthan?(3)

Q.10 Can you name some of the major objections raised against multi-purpose projects and large dams in recent years? (2)

Q.11 Which organization led the ‘Narmada Bachao Andolan,’ and what were its primary concerns regarding the Sardar Sarovar Dam project? (2)

Q.12 How does the traditional rooftop rainwater harvesting system work in arid regions like Rajasthan, and why is it considered a reliable source of drinking water? (2)

Q.13 ” Mawsynram is the region of highest rainfall, yet it faces acute water shortage.” State reasons for the same. (Recently asked question in first term exam) (3)

Q.14 Evaluate the effectiveness of the bamboo drip irrigation system in Meghalaya in terms of water conservation and agricultural productivity. (2)

Q.15 What are the reasons for the decline in rooftop rainwater harvesting in western Rajasthan? (2)

Q.16 What is the significance of rainwater harvesting in Shillong, Meghalaya, despite being located in an area with the highest rainfall in the world? (2)

Q.17 Which Indian state made rooftop rainwater harvesting structures compulsory for all houses, and what are the consequences for non-compliance?

Answer 1: Water scarcity can occur due to over-exploitation, excessive use, and unequal access to water resources among different social groups. Even regions with ample water may face scarcity if they cannot access or manage it effectively.

Answer 2: Integrated water resources management involves the coordinated development and management of water, land, and related resources. It helps optimize the use of available water, prevent over-exploitation, and ensure sustainable access to water for various purposes.

Answer 3: Urbanization, industrialization, and population growth have led to increased water demands in cities. Groundwater depletion, pollution from industrial and domestic sources, and mismanagement of water resources exacerbate water scarcity issues in urban areas.

Answer 4: We can conserve water in following ways:-

• Limited Resource: Water is finite, and its availability is decreasing due to various factors.
• Growing Demand: Rising global population and industrialization increase the need for water resources.
• Environmental Impact: Water conservation is essential to protect ecosystems, reduce energy consumption, and mitigate the effects of climate change for a sustainable future.

Answer 5: Dams change river flow, harming aquatic life. They block natural flow, causing sediment buildup and habitat loss. Fish can’t migrate, leading to issues.

Answer 6: Multi-purpose projects led to protests like ‘Narmada Bachao Andolan’ due to:-

• Displacement : Large-scale displacement of local communities who lost land and livelihood.
• Unsatisfactory Rehabilitation : Concerns over inadequate compensation and rehabilitation for affected people.

Answer 7: The government can address the concerns of local communities affected by these projects while still pursuing national development goals through the following strategies:

• Ensure fair compensation for land and livelihood loss.
• Implement comprehensive rehabilitation programs, providing alternative housing and livelihood opportunities.
• Involve affected communities in decision-making and project planning.
• Establish grievance redressal mechanisms for addressing concerns promptly.
• Promote sustainable development practices, balancing economic growth with environmental and social well-being.
• Focus on equitable resource distribution to benefit local communities and regions affected by the projects.

Answer 8: Multi-purpose projects can lead to water disputes among states. For example, there is a dispute between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh over the diversion of water from the Koyna river. This is because such projects often involve the allocation of water resources for various purposes, causing conflicts between states over the sharing of these resources.

Answer 9: Traditional water harvesting in Rajasthan involves several methods, including:

• Rainwater from sloping rooftops is collected through gutters and downspouts.
• It is conveyed through pipes to underground tanks or tankas.
• Tankas are large, underground storage structures, often as large as a room.
• They store rainwater for drinking and household use.
• Tankas also serve to keep indoor spaces cool during hot weather.
• The evaporative cooling effect helps maintain comfortable temperatures.

These traditional methods ensure a sustainable and reliable water supply in Rajasthan’s arid conditions.

Answer 10: Major objections against multi-purpose projects and large dams in recent years include environmental harm and social conflicts. Critics argue these projects disrupt ecosystems, displace communities, and trigger disputes over water resources.

Answer 11: The ‘Narmada Bachao Andolan’ was led by various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and activists, notably Medha Patkar. Their primary concerns regarding the Sardar Sarovar Dam project were inadequate rehabilitation of displaced people, environmental impacts, and the need for fair compensation for those affected by the project.

Answer 12: The ‘Narmada Bachao Andolan’ was led by various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and activists, notably Medha Patkar. Their primary concerns regarding the Sardar Sarovar Dam project were inadequate rehabilitation of displaced people, environmental impacts, and the need for fair compensation for those affected by the project.

Answer 13: Despite being known for the highest rainfall, Mawsynram faces water scarcity due to:

• Rapid Runoff: The hilly terrain causes rainwater to run off quickly, preventing effective storage.
• Lack of Infrastructure: Insufficient facilities for rainwater collection and storage.
• Uneven Distribution: Rainfall may not match population centers, leading to localized shortages.

