CBSE Class 10 Social Science Chapter 16: Water Resources NCERT Solutions
This chapter delves into the critical topic of Water Resources for CBSE Class 10 Social Science. It explores the concept of water scarcity, its causes, and how it affects different regions, even those with high rainfall. The solutions also examine the multifaceted nature of multi-purpose river projects, discussing their benefits like flood control and electricity generation, alongside their drawbacks such as displacement and environmental impact. Furthermore, the chapter addresses the importance of water conservation and rainwater harvesting techniques. These NCERT Solutions provide clear explanations and step-by-step answers to help students grasp the complexities of water management, understand the arguments surrounding river projects, and appreciate the necessity of sustainable water use for both urban and rural populations, aiding in effective exam revision.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 10 |
| Subject | Social Science |
| Session | 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Type | NCERT Solutions |
| Chapter | Chapter 16 |
Chapter summary
Chapter 16 of the NCERT Class 10 Social Science textbook focuses on Water Resources. It explains the causes and consequences of water scarcity, differentiating between regions suffering from it and those not. The chapter also critically analyzes multi-purpose river projects, weighing their advantages against their disadvantages. Finally, it highlights the significance of water conservation and rainwater harvesting as essential practices for sustainable water management. These solutions clarify these concepts with detailed explanations.
Learning outcomes
- Understand the concept and causes of water scarcity.
- Classify regions based on their susceptibility to water scarcity.
- Analyze the benefits and drawbacks of multi-purpose river projects.
- Identify and correct misconceptions about water resource management.
- Recognize the importance of water conservation and rainwater harvesting.
Topics covered
Paper topics
- Water Scarcity
- Classification of Water Scarcity
- Multi-purpose River Projects
- Advantages of River Projects
- Disadvantages of River Projects
- Water Pollution
- River Regulation
- Sediment Flow
- Water Resource Management
- Urbanization and Water Use
- Droughts
- Rainwater Harvesting
Important topics
- Understanding Water Scarcity
- Pros and Cons of Multi-purpose River Projects
- Impact of Urbanization on Water Resources
- Water Conservation Techniques
- Correcting Misconceptions about Water Management
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Questions and Solutions
Q.1 A
- Region with high annual rainfall.
- Region having high annual rainfall and large population.
- Region having high annual rainfall but water is highly polluted.
- Region having low rainfall and low population.
- Not suffering from water scarcity. In a region with high annual rainfall, the freshwater sources and groundwater are naturally replenished. This ensures a sufficient supply of water, provided it is not excessively consumed or polluted.
- Suffering from water scarcity. Although the region receives high annual rainfall, a large population significantly increases the demand for water. This high demand can outstrip the supply, leading to scarcity, especially if consumption patterns are inefficient or if the water is not managed effectively.
- Suffering from water scarcity. High annual rainfall does not guarantee water availability if the water sources are heavily polluted. Polluted water is unfit for domestic, industrial, and agricultural use, effectively reducing the usable water supply and causing scarcity despite the rainfall.
- Not suffering from water scarcity. In this scenario, low rainfall is balanced by a low population. The demand for water by the inhabitants is met by the available resources, and there is no excessive strain on the water supply, thus preventing scarcity.
Q.1 B
- Multi-purpose projects bring water to those areas which suffer from water scarcity.
- Multi-purpose projects by regulating water flow helps to control floods.
- Multi-purpose projects lead to large scale displacements and loss of livelihood.
- Multi-purpose projects generate electricity for our industries and our homes.
The statement that is NOT an argument in favour of multi-purpose river projects is:
(c) Multi-purpose projects lead to large scale displacements and loss of livelihood.
This statement highlights a significant negative consequence of such projects, rather than a benefit. While multi-purpose projects offer advantages like water supply (a), flood control (b), and electricity generation (d), they often result in the displacement of local communities, loss of their homes and lands, and destruction of ecosystems, which are detrimental outcomes, not arguments in their favour.
Q.1 C
- Multiplying urban centres with large and dense populations and urban lifestyles have helped in proper utilisation of water resources.
- Regulating and damming of rivers does not affect the river's natural flow and its sediment flow.
