Class 12 : Grography (English) – Lesson 12.Water Resources
EXPLANATION & SUMMARY
🌊 Introduction
🔵 Water is the most vital natural resource, essential for all forms of life, economic development, and maintaining ecological balance.
🟢 It exists in various forms — surface water (rivers, lakes, glaciers) and groundwater — forming a part of the hydrological cycle.
💧 The uneven distribution of water across time and space creates both surplus and scarcity conditions in different regions.
💡 Concept: Water resource management ensures sustainable use of water for agriculture, industry, domestic use, and ecosystems.
✏️ Note: Highlighted boxes, tables, or diagrams from NCERT are not included; only main textual content is explained.
🌍 Distribution of Water Resources
🔹 About 71% of Earth’s surface is covered with water, but only 2.5% is fresh water.
🔹 Of this, a major portion is locked in glaciers and ice caps, and only 0.3% is available as surface water in rivers and lakes.
🔹 India has 4% of the world’s freshwater but 16% of the global population.
🧠 Key Idea: This imbalance necessitates careful water management to meet demands sustainably.
💦 Water Use in India
🔵 Agriculture (≈80%) – Major consumer due to irrigation needs.
🟢 Industry (≈10%) – Used in processing, cooling, and cleaning.
🟡 Domestic Use (≈10%) – Drinking, cooking, sanitation, etc.
⚙️ Hydropower – Water as an energy source for electricity generation.
💡 Concept: With industrialization and urbanization, non-agricultural demands are rising rapidly.
🧭 Water Scarcity – Causes
1️⃣ Unequal Distribution: Monsoon dependence leads to temporal and spatial variability.
2️⃣ Overexploitation: Excess withdrawal for irrigation and urban needs.
3️⃣ Pollution: Industrial and domestic waste contaminates rivers and groundwater.
4️⃣ Deforestation & Land Degradation: Reduce recharge and increase runoff.
5️⃣ Population Growth: Increases demand beyond natural availability.
⚠️ Result: Falling groundwater levels, dry rivers, and seasonal droughts in many parts of India.
🌾 Irrigation in India
🔵 Major Irrigation Sources:
Canals – Common in northern plains.
Wells & Tubewells – Used in peninsular regions.
Tanks – Ancient method, prevalent in southern states.
🧠 Importance: Boosts agricultural productivity, enables multiple cropping, reduces monsoon dependency.
✏️ Note: Over-irrigation causes salinization and waterlogging in several regions.
🏗️ Multipurpose River Valley Projects
🟢 Designed for multiple uses – irrigation, flood control, power, navigation, and recreation.
🔹 Examples:
Bhakra Nangal Project (Satluj)
Damodar Valley Project (Damodar)
Hirakud Project (Mahanadi)
Tungabhadra Project (Karnataka)
💡 Concept: Known as “temples of modern India” (Nehru), these projects promote regional development.
⚠️ Challenges: Displacement of people, ecological disruption, silting, and inequitable distribution of benefits.
🌧️ Rainwater Harvesting
📘 Definition: Collecting and storing rainwater from rooftops or catchments for reuse.
🟢 Purpose: Recharge groundwater, reduce dependence on surface water, and mitigate floods.
🔹 Methods:
Rooftop collection
Check dams
Percolation pits
💡 Example: Traditional systems like Khadins (Rajasthan), Tankas (Gujarat), and Zing (Ladakh).
💧 Groundwater Depletion
🔵 Excessive withdrawal for agriculture and urban use leads to declining water tables.
🧠 Major affected regions: Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu.
⚠️ Impacts: Reduced drinking water, drying wells, land subsidence, and saltwater intrusion.
✔️ Solution: Controlled pumping, recharge wells, afforestation, and awareness programs.
🌱 Watershed Management
📘 Concept: Scientific method of conserving soil and water through area-based development.
🔹 Includes contour bunding, terracing, afforestation, and small dams.
🟢 Objectives:
Prevent erosion
Increase infiltration
Improve land productivity
💡 Success Example: Sukhomajri (Haryana), Ralegan Siddhi (Maharashtra).
⚖️ Need for Water Resource Planning
1️⃣ To ensure equitable distribution among sectors and regions.
2️⃣ To integrate surface and groundwater use.
3️⃣ To reduce wastage and pollution.
4️⃣ To achieve sustainability through participatory management.
🌿 Water Resource Management Strategies
🔵 Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM): Balances social, economic, and environmental needs.
🟢 Community Participation: Involvement of local bodies ensures accountability.
🟡 Technological Innovations: Drip irrigation, sensors, and smart water grids.
