Class 12 : Grography (English) – Lesson 12.Water Resources
Summary – Lesson 4: Water Resources
Class 12 – Geography (Fundamentals of Human Geography)
Introduction:
Water is a fundamental natural resource essential for the survival of all life forms. It plays a vital role in domestic use, agriculture, industry, energy generation, and ecosystem maintenance. However, despite water being renewable, its availability is uneven both spatially and temporally, leading to scarcity in many regions. This chapter discusses water distribution, utilization, scarcity, conservation, and management.
Availability of Water Resources in India:
India receives most of its water through monsoon rainfall which is seasonal and highly variable. The main sources of water are:
Surface Water: Rivers, lakes, ponds, and tanks. Major river basins include the Ganga, Brahmaputra, Indus, Godavari, Krishna, and Mahanadi.
Groundwater: Stored in aquifers beneath the earth’s surface.
Glacial and Snow Melt: Especially significant in the Himalayan region.
Even though India receives substantial rainfall annually, regional disparities and seasonal concentration create problems. For example, some parts of Rajasthan face acute water shortage, while the northeastern states receive excessive rain.
Water Use in India:
Water is used for various purposes, broadly categorized into:
Agricultural Use – Largest consumer of water (over 80%). Irrigation is crucial due to uneven and unreliable monsoon. Methods include canal irrigation, tube wells, tanks, and drip irrigation.
Industrial Use – For cooling, processing, cleaning, etc. Growing industrialization increases water demand.
Domestic Use – Includes drinking, cooking, cleaning, and sanitation.
Hydroelectric Power Generation – Utilizes flowing water to generate renewable electricity.
Water Scarcity and Its Causes:
Although water is a renewable resource, its shortage is a growing concern. Main causes include:
Overuse in agriculture (inefficient irrigation)
Increasing population and urbanization
Industrial expansion without proper water treatment
Pollution of surface and groundwater
Uneven distribution and seasonal variability
Water Conservation and Management:
Sustainable water use is essential to meet present and future needs. Key methods include:
Rainwater Harvesting – Collecting and storing rainwater from rooftops or catchments for later use.
Watershed Management – Protecting and managing drainage basins through afforestation, contour bunding, and soil conservation.
Reuse and Recycling – Especially in industries and urban households.
Groundwater Recharge – Replenishing aquifers by methods like percolation tanks and check dams.
Water-Saving Irrigation Techniques – Such as drip and sprinkler systems to reduce water wastage in agriculture.
Government Initiatives:
The Indian government has launched several schemes to promote water conservation such as:
Jal Shakti Abhiyan
Atal Bhujal Yojana
Mission Amrit Sarovar
These programs aim to recharge groundwater, revive traditional water bodies, and promote water-efficient practices.
Conclusion:
Water is a finite and precious resource. Its management requires an integrated and participatory approach involving individuals, communities, and institutions. Efficient use, equitable distribution, pollution control, and conservation must go hand in hand to ensure sustainable availability of water for all sectors and future generations.
Geography Question Paper (GQP)
Class: 12
Subject: Geography – Fundamentals of Human Geography
Lesson 4: Water Resources
Time: 3 Hours
Maximum Marks: 70
General Instructions:
All questions are compulsory.
The question paper consists of Sections A to E.
Questions should be answered strictly as per the given numbering.
Do not include boxed content, highlighted sections, or tables from the textbook.
SECTION A: MCQs (1 × 17 = 17 Marks)
Q1. Which of the following is a surface water resource?
A. Aquifer
B. Tube well
C. Lake
D. Percolation tank
Answer: C. Lake
Q2. Which river basin is not among the major ones of India?
A. Ganga
B. Brahmaputra
C. Thames
D. Godavari
Answer: C. Thames
Q3. What percentage of water is roughly used in agriculture in India?
A. 30%
B. 50%
C. 65%
D. 80%
Answer: D. 80%
Q4. The major cause of water scarcity is:
A. Overuse in agriculture
B. Tourism
C. Trade
D. Import-export imbalance
Answer: A. Overuse in agriculture
Q5. Which of the following is a method of water conservation?
A. Burning waste
B. Drip irrigation
C. Open canal irrigation
D. Over-irrigation
Answer: B. Drip irrigation
Q6. Which of the following states faces acute water shortage despite receiving rainfall?
A. Assam
B. Rajasthan
C. Meghalaya
D. Kerala
Answer: B. Rajasthan
Q7. Water from glaciers contributes mainly to which type of water source?
A. Lakes
B. Wells
C. Rivers
D. Aquifers
Answer: C. Rivers
Q8. What is the key aim of Jal Shakti Abhiyan?
A. Urban planning
B. River linking
C. Water conservation and groundwater recharge
D. Road construction
Answer: C. Water conservation and groundwater recharge
Q9. Which irrigation method is most efficient in saving water?
