Environmental Studies · Geography

Water Conservation and Management

2,859 Questions

Water conservation and management questions evaluate techniques for preserving water resources, traditional harvesting methods, and modern irrigation systems. Topics include wastewater treatment, groundwater extraction, and the economic role of wetlands. These concepts are essential for environmental studies and geography exams.

Irrigation MethodsWater HarvestingWastewater ManagementHydropower PlantsWetlands ConservationUrban Water Quality

Water Conservation and Management Questions

Multiple choice

Swedish expert Falken Mark described water stress as

  1. a region with ample water resources but still facing water scarcity

  2. over-exploitation of water resources to expand irrigated areas and dry-season agriculture

  3. fall in ground water levels

  4. water availability lesser than 1,000 cubic metre per person per day

  5. water scarcity in low rainfall and drought prone regions
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer. According to Falken Mark, a Swedish expert, water stress occurs when water availability is less than 1,000 cubic metre per person per day.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements about dams is incorrect?

  1. A dam is a barrier across flowing water that obstructs, directs or retards the flow, often creating a reservoir, lake or impoundment.

  2. Dam refers to the huge concrete structure that creates the reservoir.

  3. Dams have a section called a spillway or weir over which water flows either intermittently or continuously.

  4. Dams are built for irrigation, electricity generation, water supply for domestic and industrial uses, flood control, recreation, inland navigation and fish breeding.

  5. Dams help us in conserving and managing our water resources.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

No, as dam refers to the reservoir rather than the structure. This is the correct answer.

Multiple choice

Fresh water is a scarce resource. Which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. 20 percent fresh water on Earth is stored as ground water.

  2. Less than 7 percent fresh water on Earth is in lakes and rivers.

  3. India receives nearly 14 percent of the global precipitation.

  4. Large parts of India will join regions with absolute water scarcity by 2025.

  5. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

This statement is correct as it is predicted that large parts of India will join regions with absolute water scarcity by 2025.

Multiple choice

Ancient India had several techniques to harvest rainwater, groundwater, river water and flood water in keeping with the local ecological conditions and their water needs, which are used even today. Which of the following is correct about kuls?

  1. They are the diversion channels for agriculture in western Himalayas.

  2. They are indundation channels in West Bengal.

  3. They are roof top rain water harvesting structures in the eastern Himalayas.

  4. They are rain fed storage structures that allow water to stand and moisten the soil in Rajasthan.

  5. They lead to a circular village tank in the mountain villages, from which water is released as and when required.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

This is correct. Kuls lead to a circular village tank in the mountain villages, from which water is released as and when required.

Multiple choice

Prolonged liberal irrigation of agricultural fields is likely to create the problem of

  1. aridity.

  2. metal toxicity.

  3. salinity.

  4. acidity.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

 Salinity from irrigation can occur over time wherever irrigation occurs, since almost all water (even natural rainfall) contains some dissolved salts. When the plants use the water, the salts are left behind in the soil and eventually begin to accumulate. Since soil salinity makes it more difficult for plants to absorb soil moisture, these salts must be leached out of the plant root zone by applying additional water.

Multiple choice

Ramu stores water during rainy season in a roof water tank and reuses it. What is this method of water storage called?

  1. Pollution of water

  2. Water precipitation

  3. Freezing of water

  4. Water harvesting

  5. Water evaporation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Rainwater harvesting (also called roof water harvesting) involves the collection, storage and distribution of rainwater from the roof for use inside and outside the home or business. Rainwater that is captured and stored correctly is a safe, economical and sustainable source of quality water. By using rainwater harvesting systems to supply water for some, or indeed all of our requirements, you can reduce your dependence on mains water.

Multiple choice

Which activity will take the least amount of water?

  1. Bathing

  2. Washing clothes

  3. Drinking

  4. Washing utensils

  5. Mopping floor
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

We drink water to remain healthy and intake for men is roughly 3 litres (about 13 cups) of total beverages a day. So this is the activity in which least amount of water is used.

Multiple choice

The major means of irrigation in India are

  1. canals

  2. tanks

  3. tube wells

  4. wells
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Canals are the major means of irrigation in India by area covered, followed by tube wells and tanks. Canals are part of large multi-purpose river valley projects and distribute water from reservoirs to agricultural fields across vast distances.

Multiple choice

The number of wells in South India is very low because

  1. the people of South India do not like to take water from wells

  2. hard rocks underneath the thin layer of the soil make it difficult to dig wells there

  3. there is too much rainfall and so, wells are not needed

  4. the people of South India do not know how to dig wells
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

South India has a thin layer of soil over hard crystalline rock (granite, gneiss) making well excavation extremely difficult and expensive. The hard rock requires specialized equipment, and wells yield limited water. This contrasts with North India's deep alluvial soil where digging wells is easier. Options A and D are nonsensical; option C is incorrect as rainfall distribution varies.

Multiple choice

The major source of irrigation in peninsular India is

  1. wells and tube wells

  2. tanks

  3. canals

  4. none of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Peninsular India's hard rock terrain makes canals difficult (no perennial rivers to divert), but tanks are ideal for storing seasonal monsoon runoff. Tank irrigation has been practiced for centuries in South India (Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra). Wells/tube wells require drilling through hard rock. Canals dominate in North India's alluvial plains.