Question 2 - Case Based Questions - Chapter 3 Class 10 Geography - Water Resources - Geography

Read the extract given below and answer the questions: 

In the semi-arid and arid regions of Rajasthan, particularly in Bikaner, Phalodi and Barmer, almost all the houses traditionally had underground tanks or tankas for storing drinking water. The tanks could be as large as a big room; one household in Phalodi had a tank that was 6.1 metres deep, 4.27 metres long and 2.44 metres wide. The tankas were part of the well-developed rooftop rainwater harvesting system and were built inside the main house or the courtyard. They were connected to the sloping roofs of the houses through a pipe. Rain falling on the rooftops would travel down the pipe and was stored in these underground 'tankas'. The first spell of rain was usually not collected as this would clean the roofs and the pipes. The rainwater from the subsequent showers was then collected. The rainwater can be stored the tankas till the next rainfall making it an extremely reliable source of drinking water when all other sources are dried up, particularly in the summers. Rainwater, or palar pain, as commonly referred to in these parts, is considered the purest form of natural water. Many houses constructed underground rooms adjoining the 'tanka' to beat the summer heat as it would keep the room cool.

Question (i)

Name a traditional rainwater harvesting technique, commonly practiced in Rajasthan, India.

Answer:

In the Thar desert region of Rajasthan , India , a tanka is a traditional method of collecting rainwater.

Question (ii)

In which part of Rajasthan are tankas commonly used?

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Answer:

From the paragraph

I n the semi-arid and arid regions of Rajasthan,  particularly in Bikaner, Phalodi and Barmer, almost  all the houses traditionally had underground tanks  or tankas for storing drinking water. T he tanks  could be as large as a big room; one household in  Phalodi had a tank that was 6.1 metres deep, 4.27  metres long and 2.44 metres wide.

In the semi-arid and arid regions of Rajasthan ,  particularly in Bikaner, Phalodi and Barmer , almost  all the houses, underground  tanks called 'tankas'  are used for storing drinking water. 

Question (iii)

What are palarpani? 

Answer:

From the paragraph

Rainwater, or palar  pain, as commonly referred to in these parts, is  considered the purest form of natural water. Many  houses constructed underground rooms adjoining  the 'tanka' to beat the summer heat as it would keep  the room cool. 

In Rajasthan , rainwater is known as palar pani and it is considered the purest form of natural water .

Question (iv)

State any one benefit of constructing a tanka.

Answer:

The rainwater can be stored in the tankas till the next  rainfall making it an extremely reliable source of  drinking water when all other sources are dried up ,  particularly in the summers.

Question (v)

What is rooftop rainwater harvesting?

Answer:

Rooftop Rain Water Harvesting is the technique  through which rain water is collected from the roof catchments and stored in underground tankas. 

Question (vi)

State any two advantages of rooftop rainwater harvesting.

Answer:

Advantages of Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting is 

1. Prevents the problem of water scarcity .
2. Reduces the risk of soil erosion .

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