Explain how human activities are degrading water bodies all over the globe.

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

Rising from the Gangotri Glacier in the Himalayas, river Ganga is the lifeline of the northern part of India. Its plains provide food to millions of Indians. The rich fertile plains grow diverse crops and support high density of population. Being a glacier-fed river, it carries water throughout the year and hence provides irrigation, navigation and also helps in the generation of hydroelectric power. On the banks of this sacred river, many pilgrimage cities such as Haridwar, Rishikesh, Allahabad (now Prayagraj) and Varanasi have grown. The combined drainage system of the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra forms the vast Northern Plains of the Indian subcontinent that is one of the most populous regions of the world.

1. How does the Ganga Plain grow food for millions of Indians?
2. Why does the river carry water throughout the year?
3. Besides farming, which are the other two benefits of this river to the people of India?

Why is a water crisis in the world even though most parts of the Earth is covered with water?

Have you heard the term voyagers? Since olden times voyagers have ventured into faraway lands for explorations. Many a time they discovered new lands. Name any three famous explorers and write briefly about them under the following headings:

• Name :
• the country she/he belonged to :
• the expedition which made her/him famous :
• the year in which it was done :
• the discord that followed (if any) :
• any landmark named after her/him :