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

Class 10 Social Science Geography Chapter 3 Water Resources:- water resources class 10 chapter examines water's vital role in our environment and its importance for human survival. This chapter covers the different types of water resources, such as surface water and groundwater, and their global distribution. It looks at the factors affecting water availability, the impact of human activities on water resources, and strategies for sustainable water management.

By studying these aspects, students will understand the necessity of conserving water and the challenges related to water scarcity, highlighting the importance of effective water resource management for a sustainable future. Get the class 10 geography chapter 3 notes below.

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Class 10 Geography Chapter 3 Question Answer

1. Multiple choice questions.

(i) Sort each circumstance as either “suffering from water scarcity” or “not suffering from water scarcity” based on the facts provided below.

(a) A region with high annual rainfall.

(b) A region having high annual rainfall and a 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)  Not suffering from water scarcity

(b) Suffering from water scarcity

(c) Suffering from water scarcity

(d) Not suffering from water scarcity.

Read More: NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science Geography Chapter 1

(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

Read More: NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science Geography Chapter 2

(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 does 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 has declined due to high water availability from Indira Gandhi Canal.

2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.

(i) Explain how water becomes a renewable resource.

Answer: Water is often regarded as a renewable resource because it continuously replenishes through the hydrological cycle. This cycle involves three key processes:

• Evaporation

• Condensation

• Precipitation

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

Answer: Many cities illustrate this issue. Water scarcity often results from a large and growing population, which increases the demand for water and leads to unequal access. A larger population needs more water not just for daily use but also to produce sufficient food. As a result, water resources are being overused to expand irrigation for dry-season farming. Irrigated agriculture consumes the most water, and many farmers rely on their own wells and tube wells to boost productivity. This overuse of water resources has negatively impacted both water availability and food security.

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

Answer:  Advantages

1. Irrigation: Water resources enable the irrigation of crops, which supports agricultural productivity and food security. This is crucial for growing food in regions with inadequate rainfall.

2. Electricity Generation: Water bodies, particularly rivers and dams, are harnessed to generate hydroelectric power. This provides a significant source of renewable energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

3. Flood Control: By regulating and managing water flow through dams and reservoirs, communities can mitigate the impact of floods. This helps protect property and lives from natural disasters.

4. Water Supply for Industrial and Domestic Purposes: Reliable water resources ensure a steady supply of water for industries and households. This is essential for maintaining industrial processes and meeting daily needs.

5. Tourist Attraction: Lakes, rivers, and other water bodies often become popular tourist destinations. They offer recreational activities, scenic beauty, and contribute to local economies through tourism.

6. Inland Navigation: Waterways facilitate transportation and trade. Rivers and canals provide crucial routes for moving goods and people, contributing to economic development and connectivity.

Disadvantages

1. The Natural Flow of Water is Affected: Human interventions such as damming and diversion can disrupt the natural flow of rivers and streams, altering ecosystems and affecting downstream water availability.

2. Aquatic Life Gets Affected: Changes in water flow and quality can harm aquatic habitats. Species may struggle to survive due to altered conditions, leading to a loss of biodiversity.

3. Submergence of Land in Surrounding Areas: The creation of reservoirs and dams can lead to the flooding of large areas, submerging land and affecting local ecosystems and communities.

4. Ecological Consequences: Altering water systems can have wide-ranging ecological impacts, including changes in vegetation patterns, soil erosion, and disruptions to the natural balance of local ecosystems.

5. Large-Scale Displacement of Local People: Infrastructure projects like dam construction can displace communities living in affected areas. This displacement can lead to loss of homes, livelihoods, and cultural heritage.

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3. Answer the following questions in about 120 words.

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

Answer: In the semi-arid and arid regions of Rajasthan, such as Bikaner, Phalodi, and Barmer, traditional houses often featured underground tanks, known as tankas, for storing drinking water. These tanks, some as large as a room, could measure up to 6.1 metres deep, 4.27 metres long, and 2.44 metres wide. Integrated into a sophisticated rooftop rainwater harvesting system, tankas were typically built within the main house or courtyard. They were connected to sloping roofs via pipes, allowing rainwater to flow from the roofs into the tanks. The initial rain was usually not collected, as it helped clean the roofs and pipes, while subsequent rainwater was stored. This harvested rainwater could be preserved in the tankas until the next rainfall, providing a reliable source of drinking water, especially during dry periods and summer months. In this region, rainwater, or ‘palar pani,’ is valued as the purest form of natural water.

