Dams and Multipurpose Projects

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Questions and Answers

What is one of the primary purposes for building dams today?

Electricity generation (correct)

Urban development

Building roads

Animal migration

Which river basin features the Bhakra-Nangal project?

Ganga basin

Sutluj-Beas river basin (correct)

Godavari basin

Mahanadi basin

Which of the following is NOT a reason for scrutiny of multi-purpose projects?

Increased fish breeding (correct)

Poor sediment flow

Excessive sedimentation

Fragmentation of rivers

What does excessive sedimentation at the bottom of a reservoir lead to?

Rockier stream beds Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of river ecosystems do dams negatively impact?

Migration of aquatic fauna Signup and view all the answers

Which project integrates conservation of water with flood control?

Hirakud project Signup and view all the answers

What is one objective of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchaee Yojana?

Increase cultivable area under assured irrigation Signup and view all the answers

The Damodar river is also referred to as which of the following?

River of sorrow Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main purposes of the Sardar Sarovar Project?

To provide irrigation facilities in drought-prone areas Signup and view all the answers

Which states are primarily involved in the Krishna-Godavari dispute?

Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka Signup and view all the answers

What is the intended outcome for the command area in Gujarat under the Sardar Sarovar Project?

To ensure drought-proof irrigation Signup and view all the answers

Which problem has been triggered by the construction of large dams according to the content?

Increased sedimentation leading to floods Signup and view all the answers

How many hectares of land is expected to be irrigated by the Sardar Sarovar Project?

18.45 lakh hectares Signup and view all the answers

What has been a common issue with big dams, especially during excessive rainfall?

They can lead to floods due to inadequate capacity. Signup and view all the answers

Which district in Rajasthan is mentioned as a strategic area for irrigation under the Sardar Sarovar Project?

Barmer Signup and view all the answers

What disadvantage comes from the Maharashtra government's diversion of water in the Sardar Sarovar Project?

It may cause adverse effects on downstream agriculture. Signup and view all the answers

What has been a major consequence of shifting to water-intensive crops?

Soil salinisation Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the ecological problems caused by floods as mentioned?

Soil erosion Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchaee Yojana?

To provide protective irrigation access Signup and view all the answers

What type of projects have induced earthquakes according to the content?

Multi-purpose projects Signup and view all the answers

What system was developed in the flood plains of Bengal to aid irrigation?

Inundation channels Signup and view all the answers

Which traditional structures were used in ancient India for water storage?

Khadins and Johads Signup and view all the answers

What negative effect is associated with excessive use of water in agriculture?

Water-borne diseases Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of land has been compromised due to sedimentation from floods?

Soil nutrients Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of constructing underground rooms adjoining the 'tanka'?

To maintain cool temperatures Signup and view all the answers

What is the main method used to filter rooftop rainwater in the rainwater harvesting system described?

Using sand and bricks Signup and view all the answers

How much rainwater can a household in Shillong collect and use annually based on the information provided?

50,000 litres Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the total water requirement does rooftop rainwater harvesting provide for households in Shillong?

15-25 percent Signup and view all the answers

What traditional method is used to recharge groundwater in the Kaza village?

Releasing water from a village tank Signup and view all the answers

Which location receives the highest annual rainfall in the world while facing a water shortage in its capital, Shillong?

Cherapunjee Signup and view all the answers

What is the amount of annual precipitation received by Gendathur?

1,000 mm Signup and view all the answers

In the context of rooftop rainwater harvesting, what is the implication of '80 percent collection efficiency' mentioned for Gendathur?

It affects the amount of water stored. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of situation can still suffer from water scarcity despite having high annual rainfall?

Region with high rainfall but heavily polluted water Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the functions of multi-purpose river projects?

They help in flood control by regulating water flow. Signup and view all the answers

What consequences can arise from multi-purpose river projects?

They lead to large scale displacements and loss of livelihood. Signup and view all the answers

How is water flow into pipes controlled in the bamboo pipe system described?