🔴 Policy Framework: National Water Policy (2012) promotes sustainability.
🌎 Inter-State Water Disputes
⚡ Water sharing conflicts arise due to differing state priorities.
🔹 Examples:
Cauvery (Karnataka–Tamil Nadu)
Krishna (Andhra Pradesh–Telangana)
Ravi-Beas (Punjab–Haryana)
✔️ Solution: Legal frameworks, tribunals, and cooperative federalism.
🧭 Global Perspective
🌍 Water scarcity affects over 2 billion people globally.
📊 UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 6) aims for universal water access by 2030.
💡 India must align policies with global sustainability standards.
📘 Summary (≈300 words)
🔹 Water is a finite but renewable resource, critical for life and development.
🔹 India’s water availability is unevenly distributed, leading to regional imbalances.
🔹 Major sources: surface water (rivers, lakes) and groundwater.
🔹 Uses include agriculture, industry, domestic needs, and hydropower.
🔹 Scarcity causes: overuse, pollution, deforestation, and unequal distribution.
🔹 Irrigation systems – canals, wells, tanks – are crucial for food security but can cause degradation if mismanaged.
🔹 Multipurpose projects serve diverse functions but face ecological and social issues.
🔹 Rainwater harvesting and watershed management are sustainable alternatives.
🔹 Groundwater depletion threatens long-term water security.
🔹 Water resource planning integrates surface and groundwater, ensures equitable use, and supports sustainable growth.
🔹 Inter-state water disputes require cooperation and legal resolution.
🔹 Global concern over water scarcity highlights the need for efficient, equitable, and sustainable management.
✔️ Final Insight: Sustainable water management ensures food, livelihood, and ecological security for present and future generations.
📝 Quick Recap:
🌿 Water is essential for life and economy.
💧 India faces scarcity due to uneven distribution and overuse.
⚡ Multipurpose projects aid development but need caution.
💡 Rainwater harvesting and watershed management are key solutions.
🧭 Sustainable planning ensures balance between use and conservation.
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QUESTIONS FROM TEXTBOOK
🔵 Question 1(i): Which one of the following types describes water as a resource?
1️⃣ Abiotic Resource
2️⃣ Non-renewable Resource
3️⃣ Biotic Resource
4️⃣ Non-cyclic Resource
🟢 Answer: 1️⃣ Abiotic Resource
🔵 Question 1(ii): Which one of the following south Indian states has the highest groundwater utilisation (in per cent) of its total groundwater potential?
1️⃣ Tamil Nadu
2️⃣ Karnataka
3️⃣ Andhra Pradesh
4️⃣ Kerala
🟢 Answer: 1️⃣ Tamil Nadu
🔵 Question 1(iii): The highest proportion of the total water used in the country is in which one of the following sectors?
1️⃣ Irrigation
2️⃣ Industries
3️⃣ Domestic Use
4️⃣ None of the above
🟢 Answer: 1️⃣ Irrigation
🔵 Question 2(i): It is said that the water resources in India have been depleting very fast. Discuss the factors responsible for depletion of water resources.
🟢 Answer:
✳️ Over-exploitation of groundwater for irrigation and urban use.
✳️ Rapid urbanization increasing demand.
✳️ Pollution from industries and domestic waste reducing usable water.
✳️ Deforestation and land degradation lowering recharge capacity.
✳️ Uneven rainfall and high evaporation losses in arid areas.
🔵 Question 2(ii): What factors are responsible for the highest groundwater development in the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Tamil Nadu?
🟢 Answer:
➤ Dominance of irrigated agriculture using tubewells.
➤ Intensive cropping and HYV seeds needing assured water.
➤ Less availability of surface water sources.
➤ Government support for well irrigation.
🔵 Question 2(iii): Why is the share of agricultural sector in total water used in the country expected to decline?
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Industrialization and urbanization increasing non-agricultural demand.
✔️ Improvement in irrigation efficiency reduces water use per hectare.
✔️ Shift towards service sector and manufacturing.
✔️ Diversification of economy lowering agricultural dependency.
🔵 Question 2(iv): What can be possible impacts of consumption of contaminated/unclean water on the people?
🟢 Answer:
💧 Water-borne diseases like cholera, typhoid, dysentery.
⚡ Weakening of immunity and malnutrition.
🌿 Decline in productivity due to ill health.
🧠 Economic burden due to medical costs and loss of workdays.
🔵 Question 3(i): Discuss the availability of water resources in the country and factors that determine its spatial distribution.
🟢 Answer:
📘 Availability: India receives average annual precipitation of ~4000 billion cubic meters; usable surface and groundwater ≈ 1123 BCM.