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

Answer: Socio-Economic and Environmental Viability: Water harvesting systems offer significant socio-economic and environmental benefits, providing a sustainable solution to water management challenges.

• Ancient Tradition: In ancient India, sophisticated hydraulic structures were complemented by a rich tradition of water harvesting. This included a deep understanding of local rainfall patterns, soil types, and various techniques to capture and store water from rain, rivers, and floods.

• Hill and Mountainous Regions: In areas like the Western Himalayas, diversion channels such as 'guls' or 'kuls' were constructed to facilitate agricultural irrigation.

• Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting: This method was widely used in Rajasthan to collect and store drinking water. It involves directing rainwater from rooftops into underground storage tanks.

• Flood Plains: In Bengal's flood plains, inundation channels were created to irrigate fields effectively.

• Arid and Semi-Arid Regions: Structures like ‘khadins’ in Jaisalmer and ‘Johads’ in Rajasthan were developed to capture and retain rainwater, enhancing soil moisture and supporting agriculture.

• Modern Implementations: In Gendathur, a village in Mysuru, Karnataka, around 200 households have adopted rooftop rainwater harvesting systems, leading to a notable increase in available water resources.

• Shillong's Practice: Despite heavy rainfall in nearby Cherapunjee and Mawsynram, Shillong faces water scarcity. The city addresses this through widespread rooftop rainwater harvesting, which meets 15-25% of household water needs.

• Tamil Nadu's Initiative: Tamil Nadu has pioneered legislation requiring rooftop rainwater harvesting systems in all new houses across the state, demonstrating a proactive approach to water conservation.

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Water Resources Class 10 Summary 

1. Water resources are essential for sustaining life and supporting various human activities. This chapter covers the following key points:

2. Types of Water Resources: Water resources include surface water (rivers, lakes), groundwater (aquifers), and rainwater. Each plays a crucial role in supporting agriculture, industry, and domestic needs.

3. The Hydrological Cycle: This natural process involves three main stages:

• Evaporation: Water transforms from liquid to vapour, rising into the atmosphere.

• Condensation: Water vapour cools and forms clouds.

• Precipitation: Water returns to the Earth's surface as rain, snow, or hail.

4. Water Scarcity: Factors contributing to water scarcity include population growth, over-exploitation of resources, and unequal distribution. In many regions, high demand for water for domestic and agricultural use strains available supplies.

5. Traditional Water Management: Historically, various techniques were employed to manage water resources, including:

• Rainwater Harvesting: Systems to capture and store rainwater for drinking and irrigation, such as tankas in Rajasthan.

• Irrigation Practices: Methods like ‘guls’ and ‘kuls’ in hilly areas, and ‘khadins’ and ‘Johads’ in arid regions, to enhance agricultural productivity.

6. Modern Implementations: Recent efforts include widespread adoption of rainwater harvesting systems and legal requirements for their use in some regions, such as Tamil Nadu.

7. Challenges and Solutions: Water management faces challenges such as disrupted natural water flows, ecological impacts, and displacement of communities. Addressing these issues involves sustainable practices and innovative solutions to balance human needs with environmental preservation.

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

Q1. What are the main types of water resources?

Ans. The main types of water resources are surface water (rivers, lakes, and reservoirs), groundwater (aquifers and wells), and rainwater. Each type plays a crucial role in sustaining various activities and ecosystems.

Q2. What is the hydrological cycle?

Ans. The hydrological cycle is a continuous process of water movement on, above, and below the Earth's surface. It includes evaporation (water turning into vapour), condensation (formation of clouds), and precipitation (rain, snow, etc.).

Q3. Why is water scarcity a growing concern?

Ans. Water scarcity is a concern due to increasing population, over-exploitation of resources, pollution, and uneven distribution. These factors lead to shortages and affect access to clean water.

Q4. How does traditional rainwater harvesting work?

Ans. Traditional rainwater harvesting involves capturing rainwater from rooftops or other surfaces and storing it in tanks or cisterns for later use. This method helps in conserving water and provides a reliable source during dry periods.

Q5. What are ‘khadins’ and ‘Johads’?

Ans. ‘Khadins’ and ‘Johads’ are traditional rainwater harvesting structures used in arid and semi-arid regions. ‘Khadins’ are bunds or embankments built to collect rainwater, while ‘Johads’ are small check dams that help in recharging groundwater and preventing soil erosion.