SHORT QUESTIONS AND ANSWER
Question 1: What are the two main sources of freshwater?
Answer: The two main sources of freshwater are surface water (rivers, lakes, and reservoirs) and groundwater.
Question 2: Define water scarcity.
Answer: Water scarcity occurs when the demand for water exceeds the available supply, leading to a lack of access to clean and safe water for human use.
Question 3: What is the largest river basin in India?
Answer: The Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna River basin is the largest river basin in India.
Question 4: Define rainwater harvesting.
Answer: Rainwater harvesting is the process of collecting and storing rainwater for future use, typically in tanks or reservoirs.
Question 5: What is the purpose of watershed management?
Answer: The purpose of watershed management is to sustainably manage the land and water resources within a specific geographic area to ensure water availability, prevent soil erosion, and promote ecosystem health.
Question 6: Name one human activity that contributes to water pollution.
Answer: Industrial discharge into water bodies is one human activity that contributes to water pollution.
Question 7: What is the role of dams in water resource management?
Answer: Dams are used in water resource management to regulate river flow, store water for irrigation and drinking, generate hydroelectric power, and control floods.
Question 8: Define groundwater recharge.
Answer: Groundwater recharge is the process by which water from precipitation and surface sources infiltrates the ground and replenishes underground aquifers.
Question 9: Name one major river in India that is shared with neighboring countries.
Answer: The Indus River is one major river in India that is shared with neighboring countries such as Pakistan.
Question 10: What is the significance of water conservation?
Answer: Water conservation is important to ensure the sustainable use of water resources, minimize wastage, and address water scarcity issues.
Question 11: What is the primary purpose of canal irrigation?
Answer: The primary purpose of canal irrigation is to divert water from rivers or reservoirs to agricultural fields for irrigation purposes.
Question 12: Define aquifer.
Answer: An aquifer is an underground layer of permeable rock, soil, or gravel that can store and transmit groundwater.
Question 13: Name one traditional method of water conservation used in arid regions.
Answer: Building check dams across seasonal streams is one traditional method of water conservation used in arid regions.
Question 14: What is the impact of over-extraction of groundwater?
Answer: Over-extraction of groundwater can lead to depletion of aquifers, land subsidence, and saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers.
Question 15: How does urbanization contribute to water pollution?
Answer: Urbanization contributes to water pollution through increased discharge of sewage, industrial effluents, and solid waste into water bodies, leading to contamination and degradation of water quality.
LONG QUESTIONS AND ANSWER
Question 1: Discuss the significance of water as a critical natural resource for sustaining life and supporting various human activities. How does water availability influence economic development, social well-being, and environmental sustainability?
Answer:
- Water is a critical natural resource essential for sustaining life, supporting agriculture, industry, and urbanization, and maintaining ecological balance. Water availability influences economic development by enabling agricultural productivity, industrial growth, and energy generation.
- Socially, access to clean water is essential for human health, sanitation, and hygiene, reducing waterborne diseases and improving quality of life. Moreover, water plays a crucial role in environmental sustainability by supporting biodiversity, regulating climate, and sustaining ecosystems.
- However, water scarcity, pollution, and inequitable distribution pose challenges to achieving sustainable development goals, highlighting the importance of efficient water management and conservation strategies.
Question 2: Analyze the distribution and utilization of water resources in India, highlighting regional disparities and challenges in water management. How do factors like population growth, urbanization, and climate change impact water availability and demand?
Answer:
- Water resources in India are unevenly distributed geographically, with some regions facing water surplus and others experiencing water scarcity. The Himalayan rivers in the north and northeast regions contribute to water abundance, while arid and semi-arid regions like Rajasthan face water scarcity.
- Population growth, rapid urbanization, industrialization, and climate change exacerbate water stress by increasing water demand and altering precipitation patterns. Challenges in water management include inefficient irrigation practices, groundwater depletion, pollution, and inadequate infrastructure.
- Addressing these challenges requires integrated water resource management approaches, sustainable development strategies, and climate-resilient infrastructure to ensure water security and equitable access for all.
Question 3: Discuss the concept of watershed management and its importance in sustainable water resource management. How do watershed management practices promote soil conservation, water recharge, and community participation?
Answer:
- Watershed management involves the integrated planning and management of land and water resources within a watershed or drainage basin to ensure sustainable use, conservation, and development.
- Watershed management practices include soil conservation measures, afforestation, rainwater harvesting, and community-based initiatives to promote sustainable agriculture and livelihoods.
- These practices help prevent soil erosion, recharge groundwater, regulate surface runoff, and enhance ecosystem resilience. Moreover, watershed management fosters community participation, empowerment, and ownership of natural resources, leading to improved environmental stewardship, social cohesion, and economic development.
Question 4: Evaluate the role of dams in water resource management, highlighting their benefits and environmental impacts. How do factors like reservoir construction, river diversion, and hydropower generation influence ecosystem health, biodiversity, and downstream communities?
Answer:
- Dams play a crucial role in water resource management by regulating river flow, storing water for irrigation and drinking, generating hydropower, and controlling floods.
- Dams provide multiple benefits such as water supply, electricity generation, flood control, and recreation. However, dam construction and operation can have adverse environmental impacts, including habitat loss, fragmentation, and alteration of river ecosystems.
- Reservoir construction disrupts natural river flow, affects sediment transport, and submerges terrestrial habitats, leading to biodiversity loss and habitat degradation.