📍 Uneven Distribution:
High in Himalayan and coastal regions.
Low in arid areas of Rajasthan and Deccan plateau.
🌧️ Factors Influencing:
1️⃣ Rainfall pattern and monsoon variability.
2️⃣ River basin characteristics.
3️⃣ Topography and infiltration capacity.
4️⃣ Land use and vegetation cover.
🔵 Question 3(ii): The depleting water resources may lead to social conflicts and disputes. Elaborate with suitable examples.
🟢 Answer:
⚠️ Declining availability causes competition among sectors (agriculture, industry, domestic).
📍 Inter-state Disputes:
Cauvery between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Ravi–Beas between Punjab and Haryana.
💬 Conflicts between farmers and urban users due to groundwater depletion.
📘 Solution: Integrated water management and cooperative sharing mechanisms.
🔵 Question 3(iii): What is watershed management? Do you think it can play an important role in sustainable development?
🟢 Answer:
🧭 Definition: Watershed management is the scientific planning and utilization of land and water resources within a watershed to conserve soil, enhance water availability, and ensure livelihood security.
🌱 Measures: Contour bunding, terracing, afforestation, percolation tanks, small dams.
💡 Role in Sustainability:
✔️ Controls soil erosion and runoff.
✔️ Recharges groundwater.
✔️ Promotes community participation.
✔️ Ensures long-term ecological balance.
✅ Conclusion: Yes, watershed management is vital for sustainable development as it integrates conservation with socio-economic growth.
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OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS FOR EXAMS
🔷 Section A – Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark Each)
🔵 Question 1: Which one of the following types describes water as a resource?
🔴 1️⃣ Abiotic Resource
🟢 2️⃣ Non-renewable Resource
🟡 3️⃣ Biotic Resource
🔵 4️⃣ Non-cyclic Resource
🟢 Answer: 1️⃣ Abiotic Resource
🔵 Question 2: Which one of the following south Indian states has the highest groundwater utilisation (in %) of its total groundwater potential?
🔴 1️⃣ Tamil Nadu
🟢 2️⃣ Karnataka
🟡 3️⃣ Andhra Pradesh
🔵 4️⃣ Kerala
🟢 Answer: 1️⃣ Tamil Nadu
🔵 Question 3: The highest proportion of the total water used in the country is in which one of the following sectors?
🔴 1️⃣ Irrigation
🟢 2️⃣ Industries
🟡 3️⃣ Domestic use
🔵 4️⃣ None of the above
🟢 Answer: 1️⃣ Irrigation
🔵 Question 4: Which among the following is a renewable water resource?
🔴 1️⃣ Groundwater
🟢 2️⃣ Fossil water
🟡 3️⃣ Glacial water
🔵 4️⃣ Ocean water
🟢 Answer: 1️⃣ Groundwater
🔵 Question 5: Which one of the following human activities causes maximum water pollution?
🔴 1️⃣ Domestic waste
🟢 2️⃣ Industrial discharge
🟡 3️⃣ Agricultural runoff
🔵 4️⃣ Thermal plants
🟢 Answer: 2️⃣ Industrial discharge
🔵 Question 6: Which one of the following is the largest source of freshwater?
🔴 1️⃣ Rivers
🟢 2️⃣ Lakes
🟡 3️⃣ Groundwater
🔵 4️⃣ Glaciers
🟢 Answer: 4️⃣ Glaciers
🔵 Question 7: The Ganga Action Plan and Yamuna Action Plan were launched to control—
🔴 1️⃣ Floods
🟢 2️⃣ Pollution
🟡 3️⃣ Droughts
🔵 4️⃣ Erosion
🟢 Answer: 2️⃣ Pollution
🔵 Question 8: Watershed development projects aim to—
🔴 1️⃣ Reduce soil erosion
🟢 2️⃣ Increase productivity
🟡 3️⃣ Improve water conservation
🔵 4️⃣ All of the above
🟢 Answer: 4️⃣ All of the above
🔵 Question 9: The main objective of ‘Rainwater harvesting’ is—
🔴 1️⃣ Prevent flooding
🟢 2️⃣ Recharge groundwater
🟡 3️⃣ Store surface water
🔵 4️⃣ Improve soil fertility
🟢 Answer: 2️⃣ Recharge groundwater
🔵 Question 10: Which of the following river projects is a joint venture of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan?
🔴 1️⃣ Bhakra Nangal
🟢 2️⃣ Sardar Sarovar
🟡 3️⃣ Hirakud
🔵 4️⃣ Nagarjuna Sagar
🟢 Answer: 2️⃣ Sardar Sarovar
🔵 Question 11: Which among the following is a measure of water scarcity?
