Access the latest NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Geography Chapter-4: Water Resources updated for 2024-2025. Solution is designed to help students tackle difficult questions with ease. The content is written in simple, easy-to-understand language
Exercise
Choose the right answers from the given options:
(i) Which one of the following types describes water as a resource?
(a) Abiotic resource
(b) Nonrenewable Resources
(c) Biotic Resource
(d) Noncyclic Resource
Answer: (a) Abiotic resource
Water is a nonliving, inorganic resource, which makes it an abiotic resource. It isn’t a biotic resource because it’s not living, nor is it nonrenewable or noncyclic, as water goes through a natural cycle.
(ii) Which one of the following South Indian states has the highest groundwater utilization (in percent) of its total groundwater potential?
(a) Tamil Nadu
(b) Karnataka
(c) Andhra Pradesh
(d) Kerala
Answer: (a) Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu has the highest utilization of groundwater among the southern states due to high agricultural demand and limited water availability, which forces people to rely heavily on groundwater.
(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
Answer: (a) Irrigation
Agriculture is a major part of India’s economy, and irrigation accounts for the largest share of water usage in the country, around 89% of surface water and 92% of groundwater.
Answer the following questions in about 30 words:
(i) It is said that the water resources in India have been depleting very fast. Discuss the factors responsible for the depletion of water resources?
Answer: Water resources in India are depleting due to over extraction for agriculture and industrial use, pollution from domestic and industrial waste, and inefficient management. Rapid population growth and erratic rainfall also add pressure to the existing water resources.
(ii) What factors are responsible for the highest groundwater development in the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Tamil Nadu?
Answer: In Punjab, Haryana, and Tamil Nadu, the heavy reliance on irrigation for water intensive crops like rice and wheat, and the widespread use of tube wells, leads to the highest groundwater extraction. This overuse is depleting the water table in these states.
(iii) Why is the share of the agricultural sector in total water use in the country expected to decline?
Answer: The share of agriculture in total water use is expected to decline due to increasing water demand from the industrial and domestic sectors, improved irrigation efficiency, and the adoption of water saving technologies like drip irrigation.
(iv) What can be possible impacts of consuming contaminated/unclean water on people?
Answer: Consuming contaminated water can cause serious health issues such as waterborne diseases (cholera, diarrhea), poisoning from chemicals, and long term health problems like kidney damage due to toxic elements like arsenic and fluoride.
Answer the following questions in about 150 words:
(i) Discuss the availability of water resources in the country and the factors that determine its spatial distribution.
Answer: India receives about 4,000 cubic km of water annually from precipitation, but only around 1,122 cubic km is usable. Water distribution across the country is highly uneven. Rivers like the Ganga and Brahmaputra, which have large catchment areas and high rainfall, provide abundant water in the northeastern and northern regions. In contrast, the Deccan plateau and northwestern India face chronic water shortages due to low and erratic rainfall. Topography, monsoon variability, population density, and the presence of rivers largely determine water availability across the country. Surface water is well developed in northern river basins, while groundwater is extensively used in the northwest and parts of southern India.
(ii) The depleting water resources may lead to social conflicts and disputes. Elaborate with suitable examples.
Answer: Water scarcity often results in conflicts between states, communities, or countries. In India, disputes like the Cauvery Water Dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu arise due to unequal water sharing. These disputes are intensified by growing population pressures, agricultural demands, and climate change, which reduces water availability. The interstate river disputes have a significant social and political impact. Globally, access to dwindling freshwater resources could cause international tensions, as seen in the Nile River dispute between Egypt and Ethiopia. In such cases, the lack of agreements can lead to social unrest, affecting livelihoods, and may even escalate into violence.
(iii) What is watershed management? Do you think it can play an important role in sustainable development?
Answer: Watershed management refers to the efficient conservation and management of surface and groundwater resources within a watershed (a drainage area that channels water). It involves techniques like rainwater harvesting, afforestation, and soil conservation to enhance water availability. Watershed management can play a crucial role in sustainable development by ensuring long term water security, reducing soil erosion, and improving agricultural productivity. Successful watershed projects, like Ralegan Siddhi in Maharashtra, have shown that community participation and watershed management can transform water scarce regions into thriving agricultural hubs. It is key to balancing environmental protection with human development.
