Chapter 6: Water Resources
Geography • Class 12 • Class 12 Indian Human Geography
6
Water Resources
Saved in DatabaseGeography • Class 12 • Class 12 Indian Human Geography
Prelims High-Yield Explanations & Traps
- remedies for solving water
- issue from
- role in sustainable development?
- purity of water, or water without unwanted foreign substances
Essential Definitions & Formulas
- Water scarcity
- possibly to pose the greatest challenge on account of its increased demand coupled with shrinking supplies due to over utilisation and pollution.
- Water
- a cyclic resource with abundant supplies on the globe.
- The total water available from precipitation in the country in a year
- about 4,000 cubic km.
- The availability from surface water and replenishable groundwater
- 1,869 cubic km.
- While the share of industrial sector
- limited to 2 per cent of the surface water utilisation and 5 per cent of the ground-water, the share of domestic sector is higher (9 per cent) in surface water utilisation as compared to groundwater.
- The share of agricultural sector in total water utilisation
- much higher than other sectors.
- Irrigation
- needed because of spatio-temporal variability in rainfall in the country.
- India
- estimated to be 1,869 cubic km.
- Given that precipitation
- relatively high in the catchment areas of the Ganga, the Brahmaputra and the Barak rivers, these rivers, although account for only about one-third of the total area in the country, have 60 per cent of the total surface water resources.
- The level of groundwater utilisation
- relatively high in the river basins lying in north-western region and parts of south India.
- The groundwater utilisation
- very high in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu.
- Lagoons and Backwaters India has a vast coastline and the coast
- very indented in some states.
- Emerging Water Problems The per capita availability of water
- dwindling day-by-day due to increase in population.
- Deterioration of Water QualityDeterioration of Water Quality Deterioration of Water QualityDeterioration of Water Quality Deterioration of Water Quality Water quality
- purity of water, or water without unwanted foreign substances.
- Water Conservation and Management Since there
- a declining availability of freshwater and increasing demand, the need has arisen to conserve and effectively manage this precious life giving resource for sustainable development.
- There
- need to irrigation during dry seasons.
- Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh
- increasing salinity in the soil and depletion of groundwater irrigation.
- The Yamuna river
- the most polluted river in the country between Delhi and Etawah.
- The result
- that in 1997, 251 polluting industries were located along the rivers and lakes.
- There
- a strong need to generate public awareness about importance of water and impacts of water pollution.
NCERT Thought Questions
- which are the major towns/cities located on the bank of the Ganga and its tributaries and major
Related PYQs (58)
2016•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.23
Which of the following are the key features of 'National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)'?
1
River basin is the unit of planning and management.
2
It spearheads the river conservation efforts at the national level.
3
One of the Chief Ministers of the States through which the Ganga flows becomes the Chairman of NGRBA on rotation basis.
Governance and Federalism
2016•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.83
Which of the following is/are the advantage/advantages of practising drip irrigation?
1
Reduction in weed
2
Reduction in soil salinity
3
Reduction in soil erosion
Agriculture
2016•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.85
Recently, linking of which of the following rivers was undertaken?
Water Resources
2017•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.59
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) is a standard criterion for
Environment
2018•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.81
Which of the following is/are the possible consequence/s of heavy sand mining in riverbeds?
1
Decreased salinity in the river
2
Pollution of groundwater
3
Lowering of the water-table
General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change - that do not require subject specialization
2019•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.40
Consider the following statements :
1
Under Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the wetlands in the territory of India.
2
The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were framed by the Government of India based on the recommendations of Ramsar Convention.
3
The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 also encompass the drainage area or catchment regions of the wetlands as determined by the authority.
Environment - Wetlands and Ramsar Convention
2019•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.42
What is common to the places known as Aliyar, Isapur and Kangsabati?
Geography
2020•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.98
Consider the following statements: 1. 36% of India's districts are classified as "overexploited" or "critical" by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA). 2. CGWA was formed under the Environment (Protection) Act. 3. India has the largest area under groundwater irrigation in the world. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Environment
2020•Prelims•Paper 2 (CSAT)•Q.25
With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made :
1
Rich cities only can ensure sustainable delivery of water.
2
Sustainable delivery of water in cities means much more than supplying water to households.
Environment - Urban Water Sustainability
2020•Prelims•Paper 2 (CSAT)•Q.44
With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made :
1
High risks involved in holding maximum water in reservoirs are due to our over-dependence on hydropower projects.
2
Storage capacity of dams should not be fully used before or during monsoon season.
3
Role of dams in flood control is underestimated in India.
CSAT
2021•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.14
With reference to 'WaterCredit', consider the following statements :
1
It puts microfinance tools to work in the water and sanitation sector.