Answer 14: The bamboo drip irrigation system in Meghalaya is highly effective for water conservation and agricultural productivity:

• The system efficiently transports water over long distances with minimal loss, conserving this precious resource.
• It delivers water directly to plant roots, ensuring efficient irrigation.
• This enhances crop yields and promotes sustainable farming practices.

Overall, the bamboo drip irrigation system is a successful example of conserving water while boosting agricultural productivity.

Answer 15: The decline in rooftop rainwater harvesting in western Rajasthan is due to:

• The perennial Rajasthan Canal provides an alternative water source, reducing the necessity for rainwater harvesting.
• Some households no longer practice it due to taste preferences or the convenience of tap water.

Answer 16: Rainwater harvesting in Shillong, despite high rainfall, is significant because:

• The highest rainfall occurs in nearby areas like Mawsynram, not always matching Shillong’s needs.
• Inadequate infrastructure and rapid runoff lead to localized water shortages in Shillong, making rainwater harvesting crucial for a stable water supply.

Answer 17: The Indian state that made rooftop rainwater harvesting structures compulsory for all houses is Tamil Nadu. Consequences for non-compliance include fines and penalties imposed on those who do not adhere to this mandate.

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NCERT Solutions for Chapter 3 Water Resources Class 10 Geography

Ncert solutions for chapter 4 the age of industrialisation class 10 history, related chapters.

• Resources and Development
• Forest and Wildlife Resources
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• An Introduction to Water Resources

Water- a must for all life forms on earth and the most important natural resource. We all know that about three-fourths of the earth’s surface is covered with water. But about 96.5% of the global water resources come from the oceans and seas. In India, the water resources amount to an estimated 1897 square kilometer per annum. However, we all know about the shortage of Water we are facing as a country. Let us learn more about the conversation of the water resource .

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Some quick facts and figures.

• The total volume of water on earth’s surface- 96.5%
• The total volume of usable freshwater- 2.5%
• The volume of freshwater in ice-sheets and glaciers- 70%
• Stored groundwater- 30%
• Precipitation (rainfall) in India- 4% of earth’s total
• India’s rank in the world for water availability per person (per annum)- 133

Conservation & Management of Water Resources

‘Water water everywhere, not a drop to drink.’  It is a very old saying in a different reference to the situation . But, this is exactly what we fear will happen very soon, if we do not wisely use and conserve our water resources.

Research shows that by 2025, India, along with many other countries will face a serious scarcity of water. Many regions in our country are currently undergoing the process of ‘water stress’. According to a research by Falken Mark, a Swedish expert on water, ‘water stress’ happens when the water availability falls below 1000 cubic meters per person per day.

How did we reach here?

Though blessed with large rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Narmada, and others, India’s socio-economic development has a lot to contribute to decreasing water resources. Rising population , industrialization, urbanization and modernization of agriculture , are some of the main reasons for water shortages in many parts of the country. As a result, most of our prominent rivers, especially the smaller ones have become toxic with waste products and pollution .

Saving our Water Resources

Water is indeed an essential resource for life on earth and it must be conserved. In fact, historically, humans had learned to conserve the available water resource by building dams.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Dams are simply hydraulic structures that act as a barrier between the source and destination of flowing water. Earlier, these dams were small and hand-made. In our modern society, engineering techniques and methods are used to construct most of these dams.

Depending on its need, the water flow can be obstructed, redirected or slowed down using a dam. The barrier often creates a small reservoir or a lake, collecting the excess flow of water. People use most dams for irrigation . While some dams are used for generating electricity , which we know as ‘hydropower’ or ‘hydro energy’.

Dams can be of different types and of various sizes. While timber dams are made from wood, the masonry or embankment dams are made with stones and concrete. Dams can also be low, medium or high in height, depending on their location and usage. Though dams can be helpful in conserving water resources, too many of them can also cause over sedimentation of the river beds.

Also, over usage of dams can reduce the aquatic life of the river, on which they flow. That is why we also have more natural and long-lasting methods of saving our water resources. The two most widely used methods are:

Rainwater Harvesting

You must have come across this term from multiple media sources. Rainwater harvesting is one of the most efficient and effective ways of conserving water. It is more like the recycling of natural water. In this, the rooftop rainwater harvesting is a common practice in states like Rajasthan, West Bengal, Meghalaya, and major parts of South India, where rainfall is usually heavy. People connect PVC pipes to a drain on their roof and the rainwater is collected below in large storage tanks.

This water is then utilized for daily needs even after rains are over. Mostly, people do not collect the water off first rainfall but thereafter. In Shillong and other parts of Meghalaya and rain prone regions of North East, water from rooftop rainwater harvesting covers about 15-25% of household water requirements.

