Geography Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 16 Water Resources

1 Mark Questions

Question 1.
Mention any two sources of water pollutants created. (Delhi 2015)
OR
Mention any two sources of water pollution in India. (Delhi 2013)
Answer:
The two sources of water pollution in India are:

Toxic effluents from industries.
Sewage disposal

Question 2.
Define watershed management. (All India 2014)
Answer:
Watershed management means the proper management, use and saving of surface and groundwater resources. Prevention of surface runoff and storage and recharge of groundwater by different methods such as percolation tanks, recharge well, etc are done in the watershed.

Question 3.
Which is the main cause source of water-borne diseases in India? All India 2014,2009
Answer:
Water pollution is the main sources of water-borne diseases which are:

Diarrhoea
Intestinal Worms
Hepatitis

Question 4.
Name any two natural sources of water pollution. (Delhi 2012)
Answer:
Two natural sources of water pollution are:

Erosion
Landslides

Question 5.
Which river basin of India has the highest percentage of replenishable utilisation of groundwater resources? (Delhi 2010)
Answer:
Ganga river basin has the highest percentage of replenishable utilisation of groundwater resources.

Question 6.
Which sector (economic activity) uses most of the surface and groundwater in India? (Delhi 2010)
Answer:
Agriculture sector uses most of the surface and groundwater in India.

Question 7.
Mention any two cultural activities responsible for water pollution in India. (Delhi 2009)
Answer:
Cultural activities are:

Pilgrimage
Religious fairs
Tourism

Question 8.
What is the main reason for the degradation of the quality of water in India? (Delhi 200a)
Answer:
The main reason for the degradation of the quality of water in India are:

Domestic waste discharge indiscriminate use of water by increasing population.
Industrial waste led to the degradation of the quality of water.

Question 9.
Which are the two polluted stretches of river Ganga in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar? (All India 2008)
Answer:
The Ganga river is polluted in Uttar Pradesh from Kanpur to Varanasi and in Bihar from Varanasi to Patna.

3 Marks Questions

Question 10.
How has rainwater harvesting helped in the development of certain areas of India? Explain with examples. (All India 2015)
Answer:
Rainwater harvesting helped in the development of certain areas of India in the following ways:

Rainwater harvesting is a cheap and environmentally friendly technique that guides to store rainwater into bore wells, pits, etc.
It also recharges groundwater aquifers for different uses.
It improves the quality of groundwater by dilution of pollutants like fluoride and nitrates.
It prevents soil erosion and flooding conditions.
It can be used to arrest saltwater intrusion in coastal areas if used to recharge aquifers.

Question 11.
Examine the success of watershed management programme implemented in Jhabua District of Madhya Pradesh. (All Indio 2015)
Answer:
The people of Jhabua district are benefitted in the following ways from the implementation of Watershed Management Programmes:

The drinking water is available.
The water for irrigation is available.
It also enhanced afforestation in the area.

Question 12.
“The assessment, efficient use and conservation of water are necessary to ensure development.”
Explain in the light of values regarding the conservation of water resources. (Delhi 2015)
OR
Why is the conservation of water resources necessary? Explain any three reasons. (All Indio 2011)
Answer:
There is a need to conserve water resources due to the following reasons:
Low Availability of Fresh Water
In India fresh water is not available to meet the demand of a large number of population. Increasing population is also shrinking the per capita availability of water. To guarantee the adequate supply of fresh water, we need to create awareness among people for conservation of water resources.

To Irrigate Crops
India is an agrarian economy. Most of its population is depended on agriculture. Water is required to irrigate crops and ensure the employment of agrarian workers and the development of the economy.

For Sustainable Development
Water is a life-giving precious resource if we do not save and conserve it, development cannot be possible.

So, to ensure sustainable development we need to be such a citizen who is responsible to sensitize people with positive cooperation about the necessity of water conservation.

Question 13.
How do industries pollute India’s water bodies? Explain with examples. (Delhi 2015)
Answer:
Watershed Development and Management Programme initiated by the central and state government in India are:

Haryali is a Watershed Development Project sponsored by the central government. It aims at enabling the rural population to conserve water for drinking, irrigation fisheries and afforestation. The project is being excused by Gram Panchayats with people’s participation.
Neru-Meeru programme has been Launched by the Andhra Pradesh Government.
Arvary Pani Sansad has established in Alwar, Rajasthan.
Tamil Nadu has made water harvesting structure in the house compulsory.
Watershed Development Project in some areas has been successful in rejuvenating environment and economy.

Question 14.
Analyse the economic and social values of rainwater harvesting. (HOTS; Delhi 2014)
Answer:
The economic and social values of rainwater harvesting are given below:

Rainwater harvesting technique is environment-friendly as well as cost-effective for people.
This technique guides to store rainwater into bore wells, pits, etc for future use and in times of scarcity of water.
It creates sensitivity and awareness among people about the benefits of conservation and reuse of water.
This technique helps to reduce floods like situation and also save life and property.
It help’s to reduce conflict among states and communities.

