Indicate which of the following statements about global water distribution is true. a) Oceans contain about 50% of Earth's freshwater. ») Ice caps and glaciers store the majority of Earth's freshwater. ©) Groundwater makes up less than 5% of the world's freshwater. 4) Lakes and rivers hold more freshwater than underground aquifers, Identify the region that has the lowest average annual precipitation. a) Tropical rainforests b) Mediterranean climates ©) Deserts 4) Temperate grasslands By 2050, the global population is projected to reach 9.7 billion people. This dramatic increase, coupled with rising living standards, has led to a significant surge in water demand for agriculture, industry, and domestic use. Interpret three major challenges the world faces in managing global water resources. ‘As a water resource manager in a drought-prone region, you are asked to present a long-term water management plan to the local government. The region's primary water sources are lakes and groundwater. Based on the figure filled “Global water distribution’, answer the following questions. Surface/othi Atmosphere _ Living things Freshwater 2.5% urface/other 4 296 3.0% \ moisture 3.8% Total global Freshwater Surface water and water other freshwater Fig. Global water distribution a) Assess the availabilty of freshwater resources in lakes and groundwater. b) Implement a three-point strategy to ensure sustainable water use in the region, considering the limited global freshwater resources. Infer the main goal of water sharing agreements. a) To maximize water extraction b) To ensure equitable distribution of water resources ©) To privatize water resources 4) To minimize water useIdentify which international agreement aims to promote cooperation and sustainable management of transboundary water resources. a) Kyoto Protocol ) Rio Declaration ©) Montreal Protocol 4) UN Watercourses Convention Water Users Associations (WUAs) are community-based organizations formed by local water users, particularly farmers, to manage and distribute water resources more effectively. WUAS play a crucial role in Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM), where users are directly involved in the operation, maintenance, and management of iigation systems. These associations are integral in promoting equitable water distribution, reducing conficts, and improving the efficiency of water use. Ifyou are a part of Water Users Association, subsume the activities you have authorization to perform, The National Water Policy provides a framework for the sustainable management of water resources in a country, emphasizing equitable and efficient use. From the following purposes of water, organize the water needs from most to least prioritized as mentioned in National Water Policy 2002. a) Hydro power b) Irrigation ©) Ecology 4) Drinking water Indicate the technology that can help communities facing limited access to freshwater. a) Large-scale dams b) Rainwater harvesting systems ©) Water-intensive industrial processes 4) Increased reliance on bottled water. Identity the factor contributes most to uneven global water distribution a) Ocean currents b) Climate patterns ) Water pollution 4d) Industrial development The hydrological cycle, also known as the water cycle, is the continuous movement of water within the Earth and the atmosphere. It involves various processes as shown in the figure titled ‘Water cycle”,INFILTRATION ar! ; a ET aad are cae eat eae. eet Ie Figure: Water Cycle From the figure titled “Water Cycle", predict the impact on water flow when the rate of precipitation exceeds the rate of infiltration. ‘The water cycle is crucial for maintaining the balance of primary water sources as shown in the figure tilled "Distribution of water Sources”. Based on the figure, answer the following questions.| Resewers fem Tastes Figure: Distribution of water Sources a) From the figure tiled “Distribution of water Sources", identify the primary sources of water represented in the given figure. b) Interpret how the water cycle contributes to the replenishment of primary water sources. Identify the role does groundwater recharge play in water harvesting systems a) Itreduces surface runoff b) It decreases soil permeability ©) Itreplenishes underground aquifers d) It increases water pollution Explore one way to use rainwater harvesting for groundwater recharge is through a) Directly connecting rainwater tanks to municipal water systems. b) Building large, open-air ponds for evaporation and wildlife use ©) Infitration trenches or soak pits designed for water to permeate the ground, 4) Discharging rainwater into storm drains for rapid removal from the area. You are part of a team tasked with developing a water resources management plan for a growing metropolitan area. How would you collect and manage data for a water resources inventory? You are a city planner tasked with managing the water resources of a rapidly growing urban area. The city is facing frequent water shortages during the dry season, while also experiencing severe flooding during the monsoon. The primary water sources are a river flowing through the city, an aging reservoir, and groundwater wells. Population growth and industrial expansion have increased the demand for water, leading to over-extraction of groundwater and pollution of the river. Local farmers