NCERT Geography Class 10 | Rainwater Harvesting
Topic & sub-topics covered: Rainwater Harvesting and MCQs Questions: Water Resources (All single detail notes are exam-oriented).
We have discussed in-depth and exam-oriented pointers that can be asked in the board exam of class 10th about “Rainwater Harvesting” from the NCERT Geography notes for class 10th chapter 3rd “Water Resources“.
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NCERT Geography Class 10th Chapter 3 Water Resources PDF Notes
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Rainwater Harvesting
Ancient Water Harvesting Practices in India
1. Knowledge of Local Ecology:
- Ancient Indians developed techniques based on rainfall regimes, soil types, and ecological conditions.
2. Regional Techniques:
- Western Himalayas: Diversion channels like guls or kuls for agriculture.
- Rajasthan: Rooftop rainwater harvesting and rain-fed storage structures like khadins (Jaisalmer) and johads.
- Bengal: Inundation channels for irrigation in floodplains.
3. Arid and Semi-Arid Rajasthan:
- Tankas in Bikaner, Phalodi, and Barmer:
a. Underground tanks connected to sloping roofs via pipes.
b. Rainwater collected after the first spell cleans the roof and pipes.
c. Stored water (palar pani) remains reliable during summer.
Modern Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting
1. Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting System (Steps):
- Water is collected using PVC pipes.
- Filtered using sand and bricks.
- Stored in an underground sump for immediate use; excess water recharges wells.
- Water was retrieved from wells later.
2. Advantages of Tankas:
- Provide cool underground rooms in summer.
- Reliable water source when other sources dry up.
Case Study: Gendathur Village, Mysuru
1. Rainwater Harvesting in Gendathur:
- About 200 households installed rooftop rainwater harvesting systems.
- Village receives 1,000 mm annual precipitation; 80% collection efficiency.
- Each house collects around 50,000 litres of water annually.
- Total rainwater harvested annually: 1,00,000 litres.
Changing Trends in Rajasthan
1. Decline of Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting:
- Water is available through the Indira Gandhi Canal.
- Some households still maintain tankas due to a preference for rainwater over tap water.
Significance or Benefits of Rainwater Harvesting
1. Benefits of Rainwater Harvesting:
- A socio-economically and environmentally viable alternative to large dams.
- Reduces dependence on external water sources.
- Ensures water availability during dry seasons.
2. Adaptation in Modern India:
- Rooftop rainwater harvesting is gaining popularity in rural and urban areas for water conservation.
Bamboo Drip Irrigation System in Meghalaya
1. Historical Significance:
- A 200-year-old traditional system of water management in Meghalaya.
2. Material Used:
- Bamboo pipes are utilized to transport and distribute water.
3. Source of Water:
- Taps stream and spring water from hilltops.
4. Efficiency of Water Flow:
- About 18-20 litres of water enter the system and are reduced to 20-80 drops per minute at the plant site.
5. Mechanism:
- Gravity-Based System: Water flows from higher altitudes to lower reaches due to gravity.
- Controlled Flow: Pipe positions are manipulated to regulate water flow.
6. Channel Design:
- Channel sections made of bamboo divert water to plant sites.
- Branch pipes, also made of bamboo, further distribute water.
7. Crossing Roads:
- Bamboo pipes are elevated above roads to maintain the flow of water.
8. Final Application:
- Reduced channel sections and diversion units ensure water is dropped near plant roots, minimizing wastage.
9. Eco-Friendly System:
- Sustainable and environment-friendly method using locally available materials.
10. Importance for Agriculture:
- Ensures efficient water delivery to plants in hilly terrains.
Visual Representation
1. Picture Highlights:
- Bamboo pipes divert water from springs.
- Reduced channels distribute water precisely to roots.
- Elevated pipes crossroads, ensuring uninterrupted water flow.
Interesting Facts:
Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting in Shillong
1. Prevalence:
- Most common water conservation practice in Shillong, Meghalaya.
- Nearly every household in Shillong has a rooftop rainwater harvesting structure.
2. Significance of Rainfall in the Region:
- Shillong faces acute water shortage despite being close to Cherrapunji and Mawsynram, the areas receiving the highest rainfall in the world (55 km away).
3. Contribution to Water Requirements:
- Rooftop rainwater harvesting meets 15–25% of the total water needs of households in Shillong.
4. Geographic Contrast:
- Highlights the paradox of water scarcity in high-rainfall regions due to uneven distribution and lack of proper management.
5. Relevance of Practice:
- Emphasizes the importance of localized solutions like rainwater harvesting to address water shortages effectively.
Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting in Tamil Nadu
1. Pioneering Initiative:
- Tamil Nadu is the first state in India to make rooftop rainwater harvesting structures mandatory for all houses.
2. Legal Framework:
- Legal provisions have been established to penalize defaulters who do not comply with this mandate.
3. Statewide Implementation:
- The initiative applies uniformly across the state, ensuring widespread adoption.
4. Objective:
- Aimed at conserving water and addressing water scarcity issues in the state.
5. Impact:
- Tamil Nadu has set an example for other states in implementing water conservation measures effectively.
6. Enforcement:
- Strong legal enforcement ensures adherence to the rule and promotes awareness about water conservation.
