Water Resources Got You Down? Master Class 12 with This Simple Guide!
Stressed about "Water Resources" in your Class 12 Geography textbook? Don't worry! We've got your back with clear answers to all the crucial questions from Chapter 4 in "India People and Economy."
Forget complex explanations, we'll break it down simply, covering everything from water availability to irrigation methods. Plus, get a free downloadable PDF with all the key questions and answers for easy revision!
So, ditch the stress and dive into this simplified guide. Master "Water Resources" and ace those exams!
| Class | 12 |
| Board | CBSE & State Boards |
| Subject | Geography |
| Book | India People and Economy |
| Chapter No. | 4 |
| Chapter Name | Water Resources |
| Content Type | Important Questions and Answers |
Water Resources Class 12 Geography Important Questions Answers
Q. No. 1) Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
i. Which of the following sectors has used the highest percentage of total water in India?
a) Domestic
b) Commerce
c) Agriculture
d) Industry
Ans. Option (c)
ii. Which of the following statements are correct regarding groundwater resources in India?
- The groundwater utilization is relatively low in the river basins lying in the north-western region of India.
- The groundwater utilization is very high in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu.
- The total replenishable groundwater resources in the country are about 432 cubic km.
- States like Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Kerala, etc., utilize large proportion of their groundwater potentials.
a. 1 and 3 are correct
b. 2, 3, and 4 are correct
c. 2 and 3 are correct
d. 3 and 4 are correct
Ans. Option (b)
iii. The over withdrawals of ground water in states like Rajasthan has increased the concentration of which chemical in water.
a. Salt
b. Chlorine
c. Fluoride
d. Pottasium
Ans. Option (c)
iv. Which of the following cities is majorly contributing towards polluting the river Ganga by disposing the industrial waste into it?
a. Kanpur
b. Rishikesh
c. Varanasi
d. Agra
Ans. Option (a)
v. Which of the following given below is not a watershed management project initiated by the central and state government of India?
a. Arvary Pani Sansad
b. Palar pani
c. Neeru Meeru
d. Haryali
Ans. Option (b)
vi. 'Subduction (sinking of land) in parts of Haryana, Punjab, and Delhi is as high as 7-12 cm a year. . . . Over time when the underlying aquifers (deep channels that store percolated water) aren’t recharged, they run dry and the layers of soil and rock above them start to sink . . . but a reversal is possible if aquifers are left to charge.’
Source (edited): The Hindu
Based on this information, what is the MOST LIKELY cause behind the issue highlighted in the news piece?
(a) excessive rainwater causing floods leading to soil erosion and land sinking
(b) increased urbanization and construction activities leading to land sinking
(c) natural geological processes causing land sinking in certain regions
(d) extensive water extraction for irrigation use causing land sinking
Ans. Option (d)
vii. Which of the following programmmes has been launched by the present Union Government for the cleaning of river Ganga?
a) Ganga Action Plan
b) Namami Gange
c) Ganga Namami Action Plan
d) Ganga Cleaning Mission
Ans. Option (b)
viii. Which of the following programs sponsored by the central government aims at enabling the rural population to conserve water for drinking, irrigation, fisheries, and afforestation?
a) Arvary Pani Sansad
b) Haryali
c) Neeru-Meeru
d) Narmada bachao
Ans. Option (b)
ix. Given below are four statements about Watershed Management as practiced in India.
Identify the INCORRECT statement.
a. It includes various methods like percolation tanks, and recharge wells among others.
b. It involves the prevention of runoff and storage and recharge of groundwater.
c. It also includes the judicious use of all natural and human resources.
d. It is enforced by the various agencies of the World Bank.
Ans. Option (d)
x. Which of the following is NOT the benefit of rainwater harvesting?
a. It increases water availability.
b. It checks the declining groundwater table.
c. It improves the quality of ground water through the dilution of contaminants like fluoride and nitrates.
d. Helpful in the production of hydroelectricity.