- In Gujarat, the Sabarmati basin farmers were not agitated when higher priority was given to water supply in urban areas, particularly during droughts.
- Today in Rajasthan, the practice of rooftop rainwater harvesting has gained popularity despite high water availability due to the Rajasthan Canal.
- Corrected statement: Multiplying urban centres with large and dense populations and urban lifestyles have led to the over-exploitation and improper utilisation of water resources. The increased demand for water in cities often strains available supplies and can lead to depletion of groundwater and surface water sources.
- Corrected statement: Regulating and damming of rivers significantly affects the river's natural flow and its sediment flow. Dams alter the downstream flow of water and trap sediments, which can impact river ecosystems and land fertility in downstream areas.
- Corrected statement: In Gujarat, the Sabarmati basin farmers were agitated when higher priority was given to water supply in urban areas, particularly during droughts. Farmers often require water for irrigation, and prioritizing urban supply during scarcity can lead to significant discontent among the agricultural community.
- Corrected statement: Today in Rajasthan, the practice of rooftop rainwater harvesting has gained popularity as a crucial water conservation method, even in areas with water availability from the Rajasthan Canal. This highlights the growing awareness and need for supplementary water sources and efficient water management.
Common mistakes
- Assuming high rainfall automatically prevents water scarcity.
- Overlooking the negative impacts of multi-purpose river projects.
- Misunderstanding the relationship between urbanization and water resource exploitation.
- Incorrectly stating that river regulation doesn't affect natural flow or sediment transport.
Revision tips
- Focus on the criteria used to classify water scarcity.
- List the pros and cons of multi-purpose river projects separately for clarity.
- Pay attention to the corrected statements in Q.1C to avoid common misconceptions.
- Understand the role of population density and pollution in water availability.
- Review the arguments for and against river projects to form a balanced view.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Which factor, besides high rainfall, can contribute to water scarcity?
Explanation: Even with high rainfall, a large and dense population can lead to over-exploitation and thus water scarcity, as demand outstrips supply.
Q2. What is a significant disadvantage of multi-purpose river projects mentioned?
Explanation: Multi-purpose projects can cause significant social and economic disruption through the displacement of communities and loss of livelihoods.
Q3. Which statement about regulating rivers is corrected in the solutions?
Explanation: Damming and regulating rivers alter their natural flow patterns and disrupt the natural movement of sediments downstream.
Q4. Why might farmers in a region like Sabarmati basin be agitated regarding water allocation?
Explanation: When water is scarce, urban areas often receive priority for water supply, which can lead to discontent among farmers who need water for irrigation.
Q5. What practice is gaining popularity in Rajasthan for water conservation, despite the Rajasthan Canal?
Explanation: Rooftop rainwater harvesting is being adopted in Rajasthan as a supplementary water source, even in areas with canal irrigation, highlighting the importance of conservation.
Frequently asked questions
What is water scarcity according to CBSE Class 10 Social Science?
Water scarcity occurs when the demand for water exceeds the available supply, or when access to water is limited due to factors like pollution, over-exploitation, or uneven distribution, even in regions with high rainfall.
What are the main benefits of multi-purpose river projects?
The primary benefits include controlling floods, generating electricity for homes and industries, providing water for irrigation, and supporting domestic and industrial water supply.
What are the negative consequences of multi-purpose river projects?
These projects can lead to large-scale displacement of people, loss of livelihood, destruction of agricultural and forest land, and disruption of river ecosystems.
Why is rainwater harvesting important, even with large river projects?
Rainwater harvesting is crucial for conserving water, recharging groundwater levels, and supplementing water supply, especially during dry periods or droughts, acting as a vital conservation measure.
How does urbanization affect water resources?
Rapid urbanization with large populations increases the demand for water, leading to over-exploitation of resources. It also often involves destruction of green cover, which can affect rainfall patterns and groundwater recharge.
Are regions with high rainfall always free from water scarcity?
No, regions with high rainfall can still suffer from water scarcity if the water is heavily polluted, or if the population density is very high, leading to over-consumption and depletion of available resources.
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