🔴 1️⃣ Less than 1000 m³ per capita per year
🟢 2️⃣ More than 2000 m³ per capita per year
🟡 3️⃣ Exactly 1500 m³ per capita per year
🔵 4️⃣ None of these
🟢 Answer: 1️⃣ Less than 1000 m³ per capita per year
🔵 Question 12: Which organisation launched the “National Water Mission”?
🔴 1️⃣ NITI Aayog
🟢 2️⃣ Ministry of Jal Shakti
🟡 3️⃣ Central Water Commission
🔵 4️⃣ UNEP
🟢 Answer: 2️⃣ Ministry of Jal Shakti
🔵 Question 13: Which Indian state has achieved the highest percentage of rural households with tap water supply under Jal Jeevan Mission?
🔴 1️⃣ Goa
🟢 2️⃣ Kerala
🟡 3️⃣ Punjab
🔵 4️⃣ Tamil Nadu
🟢 Answer: 1️⃣ Goa
🔵 Question 14: Which one of the following is a traditional method of water conservation in Rajasthan?
🔴 1️⃣ Stepwell (Baoli)
🟢 2️⃣ Tank
🟡 3️⃣ Dykes
🔵 4️⃣ Bund
🟢 Answer: 1️⃣ Stepwell (Baoli)
🔵 Question 15: Which one of the following statements is true regarding India’s water resources?
🔴 1️⃣ Uneven distribution
🟢 2️⃣ Uniform availability
🟡 3️⃣ Surplus in all basins
🔵 4️⃣ None
🟢 Answer: 1️⃣ Uneven distribution
🔵 Question 16: Which component of Integrated Water Resource Management focuses on community participation?
🔴 1️⃣ Social aspect
🟢 2️⃣ Technical aspect
🟡 3️⃣ Legal aspect
🔵 4️⃣ Economic aspect
🟢 Answer: 1️⃣ Social aspect
🔵 Question 17: The National Water Policy (2012) prioritizes—
🔴 1️⃣ Industrial use
🟢 2️⃣ Drinking water
🟡 3️⃣ Navigation
🔵 4️⃣ Power generation
🟢 Answer: 2️⃣ Drinking water
🔷 Section B – Source-Based Questions (3 Marks Each)
🔵 Question 18:
Study the passage and answer the questions:
“India receives 4000 BCM precipitation annually, but utilizable water resources are only 1123 BCM. Spatial variation exists in river basins.”
🟢 (a) What is the total utilizable surface water in India?
🟢 (b) State one reason for spatial variation.
🟢 (c) Suggest one method to overcome shortage.
🟢 Answer:
✳️ (a) 690 BCM surface water.
✳️ (b) Uneven rainfall and topography.
✳️ (c) Rainwater harvesting and watershed management.
🔵 Question 19:
Read the data and answer the following:
Irrigation: 89%
Industry: 7%
Domestic: 4%
🟢 (a) Which sector uses the maximum water?
🟢 (b) Why does irrigation need such a large share?
🟢 (c) Mention one step to improve efficiency.
🟢 Answer:
✳️ (a) Irrigation.
✳️ (b) Large agricultural base, dependence on monsoon.
✳️ (c) Use of drip/sprinkler irrigation.
🔷 Section C – Short Answer Questions (3 Marks Each)
🔵 Question 20: Explain three factors responsible for depletion of water resources in India.
🟢 Answer:
➤ Over-extraction of groundwater.
➤ Industrial and domestic pollution.
➤ Rapid urbanization and population growth.
🔵 Question 21: State any three factors influencing spatial distribution of water resources.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Rainfall pattern.
✔️ River basin characteristics.
✔️ Geology and topography.
🔵 Question 22: Explain three harmful effects of water pollution.
🟢 Answer:
💧 Spread of diseases.
⚡ Decline in aquatic biodiversity.
🌿 Contamination of drinking water sources.
🔵 Question 23: Describe three traditional methods of water conservation used in India.
🟢 Answer:
📘 Johads (Rajasthan),
📘 Kulhs (Himachal),
📘 Tankas (Gujarat).
🔷 Section D – Long Answer Questions (5 Marks Each)
🔵 Question 24: Discuss the availability of water resources in India and factors that determine its spatial distribution.
🟢 Answer:
📘 Availability:
India receives nearly 4000 billion cubic meters (BCM) of precipitation annually. Out of this, the utilizable water resources are around 1123 BCM (surface water 690 BCM + groundwater 433 BCM).