Next & Previous Topics of NCERT/CBSE Geography Class 10 Chapter 3: Water Resources
| Topics No. | Topics Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Water Scarcity And The Need For Water Conservation And Management |
| 2 | Multi -Purpose River Projects And Integrated Water Resources Management |
| 3 | Rainwater Harvesting |
MCQ Questions on NCERT Geography Class 10 Chapter 3 | Rainwater Harvesting
Question 1. What was the main purpose of rooftop rainwater harvesting in Rajasthan?
a) Industrial use
b) Irrigation
c) Storing drinking water
d) Generating electricity
Answer: c) Storing drinking water
Question 2. What are ‘guls’ or ‘kuls,’ and where were they built?
a) Underground tanks in Rajasthan
b) Diversion channels in the Western Himalayas
c) Rainfed storage structures in Jaisalmer
d) Irrigation channels in Bengal
Answer: b) Diversion channels in the Western Himalayas
Question 3. Which region in Rajasthan is known for using ‘khadins’ for water storage?
a) Jaipur
b) Jaisalmer
c) Udaipur
d) Bikaner
Answer: b) Jaisalmer
Question 4. Which method was commonly used in Bengal’s floodplains for irrigation?
a) Underground tanks
b) Bamboo drip irrigation
c) Inundation channels
d) Rooftop harvesting
Answer: c) Inundation channels
Question 5. What is the traditional term for rainwater in Rajasthan, considered the purest form of natural water?
a) Palar pani
b) Johad pani
c) Jal paani
d) Khadin pani
Answer: a) Palar pani
Question 6. Which state in India was the first to make rooftop rainwater harvesting compulsory?
a) Karnataka
b) Rajasthan
c) Tamil Nadu
d) Meghalaya
Answer: c) Tamil Nadu
Question 7. What percentage of water requirements are met by rooftop rainwater harvesting in Shillong?
a) 10-15%
b) 15-25%
c) 25-35%
d) 35-50%
Answer: b) 15-25%
Question 8. Which village in Karnataka earned recognition for its successful rainwater harvesting system?
a) Phalodi
b) Gendathur
c) Barmer
d) Mysuru
Answer: b) Gendathur
Question 9. How much rainwater can each household in Gendathur collect annually?
a) 10,000 litres
b) 20,000 litres
c) 50,000 litres
d) 1,00,000 litres
Answer: c) 50,000 litres
Question 10. What has led to a decline in rooftop rainwater harvesting in western Rajasthan?
a) Water scarcity
b) Lack of rainfall
c) Availability of Indira Gandhi Canal water
d) Urbanisation
Answer: c) Availability of Indira Gandhi Canal water
Question 11. Where is the bamboo drip irrigation system predominantly used?
a) Rajasthan
b) Meghalaya
c) Gujarat
d) Tamil Nadu
Answer: b) Meghalaya
Question 12. What is the approximate water flow rate at the plant site in the bamboo drip irrigation system?
a) 10-30 drops per minute
b) 20-80 drops per minute
c) 100-200 drops per minute
d) 500-1000 drops per minute
Answer: b) 20-80 drops per minute
Question 13. What material is used to construct the irrigation channels in the bamboo drip system?
a) Steel
b) Wood
c) Bamboo
d) Plastic
Answer: c) Bamboo
Question 14. What is the purpose of manipulating bamboo pipe positions in the bamboo drip irrigation system?
a) To enhance the water pressure
b) To control the flow of water
c) To increase the water temperature
d) To purify the water
Answer: b) To control the flow of water
Question 15. What is the key feature of bamboo drip irrigation when passing roads or elevated areas?
a) Pipes are buried underground
b) Pipes are taken high above the land
c) Pipes are diverted to alternative channels
d) Pipes are reinforced with steel structures
Answer: b) Pipes are taken high above the land
Question 16. Why do some houses in western Rajasthan still maintain underground tankas?
a) They prefer the taste of stored rainwater over tap water.
b) It is legally mandated.
c) Tankas are easier to maintain than canals.
d) Tankas are used for irrigation purposes.
Answer: a) They prefer the taste of stored rainwater over tap water.
Question 17. Which area receives the highest rainfall but faces acute water shortage, making rainwater harvesting crucial?
a) Shillong
b) Jaisalmer
c) Gendathur
d) Chennai
Answer: a) Shillong
Question 18. What role does rainwater harvesting play in conserving water?
a) Reduces dependence on groundwater
b) Prevents soil erosion
c) Purifies water naturally
d) Reduces urban flooding
Answer: a) Reduces dependence on groundwater
Question 19. How does bamboo drip irrigation ensure efficiency in water delivery?
a) It increases the speed of water flow.
b) It reduces wastage by delivering water directly to the roots.
c) It uses mechanical pumps for pressure.
d) It combines water with fertilisers.
Answer: b) It reduces wastage by delivering water directly to the roots.
Question 20. What is the annual precipitation in Gendathur, Karnataka?
a) 500 mm
b) 750 mm
c) 1,000 mm
d) 1,500 mm
Answer: c) 1,000 mm
Question 21. What is rainwater harvesting?
a) Collecting and storing rainwater for irrigation and domestic use.
b) Channelling rainwater to rivers and seas to avoid flooding.
c) Using rainwater to generate electricity.
d) Stopping rainwater from seeping into the ground.
Answer: c) Collecting and storing rainwater for irrigation and domestic use.