- River diversion projects can impact downstream communities, fisheries, and wetlands, affecting water quality and livelihoods. Hydropower generation may contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, sedimentation, and altered riverine processes, posing challenges to ecosystem health and sustainability.
Question 5: Discuss the causes and consequences of water pollution, highlighting the sources, types, and effects of water pollutants on human health and the environment. How do factors like industrialization, urbanization, and agricultural runoff contribute to water contamination and degradation?
Answer:
- Water pollution occurs when contaminants are discharged into water bodies, affecting water quality and ecosystem health. Sources of water pollution include industrial effluents, sewage, agricultural runoff, chemical spills, and solid waste disposal.
- Types of water pollutants include organic and inorganic substances, heavy metals, pathogens, and synthetic chemicals. Water pollution can have adverse effects on human health, aquatic life, and ecosystems, causing waterborne diseases, ecosystem disruption, and biodiversity loss.
- Factors like industrialization, urbanization, and intensive agriculture contribute to water contamination by increasing pollutant discharge, reducing natural filtration, and altering hydrological cycles.
- Addressing water pollution requires pollution prevention measures, wastewater treatment, and sustainable land management practices to safeguard water resources and protect human and environmental health.
Question 6: Explain the concept of rainwater harvesting and its significance in water conservation and management. How do rainwater harvesting systems work, and what are the benefits of implementing rainwater harvesting techniques?
Answer:
- Rainwater harvesting is the process of collecting and storing rainwater for various purposes such as irrigation, drinking, and household use. Rainwater harvesting systems typically include catchment areas like rooftops, gutters, and surfaces, conveyance systems like pipes and channels, and storage tanks or reservoirs.
- Rainwater harvesting helps augment water supply, reduce dependency on groundwater, alleviate flooding, and recharge aquifers. Moreover, rainwater harvesting promotes water conservation, sustainability, and resilience to climate change by harnessing natural precipitation and reducing runoff.
- Benefits of implementing rainwater harvesting techniques include water security, cost savings, environmental sustainability, and community empowerment.
Question 7: Discuss the challenges and opportunities for sustainable groundwater management in India, highlighting issues like groundwater depletion, overdraft, and pollution. How do factors like urbanization, agriculture, and climate change impact groundwater availability and quality?
Answer:
- Groundwater management in India faces challenges such as groundwater depletion, overdraft, and contamination due to unsustainable extraction, pollution, and inadequate regulation.
- Overexploitation of groundwater for agriculture, industry, and domestic use has led to declining water tables, land subsidence, and saltwater intrusion in coastal aquifers.
- Urbanization and industrialization contribute to groundwater contamination through sewage, industrial effluents, and chemical pollutants. Moreover, climate change exacerbates groundwater stress by altering precipitation patterns, reducing recharge, and increasing demand for water.
- Sustainable groundwater management requires regulatory measures, water conservation strategies, recharge enhancement, and pollution control measures to ensure equitable access, environmental sustainability, and resilience to future challenges.
Question 8: Evaluate the role of community-based water management initiatives in promoting sustainable water resource management and livelihoods. How do community-led projects like watershed committees, water user associations, and participatory irrigation schemes empower local communities and enhance water governance?
Answer:
- Community-based water management initiatives play a crucial role in promoting sustainable water resource management, poverty reduction, and social inclusion.
- Projects like watershed committees, water user associations, and participatory irrigation schemes empower local communities by involving them in decision-making, planning, and implementation of water management activities.
- These initiatives foster social cohesion, equity, and accountability, leading to improved water governance, resource conservation, and livelihood opportunities.
- Moreover, community-led projects promote traditional knowledge, cultural values, and indigenous practices, enhancing resilience to climate change and external threats.
Question 9: Discuss the importance of transboundary water cooperation and conflict resolution in addressing shared water challenges among riparian states. How do factors like upstream-downstream dynamics, water treaties, and basin management organizations contribute to effective water governance and peacebuilding?
Answer:
- Transboundary water cooperation is essential for addressing shared water challenges, promoting regional cooperation, and preventing conflicts over water resources among riparian states.
- Factors like upstream-downstream dynamics, competing water uses, and hydrological interdependencies require collaborative approaches to water management, negotiation, and dispute resolution.
- Water treaties, agreements, and basin management organizations facilitate communication, coordination, and joint decision-making among riparian states, promoting trust, equity, and mutual benefits.
- Moreover, transboundary water cooperation enhances peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and regional stability by fostering dialogue, cooperation, and confidence-building measures.
Question 10: Analyze the role of technological innovations and policy interventions in enhancing water resource sustainability, resilience, and adaptive capacity. How do advances in water-saving technologies, water reuse, and integrated water management contribute to addressing water scarcity, pollution, and climate change impacts?
Answer:
- Technological innovations and policy interventions play a crucial role in enhancing water resource sustainability, resilience, and adaptive capacity to address emerging challenges such as water scarcity, pollution, and climate change impacts.
- Advances in water-saving technologies like drip irrigation, efficient irrigation systems, and precision agriculture help optimize water use, improve crop productivity, and conserve water resources.
- Water reuse and recycling technologies treat wastewater and greywater for non-potable uses, reducing freshwater demand, and minimizing pollution. Integrated water management approaches integrate land-use planning, water allocation, and ecosystem restoration to promote water conservation, ecosystem health, and climate resilience.
- Moreover, policy interventions such as water pricing, regulations, and incentives encourage sustainable water use, pollution prevention, and investment in water infrastructure, promoting long-term water security and environmental sustainability.
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