Key Topics in Chapter 4 Water Resources:
Chapter 4 of the NCERT Class 12 Geography book titled Water Resources focuses on India’s water resources, their utilization, and the conservation challenges. Here are important short-answer-type questions for Class 12 and UPSC preparation.
1. Water Availability: The chapter discusses water as a crucial but limited resource, explaining that only 3% of the Earth’s water is freshwater, and an even smaller fraction is usable by humans. The per capita availability of water is declining due to population growth and water pollution.
2. India’s Water Resources: India has about 4% of the world’s water resources but 17% of the population. Rainwater, rivers, lakes, ponds, and groundwater are major sources of water in India.
3. Sectoral Water Use: Most water in India is used for irrigation (around 89% of surface water and 92% of groundwater). The industrial and domestic sectors account for small but growing portions of water consumption.
4. Irrigation: Water is vital for agriculture, and large areas of India depend on irrigation due to uneven rainfall. The chapter explains how irrigation enables multiple cropping and boosts agricultural productivity, particularly in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
5. Emerging Water Problems: The chapter outlines growing concerns about water scarcity, pollution from industries and domestic waste, and over-exploitation of groundwater. Rivers like the Yamuna and Ganga are severely polluted in some stretches.
6. Conservation Efforts: Initiatives like watershed management, rainwater harvesting, and government programs (e.g., Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana) aim to manage water resources sustainably.
Important Short Answer-Type Questions:
1. Why is water scarcity a growing concern in India?
Water scarcity in India is becoming a major issue due to the growing population, increasing demand, and pollution of water sources. Although India receives abundant rainfall, much of it is lost due to surface runoff. Over-extraction of groundwater, especially in states like Punjab and Haryana, is further depleting water resources.
2. Explain the significance of irrigation in Indian agriculture.
Irrigation is crucial for Indian agriculture due to the uneven distribution of rainfall. It enables farmers to grow multiple crops per year and increases productivity, especially in areas with water-demanding crops like rice and sugarcane. The green revolution in states like Punjab and Haryana was successful largely because of developed irrigation systems.
3. What are the main causes of groundwater depletion in India?
Groundwater depletion in India is primarily caused by excessive extraction for irrigation, especially in the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Tamil Nadu. Overuse of groundwater is often due to unreliable monsoons, high water-demanding crops, and inefficient irrigation methods like flood irrigation.
4. Discuss the role of rainwater harvesting in water conservation.
Rainwater harvesting is a simple and eco-friendly technique to capture and store rainwater for various uses, including groundwater recharge. It helps prevent soil erosion, flooding, and improves the quality of groundwater by diluting pollutants. States like Tamil Nadu have made rainwater harvesting mandatory in urban areas to combat water scarcity.
5. What are the challenges in managing India’s water resources?
The challenges in managing water resources include uneven spatial and temporal distribution of water, over-reliance on groundwater, pollution from domestic and industrial waste, and inefficient water use in agriculture. Moreover, water disputes between states, such as the Cauvery River dispute, complicate water management further.
6. What is watershed management, and how does it contribute to sustainable water use?
Watershed management involves conserving and efficiently managing surface and groundwater resources within a watershed area. It includes building percolation tanks, check dams, and afforestation. Watershed management can improve water availability, prevent soil erosion, and support sustainable agriculture, as seen in the successful case of Ralegan Siddhi in Maharashtra.
7. How is water pollution affecting India’s rivers?
India’s rivers are heavily polluted, especially in densely populated areas and industrial zones. Pollutants from agriculture (fertilizers and pesticides), domestic waste, and untreated industrial effluents degrade water quality. The Yamuna and Ganga rivers, in particular, suffer from high levels of organic and bacterial contamination.