DIY: You can try a home experiment for your learning exercise. Collect the rainwater and store it. You can even filter the water for a clean output. Now, use this water for your household needs or plants. Did you know? In the state of Tamil Nadu, it is compulsory for every house/residential building to have a rooftop rainwater harvesting system!

Bamboo Drip Irrigation system

This is an indigenous method which has been in practice for about 200 years in the north-eastern states of India. While this practice helps conserve the region’s water resources, it also helps in irrigation of local farms and fields. People use bamboo pipes for tapping the waters of streams and springs. About 18020 litres of water flow through a network of pipes and end up as drips on the farmlands.

Solved Questions for You

Q1. What is water stress?

Ans. According to a research by Falken Mark, a Swedish expert on water, ‘water stress’ happens when the water availability falls below 1000 cubic meters per person per day.

Q2. What are the different methods of water conservation?

Ans. We can conserve water resources using different methods:

• Dams: These are hydraulic structures that can either control, redirect or obstruct the flow of water from a water body. Dams are made from wood, stone or concrete.
• Rainwater Harvesting: Rainwater is collected from rooftops or ground and stored in large tanks for later use. Rainwater harvesting is popular in Rajasthan, West Bengal, Meghalaya and Tamil Nadu.
• Drip Irrigation: This method is most practised in North Eastern states, for irrigation of farms as well as save the local water resources. Bamboo pipes flow water over a long distance and end up in drips when they reach the plants.

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NCERT Solutions for Class 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12

Management of Natural Resources Class 10 Notes Science Chapter 16

January 22, 2024 by Sastry CBSE

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CBSE Class 10 Science Notes Chapter 16 Management of Natural Resources Pdf free download is part of Class 10 Science Notes for Quick Revision. Here we have given NCERT Class 10 Science Notes Chapter 16 Management of Natural Resources. According to new CBSE Exam Pattern,  MCQ Questions for Class 10 Science pdf  Carries 20 Marks.

CBSE Class 10 Science Notes Chapter 16 Management of Natural Resources

Anything in the environment which can be used is called a natural resource.

Natural Resources includes total natural environment that support human life and contribute to the production of necessities and comforts to mankind. So natural resources are the coihponents of atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere.

Types of Natural Resources: On the basis of abundance and availability, the natural resources are of two types

• Inexhaustible.
• Exhaustible.

(a) Inexhaustible: These are in plenty and cannot be exhausted by man’s consumption. For example; air, sand, clay etc. It gets affected by the over-population of mankind. (b) Exhaustible: These are limited and can get exhausted over a period of time, i.e., coal, petroleum etc.

Management of Natural Resources: A system of controlling the use of natural resources in such a way, as to avoid their wastage and to use them in the most effective way is called management of natural resources.

Why do we Need to Manage Our Natural Resources: We need to manage our natural resources because of the following reasons :

• The resources of the earth are limited. Because of the rapid increase in human population, the demand for resources is increasing day-by-day. The proper management can ensure that the natural resources are used judiciously, so that they fulfill the needs of present generation and also last for the generations to come. –
• The proper management of natural resources takes into consideration long-term perspective (or view) and prevents their exploitation to hilt for short-term gains.
• The proper management can ensure equitable distribution of natural resources so that all the people can benefit from the development of these resources.
• The proper management will take into consideration the damage caused to the environment during the ‘extraction’ or ‘use’ of the natural resources and find ways and means to minimise this damage.

Conservation of Wildlife: It is very important to conserve wild-life to maintain the ecological balance in nature and to preserve the gene pool. Some of the measures (or steps) to be taken for the conservation of wildlife are given below:

• Laws should be made to impose a total ban on the poaching (killing) or capturing of any animal or bird belonging to an endangered species.
• The natural habitats of wild animals and birds should be preserved by establishing National Parks and Sanctuaries throughout the country.
• The Government Department connected with the conservation of wildlife should conduct a periodic survey in all the forests, National parks and Sanctuaries to have knowledge of the population of all species of wild animals and birds.
• Special attention should be paid to the conservation of endangered species of wild animals and birds to prevent their extinction altogether.
• The unauthorized felling (cutting) of forest trees for timber trade and fuel-wood should be curbed (stopped) immediately.

Sustainable Management: Management of forest resources wisely to make it available for future generations. To consider the conservation of forests, we need to look at the stakeholders who are :

• The people who live in or around forests are dependent on forest products for various aspects of their life.
• The Forest Department of the Government which owns the land and controls the resources from forests.
• The industrialists—from those who use ‘tendu’ leaves to make bidis to the ones with papermills who use various forest produce.
• The wild life and nature enthusiasts who want to conserve nature in its pristine form. A major program called silviculture has been started to replenish the forests by growing more trees and plants.

