Chapter 3: Water Resources

Question 1

Give me a list of Western Rivers.

Answer 1

• Swat
• Kabul
• Kurram
• Tochi
• Gomal

Question 2

Give me a list of Eastern Rivers.

Answer 2

• Ravi
• Beas
• Sutlej
• Chenab
• Jhelum

Question 3

List some industrial uses of water.

Answer 3

• Tanning industry for washing leather
• Food processing industry for juices, squashed beverages, etc.
• In the iron and steel industry for cooling down furnaces
• Thermal power stations for making steam
• For pharmaceuticals e .g, syrups, drips, injections

Question 4

List some domestic uses of water.

Answer 4

• Cooking
• Sanitation
• Washing
• Drinking
• Heating

Question 5

What are some factors responsible for the development of irrigation systems?

Answer 5

• Unreliability of rainfall
• Long dry spells
• High rate of evapotranspiration
• Variability of the amount of rainfall to store water
• To provide water where there is no rainfall

Question 6

Give me a list of Conventional Methods of Irrigation

Answer 6

• Shaduf
• Karez
• Persian Wheel
• Charsa
• Tanks
• Inundation Canals

Question 7

Explain the process of Shaduf.

Answer 7

A bucket is attached to the pole on one side and weighted on the other side to extract water from the well, river, etc. This method can irrigate a small area. However, it is not used now.

Question 8

Explain the process of the Persian wheel.

Answer 8

• It is designed traditionally powered by a blindfolded bullock.
• It turns a horizontal wooden wheel geared to a vertical wheel at the distant end of the shaft.

A chain is attached to earthen pots, and water is spilled into the channels to flow from the fields.

Question 9

Explain the process of the karez.

Answer 9

• It is a horizontal underground water channel in the foothills that brings groundwater to the surface.
• These are only found in Balochistan to stop the evapotranspiration because of high temperatures.

Question 10

Define Irrigation.

Answer 10

• The artificial supply of water usually used for crops in farming

Question 11

What are some advantages of Conventional methods of irrigation systems?

Answer 11

• Less costly
• No fuel needed
• Environment friendly
• Employment

Question 12

What are some disadvantages of Conventional methods of irrigation systems?

Answer 12

• Time consuming
• Labor intensive
• Less water
• Low area of cultivation

Question 13

What are some advantages of modern methods of irrigation systems?

Answer 13

• More water available
• More land irrigated
• Not Labor-intensive
• Technology used so more output

Question 14

What are some disadvantages of modern methods of irrigation systems?

Answer 14

• Unemployment
• Air pollution + noise pollution
• High installation + maintenance cost
• Power failure will stop the work and supply

Question 15

What are some suitable places to build dams?

Answer 15

• Mountainous areas at high altitudes available to make waterfalls to move turbines
• Steep slopes and Natural basins help to make reservoirs easily
• Availability of water by rainfall and melting of snow
• Low temperatures so less evaporation during summers
• Low evacuation cost because of less population density

Question 16

What is the importance of building dams?

Answer 16

• Produces HEP (Hydro Electric Power)
• Stores water for irrigation purposes through canals
• Controls flood and saves from its devastations
• Attracts tourists
• Fishing in reservoirs

Question 17

Define water logging.

Answer 17

Excess of water on land causes waterlogging. It is due to the high water table.

Question 18

Define salinity.

Answer 18

• When water dries up and white salty patches appear on the surface.

Question 19

How to control water logging and salinity?

Answer 19

• Lining of canals to stop seepage of water
• Canal closure temporarily
• Installing tube wells to pump out water to lower the water level
• Planting of eucalyptus trees
• Treating the land with chemical or limestone

Question 20

What are the problems caused by siltation?

Answer 20

• Weakens the foundation of dams.
• Blockage of canals.
• Reduction in storing capacity of water in dams.
• It can result in floods.
• Fluctuation of electricity due to silt in turbines.

Question 21

What’s the difference between dams and barrages?

Answer 21

• Barrages are not involved in the generation of electricity, whereas dams are major suppliers of HEP (hydel power)
• Barrages’ construction cost is less than that of dams
• Construction time is quicker for barrages and longer for dams
• Barrages can be built on flat land but dams require steep slopes

Question 22

Q: Name a dam and describe its location.

Answer 22

• Tarbela, located in River Indus