What is water harvesting? How can this technique help in the conservation of water?
What is water harvesting? How can this technique help in the conservation of water?
Water harvesting is the technique of capturing, collecting, and storing rainwater or surface runoff locally for future use and to recharge groundwater aquifers.
This technique helps in water conservation in the following ways:
- Recharges Groundwater: It allows rainwater to seep into the ground, replenishing the underground water table, which keeps wells and borewells functional.
- Reduces Runoff and Soil Erosion: By capturing rainwater where it falls, it prevents surface runoff, reduces soil erosion, and ensures water availability during dry seasons without loss to evaporation.
Marking Scheme
- 11 Mark: Defining water harvesting as capturing and storing rainwater/runoff to recharge groundwater or for direct use.
- 21 Mark: Explaining how it helps (recharging groundwater table, preventing runoff/soil erosion, ensuring water availability during dry periods).
Hint
Define the collection of rainwater and explain how storing it underground or in tanks prevents wastage and recharges the water table.
Quick Oral Answer
Water harvesting is collecting and storing rainwater to recharge groundwater. It helps conserve water by replenishing the water table and preventing surface runoff and soil erosion.
Analysis & Explanation
Water harvesting is an ancient and highly effective sustainable water management practice. Instead of letting rainwater run off and get wasted or polluted, it is directed into the ground or storage structures. Storing water underground has multiple advantages: it does not evaporate, it does not provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes like open ponds, and it is protected from human and animal contamination.
Common Mistakes
- 1Students often only mention storing water in tanks, forgetting the crucial aspect of recharging groundwater aquifers, which is the primary long-term benefit of water harvesting.
Interesting Facts
Traditional water harvesting structures in India have local names like Khadins and Nadis in Rajasthan, Bhandaras and Tals in Maharashtra, and Ahars and Pynes in Bihar, showing how deeply rooted this practice is in Indian history.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many marks does this question carry in CBSE Class 10 Science 2016?
This question carries 2 marks in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2016 examination.
Which chapter does this question come from in Science?
This question is from the chapter "Our Environment" in the CBSE Class 10 Science syllabus.
What topic does this question cover in Science?
This question covers the topic "Natural Resource Conservation" from CBSE Class 10 Science.
What type of question is this in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2016 paper?
This is a Short Answer question from Section A in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2016 paper.