Chapter 3: Water Resources

Geography • Class 10

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Chapter Analysis

Intermediate10 pages • English

Quick Summary

The chapter on Water Resources in Class 10 Geography highlights the issues of water scarcity, conservation, and management. Despite earth's abundance of water, only a small fraction is available as freshwater, leading to challenges in availability due to over-exploitation, pollution, and unequal distribution. The chapter discusses multi-purpose river projects and traditional methods of water conservation like rainwater harvesting. It emphasizes the importance of sustainable water practices to ensure ecological balance and meet the growing demands of population and industry.

Key Topics

  • Water scarcity and its causes
  • Hydrological cycle and water renewability
  • Multi-purpose river projects
  • Traditional water conservation methods
  • Impact of industrialization on water resources
  • Rainwater harvesting techniques
  • Sustainable water management practices

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the causes and effects of water scarcity.
  • Learn about the hydrological cycle and water recycling.
  • Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of multi-purpose projects.
  • Explore traditional and modern water conservation techniques.
  • Recognize the impact of human activities on water resources.
  • Develop sustainable practices for water management.

Questions in Chapter

Explain how water becomes a renewable resource.

Answer: Water is a renewable resource because it moves within the hydrological cycle, regularly being recharged by surface runoff and groundwater.

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What is water scarcity and what are its main causes?

Answer: Water scarcity occurs when water availability is under the desired level of demand. It can be caused by over-exploitation, pollution, and the growing demand due to population increase.

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

Answer: In semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, rainwater harvesting is carried out by collecting rainwater on rooftops and storing it underground using structures like 'tankas'.

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Additional Practice Questions

What are the benefits of rainwater harvesting?

easy

Answer: Rainwater harvesting helps in conserving water, reduces water bills, decreases demand on groundwater, and is suitable for irrigation and domestic uses.

How do multi-purpose river projects impact the environment?

medium

Answer: They impact the environment by altering natural river systems, leading to loss of aquatic habitats, displacement of communities, and issues related to sedimentation.

Discuss some traditional methods of water conservation followed in India.

easy

Answer: Traditional methods include step wells, tankas, jhalaras, and rooftop rainwater harvesting, which are adapted to local conditions and have been used for centuries for efficient water conservation.

Why is there resistance towards large scale dam constructions?

medium

Answer: Resistance arises due to social displacement, ecological imbalances, alteration of river flows, and the disintegration of riverine ecosystems due to large scale sedimentation and habitat loss.

In what ways can urban areas address the issue of water scarcity?

hard

Answer: Urban areas can address water scarcity through rainwater harvesting, recycling of wastewater, efficient water management policies, and reducing water wastage.