Ans. Option (d)
xi. If you are asked to formulate the National Water Policy, what will be the utmost important priority for you?
a. To provide water for the generation of hydroelectricity
b. Availability of water for industries
c. To provide drinking water
d. Availability of water for navigation
Ans. Option (c)
Q. No. 2) Read the following case study and answer the questions given below:
Ralegan Siddhi is a small village in the district of Ahmadnagar, Maharashtra. It has become an example for watershed development throughout the country. In 1975, this village was caught in a web of poverty and illicit liquor trade. The transformation took place when a retired army personnel settled down in the village and took up the task of watershed development. He convinced villagers about the importance of family planning and voluntary labour; preventing open grazing, felling trees, and liquor prohibition. Voluntary labour was necessary to ensure minimum dependence on the government for financial aid. Even those who were working outside the village contributed to the development by committing a month's salary every year. Work began with the percolation tank constructed in the village. In 1975, the tank could not hold water. The embankment wall leaked. People voluntarily repaired the embankment. The seven wells below it swelled with water in summer for the first time in the living memory of the people. The people reposed their faith in him and his visions. A youth group called Tarun Mandal was formed. The group worked to ban the dowry system, caste discrimination, and untouchability. Liquor distilling units were removed and prohibition was imposed. Open grazing was completely banned with a new emphasis on stallfeeding. The cultivation of water-intensive crops like sugarcane was banned. Crops such as pulses, oilseeds, and certain cash crops with low water requirements were encouraged. All elections to local bodies began to be held on the basis of consensus. "It made the community leaders complete representatives of the people." A system of Nyay Panchayats (informal courts) was also set up. Since then, no case has been referred to the police. A Rs. 22 lakh school building was constructed using only the resources of the village. No donations were taken. Money, if needed, was borrowed and paid back. The villagers took pride in this self-reliance. A new system of sharing labour grew out of this infusion of pride and voluntary spirit. People volunteered to help each other in agricultural operations. Landless labourers also gained employment.
i. Which of the following methods of water conservation brought prosperity in Ralegan Siddhi?
(a) Rainwater harvesting
(b) Watershed development
(c) Groundwater recharge
(d) Construction of dams
Ans. Option (b)
ii. Which of the following measures were taken to increase democratic participation in the village?
(a) Construction of school
(b) Local body elections
(c) Liquor prohibition
(d) All of the above
Ans. Option (b)
iii. Which of the following made Ralegan Siddhi independent of the government's financial aid?
(a) Prohibition of liquor
(b) Voluntary labour
(c) Local body election
(d) Agriculture
Ans. Option (b)
Q. No. 3) SOURCE BASED QUESTIONS
Water is a recyclable resource but its availability is limited and the gap between supply and demand will be widening over time. Climate change at the global scale will be creating water stress conditions in many regions of the world. India has a unique situation of high population growth and rapid economic development with high water demand. The Jal Kranti Abhiyan was launched by the Government of India in 2015–16 with an aim to ensure water security through the per capita availability of water in the country. People in different regions of India practiced the traditional knowledge of water conservation and management to ensure water availability. The Jal Kranti Abhiyan aims to involve local bodies, NGOs, and citizens, at large, in creating awareness regarding its objectives. The following activities have been proposed under the Jal Kranti Abhiyan:
- Selection of one water-stressed village in each of 672 districts of the country to create a ‘Jal Gram’.
- Identification of model command area of about 1000 hectares in different parts of the country, for example, UP, Haryana (North), Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu (South), Rajasthan, Gujarat (West), Odisha (East), Meghalaya (North-East).
- Abatement of pollution: • Water conservation and artificial recharge. • Reducing groundwater pollution. • Construction of Arsenic-free wells in selected areas of the country.
- Creating mass awareness through social media, radio, TV, print media, poster and essay writing competitions in schools. Jal Kranti Abhiyan is designed to provide livelihood and food security through water security.
i. Present day world is experiencing acute water paucity due to:
a) Climate Change
b) Industrial Pollution
c) Rising Sea level
d) Forest Depletion
Ans. Option (a)
ii. Which of the following is not a characteristic feature of the Model Command Area in India?
