of floods and droughts simultaneously occuring in different parts of the country? (See Chapter of the book). Can these problems be solved or minimised by trasfering the surplus water from one basin to the water deficit basins? Do we have some schemes of inter-basin linkage?
Teachers may explain the following examples Periyar Diversion Scheme Indira Gandhi Canal Project Kurnool-Cuddapah Canal Beas-Satluj Link Canal Ganga-Kaveri Link Canal Have you read in the newspapers about the linking of rivers? Do you think that digging a canal is enough to transfer water from the Ganga basin to the Peninsular river? What is the major problem? Consult Chapter of this book and find out the difficulties posed by the unevenness of the terrain.
How can the water be lifted from the plain area to the plateau area? Is there sufficient surplus water in the north Indian rivers which can be transferred on a regular basis? Organise a debate on the whole issue and prepare a write up. How do you rank the following problems in using river water?
(i) No availability in sufficient quantity (ii) River water pollution (iii) Load of silt in the river water (iv) Uneven seasonal flow of water (v) River water disputes between states (vi) Shrinking of channels due to the extension of settlements towards the thalweg. Why are the rivers polluted? Have you seen the dirty waters of cities entering into the rivers? Where do the industrial affluents and wastes get disposed of ?
Most of the cremation grounds are on the banks of rivers and the dead bodies are sometimes thrown in the rivers. On the occasion of some festivals, the flowers and statues are immersed in the rivers. Large scale bathing and washing of clothes also pollute river waters. How can the rivers be made pollution free?
Have you read about Ganga Action Plan, or about a campaign for cleaning the Yamuna at Delhi? Collect materials on schemes for making rivers pollution free and organise the materials in a write up. . Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.