Q1. [2] medium thorough-understanding
The bamboo drip irrigation system of Meghalaya channels spring water over long distances directly to the base of plants. What is the key advantage of this method of water delivery over conventional surface irrigation, and why is it particularly suited to the region's terrain and crops?
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-26 13:31 · grounding rag
Model Answer
The key advantage is that water is delivered directly to the roots of plants (20–80 drops per minute), minimising wastage through evaporation or runoff compared to surface irrigation.
It suits Meghalaya because the hilly terrain allows gravity to transport spring water through bamboo pipes over hundreds of metres without any external energy, making it ideal for crops grown on slopes.
Source: Chapter 3, Bamboo Drip Irrigation System
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Explanation
- Two points are expected for 2 marks: (1) the advantage — targeted/drip delivery reduces water loss; (2) why suited to Meghalaya — gravity-fed hills + perennial springs.
- Quote specific details from the passage (e.g., "20–80 drops per minute," "hundreds of metres") to show you've read the source.
- Keep it concise; no need for extra background on drip irrigation in general.