Conservation of forests: It is carried out by the following methods

• Afforestation: It is growing of forests on unprotected barren lands. Van Mahotsava is a tree plantation movement carried out twice a year (February and July) by both government and voluntary agencies.
• Reforestation: It is developing forest cover in the area which has been damaged or cleared during exploitation.
• Separation of Commercial Forestry: Useful plants required by industry should be planted separately preferably on waste land. Growing industry required plants is called production plantation.
• Grazing: Grazing should be regulated according to the availability of pasturage. Deforestation: Removal, decreases or deterioration of forest cover of an area is called deforestation.

Effects of Deforestation

• Soil Erosion: Removal of plant cover exposes the fertile soil to wind and water. The latter remove the top soil and make the area infertile.
• Desertification: Removal of forest cover in the plains makes the area dry. In hot season, the soil becomes loose. Air currents take away the fine soil particles leaving behind sand.
• Floods: In rainy season many temporary rivulets are formed due to loss of absorption capacity by unprotected soil. The rivulets produce floods in low land causing loss to agriculture, property and life.
• Destruction of wildlife: Deforestation leads to destruction of natural habitats of wild animals and plants. Wildlife is, therefore, destroyed.
• Climatic Changes: In the absence of forest cover, the summer becomes hotter while the winters become extra cool. The frequency of rainfall decreases.

National Award for Wildlife Conservation: The Govt, of India, has recently instituted an ‘Amrita Devi Bishnoi National Award for wildlife conservation in the memory of Amrita Devi, who in 1931 sacrificed her life along with 363 other for the protection ‘Khejri Trees’ in Kherali Village near Jodhpur in Rajasthan.

Water as a Resource

• Water is a basic necessity for all terrestrial forms of life. Regions of water scarcity are closely related to the regions of acute poverty.
• Failure to sustain water availability has resulted in loss of vegetation cover, diversion for high water demanding crops and pollution from industries and, urban wastes and less rain.
• Irrigation methods like dams, tanks should be used in various part of India.

Advantages of Dams

• Water from a dam is used for irrigation in fields through a network of canals. Dams ensure round the year water supply to the crop fields and help raise agricultural production.
• Water from a dam is supplied to the people in towns and cities through pipelines after suitable treatment. In this way, construction of dams ensures continuous water supply in the region.
• The falling water (or flowing water) from the dam is used for generating electricity. The water rushing down the dam turns turbines which run electric generators.

Disadvantages of Dams

• Social Problems: Due to the construction of high-rise dams, a large number of human settlements (or villages) are submerged in the water of large reservoir formed by the dam and many people are rendered homeless. This creates a social problem.
• Environmental Problems: The construction of high-rise dams on the rivers contributes to deforestation and loss of biodiversity. This is because a vast variety of flora and fauna (plants and animals) get submerged in the water of large reservoir formed by the dam and disturb the ecological balance.
• Economic Problems: Some people say that the construction of high-rise dams involves the spending of a huge amount of public money without the generation of proportionate benefits.

Forests: Forests are important renewable natural resources dominated mainly by trees forming a sort of canopy, they are essential for the ecological balance of all ecosystems. They maintain the biological ecosystem.

Water Harvesting: Aim is to develop primary resources of land and water and to produce secondary resources of plants and animals for use in a manner which will not cause ecological imbalance. Various ancient methods of water harvesting

Baylis – Old method of water harvesting in Delhi and nearby region. These techniques are local specific to ensure the mismanagement and over-exploitation of these resources.

Advantages of Water Harvesting System

• Water does not evaporate.
• Recharge wells and moisture for vegetation.
• Does not provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
• Ground water is protected from contamination by human and animal waste.

Pollution of Water: The pollution of water is caused by the dumping of untreated sewage and industrial wastes into it. The contamination of river water can be usually found from two factors :

• the presence of coliform bacteria in river water, and
• measurement of pH of river water.

Advantages of Water Stored in the Ground

• The water stored in the ground does not evaporate.
• The water stored in the ground spreads out to recharge wells and provides moisture for crops over a wide area.
• The water stored in the ground does not promote the breeding of mosquitoes (unlike stagnant water collected in ponds or artificial lakes).
• The water stored in the ground is protected from contamination by human and animal waste.

Coal and Petroleum Conservation: Coal and petroleum are fossil fuels found in earth’s crust. They are non-renewable and exhaustible resources. 1. Coal: Coal is combustible fossilized rock derived from a large accumulation of plant remains that is gradually compressed. Coal is used for cooking, heating, in industry and thermal power plants. 2. Petroleum: Petroleum is another fossil fuel that occurs in the form of liquid oil. It has been formed in the past (about 10 to 20 crore years old) from plant and animal remains and occur in the form of mineral oil in sedimentaiy rocks. Petroleum is mainly used as fuel for transport, agricultural operations, generators and some industries.

