These case-based questions from Water Resources are designed to test your understanding and application skills. Regular practice will make you confident, improve your speed and accuracy, and help you score full marks in the board exams.
Case Based Questions
Q.1 Read the given extract and answer the following questions.
A dam is a barrier across flowing water that obstructs, directs or retards the flow, often creating a reservoir, lake or impoundment. “Dam” refers to the reservoir rather than the structure. Most dams have a section called a spillway or weir over which or through which it is intended that water will flow either intermittently or continuously. Dams are classified according to structure, intended purpose or height. Based on structure and the materials used, dams are classified as timber dams, embankment dams or masonry dams, with several subtypes. According to the height, dams can be categorised as large dams and major dams or alternatively as low dams, medium height dams and high dams.
i) What does the word ‘Dams’ refers to ? (1)
Answer:- The word “dams” refers to the reservoir or water body created by building a barrier across a river or stream, not just the structure itself.
ii) Mention any one benefit of a Multi-purpose River Valley Project. (1)
Answer:- One major benefit of a Multi-purpose River Valley Project is that it provides irrigation for agriculture, helping farmers grow more crops.
iii) How have multi-purpose river valley projects a cause of social movements? Explain. (2)
Answer:- Multi-purpose river valley projects have displaced many people, especially farmers and tribals, by submerging their land and forests. Lack of proper rehabilitation has led to protests and social movements demanding justice and fair compensation.
Q.2 Read the given extract and answer the following questions.
In the first century B.C., Sringaverapura near Allahabad had sophisticated water harvesting system channelling the flood water of the river Ganga. During the time of Chandragupta Maurya, dams, lakes and irrigation systems were extensively built. Evidences of sophisticated irrigation works have also been found in Kalinga, (Odisha), Nagarjunakonda (Andhra Pradesh), Bennur (Karnataka), Kolhapur (Maharashtra), etc. In the 11th Century, Bhopal Lake, one of the largest artificial lakes of its time was built. In the 14th Century, the tank in Hauz Khas, Delhi was constructed by Iltutmish for supplying water to Siri Fort area.
Sardar Sarovar Dam has been built over the Narmada River in Gujarat. This is one of the largest water resource projects of India covering four states—Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan. The Sardar Sarovar project would meet the requirement of water in drought-prone and desert areas. Sardar Sarovar Project will provide irrigation facilities to 18.45 lakh hectare of land, covering 3112 villages in 15 districts of Gujarat. It will also irrigate 2,46,000 hectare of land in the strategic desert districts of Barmer and Jalore in Rajasthan and 37,500 hectare in the tribal hilly tract of Maharashtra through lift. About 75 per cent of the command area in Gujarat is drought prone while entire command in Rajasthan is drought prone. Assured water supply will soon make this area drought proof.
Moreover, Jawaharlal Nehru proudly proclaimed the dams as the ‘temples of modern India’; the reason being that it would integrate development of agriculture and the village economy with rapid industrialisation and growth of the urban economy.
i) The Sardar Sarovar Dam has been constructed on which river? (1)
Answer:- The Narmada River in Gujarat.
ii) During earlier time how did the irrigation done? (1)
Answer:- Irrigation was done through dams, lakes, tanks, and water-harvesting systems like the one at Sringaverapura near Allahabad.
iii) Why did J.L. Nehru proclaim the dams as the temples of modern India? (2)
Answer:- He called them temples of modern India because they were seen as symbols of progress, providing irrigation, electricity, water supply, and flood control.
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