2
It is a global initiative launched under the aegis of the World Health Organization and the World Bank.
3
It aims to enable the poor people to meet their water needs without depending on subsidies.
Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate
2022•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.23
Which one of the following lakes of West Africa has become dry and turned into a desert?
World Geography
2022•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.43
"If rainforests and tropical forests are the lungs of the Earth, then surely wetlands function as its kidneys." Which one of the following functions of wetlands best reflects the above statement ?
Wetlands and Water Purification
2022•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.70
Consider the following pairs : Reservoirs - States
1
Ghataprabha - Telangana
2
Gandhi Sagar - Madhya Pradesh
3
Indira Sagar - Andhra Pradesh
4
Maithon - Chhattisgarh
Indian and World Geography-Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World
2023•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.76
Consider the following statements :
Statement-I
According to the United Nations' 'World Water Development Report, 2022', India extracts more than a quarter of the world's groundwater withdrawal each year.
Statement-II
India needs to extract more than a quarter of the world's groundwater each year to satisfy the drinking water and sanitation needs of almost 18% of world's population living in its territory.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Environmental Ecology
2024•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.9
Consider the following information: Waterfall | Region | River
1
Dhuandhar | Malwa | Narmada
2
Hundru | Chota Nagpur | Subarnarekha
3
Gersoppa | Western Ghats | Netravati
In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?
Geography
2024•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.38
Recently, the term "pumped-storage hydropower" is actually and appropriately discussed in the context of which one of the following?
Infrastructure: Energy
2024•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.39
"Membrane Bioreactors" are often discussed in the context of:
Environmental Pollution
2016•Mains•GS-I•Q.15
The effective management of land and water resources will drastically reduce the human miseries. Explain.
Geography
2016•Mains•GS-I•Q.18
Present an account of the Indus Water Treaty and examine its ecological, economic and political implications in the context of changing bilateral relations.
International Relations
2016•Mains•GS-I•Q.20
In what way micro-watershed development projects help in water conservation in drought-prone and semi-arid regions of India?
Geography
2026•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.38
At the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) held in June, 2025 in France, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations demonstrated its leading voice on marine and ocean issues, especially on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture for resilient livelihood and "Blue Transformation".
Which of the following combinations about the "Four Betters" proposed by FAO for "Blue Transformation" is correct?
Current Events
2026•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.39
Which of the following statements with reference to Lake Turkana is/are correct?
1
It is the largest desert lake in the world.
2
The lake is situated in South Sudan along the eastern fringe of the Sahara desert.
3
The lake is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also referred to as the 'Jade Sea'.
World Geography
2016•Mains•GS-III•Q.7
What is water-use efficiency? Describe the role of micro-irrigation in increasing the water-use efficiency.
GS-III
2016•Mains•GS-III•Q.15
The frequency of urban floods due to high intensity rainfall is increasing over the years. Discussing the reasons for urban floods, highlight the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events.
GS-III
2017•Mains•GS-I•Q.16
In what way can floods be converted into a sustainable source of irrigation and all-weather inland navigation in India?
Geography
2017•Mains•GS-II•Q.6
To ensure effective implementation of policies addressing water, sanitation and hygiene needs the identification of the beneficiary segments is to be synchronized with the anticipated outcomes. Examine the statement in the context of the WASH scheme.
Governance
2017•Mains•GS-III•Q.8
Not many years ago, river linking was a concept but it is becoming a reality in the country. Discuss the advantages of river linking and its possible impact on the environment.
GS-III
2018•Mains•GS-I•Q.14
The ideal solution of depleting ground water resources in India is water harvesting system. How can it be made effective in urban areas?
Geography
2018•Mains•GS-III•Q.7
What is wetland? Explain the Ramsar concept of 'wise use' in the context of wetland conservation. Cite two examples of Ramsar sites from India.
GS-III Environment and Biodiversity
2019•Mains•GS-I•Q.5
Discuss the causes of depletion of mangroves and explain their importance in maintaining coastal ecology.
GS-I
2019•Mains•GS-I•Q.14
What is water stress? How and why does it differ regionally in India?
Geography
2019•Mains•GS-III•Q.4
Elaborate the impact of National Watershed Project in increasing agricultural production from water-stressed areas.
Agriculture
2020•Mains•GS-I•Q.6
How will the melting of Himalayan glaciers have a far-reaching impact on the water resources of India?
GS-I
2020•Mains•GS-III•Q.14
Suggest measures to improve water storage and irrigation system to make its judicious use under depleting scenario.