Methods of Conservation of Fossil Fuels

• Burning of coal causes air pollution. Thus direct use of coal for the purpose or burning should be avoided. Coal may be converted into liquid fuel and compressed natural gas (CNG) through coal gasification.
• Techniques should be developed to recover maximum fossil fuel that lies in deep mines and wells. Wastage during extraction and transportation should be avoided.
• Both oil wells and coal mines are prone to catch fire. Therefore, these should be well protected from fire to avoid wastage pollution and loss of life and property.
• Over-consumption of oil in automobiles should be checked. We must save oil for future use because only a few years are left for its depletion.
• Alternative sources of energy, such as hydroelectric, nuclear, solar, wind power and biogas plants should be encouraged.

Steps for Conservation of Energy Resources

• Save electricity, water, etc. by not using when not required.
• Use energy efficient electrical appliances to save electricity.
• Use pressure cooker for cooking food.
• Use solar cookers.
• Encourage the use of biogas as domestic fuel.
• Fuel efficient motor vehicle should be designed to reduce consumption of petrol and diesel.

Management of natural resources is needed for the conservation of natural resources.

• There are national and international laws and Acts to protect the environment.
• Ganga Action Plan. Multi Crore Project came in 1985 to improve the quality of Ganga — Accordingly a survey was conducted and a data was collected of total coliform (a group of bacteria found in human intestine) between 1993-1994 National Award for wildlife conservation – In the memory Amrita Devi Bishnoi who lost her life in the protection of Khejri trees in Rajasthan along with 363 other people.

Chipko Movement: Chipko Movement is an example of the contribution of common people towards the conservation of forests. The Chipko Movement also called ‘Hug the tree’ movement originated from an incident in a remote village called ‘Reni’ in Garhwal (Himalayas), where the people of this village clasped the tree trunks with their arms to protect them from being cut down by a contractor’s workers. The people acted this way because they knew that this mass deforestation would spoil their healthy environment. The forest trees were thus saved.

The Chipko Movement quickly spread across all the communities and helped in the conservation of forests and thus helped in safeguarding the environment.

Three R’s to save the environment.

• Reduce: It means we should minimise our use of natural resources, sources of energy and food materials.
• Recycle: It means that we should collect materials like paper, plastics, glass and metal items. These waste materials should be recycled to obtain these materials again for use.
• Reuse: In this strategy, we should be encouraged to use things again and again instead of throwing them away. For example, plastic bottles those we get with jams and pickle can be reused for storing things in the kitchen.

Forest and wildlife conservation: Forests are biodiversity hot spots. Biodiversity of an area is the number of species of different life forms like bacteria, fungi, powering plants insects, birds etc. The main aim of forest conservation is to preserve the biodiversity we have inherited.

Stakeholders: Those persons, who are directly or indirectly involved in using the produce of forests or are interested in the conservation of forests, are called stakeholders.

Hotspot: means an area full of biological diversity. Loss of diversity may lead to a loss of ecological stability/ecological imbalance.

Sustainable management: Management of forest resources wisely to make it available for future generations. Sustainable development is development encourages the judicious use of natural resources to meet the current basic human needs, while preserving the resources for the needs of future generations.

Water as a Resource: Water is a basic necessity for all terrestrial forms of life.

• Regions of water scarcity are closely correlated to the regions of acute poverty.
• Failure to sustain water availability has resulted in the loss of vegetation cover, diversion for high water demanding crops and pollution from industries and urban wastes and less rain.
• Irrigation methods like dams, tanks and coals have been used in various part of India.

Dams: In order to make proper use of river water, dams are constructed across the rivers to regulate the flow of water. A dam has a large reservoir to store huge amounts of water. This stored water is then allowed to flow downstream at the desired rate. Advantages.

• The water rushing down the dam turns turbines which run electric generators to generate electricity.

Disadvantages. Construction of large dams addresses three problems in particular-

• Social problem. A large number of local people have to be displaced which includes farmers and tribals without their adequate compensation or rehabilitation.
• Economic problem. As dams are built up with huge amounts of public money without the generation of proportionate benefits.
• Environmental problem. Because the making of large dams contributes enormously to deforestation and the loss of biological diversity.

Water Harvesting: Collecting rainwater for use in future by storing it in storage reservoirs is called rainwater harvesting. Various ancient methods of water harvesting. These techniques are locale specific to ensure the mismanagement and over-exploitation of these resources. Advantages of Khadin System

• Water does not evaporate
• Does not provide a breeding ground for mosquito
• Groundwater is protected from human and animal waste.

Green House Effect: When the reflected back infra-red rays (of longer wave-length) of the Sun are entrapped by C02 gas of atmosphere, the atmosphere gets warmed. This phenomenon is known as ‘Green House Effect’.

1.  A coliform is a group of bacteria, found in human intestines, whose presence in water indicates contamination by disease-causing microorganisms.

2. In 1985, our government started a multi-crore project named as ‘Ganga Action Plan’. The main aim of this project is to improve the water quality of Our holy river Ganga.

