Q11
1 markMCQSection A

Which one of the following is responsible for the sustenance of underground water?

Sustenance of Underground Water

Options

(0)Loss of vegetation cover
(1)Diversion for high water demanding crops
(2)Pollution from urban wastes
(3)Afforestation
Official Answer

Afforestation is responsible for the sustenance of underground water because trees and vegetation cover increase the water-holding capacity of the soil, reduce surface runoff, and facilitate the percolation of rainwater into the ground, thereby recharging the underground aquifers.

Afforestationpercolationgroundwater rechargevegetation cover

Marking Scheme

  • 11 Mark for selecting the correct option (D) with a brief scientific justification.

Hint

Think about which practice helps rainwater seep into the soil instead of running off the surface.

Quick Oral Answer

Afforestation helps sustain underground water by slowing down surface runoff, allowing rainwater to percolate deep into the soil and recharge aquifers.

Analysis & Explanation

Let us analyze the options:

  • Loss of vegetation cover (Option A): This leads to increased surface runoff and soil erosion, which prevents rainwater from seeping into the ground to recharge aquifers.
  • Diversion for high water demanding crops (Option B): This leads to excessive extraction and depletion of groundwater reserves.
  • Pollution from urban wastes (Option C): This contaminates water resources, making groundwater unfit for use rather than sustaining it.
  • Afforestation (Option D): Planting trees helps in retaining soil moisture, slowing down rainwater runoff, and allowing water to percolate deep into the soil, which directly sustains and recharges the underground water table.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1Misreading 'sustenance' as 'depletion' and selecting options like loss of vegetation cover.

Interesting Facts

Forests act as natural giant sponges. They absorb rainwater and slowly release it into underground aquifers and streams, ensuring a steady supply of fresh water even during dry seasons.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many marks does this question carry in CBSE Class 10 Science 2020?

This question carries 1 mark in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2020 examination.

What topic does this question cover in Science?

This question covers the topic "Sustenance of Underground Water" from CBSE Class 10 Science.

What type of question is this in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2020 paper?

This is a MCQ question from Section A in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2020 paper.