Question 15.
Examine any three causes for the deterioration of ‘quality of water’ in India. (Delhi 2013)
Answer:
Water quality means water free from unwanted foreign substances or purity of water.
The three causes responsible for the deterioration of the quality of water in India are as follows:

The foreign substances like micro-organisms, chemicals, industrial and other wastes make water polluted. Because of these substances, quality of water decreases and it becomes unsuitable for the uses of human beings.
Toxic substances are responsible for water pollution by dissolving or suspending in lakes, streams, rivers, ocean or other water source. It declines the quality of water and harms aquatic life and systems.
When toxic substances seep down, they pollute groundwater.

Question 16.
Explain watershed management. What is its aim? (Delhi 2012)
Answer:
Watershed management means the proper management, use and saving of surface and groundwater resources. Prevention of surface runoff and storage and recharge of groundwater by different methods such as percolation tanks, recharge wells, etc are done in the watershed management.

But in the broader terms, the conservation, regeneration and judicious use of all natural resources (land, water, plants and animals) and human resources in a watershed also included in water management.

Major aims of watershed management are as follows:

To create a balance among natural elements as well as in society.
To enable the villagers to conserve water for various uses such as drinking, irrigation, fisheries and afforestation.

Question 17.
Describe any three key features of India’s National Water Policy, 2002. (All India 2012)
Answer:
The National water policy, 2002 explains water allocation priorities basically in the following order i.e. drinking water irrigation, hydro-power, navigation, industrial and other uses.

The three features of India’s National Water Policy, 2002 are:

When there is no source of drinking water, irrigation and multi-purpose projects or dams should invariably include drinking water component.
Provide potable water for human being and animals.
Exploitation of ground water should be stopped and limited by adopting suitalble measures.

Question 18.
Describe any three major problems related to water in India. (Delhi 2011)
OR
Explain any three major problems related to water in India. (All indin 2008)
Answer:
The three major problems related to water in India are as follows:
Low Availability of Fresh Water
In India, fresh water is not available to meet the demand. Increasing population is also shrinking the per capita availability of water.

Water Pollution
It is increased rapidly after independence in India. Industrialisation and urbanisation has more contribution in water pollution in India.

Uneven Distribution of Water Resources
Water resources in India are very unevenly distributed. Some regions are facing scarcity of water whereas other areas are facing floods.

Question 19.
Why is demand of water for irrigation increasing day by day in India? Explain any three reasons. (HOTS; Delhi 2011)
Answer:
The demand of water for irrigation is
increasing day by day in India because of the following reasons:

Need for irrigation is very high in India due to the spatial and temporal variation in South-West Monsoon in India. Regions like North-Western India, Deccan plateau and others are drought prone areas and receives very low rainfall in India.
The variation of rainfall in different season as winter and summer season are more or less dry in most parts of India. Agriculture can not be practised without irrigation during dry season in these parts of India.
Some crops like sugarcane, jute, rice, etc are water intensive and require more water to grow. Cultivation of these crops are not possible without irrigation in this condition.

5 Marks Question

Question 20.
Explain any three factors responsible for the depletion of water resources. Examine any two legislative measures for controlling water pollution in India. (Delhi 2013)
Answer:
The three factors responsible for the depletion of water resources in India are as follow:
Increasing Population Population in India is increasing with a higher growth rate. This growth is responsible for decreasing the availability of fresh water and per capita availability of water.

Industrialisation It has increased many folds after independence. It created a major problem of water pollution in India as industrial wastes are disposed in water sources.

Over Utilllsation of Ground water India is an agrarian country. Thus, water is required in high amount for irrigation in agriculture.

In the irrigated areas, groundwater is used to obtain maximum agriculture output. Over utilisation of groundwater in these areas has led to the declining of groundwater level. Government has taken some steps to reduce river and water pollution, but some were not effective and some were not implemented successfully. Two legislative provision are as follows:

Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution Act of 1974.
Environment Protection Act (1986). These acts were unsuccessful as in 1997, 251 polluting factories were established along the rivers and lakes. The Water Cess Act of 1977 was also ineffective. The main reason was that they were unsuccessful in creating awareness about water conservation among people. Generation of awareness in public about the importance of water in life and impacts of water pollution is necessary.

Value Based Questions

Question 21.
“The assessment, efficient use and conservation of water are necessary to ensure development”. Identify the values enshrined in the statement.
Answer:
Following values can be derived from the statement:

Sustainable development
Social awareness
Environmental conservation

Question 22.
The fast growth of population and the demand of water is increasing, alongwith its pollution and its overutilisation are creating major problem of water scarcity. Give the values which lead to water scarcity.
Answer:
Following values lead to water scarcity: