Topic: Multipurpose River Projects and Integrated Water

Resource Management
MCQs (1 Mark Each)

1. Which of the following multipurpose projects is built on the River Mahanadi?

o a) Hirakud
o b) Bhakra Nangal
o c) Nagarjuna Sagar
o d) Sardar Sarovar
Answer: a) Hirakud
2. Which dam is built on the River Sutlej?
o a) Tehri
o b) Bhakra Nangal
o c) Nagarjuna Sagar
o d) Hirakud
Answer: b) Bhakra Nangal
3. Sardar Sarovar Dam is located in which state?
o a) Rajasthan
o b) Gujarat
o c) Maharashtra
o d) Madhya Pradesh
Answer: b) Gujarat
4. Which of the following is not a multipurpose project?
o a) Hirakud
o b) Tehri
o c) Bhakra Nangal
o d) Kaziranga
Answer: d) Kaziranga
5. Which multipurpose project displaced tribal people in large numbers?
o a) Indira Gandhi Canal
o b) Sardar Sarovar
o c) Ganga Action Plan
o d) Periyar
Answer: b) Sardar Sarovar

6. Which of the following is a reason for water scarcity in urban areas?

o a) Population decline
o b) Efficient water management
o c) Water pollution
o d) Construction of bunds
Answer: c) Water pollution
7. Which of the following is a traditional water harvesting system in Rajasthan?
 o a) Karez
o b) Johads
o c) Tankas
o d) Pynes
Answer: c) Tankas
8. Which state leads in rainwater harvesting structures?
o a) Kerala
o b) Tamil Nadu
o c) Punjab
o d) Himachal Pradesh
Answer: b) Tamil Nadu
9. What is the primary objective of rainwater harvesting?
o a) Prevent flooding
o b) Increase humidity
o c) Recharge groundwater
o d) Reduce rainfall
Answer: c) Recharge groundwater
10. Which of the following human activities leads to over-exploitation of water resources?

• a) Agriculture
• b) Tourism
• c) Industrialization
• d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above

3-Mark Questions with Answers

1. Define multipurpose river project. State any two objectives.

• A multipurpose river project is a large-scale hydraulic structure built to fulfill multiple objectives such
as irrigation, electricity generation, flood control, water supply, and navigation.
• Objectives:
1. To provide irrigation to agricultural fields.
2. To generate hydroelectric power (HEP) for domestic and industrial use.

2. Mention three benefits of multipurpose river projects.

• They help in storing large quantities of water to be used for irrigation in dry seasons.
• They generate hydroelectric power which is a renewable and pollution-free energy source.
• They help in controlling floods by regulating river flow and storing excess water.

3. Why are multipurpose projects criticized? State three points.

• They displace thousands of people, especially tribal communities, without proper rehabilitation.
 • Submerge large areas of forests and biodiversity, causing ecological imbalance.
• Lead to conflicts between states over water-sharing, like in the case of the Cauvery or Narmada River.

4. Explain the causes for water scarcity in India.

• Overuse of water in agriculture, especially due to water-intensive crops like sugarcane and rice.
• Rapid urbanization and industrialization increase demand and pollute existing water sources.
• Unequal distribution and seasonal variability of rainfall, with some regions facing drought.

5. Differentiate between surface water and groundwater.

1. Surface water is available in rivers, lakes, ponds, and reservoirs.

2. Groundwater is stored beneath the earth’s surface in aquifers.
3. Surface water is more prone to pollution; groundwater is usually cleaner but limited and depleting.

6. State the significance of rainwater harvesting in urban areas.

• It helps in recharging the groundwater table, which is often overused in cities.

• Reduces water bills and provides a sustainable source of water for non-drinking purposes.
• Prevents urban flooding and waterlogging during heavy rains.

7. Describe any three traditional water harvesting systems in India.

• Khadins (Rajasthan): Earthen embankments that retain rainwater for crop use.
• Kuls (Himachal Pradesh): Channels that divert glacier melt water to villages.
• Johads (Haryana/Rajasthan): Small earthen check dams used to store rainwater.

8. Write any three features of the ‘tankas’ used in Rajasthan.

• Built in the houses or courtyards to store drinking water.

