Geography

Q.14. Why multipurpose river valley projects are called the new temples of Modern India?

Ans.

i).Generation of power (electricity) :- These multipurpose projects are the main source of power generation. They provide us neat, pollution free and cheapest energy which is the backbone of industry and agriculture.
ii) Flood Control:- These projects control the floods because water can be stored in them. These projects have converted many rivers of sorrows into rivers of boon.
iii). Soil conservation:- These conserve the soil because they slow down the speed of water.
iv). Irrigation :- These projects are the main source of irrigation for our country. These irrigate the fields during the dry seasons. Many perennial canals have been dug and they irrigate dry areas.

Q.15How may the multipurpose river projects become harmful for the country? Explain with four examples.

Ans.

i). Adverse effect on the fertility of the soil:- Due to construction of dams, there are no annual floods in the river. And because of this, the soil of the downstream region does not get nutrient rich silt. This decreases the fertility of the soil.
ii). Adverse impact on aquatic life:- Due to construction of dams on the rivers, the fish in the downstream area do not get sufficient nutrients material. Regulating and damming of rivers affect the natural flow of water causing poor sediment flow of downward, and excessive sedimentation at the bottom of reservoir. Dams also fragment rivers making it difficult for aquatic fauna to migrate for spawning i.e., to produce eggs.
iii ) Displacement of local communities:- The building of large dams results in displacement of local communities. The local people often have to give up their land and livelihood and their meagre (scant in amount) access and control over resources for the greater food of the nation.
iv) Change in the cropping pattern:- Multipurpose projects are responsible for providing assured means of irrigation to farmers. Due to this, most of farmers have changed the cropping pattern shifting to water intensive and commercial crops. This has lead to salinisation of soil leading to ecological imbalance.

Q.16. Write a short note on Narmada Bachao Andolan.

Ans.Narmada Bachao Andolan is a movement initiated by environmentalists, farmers, tribal people and human rights activists against the construction of Sardar Sarovar Dam on Narmada river in Gujarat. It has become a controversial issue due to the problems in the form of displacement of local people, loss of livelihood, floods, deforestation, etc.

Q.17.Distinguish between Surface water and ground water.

Ans.
Surface Water

i). Water available on the earth’s surface in the form of river, streams, lakes and ponds.
ii). Quantity of surface water varies from time to time and from place to place as it s prone to evaporation and depends on rainfall.
iii). It is most easily available water which can be used for irrigation, power generation, navigation etc.

Ground Water

i). . Water seeped through the permeable rocks and is accumulated over a period of time.
ii). This water remains as a store house as it is not prone to evaporation.
iii). Groundwater is tapped through wells and tubewells or springs and can be used for irrigation, domestic and industrial purposes.

Q.18.Define the term rainwater harvesting. State any five objectives of rainwater harvesting.

Ans.Rainwater harvesting is a technique of increasing the recharge of groundwater by capturing and storing rainwater by constructing structures, such as dug wells, percolation pits, checkdams. The objectives of rainwater harvesting are:-

1. To meet the increasing demand.
2 . To reduce run-off.
3. To avoid flooding of roads.
4. To raise groundwater level.
5 .To improve the quality of groundwater.

Q.19.Discuss how rainwater harvesting in semi-arid and arid regions of Rajasthan is carried out.

Ans. In Semi-arid regions of Rajasthan every house had underground tankas to store the water for drinking purposes. These tankas are large and deep which were built inside the main house or the courtyard. They were linked to the sloping roofs of the houses through a pipe. Rainwater falling on the rooftops would run down through a pipe and stored in the underground tankas. The rainwater collected, is stored in the tankas providing drinking water till the neat rainy season, when all other sources are dried up, these tankas were beneficial to beat the summer heat as they keep the rooms cool. The rainwater or palar pani as commonly known in these parts is considered the purest form of natural water.

Q.20.Mawsynram is the region of highest rainfall, yet it faces acute shortage of water. Why?

Ans.Mawsynram faces acute shortage of water as the rainwater harvested is inadequate to meet the needs of the people.