Question 1

Q1: (i) Which one of the following types describes water as a resource? (a) Abiotic resource (b) Non-renewable Resources (c) Biotic Resource (d) Non-cycli...

Accepted Answer

(a) Abiotic resource Water is classified as an abiotic resource because it is a non-living component of the ecosystem. The source text also states that "Water is a cyclic resource", which means it is renewable and can be replenished. This contradicts options (b) Non-renewable Resources and (d) Non-c...

Question 2

Q1: (ii) Which one of the following south Indian states has the highest groundwater utilisation (in per cent) of its total ground water potential? (a) Tam...

Accepted Answer

(a) Tamil Nadu According to the chapter, the level of groundwater utilisation is relatively high in parts of south India. The text explicitly states, "The groundwater utilisation is very high in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu." Among the South Indian states listed in the op...

Question 3

Q1: (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) Domest...

Accepted Answer

(a) Irrigation The chapter clearly states that India's water demand is dominated by irrigational needs. It specifies that the agricultural sector, where water is primarily used for irrigation, "accounts for 89 per cent of the surface water and 92 per cent of the groundwater utilisation." This share...

Question 4

Q2: (iv) What can be possible impacts of consumption of contaminated/unclean water on the people?

Accepted Answer

Consumption of contaminated or unclean water can have severe impacts on human health. The possible impacts include:    Water-borne Diseases: Unclean water often contains harmful micro-organisms and bacteria, which can cause diseases like cholera, typhoid, jaundice, and other gastrointestinal illness...

Question 5

Q2: (iii) Why the share of agricultural sector in total water used in the country is expected to decline?

Accepted Answer

The share of the agricultural sector in the total water used in the country is expected to decline in the future due to the increasing demands from other sectors. As India continues to develop economically, there will be significant growth in industrialisation and urbanisation. This development will...

Question 6

Q2: (i) It is said that the water resources in India have been depleting very fast. Discuss the factors responsible for depletion of water resources?

Accepted Answer

The rapid depletion of water resources in India is due to several factors:    Over-utilisation: There is excessive withdrawal of water, especially groundwater, to meet the demands of a growing population and for agricultural activities. States like Punjab and Haryana use a large proportion of their...

Question 7

Q2: (ii) What factors are responsible for the highest groundwater development in the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Tamil Nadu?

Accepted Answer

The high level of groundwater development in states like Punjab, Haryana, and Tamil Nadu is primarily driven by agricultural needs. The key factors are:    Green Revolution: The success of the Green Revolution in Punjab and Haryana was dependent on High Yielding Varieties (HYV) of crops, particularl...

Question 8

Q3: (iii) What is watershed management? Do you think it can play an important role in sustainable development?

Accepted Answer

Watershed Management: Watershed management refers to the efficient management and conservation of surface and groundwater resources within a watershed. It is a holistic approach that involves preventing soil runoff, and storing and recharging groundwater through methods like percolation tanks, recha...

Question 9

Q3: (ii) The depleting water resources may lead to social conflicts and disputes. Elaborate it with suitable examples?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the depletion of water resources is a major cause of social conflicts and disputes at various levels. As water becomes scarcer, competition over its sharing and control intensifies among different users and regions. Nature of Conflicts: These conflicts can manifest in several ways:    Inter-Sta...

Question 10

Q3: (i) Discuss the availability of water resources in the country and factors that determine its spatial distribution?

Accepted Answer

India has significant water resources, but their availability is limited and unevenly distributed. Availability of Water Resources: India receives about 4,000 cubic km of water from annual precipitation. However, the total available water from surface sources (rivers, lakes) and replenishable ground...

NCERT Solutions