NCERT Class 5 Environmental Studies Looking Around: Chapter 6 — Every Drop Counts
This chapter, 'Every Drop Counts,' from NCERT's Class 5 Environmental Studies book 'Looking Around,' highlights the historical importance of water conservation. It describes Ghadsisar, a lake built 650 years ago in Jaisalmer, which served as a community space and collected rainwater through a system of nine interconnected lakes. The chapter contrasts this with the present situation where such water harvesting systems are neglected and rainwater is wasted. It also introduces Al-Biruni, a traveler from over a thousand years ago, whose writings provide insights into the sophisticated pond construction techniques of that era, including separate staircases to manage crowds. The chapter encourages students to observe their surroundings and think about rainwater management, emphasizing the critical need for water conservation in regions with scarce rainfall, like Rajasthan.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 5 |
| Subject | Environmental Studies |
| Book | Looking Around |
| Chapter | Chapter 6 — Every Drop Counts |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 3 minutes |
| Word count | 546 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the historical methods of water conservation.
- Appreciate the importance of rainwater harvesting.
- Learn about Al-Biruni's observations on ancient water structures.
- Recognize the current challenges in water management.
- Develop an awareness of water scarcity and conservation needs.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ghadsisar | A lake built 650 years ago in Jaisalmer. |
| Sar | A lake. |
| Ghats | Steps leading to the water. |
| Verandahs | Decorated covered walkways. |
| Talab | A pond or lake. |
| Al-Biruni | A traveler from Uzbekistan who visited India over a thousand years ago. |
| Uzbekistan | A country from which Al-Biruni came. |
| Chabutaras | Raised platforms around a lake. |
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Practice questions
- Who built Ghadsisar and how many years ago? Answer: King Ghadsi built Ghadsisar 650 years ago with the help of the people.
- What was the purpose of Ghadsisar and its surrounding structures? Answer: Ghadsisar was used for celebrating festivals, music and dance programs, and as a school for children. The ghats with steps, verandahs, and halls were part of its design.
- Why is Ghadsisar no longer in use as it used to be? Answer: New buildings and colonies have been built between the nine lakes, preventing rainwater from collecting.
- Who was Al-Biruni and what did he observe about ponds in India? Answer: Al-Biruni was a traveler from Uzbekistan who visited India over a thousand years ago. He observed that people were skilled at making ponds with huge rocks, iron rods, chabutaras, and separate steps for going up and down to avoid crowding.
- Why is water conservation important, especially in places like Rajasthan? Answer: Places like Rajasthan receive very little rainfall, so conserving the rainwater that does fall is crucial for use throughout the year.
Frequently asked questions
What is Ghadsisar?
Ghadsisar is a lake built in Jaisalmer 650 years ago by King Ghadsi and the people, designed to collect rainwater through a system of nine interconnected lakes.
What was the significance of Ghadsisar in the past?
It served as a community gathering place for festivals, music, dance, and education, and its design ensured water availability throughout the year.
Why is Ghadsisar not in use today?
Modern construction of buildings and colonies has blocked the flow of rainwater into the lakes, causing them to dry up and the water to be wasted.
Who was Al-Biruni?
Al-Biruni was a traveler from Uzbekistan who visited India more than a thousand years ago and documented his observations, including the sophisticated methods of building ponds.
What did Al-Biruni note about Indian ponds?
He noted the skill of the people in constructing ponds with large rocks, iron rods, raised platforms (chabutaras), and separate staircases for ascent and descent to manage crowds.
What is the main message of the 'Every Drop Counts' chapter?
The chapter emphasizes the historical importance of water conservation, the ingenuity of past water management systems, and the urgent need to revive such practices today to prevent water wastage.
How does the chapter relate to Rajasthan?
It highlights that many places in Rajasthan receive very little rainfall, making water conservation and efficient use of rainwater extremely critical for survival.
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Topics covered
NCERT Class 5 Environmental Studies — Looking Around — Chapter 6 — Every Drop Counts. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.