By manipulating the pipe positions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the last channel section in the water application system?

It enables water to be dropped near the roots of the plant. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not true regarding industries and water pollution?

Industries have no effect on the cleanliness of water resources. Signup and view all the answers

What role do diversion units play in the water distribution system?

They control which branches receive water. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios indicates a region suffering from water scarcity?

A region with abundant rainfall but high pollution levels. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Dams - Multipurpose Projects

Today, dams are constructed for a variety of uses besides irrigation.
These modern dams are called multipurpose projects as they integrate uses for electricity generation, water supply for domestic and industrial uses, flood control, recreation, navigation, and fish breeding.
The Bhakra-Nangal project on Sutluj-Beas river basin uses water for hydropower production and irrigation.
Similarly, the Hirakud project in the Mahanadi basin focuses on both water conservation and flood control.

Controversy and Scrutiny of Dams

Multipurpose projects and large dams have come under scrutiny and opposition in recent years due to various reasons.
These projects affect the natural flow of rivers by regulating and damming them.
This disruption leads to poor sediment flow and excessive sedimentation at the bottom of the reservoir.
As a result, the stream beds become rockier, creating challenges for the aquatic life of the river.
Dams also fragment rivers, making it difficult for aquatic fauna to migrate, especially for spawning.
The reservoirs created on floodplains also submerge existing vegetation and soil, leading to their decomposition over a period of time.

Sardar Sarovar Dam Project

The Sardar Sarovar Dam is located on the Narmada River in Gujarat.
It is one of the largest water resource projects in India, spanning four states: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.
The project aims to fulfill the water requirement in drought-prone areas.
Sardar Sarovar Project will supply irrigation facilities to 18.45 lakh hectares of land, covering 3112 villages in 15 districts of Gujarat.
It will also irrigate 2,46,000 hectares in Barmer and Jalore districts (Rajasthan) and 37,500 hectares in the tribal hilly tract of Maharashtra.
About 75% of the command area in Gujarat and the entire command in Rajasthan is drought-prone.
The assured water supply from the project will soon make these areas drought-proof.

Inter-state Water Disputes

The Krishna-Godavari dispute involves objections raised by Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh governments against the diversion of water by the Maharashtra government for a multipurpose project at Koyna.
The diversion would reduce downstream flow in these states, negatively impacting agriculture and industry.

Floods and Issues of Dams

Dams built to control floods have triggered floods due to sedimentation in the reservoir.
The effectiveness of these dams in controlling floods during excessive rainfall is limited.
These floods cause widespread devastation to life and property, leading to extensive soil erosion.
Sedimentation deprives the floodplains of natural silt, which is a natural fertilizer, causing further land degradation.
Multipurpose projects are also associated with induced earthquakes, waterborne diseases and pests, and pollution due to excessive water usage.

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchaee Yojana

The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchaee Yojana aims to enhance water access for farms through a variety of measures.
This project is focused on expanding cultivable land under assured irrigation, improving on-farm water use efficiency, and introducing sustainable water conservation practices.
It strives to bring rural prosperity by ensuring access to protective irrigation for all agricultural farms.

Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting systems are considered a viable alternative to traditional irrigation methods, with socio-economic and environmental benefits.
Ancient India boasted sophisticated hydraulic structures and a tradition of water harvesting.
In Rajasthan, the ‘khadins’ in Jaisalmer and ‘Johads’ in other parts of the state are examples of traditional rain-fed storage structures.
Roof-top rainwater harvesting is common in Shillong, Meghalaya, where nearly every household harvests rainwater.
This system caters to 15-25% of the household’s water requirements.
Roof-top harvesting was common in the Thar Desert, with rainwater channeled into bamboo pipes to irrigate fields.

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Description

Explore the role of modern dams as multipurpose projects that serve various functions such as electricity generation, irrigation, and flood control. This quiz also delves into the controversies surrounding large dams, including their impact on river ecosystems and sediment flow. Understand the balance between development and environmental conservation.