• Usually underground with a sloped roof to collect and store rainwater.
• Covered with lids to prevent contamination and evaporation.

9. What is water conservation? Mention three ways to conserve water.

• Water conservation is the practice of using water efficiently to reduce wastage and protect water
resources.
• Ways to conserve:
1. Rainwater harvesting.
 2. Drip and sprinkler irrigation.
3. Repairing leaking taps and pipes.

10. Explain the need for water management in India.

• Water is unequally distributed, with some regions facing floods while others suffer droughts.
• Groundwater is rapidly depleting due to overuse in agriculture and domestic sectors.
• Pollution of rivers and lakes reduces the availability of clean drinking water.

5-Mark Questions with Answers

1. “Multipurpose projects and large dams have also been the cause of many new problems.”
Explain.

• Large dams cause the displacement of local communities, particularly tribal populations.
• Submergence of forests and wildlife habitats leads to loss of biodiversity.
• They often lead to inter-state water disputes (e.g., Cauvery and Narmada disputes).
• Construction affects the natural flow of rivers, impacting aquatic ecosystems.
• In many cases, the benefits are not equitably distributed; the urban and industrial sectors gain more than
the rural population.

Conclusion: While multipurpose projects serve many needs, their environmental and social costs must be
addressed with sustainable planning and proper rehabilitation.

2. Describe any five traditional water harvesting systems practised in India.

1. Khadins (Rajasthan): Earthen embankments that retain rainwater for agriculture.

2. Tankas (Rajasthan): Underground tanks used to store rainwater for drinking.
3. Kuls (Himachal Pradesh): Mountain streams diverted through channels for irrigation.
4. Johads (Haryana/Rajasthan): Small check dams that store rainwater and recharge groundwater.
5. Pynes (Bihar): Artificial irrigation channels linked with seasonal rivers.

Conclusion: These systems are eco-friendly, cost-effective, and adapted to local climates, demonstrating
India's traditional wisdom in water management.

3. Discuss any five reasons why water scarcity occurs in India.

• Overuse in agriculture: Excessive irrigation for water-intensive crops.

• Population growth: Increases domestic and municipal water demand.
• Urbanisation and Industrialisation: Lead to pollution and overconsumption.
• Seasonal and uneven rainfall: Some regions face drought, others floods.
 • Pollution of water bodies: Discharge of untreated sewage and industrial waste reduces usable water.

Conclusion: Water scarcity in India is both a natural and human-made problem and requires urgent
attention for sustainable development.

4. How is rainwater harvesting practiced in rural and urban India? Explain with examples.

• Rural Areas:
o Use of tankas in Rajasthan for drinking water.
o Khadins and johads store water for irrigation and recharge groundwater.
o Rooftop rainwater channels direct water into ponds or wells.
• Urban Areas:
o Rooftop rainwater is collected and directed into percolation pits or recharge wells.
o Helps reduce dependence on municipal water supply.
o Cities like Chennai have made rainwater harvesting mandatory in buildings.

Conclusion: Rainwater harvesting is an effective and sustainable way to conserve water and improve water
availability in both rural and urban settings.

5. What are the environmental consequences of overexploitation of water resources? Explain

in five points.

1. Lowering of the water table: Excessive groundwater use causes wells to dry up.
2. Soil salinity: Poor irrigation practices raise underground salt levels, degrading soil.
3. Loss of wetlands: Affects biodiversity and natural water filtration systems.
4. Reduced river flow: Impacts aquatic ecosystems and fishing communities.
5. Land subsidence: Excessive groundwater withdrawal can lead to land sinking.

Conclusion: Overexploitation of water resources causes long-term harm to the environment and must be
checked with conservation strategies.

Map Question (1 Mark) – Water Resources

Q: On the outline political map of India, locate and label the following multipurpose river
projects:

1. Bhakra Nangal Dam – Located on the Sutlej River, Himachal Pradesh

2. Tehri Dam – Located on the Bhagirathi River, Uttarakhand
3. Sardar Sarovar Dam – Located on the Narmada River, Gujarat
4. Hirakud Dam – Located on the Mahanadi River, Odisha
5. Nagarjuna Sagar Dam – Located on the Krishna River, Telangana
6. Mahanadi dam