A. Canal
B. Sprinkler
C. Tube well
D. Drip
Answer: D. Drip
Q10. Watershed management involves:
A. Soil erosion only
B. Drainage basin development
C. Export of water
D. Sand mining
Answer: B. Drainage basin development
Q11. Which of the following contributes to water pollution?
A. Forest cover
B. Rainwater harvesting
C. Untreated industrial waste
D. Well recharge
Answer: C. Untreated industrial waste
Q12. Groundwater is stored in:
A. Lakes
B. Tanks
C. Aquifers
D. Streams
Answer: C. Aquifers
Q13. Mission Amrit Sarovar is related to:
A. Soil conservation
B. Water body rejuvenation
C. Literacy mission
D. Urban development
Answer: B. Water body rejuvenation
Q14. What is the main source of water in Himalayan regions?
A. Rain
B. Tube wells
C. Glaciers
D. Seas
Answer: C. Glaciers
Q15. Assertion (A): Industries are major consumers of water.
Reason (R): Water is used in cooling, cleaning, and processing in industries.
A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
C. A is true, R is false
D. A is false, R is true
Answer: A
Q16. Percolation tanks are constructed for:
A. Urban drainage
B. River navigation
C. Groundwater recharge
D. Rainfall measurement
Answer: C. Groundwater recharge
Q17. Which of the following uses the least amount of water?
A. Agriculture
B. Industry
C. Domestic use
D. Electricity generation
Answer: C. Domestic use
SECTION B: Source-Based Questions (3 × 2 = 6 Marks)
Q18. Read the passage and answer the questions:
“India uses nearly 80% of its available water for agriculture, yet inefficient irrigation techniques have led to wastage and depletion of groundwater in many regions.”
18.1 What is the percentage of water used in agriculture in India?
Answer: 80%
18.2 What is one major problem caused by inefficient irrigation?
Answer: Depletion of groundwater
18.3 Suggest one method to reduce wastage of irrigation water.
Answer: Use of drip irrigation
Q19. Read the passage and answer the questions:
“Rainwater harvesting and watershed management are sustainable methods of conserving water and recharging groundwater, particularly useful in water-scarce regions.”
19.1 Name one water conservation method mentioned.
Answer: Rainwater harvesting
19.2 What is the purpose of watershed management?
Answer: To conserve water and recharge groundwater
19.3 Name one region where these methods are especially useful.
Answer: Water-scarce regions like Rajasthan
SECTION C: Short Answer Questions (3 × 4 = 12 Marks)
Q20. Explain any three major causes of water scarcity in India.
Answer:
Over-extraction for agriculture
Increasing urbanization and population
Industrial waste polluting freshwater sources
Q21. Mention three benefits of rainwater harvesting.
Answer:
Recharges groundwater
Reduces surface runoff
Provides water during dry seasons
Q22. State any three uses of water in the industrial sector.
Answer:
Cooling of machinery
Cleaning processes
Processing raw materials
Q23. What is watershed management? Mention any two activities involved in it.
Answer:
Watershed management is the conservation and development of water in a drainage basin. Activities:
Afforestation
Building check dams
SECTION D: Long Answer Questions (5 × 5 = 25 Marks)
Q24. Explain the importance of water conservation in India with five points.
Answer:
To ensure water availability for future generations
To control groundwater depletion
To prevent water pollution
To improve agricultural productivity
To reduce urban-rural water conflicts
Q25. Describe five methods of water conservation and management.
Answer:
Rainwater harvesting
Watershed development
Drip and sprinkler irrigation
Recycling of industrial water
Construction of percolation tanks and check dams
Q26. Discuss the spatial and seasonal distribution of water availability in India.
Answer:
Rainfall is concentrated in monsoon season
Eastern India receives heavy rainfall, western India is arid
Northern rivers have glacial sources, southern rivers are rain-fed
Seasonal variation leads to floods in some areas and drought in others
Q27. What are the challenges faced in managing water resources in India? Explain any five.
Answer:
Uneven distribution of rainfall
Over-dependence on monsoon
Contamination of water bodies
Lack of infrastructure for storage
Urbanization and population pressure
Q28. Write five differences between surface water and groundwater.
Answer:
Location: Surface water is above ground; groundwater is underground
Source: Rivers/lakes vs. aquifers
Renewability: Surface water is seasonal; groundwater takes time to recharge
Pollution: Surface water more prone to pollution
Extraction: Groundwater needs pumps; surface water is easily accessible
SECTION E: Map-Based Questions (5 × 2 = 10 Marks)
Q29. On the world map, locate and label any five of the following (visually impaired students write names):
Amazon River Basin
Nile River
Colorado River
Yangtze River
Rhine River
Murray-Darling Basin
Volga River
Q30. On the map of India, locate and label any five of the following (visually impaired students write names):
Ganga River
Godavari River
Indira Gandhi Canal
Tehri Dam
Hirakud Dam
Bhakra Nangal Dam
Mettur Dam
EXPLANATION & SUMMARY
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