Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Geography

Chapter

India-People and Economy: Water resources

Question:

Read the passage and answer that follow:

Watershed management basically refers to efficient management and conservation of surface and groundwater resources. It involves prevention of runoff and shortage and recharge of groundwater through various methods like percolation tanks, recharge wells etc. However, in broad sense watershed management includes conservation. Regeneration and judicious use of all resources- natural (like land water plants and animals) and human with in a watershed. Watershed management aims at bringing about balance between natural resources on the one hand and society on the other. The success of watershed development largely depends upon community participation.

The Central and State Government have initiated many watershed development and management programmes in the country, some of these are being implemented by non-government organisations also. Haryali is a watershed development project sponsored by the Central Government which aims at enabling the rural populations to conserve water for drinking, irrigation, fisheries and afforestation. The Project is being executed by Gram Panchayats with people's participation. Neeru-Meeru (water and you) programme (in Andhra Pradesh) and Arvary Pani Sansad (in Alwar Rajasthan) have taken up constructions of various water-harvesting structures such as percolation tanks, Dug out ponds (Johand), Check dams. etc. through people's participation. Tamil Nadu has made water harvesting structures in the houses compulsory. No building can be constructed without making structures for water harvesting. watershed development projects in some areas have been successful in rejuvenating environment and economy. However, there are only a few success stories. In majority of cases, the programme is still in its nascent stage. There is a need to generate awareness regarding benefits of watershed development and management among people in the country, and through this integrated water resource management approach water availability can be ensured on sustainable basis.


What is watershed?

Options:

It is efficient management and conservation of surface and groundwater resources.

It is a system of equitable distribution of water in an area.

It is a method of storing the canal water.

It is harvesting of natural streams.

Correct Answer:

It is efficient management and conservation of surface and groundwater resources.

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (1) → It is efficient management and conservation of surface and groundwater resources.

Watershed management basically refers to efficient management and conservation of surface and groundwater resources. It involves prevention of runoff and storage and recharge of groundwater through various methods like percolation tanks, recharge wells, etc. However, in broad sense watershed management includes conservation, regeneration and judicious use of all resources - natural (like land, water, plants and animals) and human with in a watershed.