GS-III - Economic Development (Irrigation and Water Storage)
2021•Mains•GS-I•Q.6
What are the environmental implications of the reclamation of water bodies into urban land use? Explain with examples.
Environmental Geography
2021•Mains•GS-III•Q.4
How and to what extent would micro-irrigation help in solving India's water crisis?
GS-III
2022•Mains•GS-III•Q.18
Explain the causes and effects of coastal erosion in India. What are the available coastal management techniques for combating the hazard?
GS-III
2023•Mains•GS-I•Q.5
Why is the world today confronted with a crisis of availability of and access to freshwater resources?
GS-I
2023•Mains•GS-III•Q.7
Dam failures are always catastrophic, especially on the downstream side, resulting in a colossal loss of life and property. Analyze the various causes of dam failures. Give two examples of large dam failures.
GS-III
2023•Mains•GS-III•Q.8
What is oil pollution? What are its impacts on the marine ecosystem? In what way is oil pollution particularly harmful for a country like India?
GS-III
2023•Mains•GS-III•Q.17
Comment on the National Wetland Conservation Programme initiated by the Government of India and name a few India's wetlands of international importance included in the Ramsar Sites.
GS-III
2024•Mains•GS-III•Q.7
Industrial pollution of river water is a significant environmental issue in India. Discuss the various mitigation measures to deal with this problem and also the government's initiatives in this regard.
GS-III
2024•Mains•GS-III•Q.15
The world is facing an acute shortage of clean and safe freshwater. What are the alternative technologies which can solve this crisis? Briefly discuss any three such technologies citing their key merits and demerits.
GS-III
2024•Mains•GS-III•Q.18
Flooding in urban areas is an emerging climate-induced disaster. Discuss the causes of this disaster. Mention the features of two such major floods in the last two decades in India. Describe the policies and frameworks in India that aim at tackling such floods.
GS-III
2025•Mains•GS-I•Q.5
What are non-farm primary activities? How are these activities related to physiographic features in India? Discuss with suitable examples.
Geography
2025•Mains•GS-I•Q.17
1. Amidst the scuffle and the resultant confusion, the thief managed to slip away.
2. There was not a single person amongst those assembled who was willing to become the leader.
3. Among the members of the community the local doctor was the one who was most respected.
Select the answer using the codes given below :
Geography
2025•Mains•GS-III•Q.8
Seawater intrusion in the coastal aquifers is a major concern in India. What are the causes of seawater intrusion and the remedial measures to combat this hazard?
GS-III
2025•Mains•GS-III•Q.13
Examine the factors responsible for depleting groundwater in India. What are the steps taken by the government to mitigate such depletion of groundwater?
GS-III
2026•Mains•GS-I•Q.7
Water resources are both an asset and a source of conflict in South Asia. Examine this statement giving examples.
GS-I
2019•Sociology•Sociology Paper-I•Q.6
(a) Examine the importance of Development Planning in Indian Mixed Economy, and analyze its problems and prospects.
(b) Highlight the main features of the 'Inter-linking of Rivers' project in India. What could be its probable advantages to Indian agriculture?
(c) Has reduction of green cover affected ecological degradation leading to global warming? Elaborate your answer with illustration.
Sociology Optional
2013•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.8
Which of the following can be found as pollutants in the drinking water in some parts of India?
1
Arsenic
2
Sorbitol
3
Fluoride
4
Formaldehyde
5
Uranium
General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change
2013•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.16
On the planet earth, most of the freshwater exists as ice caps and glaciers. Out of the remaining freshwater, the largest proportion
Environmental ecology
2013•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.77
Which one among the following industries is the maximum consumer of water in India?
Infrastructure
2014•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.2
If a wetland of international importance is brought under the 'Montreux Record', what does it imply?
Environment
2014•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.10
With reference to a conservation organization called 'Wetlands International', which of the following statements is/are correct?
1
It is an intergovernmental organization formed by the countries which are signatories to Ramsar Convention.
2
It works at the field level to develop and mobilize knowledge, and use the practical experience to advocate for better policies.
Environment and Ecology
2014•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.14
Other than poaching, what are the possible reasons for the decline in the population of Ganges River Dolphins?
1
Construction of dams and barrages on rivers
2
Increase in the population of crocodiles in rivers
3
Getting trapped in fishing nets accidentally
4
Use of synthetic fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals in crop-fields in the vicinity of rivers
Environment and Ecology
2014•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.56
What are the benefits of implementing the Integrated Watershed Development Programme?
1
Prevention of soil runoff
2
Linking the country's perennial rivers with seasonal rivers
3
Rainwater harvesting and recharge of groundwater table
4
Regeneration of natural vegetation
Environment