3. The water of the river Ganga gets polluted because of the following reasons :

• Dumping of untreated sewage.
• Human activities like bathing or washing of clothes.
• Immersion of ashes or unburnt corpses.
• Chemical effluents from industries.

This all pollutes water, increasing the toxicity level which kills fish in large sections of the river.

4. One should keep in mind the three R’s to save the environment: Reduce: Using less and less of natural resources. One can help by switching off unnecessary lights and fans, repairing leaky taps, preventing wastage of food. Recycling: It minimises the faster depletion of natural resources. Reuse: It is better than recycling because the process of recycling uses some energy.

5. Economic development is linked to environmental conservation.

6. The concept of sustainable development encourages forms of growth that meet current basic human needs, while preserving the resources for the needs of future generation.

7. The sustainable development : It implies a change in all aspects of life. It depends upon the willingness of the people to change their perceptions of the socioeconomic and environmental conditions around them and the readiness of each individual to alter their present use of natural resources.

8. Sustainable natural resource management demands the following:

• Using resources carefully because these are not unlimited.
• A long term perspective so that these resources will last for the generations to come and will not merely be exploited for short-term gains.
• Equitable distribution of resources so that all and not just a handful of rich and powerful people, benefit from the development of these resources.
• Checking the damage caused to the environment while these resources are either extracted or used,
• Planning for the safe disposal of the waste which is generated when natural resources are either extracted or used.

9. Forests are ‘biodiversity hot spots’. One measure of the biodiversity of.an area is the number of different species found there. However, the range of different life forms (such as bacteria, fungi, ferns, flowering plants, nematodes, insects, birds, reptiles and so on) is also important.

10. One of the main aim of conservation is to try and preserve the biodiversity that we have inherited.

11. A loss of diversity may lead to a loss of ecological stability.

12. Forest resources ought to be used in a manner that is both environmentally and developmentally sound.

13. The destruction of forests not only affects the availability of forest products, but also the quality of soil and the sources of water.

14. Despite nature’s monsoon bounty, failure to sustain water availability underground has resulted largely from the loss of vegetation cover, diversion for high water demanding crops and pollution from industrial effluents and urban wastes.

15. Dams are built to ensure the storage of adequate water not only for irrigation but also for generating electricity. However, building of large dams cause social, economic and environmental problem.

16. Watershed Management: Watershed management emphasises scientific soil and water conservation in order to increase the biomass production. The aim is to develop primary resources of land and water, to produce secondary resources of plants and animals for use in a manner which will not cause ecological imbalance. Watershed management not only increase the production and income of the watershed : community, but also mitigates droughts and floods and increases the life of the downstream dam and reservoirs.

17. The Chipko Andolan (‘Hug the Trees Movement’) : It started in a remote village called Reni in Garhwal in early 1970s. In this movement, women of the village used to clasp the tree trunks thus preventing the felling of trees. Role of Chipko Andolan :

• It helped in conservation and preservation of forests, one of the most important natural resources.
• It allowed the village communities to utilise the forest produce and allowing the resource to replenish over time.
• It taught people that, the destruction of forests not only affects the availability of forest products but also the quality of soil and the sources of water.
• It forced government to rethink the priorities of the local people (to whom the forests belong) in the use of forest produce.
• It encouraged the participation of the local people in the efficient management of forests.

18. Stakeholders of forest:

• People living in or around forest: They depend on forest produce for their living.
• The forest Department of the Government : Which owns the land and controls the resources from forests.
• The industrialists : Who use various forest produce as raw material, but are not dependent on the forest in any orie area.
• The wildlife and nature enthusiasts: Who want to conserve nature in its pristine form.

19. Water harvesting : It is an age-old concept in India which involves capturing rainwater in the large structures which can hold this water round the year. The main purpose is not only to hold the surface water but also to recharge the groundwater beneath. Advantages of water harvesting :

• The water does not evaporate, but spreads out to recharge wells and provides moisture for vegetation over a wide area.
• It does not provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes like stagnant water collected in ponds or artificial lakes.
• The groundwater is also relatively protected . from contamination by human and animal wastes.
• It raises the groundwater level.

NCERT Notes for Class 10 Science

• Chapter 1 Chemical Reactions and Equations Class 10 Notes
• Chapter 2 Acids Bases and Salts Class 10 Notes
• Chapter 3 Metals and Non-metals Class 10 Notes
• Chapter 4 Carbon and its Compounds Class 10 Notes
• Chapter 5 Periodic Classification of Elements Class 10 Notes
• Chapter 6 Life Processes Class 10 Notes
• Chapter 7 Control and Coordination Class 10 Notes
• Chapter 8 How do Organisms Reproduce Class 10 Notes
• Chapter 9 Heredity and Evolution Class 10 Notes
• Chapter 10 Light Reflection and Refraction Class 10 Notes
• Chapter 11 Human Eye and Colourful World Class 10 Notes
• Chapter 12 Electricity Class 10 Notes
• Chapter 13 Magnetic Effects of Electric Current Class 10 Notes
• Chapter 14 Sources of Energy Class 10 Notes
• Chapter 15 Our Environment Class 10 Notes
• Chapter 16 Management of Natural Resources Class 10 Notes

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According to the CBSE Syllabus 2023-24, this chapter has been removed from  NCERT Class 10 Science textbook .