🌿 Spatial Distribution:
Water resources are unevenly distributed across India. River basins like the Ganga and Brahmaputra have abundant water, while basins in Rajasthan and Deccan Plateau face scarcity.
💡 Factors Determining Distribution:
1️⃣ Rainfall Pattern: Uneven monsoon rainfall leads to regional imbalances.
2️⃣ Topography: Mountainous and plateau regions have limited storage capacity.
3️⃣ River Basin Features: Larger basins accumulate more water.
4️⃣ Geology: Permeable rocks aid groundwater recharge.
5️⃣ Land Use: Deforestation and urbanization affect infiltration and runoff.
✅ Conclusion: Sustainable management and inter-basin transfers are essential to balance supply and demand.
🔵 Question 25: Explain how depletion of water resources may lead to social conflicts and disputes. Give suitable examples.
🟢 Answer:
⚠️ Impact of Depletion:
When water availability declines, competition among sectors and regions intensifies.
📘 Social Conflicts:
1️⃣ Rural–Urban Conflicts: Cities draw water from rural areas, creating resentment (e.g. Chennai–Tamil Nadu hinterlands).
2️⃣ Inter-State Disputes:
Cauvery River: Between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over sharing irrigation water.
Ravi–Beas: Between Punjab and Haryana.
3️⃣ Inter-Sectoral Conflicts: Agriculture vs Industry vs Domestic needs.
🌱 Reason: Over-extraction, pollution, and population growth.
✔️ Conclusion: Integrated Water Resource Management and cooperative federalism can reduce conflicts.
🔵 Question 26: What is watershed management? Explain its importance in sustainable development.
🟢 Answer:
🧭 Definition: Watershed management refers to the scientific management of land and water resources within a watershed area to conserve soil, improve water availability, and enhance livelihoods.
🌿 Components:
1️⃣ Soil conservation (terracing, bunding).
2️⃣ Rainwater harvesting.
3️⃣ Afforestation.
4️⃣ Community participation.
💡 Importance in Sustainable Development:
✔️ Reduces soil erosion and improves fertility.
✔️ Enhances groundwater recharge.
✔️ Prevents floods and droughts.
✔️ Promotes self-reliance and food security.
📘 Example: Sukhomajri Project (Haryana) – successful model of participatory watershed management.
✅ Conclusion: Watershed management integrates conservation and development, ensuring ecological balance.
🔵 Question 27: Suggest five effective measures for conservation of water resources in India.
🟢 Answer:
1️⃣ Rainwater Harvesting: Collecting and storing rainwater for reuse.
2️⃣ Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation: Efficient use in agriculture.
3️⃣ Afforestation: Improves infiltration and reduces runoff.
4️⃣ Wastewater Recycling: Reuse for industrial and agricultural purposes.
5️⃣ Public Awareness: Education and campaigns promoting water-saving habits.
✔️ Final Note: Water conservation ensures long-term sustainability and prevents future scarcity.
🔵 Question 28: Describe the role of government initiatives in managing water resources sustainably.
🟢 Answer:
📘 Government Initiatives:
1️⃣ National Water Policy (2012): Prioritizes drinking water, promotes conservation.
2️⃣ Atal Bhujal Yojana: Improves groundwater management.
3️⃣ Jal Jeevan Mission: Provides tap water to every rural household.
4️⃣ Namami Gange Programme: Restores river ecosystems.
5️⃣ PMKSY (Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana): Improves irrigation efficiency.
💡 Outcome: Promotes integrated, community-based, and technology-driven management.
🔷 Section E – Map-Based Questions (5 Marks Each)
🔵 Question 29: On an outline map of India, locate and label the following:
🟢 (a) Bhakra Nangal Dam
🟢 (b) Hirakud Dam
🟢 (c) Sardar Sarovar Dam
🟢 (d) Nagarjuna Sagar Dam
🟢 (e) Tehri Dam
🟢 Answer:
Label the following on India’s political map:
📍 Bhakra Nangal – Himachal Pradesh
📍 Hirakud – Odisha
📍 Sardar Sarovar – Gujarat
📍 Nagarjuna Sagar – Telangana
📍 Tehri – Uttarakhand
🔵 Question 30: On an outline map of the world, mark the following:
🟢 (a) Amazon Basin
🟢 (b) Nile River
🟢 (c) Great Lakes
🟢 (d) Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin
🟢 (e) Mississippi River Basin
🟢 Answer:
📘 Label the following on the world map:
1️⃣ Amazon Basin – South America
2️⃣ Nile River – Africa
3️⃣ Great Lakes – North America
4️⃣ Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin – South Asia
5️⃣ Mississippi River Basin – U.S.A.
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