a) Water conservation and artificial recharge
b) Reducing groundwater pollution
c) Construction of Arsenic-free wells in selected areas of the country
d) Not concerned with food security and livelihood of the people
Ans. Option (d)
iii. The Objective of the Jal Kranti Abhiyan is achieved through:
a) Using traditional know-how
b) Adopting modern technology
c) Mixing modern technology with traditional knowledge
d) Outsource to some other organization
Ans. Option (c)
iv. The main aim of The Jal Kranti Abhiyan is to ensure water security through-----
a) Creating Jal Grams
b) Reducing groundwater pollution
c) Per capita availability of water
d) Construction of arsenic free wells
Ans. Option (c)
Q. No. 4) Read the Case Study given below and answer the questions that follow:
Based on the universal law “Polluter pays”, a silent but strong effort to restore the ecology and safeguard human health with people’s participation has taken place in Daurala near Meerut. These efforts are now bearing fruits after a span of three years when Meerut-based NGO developed a model for ecological restoration. The recent meeting of the Daurala Industries officials, and NGOs. Government officials and other stakeholders at Meerut have brought out results that usually come out mainly through the Court’s decisions.
The powerful logic, authentic studies and the pressure of the NGO have in a way brought a new lease of life to the twelve thousand residents of this village. It was in the year 2003, that the pitiable condition of Dauralaites drew the attention of the civil society. The groundwater of this village with a population of 12,000 persons was contaminated with heavy metals. The reason was that the untreated wastewater of Daurala Industries was leaching to the groundwater table and was also being used for irrigation. The activists of the NGO conducted a door-to-door survey of the health status of the residents and came out with a report. The group reported that 192 deaths in the past five years have been recorded in the village due to consumption of contaminated water. The industry came under pressure due to activism. The organization, the village community, and people’s representatives sat together to find out sustainable solutions to this problem. The industrialists showed a keen interest towards checking the deteriorating ecology. The overhead water tank’s capacity in the village was enhanced and a 900m extra pipeline was laid to serve potable water to the community. The silted pond of the village has been cleaned and recharged by desilting it. Large quantity of silt was removed paving way to pure water so that it percolated deep down the aquifers. Rainwater harvesting structures have been constructed at different places which has helped in diluting the contaminants of the groundwater after the monsoons. 1000 trees have also been planted which have improved the environment.
i. What type of pollution is faced by the people of Daurala?
a) Noise pollution
b) Air pollution
c) Water pollution
d) Land pollution
Ans. Option (c)
ii. Which process led to the contamination of groundwater?
a. Salinization
b. Alkalization
c. Leaching
d. Over irrigation
Ans. Option (c)
iii. What was the most important step taken as a sustainable solution to the health problem faced by the villagers?
a. Relocation of industries
b. Controlled irrigation
c. Evacuation from the affected area
d. Enhancement of water storage capacity
Ans. Option (d)
iv. Which water conservation strategy will help in diluting the contamination of the groundwater?
a. Rainwater harvesting
b. Universal law of ‘Polluter Pays’
c. Industrial waste treatment plant
d. Over utilization of groundwater.
Ans. Option (a)
Q. No. 5) Write a account on the usability of surface water and ground water resources in India.
Ans. India has a large volume of quantitative water available on land and inside ground as it receives lot of rainfall which gets channelized in rivers , lakes, ponds, etc.
Some amount of water seeps inside the ground depending upon the permeability of rocks and recharges the water table.
Large volume of water is present in rivers of north India like the Ganga and the Brahmaputra as they are perennial and the catchment area of the river receives high precipitation. Due to topographical , hydrological and climatic constraints the water of these rivers is not fully used but in south India the water flow in rivers like Godavari and Krishna have been harnessed for developmental purpose.
The states like Punjab ,Haryana uses its groundwater for meeting out its irrigation demands ,states like Odisha and Chattisgarh use less of its ground water as the water table is low in these states and agricultural activities are less dominating.
Q. No. 6) “Irrigation in India is required due to spatio-temporal variability in rainfall”. Justify.
Ans. India is a land of monsoon but due to spatial variation in rainfall the need arises for dependence on rainfall.
- A large track of the country receives deficient rain like the north west region and the interiors of Deccan plateau.
- The winter and summer seasons are more or less dry so it becomes difficult to practice agriculture for sustainability.
- India practices both wetland and dry land farming, so the need for irrigation increases for growing crops like jute and sugarcane.
Q. No. 7) Study the pie-chart given below and answer the questions that follow:
i. Which sector’s share is the maximum in the usage of surface and ground water?
ii. What is the percentage of agricultural sector in the usage of surface water and Ground water?
iii. Why the development of irrigation was assigned a very high priority in the Five years plans?
