Indian Rivers and Water Resources (SAQs)

Social | 5. Indian Rivers and Water Resources – SAQs:
Welcome to SAQs in Chapter 5: Indian Rivers and Water Resources. This page contains the most Important FAQs for Short Answer Questions in this Chapter. Each answer is provided in simple English, with a Telugu explanation, and formatted according to the exam style. This will support your preparation and help you secure top marks in your exams.

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SAQ-1 : If you were the concerned officer, how would you prevent the encroachment of public lands?

Introduction

Public lands, owned and managed by government entities, serve vital community purposes. Encroachments can disrupt public services and harm the ecosystem. Here’s how I would address this as the officer in charge:

Comprehensive Land Audits

1. Initiate Surveys: Conduct thorough land surveys to identify and demarcate public lands clearly.
2. Maintain Records: Ensure that all public lands have up-to-date records, including their measurements, boundaries, and usage purposes.

Monitoring and Vigilance

1. Regular Inspections: Carry out periodic inspections to check for any signs of illegal activity or encroachments.
2. Digital Surveillance: Use technology, like satellite imagery and drones, to monitor large or inaccessible areas.

Swift Legal Action

1. Serve Notices: Upon detection of any illegal activity, swiftly serve notices to the trespassers, asking them to vacate the premises.
2. Engage Law Enforcement: Collaborate with the local police department to ensure the eviction of encroachers when necessary.

Community Engagement

1. Awareness Programs: Conduct programs to educate the public about the importance of preserving public lands.
2. Whistleblower Mechanisms: Encourage locals to report any suspicious activities they come across, ensuring they can do so anonymously if desired.

Strengthening Boundaries

1. Physical Barriers: Erect fences, walls, or other barriers around vulnerable public lands.
2. Signage: Install clear signs indicating that the land is public property and any encroachments are illegal.

Collaboration with Other Jurisdictions

1. Shared Information: If I detect illegal activities on lands outside my jurisdiction, promptly inform the relevant authorities.
2. Joint Operations: Coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions for joint patrolling or operations if necessary.

Summary

Protecting public lands is crucial for community well-being and ecosystem preservation. A multi-pronged approach, involving vigilant monitoring, community involvement, and swift legal action, can ensure that these lands remain protected for generations to come.

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SAQ-2 : Suggest measures to be taken to conserve water? (OR) Give a few suggestions for the betterment of groundwater level in Telangana in present situation.

Introduction

Water conservation is of paramount importance, especially in regions experiencing declining groundwater levels like Telangana. Implementing effective measures can help restore the water table and ensure a sustainable future.

Water Harvesting Structures

1. Check Dams: Build small dams to capture rainwater, allowing it to percolate and replenish the groundwater.
2. Percolation Tanks: Create tanks that allow water to slowly seep into the ground, enhancing groundwater levels.

Soil and Water Conservation

Continuous Contour Trenches (CCTs): Construct CCTs on hill slopes to harvest rainwater, prevent soil erosion, and encourage grass growth.

Sustainable Irrigation Practices

1. Restrict Borewell Usage: Limit the extraction of groundwater from borewells, especially for irrigation.
2. Drip Irrigation: Encourage farmers to use drip irrigation which reduces water wastage and ensures efficient use of water in crops.

Crop Choices and Agricultural Practices

1. Limit Water-Intensive Crops: Discourage cultivation of crops that consume excessive water like sugarcane and banana.
2. Crop Rotation: Promote practices where different crops are grown in succession to improve soil health and reduce water consumption.

Afforestation and Greening Initiatives

Tree Plantation: Advocate for tree plantation on forest lands, roadsides, and other public areas. Trees help in retaining soil moisture and recharging groundwater.

Public Awareness and Community Involvement

1. Educational Programs: Conduct seminars, workshops, and community meetings to spread awareness about the importance of water conservation.
2. School Initiatives: Introduce water conservation modules in school curriculums to instill the importance of saving water from a young age.

Summary

For a state like Telangana, where groundwater levels are depleting, it’s crucial to adopt a holistic approach towards water conservation. By integrating modern techniques with traditional wisdom and ensuring community participation, we can pave the way for a water-secure future.

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SAQ-3 : Discuss the term “watershed”.

Introduction

A watershed plays a pivotal role in the hydrological cycle, acting as a funnel that directs water flow from a particular area to larger water bodies.

Definition

A watershed, often referred to as a catchment or drainage basin, signifies an area where all the water, whether from rain, melting snow, or streams, converges and drains into a single larger water body, be it a river, lake, or ocean.

Scale and Variation

1. Watersheds can vary greatly in size. They can be as small as a footprint, covering just a few square meters, or can stretch across entire continents.
2. For instance, the Mississippi river watershed encompasses a vast area and is recognized as the most extensive watershed in the USA.

Importance of Watersheds

1. Natural Boundary: Watersheds act as nature’s boundaries, defining areas based on their drainage patterns.
2. Biodiversity: Each watershed has its unique ecosystem and biodiversity, which is crucial for the environmental balance.
3. Water Quality: The health of a watershed directly impacts the quality of water it delivers to the larger water body it drains into.

Watershed Development Projects

1. Aimed at preserving and enhancing the capacities of watersheds, these projects focus on various conservation techniques.
2. Tree Plantation: Trees are planted on the slopes of hills within the watershed. Trees help in soil conservation, prevent erosion, and improve groundwater recharge.
3. Construction of Bunds: Bunds or barriers are created across streams to slow down the water flow, allowing more time for the water to percolate into the ground, recharging the water table.