8. Explain the importance of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).
The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) aims to ensure that every farm has access to irrigation and improve water-use efficiency in agriculture. Its key objectives include expanding the area under irrigation, integrating water resources, and promoting sustainable water conservation practices to increase crop productivity.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Based on Chapter 4 (“Water Resources”) of the NCERT 12th Class textbook and its key themes, here are 20 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with answers, relevant for students preparing for NCERT 12th class examinations and UPSC:
1. What percentage of the Earth’s surface is covered by water?
(a) 50%
(b) 71%
(c) 60%
(d) 80%
Answer: (b) 71%
2. What percentage of Earth’s water is freshwater?
(a) 10%
(b) 5%
(c) 3%
(d) 2%
Answer: (c) 3%
3. What is the primary source of freshwater on Earth?
(a) Lakes
(b) Rivers
(c) Groundwater
(d) Rainfall
Answer: (d) Rainfall
4. India accounts for what percentage of the world’s total water resources?
(a) 2%
(b) 4%
(c) 6%
(d) 8%
Answer: (b) 4%
5. What is the total annual water availability from precipitation in India?
(a) 2,500 cubic km
(b) 3,500 cubic km
(c) 4,000 cubic km
(d) 4,500 cubic km
Answer: (c) 4,000 cubic km
6. What percentage of India’s total water resource is utilizable?
(a) 50%
(b) 60%
(c) 40%
(d) 30%
Answer: (b) 60%
7. Which river system has the largest share of India’s surface water resources?
(a) Godavari
(b) Krishna
(c) Brahmaputra
(d) Ganga
Answer: (d) Ganga
8. What is the main source of surface water in India?
(a) Groundwater
(b) Rivers
(c) Ponds
(d) Lakes
Answer: (b) Rivers
9. What is the largest user of water in India?
(a) Industrial sector
(b) Domestic sector
(c) Agriculture
(d) Hydroelectricity
Answer: (c) Agriculture
10. Which Indian state has the highest level of groundwater utilization?
(a) Tamil Nadu
(b) Kerala
(c) Punjab
(d) Odisha
Answer: (c) Punjab
11. What is the primary cause of water scarcity in India?
(a) Overutilization and pollution
(b) Low rainfall
(c) Lack of rivers
(d) Urbanization
Answer: (a) Overutilization and pollution
12. Which Indian river is most affected by pollution?
(a) Yamuna
(b) Godavari
(c) Ganga
(d) Brahmaputra
Answer: (a) Yamuna
13. Which of the following is a major multipurpose river valley project in India?
(a) Bhakra-Nangal
(b) Narmada
(c) Yamuna
(d) Kaveri
Answer: (a) Bhakra-Nangal
14. What is the main method of water conservation promoted in India?
(a) Desalination
(b) Rainwater harvesting
(c) Dams
(d) River-linking
Answer: (b) Rainwater harvesting
15. What percentage of India’s groundwater is used for agriculture?
(a) 50%
(b) 80%
(c) 92%
(d) 70%
Answer: (c) 92%
16. What is the focus of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)?
(a) Water supply to urban areas
(b) Providing assured irrigation to farmers
(c) Cleaning polluted rivers
(d) Rainwater harvesting in cities
Answer: (b) Providing assured irrigation to farmers
17. Which sector is expected to see an increase in water consumption in the future?
(a) Industrial
(b) Agriculture
(c) Domestic
(d) Fishing
Answer: (a) Industrial
18. What is the primary purpose of watershed management?
(a) Agriculture expansion
(b) Conservation of surface and groundwater resources
(c) Urban development
(d) River cleaning
Answer: (b) Conservation of surface and groundwater resources
19. Which state has implemented compulsory water harvesting in households?
(a) Gujarat
(b) Tamil Nadu
(c) Kerala
(d) West Bengal
Answer: (b) Tamil Nadu
20. What is one of the major objectives of the National Water Policy 2012?
(a) Desalination of seawater
(b) Development of inter-state rivers
(c) Urban water supply
(d) Increased agricultural water use
Answer: (b) Development of inter-state rivers
Other Chapter
| Chapter 1:- POPULATION: Distribution, Density, Growth and Composition | Chapter 2:- HUMAN SETTLEMENTS |
| Chapter 3:- LAND RESOURCES AND AGRICULTURE | Chapter 5:- MINERAL AND ENERGY RESOURCES |
| Chapter 6:- PLANNING AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN INDIAN CONTEXT | Chapter 7:- TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION |
| Chapter 8:- INTERNATIONAL TRADE | Chapter 9:- GEOGRAPHICAL PERSPECTIVE ON SELECTED ISSUES AND PROBLEMS |