CBSE Class 10 Science Chapter 16 Sustainable Management Of Natural Resource Notes

Introduction.

Natural resources are substances obtained from the planet that is used to sustain life and provide for human needs. A natural resource is something that comes from nature that humans use. Natural resources include things like stone, sand, metals, oil, coal, and natural gas. Air, sunlight, soil, and water are other natural resources.

The well-being of people depends on natural resources. We cannot survive without the freshwater we drink, the plants we consume, or the pure air we breathe. To build roofs over our heads and heat our homes, we require natural resources.

Pollution in Ganga

• The river Ganga is used as a sewage dump for more than 100 cities stretching across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal.
• Dumping of untreated sewage,  excreta and chemicals from industries increase the toxicity of the water.
• This makes it inhabitable for flora and fauna in the river system.
• In 1985 the GAP (Ganga Action Plan) project was initialised to curb the poor quality of the water of the river Ganges.

Reduce, Recycle and Reuse

The 3 Rs to save the environment can be performed by each individual in our society:

• Reduce: Reducing our usage and wasteful habits. E.g. not wasting food, turning off the switches to save electricity, repairing leaky taps, reducing the amount of water used for bathing, etc.
• Reuse:  Using things again instead of discarding them. For example, reusing plastic utensils and bottles. Many things cannot be recycled or require a lot of energy; instead, we can utilize them for other purposes.
• Recycle: Collecting discarded paper, plastic, glass or metal objects to manufacture different products rather than synthesizing them from scratch. It must have a mechanism to segregate and dispose of each type of waste separately.

To know more about Saving the Environment from Pollution, visit here .

Why Do We Need to Manage Our Resources?

Need to manage natural resources.

• Due to the ever-increasing population and rising demands of changing lifestyles, natural resources are being depleted at an alarming rate. To ensure sustainable, equal distribution of resources and reduction of damage to the environment, management of resources must be an integral part of our society.
• We must ensure judicious use of our natural resources as it is not unlimited, and management of such requires long-term planning in order to last generations.

Increase in Demand for Natural Resources

• The increasing population is increasing the demand for more resources that are getting depleted at an exponential rate.
• Changing lifestyles and advancements in technology are compelling industries to exploit our natural reserves to meet the demands.

To know more about the Management of Natural Resources, visit here .

Forests and Wildlife

• Forests are termed biodiversity hotspots.
• Biodiversity is the variety and range of plant and animal life in a particular habitat.
• Loss of biodiversity may result in loss of ecological balance and damage to the ecosystem.

To know more about the Conservation of Forests and Wildlife, visit here .

Stakeholders of Forests

When we consider the conservation of forests, we must consider the following stakeholders:

• People who habituate around forests are dependent on forest produce.
• The Forest Department of Government owns the land and resources.
• Industrialists: who use the forest to produce certain products, e.g. leaves of Tendu for bidis  and paper mills.
• Conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts who want to conserve nature in its pristine form.

To know more about the Stakeholders of a forest, visit here .

Monoculture

• Monoculture is the cultivation of a single crop in a given area.
• Excessive monoculture destroys the biodiversity of the area.
• Various needs of the people local to forest areas are neglected, such as leaves for fodder, herbs and fruits for consumption.

Industrialist’s Mentality and Influence

• Industrialists consider forests as a source of raw materials.
• Industries have more political power than the locals and only bother about meeting their demands. They do not care about sustainability and will move on from one habitat to another in search of raw materials.

People’s Intervention in Forests

• Human intervention is a necessity in the management of forest resources and landscapes.
• Resources must be utilised to ensure development while preserving the environment.
• Benefits must go to the local people to ensure economic growth and conservation takes place simultaneously.
• Examples: Bishnoi community in Rajasthan for saving Khejri trees in Jodhpur Rajasthan.

Damage to Forests and Wildlife

• Excessive and lawless utilisation of forests will deplete the resources quicker than they can be restored.
• Destroys the ecological balance and may damage the habitats of various species of flora and fauna.

Sustainable Development

• Sustainable development needs all stakeholders of forest resources to be satisfied.
• In reality, industries use forests at rates far below the market rates, which causes conflict between local dwellers and industrialists.
• West Bengal’s Arabari forests are well-known for being protected areas. This forest gained notoriety as a result of the participation of locals who established a community and worked with village police and forest officials to ensure that there was no significant deforestation, land poaching, or illegal wildlife hunting there.

