O-LevelPakistan StudiesThe environment of PakistanOct/Nov 2015 · Q125 Marks

Describe two ways in which water supplies can be polluted.

(a)(i)Describe two ways in which water supplies can be polluted.[2]
(a)(ii)For one of these ways explain how the problem caused by pollution can be solved.[2]
(b)Study Fig. 1, a map showing the major rivers of Pakistan. [Figure 1]
(b)(i)Locate the following two dams on the map: Warsak (W); Diamir Bhasha (under construction) (D). This dam is 150km downstream of Gilgit. Mark their positions using the appropriate symbol from the key and label each with the correct letter.[2]
(b)(ii)What are the advantages of building a dam at the Diamir Bhasha site?[4]
(b)(iii)Read the following article about the proposal to build a new dam, the Kalabagh, on the River Indus at the point indicated on the map, Fig. 1. Kalabagh Dam – A Controversial Issue Punjab wants the Kalabagh Dam to be built, but there is opposition to the project from a section of the population in Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Those who are opposed to the dam argue that it might be beneficial for Punjab and harmful for the other provinces. The Kalabagh Dam issue is difficult to resolve at this stage. Describe the disputes over water availability and use which can arise from proposals to build dams at sites such as this.[4]
(c)Study Photographs A and B (Insert), which show typical scenes of deforestation. [Photographs A and B]
(c)(i)State one use of timber from forests that have been cut down.[1]
(c)(ii)Using the photographs and your own knowledge, describe the effects of deforestation on the natural environment.[4]
(d)Pakistan is rapidly losing its trees. Over the period 2000–2007 the country's forests decreased at a rate of 2.2% per year, the ninth highest rate among the world's nations. What actions can be taken to reduce deforestation? To what extent are these actions possible in Pakistan?[6]

This question uses a diagram from the original paper, which isn't shown here. Open the full paper from the past papers archive to see it.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2015). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

Sewage discharged into rivers
Domestic waste thrown in rivers
Pesticides/fertilisers runoff from agricultural fields in groundwater/rivers/eutrophication
Industrial waste/chemicals/toxic waste/metals/ waste from ships discharged into rivers
Leakage of oil from ships
'Sea'/'ocean' = 0
Investment in sewerage systems/ infrastructure/treatment of sewage
Improve sanitation facilities in poor quality housing/slums/squatter settlements /katchi abadis
Improve/more regular domestic refuse collection
Treatment of/improving disposal of industrial waste
Open up roads into squatter settlements to allow refuse lorries
Alternatives to chemical fertilisers/pesticides 'Reduce' = 0
Organic farming
Fines for industrial polluters
More investment by industries to prevent pollution incidents
Maintenance of ship/checking for leaks in ship
If not clearly linked to candidate answer/different answer to (i) then max 1
W On R. Kabul between confluence with R.Swat and Afghan border RED OVERLAY SHOWS TOLERANCE
D On R. Indus GREEN OVERLAY SHOWS TOLERANCE
Credit any indication of correct location on map within tolerated regions
1 + 1 mark
HEP
Electrification of/supplies electricity to the region/for local industries
Only floods agriculturally barren land/small amount agricultural land flooded
Will extend life of Tarbela Dam
Controls/reduces/prevents flooding [downstream]
For irrigation
Drinking water/water supply for industries
New transport infrastructure/development in region
Possibility of tourism/watersports
Possibility of freshwater fishing
Provides employment in named sector /for local people
Location factor e.g. narrow/steep-sided valley/high speed of water/high precipitation/large amount of meltwater from glaciers ‘Flow' = 0
One province receives greater share of water/unequal division of water
Dam in Punjab/one province but much of flooded area in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa/another province
Loss of water supply downstream/to Sindh for agriculture
Risk of flooding downstream by release of water/opening dam
Less silt deposited on floodplains of lower course/lower Indus
Evaporation of lower course/lower Indus
[Indus] delta/coastal area [of Sindh] less fresh water/water more saline
Disturbance to ecosystem/mangrove forests/fishing
NB: not limited to Kalabagh case study
'Loss of land'/'evacuation' = 0
Construction/buildings
Furniture
Sports goods
Chipboard/hardboard/plywood
Paper
Boxes
Matches
Fuel/firewood/charcoal
Veneer
USE LIST RULE
Soil washed into rivers
Siltation of rivers
Soil blown away
Increased surface run off / risk of flooding
Loss of forest habitat/mangroves/ecosystem
Loss of species/extinction
Air pollution from burning
Less take up of CO2 / increase in global warming/climate change
Soil eroded / coarse layers of soil/bare rock/infertile soil left behind / gullying / landslides
Less transpiration/rainfall
Decrease in humus formation
Loss of scenic beauty/visual pollution
Government protection of forest areas/national parks/reserves
Sustainable forestry (selective cutting/helilogging/horse logging)
Planting trees/afforestation/reafforestation (of fast growing trees/replacement forests planted where areas cleared for housing/industry/roads)
Plantation (of commercial/irrigated forests/forests for firewood/planting on roadsides and open spaces/fruit/nut trees)
Improve distribution of alternative fuel sources to avoid need for fuelwood (e.g. natural gas/CNG to mountainous or remote areas)
Government action on illegal logging
Restrict logging (quotas/licences)
Education/awareness programmes
Successful afforestation projects (of badlands in catchment areas) (Tarbela/Mangla Watershed Project) (Rachna Doab Afforestation Project) (Baltistan 1995 onwards afforestation programme by Agha Khan Rural Support Programme – 830000 trees planted)
Named forest reserves/national parks/plantations
Awareness programmes about value of forests (run by NGOs)
High cost
Projects difficult to manage (in remote/mountainous areas)
Security issues (in FATA/border areas)
Growing population/demand for timber/firewood/land (for housing, industry, agriculture, roads)
Government priorities