Ans. i. Agricultural sector share is the maximum in the usage of surface water and groundwater.
ii. Surface water- 89% and Groundwater- 92%. India has traditionally been an agrarian economy with two-third of its population depends on agriculture.
iii. Multipurpose river valley projects were launched to meet the irrigational needs of the country in five years plans.
Q. No. 8) ‘A small village in Maharashtra became a real example of watershed management and its effectiveness in meeting out water scarcity.The village was caught in the web of scarcity and illicit liquor trade. A retired army personal along with a group of youth worked together to remove the social inequalities and removed the liquor distilling units from the village. They organized elections which made community leaders complete representative of the people. The villagers took pride in this self reliance. A new system of sharing labour grew out of this infusion of pride and voluntary spirit. Landless labour also gained employment. With changing time the people of village tend to evolve new ways.’
Read the given source and answer the following questions in brief:
a) Mention the name given to the youth group who worked for the upliftment of the village.
b) State any two social inequalities which were removed from this village.
Ans. a) The Youth group was titled Tarun Mandal.
b) Ban on dowry system, Caste discrimination and untouchability.
Q. No. 9) Study the data of Percentage of net irrigated area to total by wells and Tube-wells given below and answer the questions:
| State | Percentage |
| Gujarat | 86.6 |
| Rajasthan | 77.2 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 66.5 |
| Maharashtra | 65 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 58.21 |
| West Bengal | 57.6 |
| Tamil Nadu | 54.7 |
a) Which state has maximum percentage of net irrigated area to total by wells and Tube-wells?
b) What are the implications of excessive use of ground water?
Ans. a) Gujarat
b) The over-use of ground water resources has led to decline in ground water table in these states. In fact, over withdrawals in some states like Rajasthan, and Maharashtra has increased fluoride concentration in groundwater, and this practice has led to increase in concentration of arsenic in parts of West Bengal and Bihar.
Q. No. 10) Rainwater harvesting is an ancient art of water conservation and recently has gained lot of popularity, support your answer giving reasons.
Ans. Its an ancient art of water conservation as the community was rural and did not have permanent structures to save and store water. In many rural areas it was done by collecting water in ponds and lakes. Tankas which were very popular in Rajasthan ,it is a underground tank constructed in the house or village.
It has gained popularity as it is simple and economical method of conserving water even in urban settlements.
The other advantages of it are
- It helps in recharging the underground water table.
- Improves the quality and quantity of water in a region.
- It is low cost and eco- friendly way of conserving water by channelizing the rain water into pit holes and wells.
Q. No. 11) ‘Rainwater Harvesting is considered as a low cost and eco-friendly technique of preserving water resources.’ Justify.
Ans. Rain water harvesting is a method to capture and store rainwater for various uses. It is also used to recharge groundwater aquifers. It is a low cost and ecofriendly technique for preserving every drop of water by guiding the rain water to bore well, pits and wells. Rainwater harvesting increases water availability, check the declining ground water table, improves the quality of groundwater through dilution of contaminants like fluorides and nitrates, prevents soil erosion, and flooding and arrests salt water intrusion in coastal areas if used to recharge aquifers.
Q. No. 12) Formulate the guidelines to promote sustainability in the Indira Gandhi Canal Command area.
Ans.
- There is an urgent need to strictly implement the water management policy.
- Water intensive crops should be avoided and instead plantation crops such as Citrus fruits should be encouraged.
- The Command Area Development programmes such as lining of water courses, land development, and levelling and warabandi system (equal distribution of canal water in the command area of outlet) shall be effectively implemented to reduce the conveyance loss of water.
- Efforts should be made to reclaim areas affected by water logging and soil salinity.
- Afforestation, shelter belt plantation and pasture development are necessary for eco- development.
- For achieving social sustainability, land allotted with poor economic background should be given sufficient financial and institutional support so that they can cultivate their land in a proper way.
- Other sectors of economy, in addition to agriculture, animal husbandry and allied activities, should be encouraged for attaining economic sustainability.
Also Read:
- Crush Secondary Activities with These Killer Questions & Answers!
- Demystifying Water Resources: Class 12 Q&A for Exam Success!
- Think Like a Pro: Primary Activities Q&A for Class 12
- Class 12 Land Resources and Agriculture: Questions You NEED to Know!
- Mastering Human Development: Ace Your Class 12 Geography!