Questions
5
Q1
What causes water scarcity even in areas with good rainfall?
Water scarcity can occur despite rainfall because of overuse, unequal access, seasonal variation, pollution, urbanisation, industrial demand, and inefficient irrigation. A region may have water but still face scarcity if the available water is polluted or poorly managed.
Q2
Explain the benefits of multipurpose river valley projects.
Multipurpose river valley projects store and regulate water for irrigation, electricity generation, flood control, drinking water supply, inland navigation, fisheries, and recreation. They were seen as important for planned development because they could support agriculture and industry together.
Q3
What problems are associated with large dams?
Large dams can displace people, submerge forests and farms, disturb river ecology, trap silt, increase conflicts over water sharing, and sometimes cause waterlogging and salinity in command areas. Their benefits and costs are often distributed unequally.
Q4
Why is rainwater harvesting important? Give examples of traditional methods.
Rainwater harvesting is important because it captures local rainfall, recharges groundwater, reduces runoff, and supports water availability in dry periods. Traditional systems include rooftop harvesting, tanks, johads, khadins, bamboo drip irrigation, and underground storage structures.
Q5
Suggest ways to conserve water in agriculture and daily life.
Water can be conserved through drip and sprinkler irrigation, crop choice suited to local rainfall, lining canals, repairing leaks, recycling wastewater, rooftop harvesting, watershed management, and reducing wastage in homes and industries.