Chipko Movement

• Originated in Reni Garhwal, high up in the Himalayas.

• The movement quickly gained popularity and media attention and forced the government to rethink the management of forest resources.
• The involvement of local people is equally important in the management of forest resources.

Water for All

• Water is a necessity for all terrestrial forms of life.
• In India, places having water scarcity are also places experiencing acute poverty.
• Despite the monsoon, there exists a failure to retain groundwater due to the loss of vegetation and the release of effluents from industries.
• Decrease in fresh usable water due to the destruction of the water table and disruption in the water cycle.

To know more about Water, visit here .

Rains and Irrigation Practices

• Intervention of the government to pursue mega projects neglected the local irrigation methods.
• Strict regulations on the usage of stored water and building tanks, dams and canals
• Optimum cropping patterns must be followed based on water availability.

Involvement of Local People (ex: kulhs)

• Himachal Pradesh had a canal irrigation system called kulhs where flowing stream water was diverted to man-made channels, which took it to villages down the hillside.
• The water was used first by the village farthest from the origin of the kulh. This helped water percolate in the soil.
• It was made defunct after the government irrigation system took over.
• Dams can store large amounts of water and generate electricity.
• Mismanagement of dams causes exploitation, and there is no equitable distribution of this resource.
• Criticism about large dams addresses: (i) Displacement of tribals without compensation (ii) Corruption and consumption of money without generation of benefits (iii) Environmental problems like deforestation.
• For irrigation, water from dams is used.
• Dam water is purified and made available for drinking in neighbouring towns and cities.
• Hydroelectric power is produced by dams and utilised to produce electricity.
• Dams stop flooding from taking lives and property.

Coal and Petroleum

Water harvesting.

• Water harvesting encourages soil and water conservation in order to sustain and increase biomass.
• Increases income for the local community but also alleviates floods and droughts.
• Examples: Rajasthan’s tanks, Khadins, and Nadis; Maharashtra’s Tals and Bandharas; Madhya Pradesh’s and Uttar Pradesh’s Bundhis; Bihar’s Pynes and Ahars; Himachal Pradesh’s Kulhs; Kattas in Karnataka; ponds in the Kandi belt of Jammu region; Eris (tanks) in Tamil Nadu and Kerala’s Surangams.
• Water harvesting constructions are crescent-shaped earthen embankments/concrete check dams built in areas that are seasonally flooded.
• The main purpose is to recharge groundwater.

The following is a list of the advantages of a rainwater harvesting system.

• Decreases the demand for water imports.
• Encourages energy and water conservation.
• Increases groundwater availability and quality.
• Does not need a filtering system for irrigation in gardens.
• This technology is comparatively straightforward and simple to install and use.

Groundwater

Advantages:

• does not evaporate
• recharges wells
• when flowing does not allow mosquitoes to breed
• does not come in contact with human contamination

To know more about Groundwater, visit here .

• Coal and petroleum are derived from fossil fuels, which are non-renewable. They will get depleted in due time. Hence, proper management of the consumption of fossil fuels is important.
• Their combustion pollutes our environment due to the production of oxides of carbon, sulfur and nitrogen. Therefore, we need to use these resources judiciously.

To know more about Coal and Petroleum, visit here .

Why Should Fossil Fuels Be Used Judiciously?

• Fossil fuels are formed over millions of years of degrading biomass and have a huge amount of carbon.
• When combusted in a limited supply of oxygen, they form harmful gases that pollute the atmosphere, which leads to global warming.
• Judicious use of fossil fuels addresses the efficiency of our machines and ensures the sustainability of our resources for the future.

Choices that Can Make a Difference in Energy Consumption

• Put your computer to sleep.
• Unplug any gadgets and equipment you are not using.
• Shower for fewer minutes.
• Set the refrigerator to 37–40 degrees F.
• Reduce your plug load by using a power strip.
• NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Science Chapter 16 Sustainable Management of Natural Resources
• Important Questions for Class 10 Science Chapter 16 – Sustainable Management of Natural Resources
• NCERT Exemplar Class 10 Science Solutions for Chapter 16 – Sustainable Management of Natural Resources
• Maths Notes For Class 10
• CBSE Class 10 Social Science Notes

Frequently Asked Questions on CBSE Class 10 Science Notes Chapter 16 Sustainable Management of Natural Resources

What is sustainable development.

Sustainable development is defined as an approach to developing or growing by using resources in a way that allows them to renew or continue to exist for others.

What are the types of natural resources?

Natural resources include oil, coal, natural gas, metals, stone and sand. Air, sunlight, soil and water are other natural resources.

What are the main reasons for water pollution?

1. Rapid urban development 2. Improper sewage disposal 3. Oil spills 4. Chemical waste dumping 5. Radioactive waste discharge

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