Summary

In essence, a watershed serves as a natural water collector, directing all water resources within its boundary to a common outlet. Recognizing and preserving watersheds is essential for sustainable water management, maintaining biodiversity, and ensuring a balanced environment.

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SAQ-4 : What are the different conflicts in the use of water for Tungabhadra river basin?

Introduction

The Tungabhadra River, a crucial water source for parts of South India, witnesses various conflicts arising from its water use. These disputes are primarily due to its flow across multiple states and the varied demands and requirements from its basin areas.

Geographical Spread

The Tungabhadra River meanders through three primary states: Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. Its upper and middle catchment areas are predominantly in Karnataka, whereas the lower catchment extends into Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The lower areas particularly receive less rainfall, often leading to drought-like situations.

Areas of Conflict

1. Inter-State Disputes:
   • Water Allocation: Each state has its demands based on agricultural, industrial, and domestic needs. If the upper catchment areas, primarily Karnataka, store or use more water, it directly affects the downstream regions in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
   • Rainfall Variability: The lower catchment regions experience lesser rainfall. Therefore, they depend heavily on the river water, leading to tensions when water supply is perceived as inadequate.
2. Intra-State and Community Conflicts:
   • Different regions within a state might have competing needs. For instance, an agricultural area’s water requirements can be at odds with an urban area’s demands.
   • The river basin communities often find themselves at crossroads, especially during years of inadequate rainfall. Local needs might clash, leading to community tensions.
3. Sectoral Conflicts:
   • Agriculture vs. Industry: The agricultural sector, given its vast dependence on water, often finds itself competing against industries. Both sectors are crucial for a state’s economy, leading to tough decisions on water allocation.
   • Urban vs. Rural: Urban areas, with their growing populations, have increasing water demands, which can sometimes overshadow the needs of rural areas that primarily rely on agriculture.

Summary

The Tungabhadra River basin, vital for the livelihoods of millions, is a focal point of various water use conflicts. Addressing these conflicts requires collaborative efforts, equitable distribution policies, and sustainable water management practices by the involved states.

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SAQ-5 : Write about the drainage system of India.

Introduction

The drainage system of India plays a crucial role in the country’s topography, ecology, and socio-economic development. Evolving over time, it is closely intertwined with the major physiographic units of the nation.

Physiographic Units Influencing Drainage

1. The Himalayas:
   • The northernmost range of India, the mighty Himalayas, is the origin for several significant rivers like the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra.
   • These rivers are perennial due to their glacial origins and bring along rich silt, making the plains one of the most fertile regions in the world.
2. The Peninsular Plateau:
   • This is the ancient landmass of India and gives rise to several important peninsular rivers like the Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri.
   • These rivers, primarily rain-fed, have seasonal flows, which are influenced by the monsoon.
3. The Indo-Gangetic Plain:
   • Formed by the alluvial deposits brought by the Himalayan rivers, this plain extends from Punjab in the west to West Bengal in the east.
   • It supports a dense population due to its fertile lands and is crisscrossed by numerous rivers, their tributaries, and distributaries.

Classification of Drainage System

1. The Himalayan Rivers:
   • Origin: These rivers originate from the Himalayan glaciers.
   • Nature: Perennial rivers with vast catchment areas and long courses.
   • Major Rivers: Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra, and their tributaries.
   • Significance: They support extensive agricultural activities, especially in the fertile Gangetic plains, and are vital for water resources, transportation, and cultural significance in the region.
2. The Peninsular Rivers:
   • Origin: These rivers primarily arise from the Western Ghats and flow eastwards towards the Bay of Bengal, with some exceptions like the Narmada and Tapi which flow westward.
   • Nature: Being primarily rain-fed, they have a seasonal flow, heavily influenced by the monsoons.
   • Major Rivers: Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Narmada, Tapi, among others.
   • Significance: They play a crucial role in the agricultural and hydroelectric power sectors in peninsular India.

Summary

The drainage system of India, shaped by its distinct physiographic units, holds immense significance for the nation’s ecology, agriculture, and socio-cultural aspects. Sustainable management and conservation of these water resources are paramount for the country’s future growth and well-being.

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SAQ-6 : What is called Water cycle?

Introduction

The water cycle, also known as the hydrological cycle, is the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. It’s a natural system that connects all living organisms and ensures the replenishment of our freshwater resources.

Stages of the Water Cycle

1. Evaporation:
   • Process: Sunlight (insolation) heats up water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and oceans. This causes the water to transform from liquid to vapor (gas).
   • Significance: It’s the primary way water moves from the liquid state on Earth’s surface to the gaseous state in the atmosphere.
2. Condensation:
   • Process: As water vapor rises, it cools down in the atmosphere and turns back into tiny water droplets, forming clouds.
   • Significance: This stage is essential for cloud formation and is a precursor to any form of precipitation.
3. Precipitation:
   • Process: When the water droplets in clouds combine and grow in size, they fall to the Earth’s surface. This can be in the form of rain, snow, or hailstones.
   • Significance: It is the primary way freshwater is delivered to Earth’s surface, nourishing ecosystems and replenishing our water bodies.
4. Collection:
   • Process: The rainwater that falls onto the Earth’s surface collects in various water bodies like rivers, lakes, and oceans, and also seeps into the ground.
   • Significance: This step ensures that water is stored and available for future evaporation, completing the cycle.

Summary

The water cycle is a fundamental and continuous process, ensuring the Earth’s freshwater supply remains constant. Every stage of this cycle plays a crucial role in sustaining life on the planet. It’s a testament to the interconnectedness of Earth’s systems and the delicate balance that exists in nature.