Test: Water Resources- 3 - UPSC MCQ

• Water is essential for plant growth: Water is a vital component in the process of photosynthesis, which is how plants produce their food. Without an adequate water supply, plants will wither and die.


• Transportation of nutrients: Water helps in the transportation of essential nutrients from the soil to the plant roots. It also aids in the movement of nutrients within the plant.


• Regulation of temperature: Water helps regulate the temperature of plants, preventing them from getting too hot or too cold, which can impact their growth and development.


• Moisture for germination: Seeds need water to germinate and start growing. Without water, seeds will remain dormant and will not sprout.

• Water scarcity: Many regions around the world face water scarcity, making it challenging to provide enough water for agricultural activities.


• Water pollution: Pollution of water sources can make water unsuitable for irrigation, leading to crop damage and reduced yields.


• Climate change: Changing weather patterns due to climate change can result in unpredictable rainfall, affecting water availability for agriculture.

• Drip irrigation: Drip irrigation is a water-efficient method that delivers water directly to the plant roots, reducing water wastage.


• Rainwater harvesting: Collecting rainwater for irrigation can help supplement water sources during dry periods.


• Water conservation: Implementing water conservation practices such as mulching, proper crop rotation, and soil management can help reduce water usage in agriculture.

• Renewable Resource: Water is considered a renewable resource because it is naturally renewed and recharged through the hydrological cycle.


• Hydrological Cycle: The hydrological cycle involves processes such as evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff, which continuously recycle water on Earth.


• Renewal Process: Through the hydrological cycle, water from oceans, lakes, rivers, and other sources evaporates into the atmosphere, forms clouds, and eventually falls back to the Earth as precipitation, replenishing water sources.


• Continuous Recharge: This continuous cycle of evaporation and precipitation ensures that water sources are constantly renewed and available for various uses.


• Reuse and Recycling: While human activities can impact water quality, through proper treatment and management practices, water can be reused and recycled for various purposes, further emphasizing its renewability.

• Construction of Dams: Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Maurya Empire, is known for constructing dams and lakes during his reign.


• Water Management: The construction of dams helped in water management, irrigation, and agriculture, which were crucial for the economy of the empire.


• Megasthenes' Accounts: The Greek historian Megasthenes, who visited India during Chandragupta's reign, mentioned the advanced water management systems in his accounts.


• Legacy: Chandragupta Maurya's focus on infrastructure development, including the construction of dams and lakes, left a lasting legacy in ancient India.

• Rajasthan: Almost all houses in Rajasthan traditionally had tankas, which are underground rainwater storage systems. These tankas were used to collect rainwater during the monsoon season for household use throughout the year.


• Usage: Tankas were essential in Rajasthan due to the arid climate and scarcity of water in the region. They helped in conserving water and ensuring a steady supply for drinking, cooking, and other household needs.


• Design: Tankas were usually built below the ground level to prevent evaporation and to keep the water cool. They were typically cylindrical or rectangular in shape and made of materials like stone, brick, or concrete.


• Benefits: Tankas not only provided a sustainable water source but also helped in recharging groundwater levels and reducing dependency on external water sources.

• Low rainfall in a region: Water scarcity can occur when there is low rainfall in a region, leading to inadequate water supply for the population.


• Large population: A large population puts a strain on the available water resources, increasing the likelihood of water scarcity.


• Over-exploitation: Over-exploitation of water resources, such as excessive pumping of groundwater or unsustainable irrigation practices, can deplete water sources and contribute to water scarcity.


• Unequal access: Unequal distribution of water resources can result in certain populations or regions facing water scarcity due to limited access to clean and safe water.

Therefore, water scarcity can be attributed to a combination of factors, including low rainfall, large population, over-exploitation of water resources, and unequal access to water. In this case, the correct answer is option D: All of the above.

• Domestic waste: Domestic waste can pollute water sources if not properly managed and treated. It may contain harmful substances that can contaminate water.


• Industrial wastes: Industrial wastes are a major source of water pollution as they often contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals that can harm aquatic life and ecosystems.


• Chemicals: Chemicals are known to pollute water bodies, especially if they are released without proper treatment or disposal methods. They can have detrimental effects on water quality.


• Flowers: Flowers do not pollute water. In fact, flowers are natural and biodegradable products that do not contain harmful substances that can contaminate water sources.

Therefore, the product that does not pollute water is flowers. Flowers are environmentally friendly and do not pose a threat to water quality when disposed of properly.

• Hydroelectric Power Contribution:




• India's hydroelectric power contributes around 22% to the total electricity produced in the country.

• Explanation:




• Hydroelectric power is one of the major sources of electricity generation in India.


• With a contribution of 22%, it plays a significant role in meeting the country's electricity demand.


• Hydropower plants utilize the energy of flowing water to generate electricity, making it a renewable and sustainable source of energy.


• India has a vast potential for hydroelectric power generation, and efforts are being made to harness more of this clean energy source.


• Although other sources like thermal, nuclear, and renewable energy also contribute to the electricity production, hydroelectric power holds a substantial share in the overall energy mix of India.

• Tankas: Tankas are traditional underground water storage systems used in semi-arid regions of Rajasthan.


• Function: Tankas are designed to store rainwater during the monsoon season for later use during dry periods.


• Construction: Tankas are typically cylindrical or rectangular structures dug into the ground and lined with materials like lime, brick, and cement to prevent water seepage.


• Capacity: Tankas can vary in size, with some larger ones capable of storing thousands of liters of water.


• Importance: Tankas play a crucial role in providing a reliable source of drinking water in areas where groundwater sources may be limited or unreliable.

It was during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya.

• Oceans contain 96.5 per cent volume of water.


• This means that 96.5% of the Earth's water is found in oceans.


• Only a small percentage of water is found in other sources such as rivers, lakes, and glaciers.


• Oceans play a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate and weather patterns.


• It is important to protect the oceans and their ecosystems to maintain the balance of the planet.