depend on the river and groundwater for irrigation, but urban demands are now in direct conflict with agricultural needs. Infer the key components of a water resources inventory. Suggest any other system for enhancing water resources. Infer the key principle behind a watershed-based approach a) Large-scale dam construction b) Integrated management of land and water resources ©) Urbanization of rural areas 4) _Industrialization of agricultural lands Ina scenario where water supply is limited, which principle helps in deciding the allocation? a) First-come, first-served b) Equitable distribution regardless of demand c) Allocation based on marginal cost and marginal benefitd) Allocating water only to essential services ‘Assertion (A): Check dams are more effective in arid regions compared to regions with high rainfall. Reason (R): Check dams are built to capture and retain water from seasonal streams and slow down water flow, which is especially useful in dry areas where water is scarce. a) Both Aand R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A b) Both Aand R are true and Ris the correct explanation of A ©) Als true but Ris false 4) Ais false but Ris true A medium-sized city located at the confluence of two rivers has experienced recurring issues with water quality and flooding. Local officials have decided to implement a watershed-based approach to address these problems comprehensively. They aim to manage water resources sustainably by considering the entire watershed rather than just the city’s immediate water supply area as shown in figure * Watershed” Figure: Watershed Based on the scenario, a) Outline a watershed-based approach to address the city's water quality and flooding issues. b) Indicate how the approach can contribute to long-term water management and sustainat In dry climates a common feature of traditional rainwater harvesting systems a) Large, open-air tanks for easy access. b) Underground storage to minimize evaporation ©) Direct use of rainwater without filtration. 4) Limited capacity due to simple construction methods. ‘An example of a traditional rainwater harvesting system in indiaa) _Cisterns used in Roman times. b) Green roofs popular in modem architecture. ©) _Khadins, stepped wells found in Rajasthan d) Rain barrels commonly used in homes, Assertion (A): Rural water harvesting techniques play a crucial role in mitigating water scarcity in drought-prone areas. Reason (R): Rural water harvesting involves storing and conserving rainwater, which helps recharge groundwater levels and provides a reliable water source during dry periods. 2) Both Aand R are true, and Ris the correct explanation of A. b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A. ©) Ais true, but Ris false. 4) Ais false, but Ris true, Urban Green Haven is a newly planned residential development on the outskirts of a major city. The development aims to combine modem living with sustainability, featuring 200 single-family homes, green spaces, and communal areas. The project, planners are committed to integrating rainwater harvesting to reduce reliance on the municipal water supply and enhance environmental stewardship. Indicate the principles of water harvesting to develop a rainwater collection system for a new urban residential development? Indicate which material is commonly used to line the bed of a farm pond to reduce seepage. a) Sand b) Clay c) Gravel 4) silt A village reports reduced agricultural productivity due to erratic rainfall, They adopt a combination of runoff harvesting techniques, including farm ponds, percolation ponds and nala bunds. Assess the potential impact of integrating these methods on the village's water security and agricultural output. Represent the primary purpose of farm ponds in runoff harvesting, a) To store water for recreational purposes ) To provide water for domestic use ©) To store excess rainfall for agricultural use during dry periods 4d) To recharge groundwater directly In a semi-arid region facing severe water scarcity, a village has observed deciining water levels in wells and boreholes over the past decade due to over-extraction and erratic rainfall. Agriculture, the primary livelihood of the community, has been severely impacted, with crop failures becoming frequent due to insufficient water availabilty. In response, the local governing body, in collaboration with the villagers, decides to construct several percolation ponds across the village landscape to address groundwater depletion and restore water security Analyze how percolation ponds enhance groundwater recharge and comment the potential environmental benefits of this technique, Identify the primary factor influencing the effectiveness of nala bunds. a) The amount of water stored ») Soll type and porosity ©) Proximity to agricultural land d) Depth of the water stored Nala bunds are small earthen or masonry structures constructed across seasonal streams, commonly known as “nalas,” in rural or hilly regions. They are primarily used for harvesting rainwater, controlling soil erosion, and recharging groundwater. During the implementation of nala bunds, a community faces challenges such as silting, inadequate water storage and maintenance issues. Parse the strategies to address these challenges and to enhance the effectiveness of nala bunds.*** End of Question Paper **