Q1. [4]
Most of the objections to the projects arose due to their failure to achieve the purposes for which they were built. Ironically, the dams that were constructed to control the floods have triggered floods due to sedimentation in the reservoir. Moreover, the big dams have mostly been unsuccessful in controlling floods at the time of excessive rainfall. You may have seen or read how the release of water from the dams during heavy rains aggravated the flood situation in Maharashtra and Gujarat in 2006. The floods have not only devastated life and property but also caused extensive soil erosion. Sedimentation also meant that the flood plains were deprived of silt, a natural fertiliser, further adding on to the problem of land degradation. It was also observed that the multi-purpose projects induced earthquakes, caused water-borne diseases and pests and pollution resulting from excessive use of water.
Read the given source and answer the questions that follow :
- (35.1) Name the movement against the river project in Gujarat. [1]
- (35.2) How have the big dams mostly been unsuccessful in controlling floods at the time of excessive rainfall ? [1]
- (35.3) Analyse any two merits of multi-purpose river projects. [2]
Previously asked in CBSE board exam
2023 32/2/1 Q35
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:05 · grounding stimulus
Model Answer
(35.1) The movement against the Sardar Sarovar Dam project on the Narmada River in Gujarat is known as the Narmada Bachao Andolan.
(35.2) Big dams have been mostly unsuccessful because during excessive rainfall, water has to be released from the reservoirs to prevent overflow. This release itself aggravates the flood situation in downstream areas, as seen in Maharashtra and Gujarat in 2006.
(35.3) Two merits of multi-purpose river projects:
- They help in irrigation, ensuring water supply to agricultural fields throughout the year, increasing crop production.
- They generate hydroelectric power, providing cheap and renewable electricity for industrial and domestic use, contributing to economic development.
Source: Chapter 3 — Water Resources, NCERT Geography Class 10
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Explanation
- (35.1) is a direct recall question — Narmada Bachao Andolan is the expected answer. The passage mentions Gujarat/Narmada context.
- (35.2) must be answered using the passage itself — the key phrase is "release of water from dams during heavy rains aggravated the flood situation."
- (35.3) asks for merits, which are NOT in the passage (the passage only lists demerits). This tests broader textbook knowledge — irrigation and hydroelectric power generation are the two most standard merits examiners expect. Write one clear point per merit.
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