Water Resources

Water Resources
Availability of • Three-fourth of the earth's surface is covered with water, but only a small
water on Earth proportion of it accounts for freshwater that can be put to use.
• This freshwater is mainly obtained from surface run off and ground water
that is continually being renewed and recharged through the hydrological
cycle. All water moves within the hydrological cycle ensuring that water is
a renewable resource.
Causes of 1. Unequal distribution of Rainfall: Water is available in abundance and it is

scarcity of water renewable, still in few regions people have to travel miles to get water (e.g.
Rajasthan). It is because few regions receive little rainfall and are drought
prone. Thus, the availability of water resource varies over space and time,
due to variation in seasonal and annual precipitation, but water scarcity in
most cases is caused by over -exploitation, excessive use and unequal access to
water among different social groups.
2. Rapid Increase in Population: Rapid increase in population has resulted in
greater demand for water and unequal access to it. A larger population
means more water not only for domestic use but also to produce more good.
3. Increase in the Demand for food grains: Population explosion has led to
increase in the demand for food grain. Hence to facilitate higher food-grain
production, water resources are being over exploited to expand irrigated
areas and dry-season agriculture. Irrigated agriculture is the largest consumer
of water.
4. Increased Use of Tube Wells: Most farmers are having their own tube-wells
in their farms for irrigation to increase their production. This had led to
fall in ground water level, adversely affecting water availability and food
security of the people.
Water Scarcity • Intensive Industrialisation: Post independent India witnessed intensive

industrialisation and urbanization. Today, large industrial houses are as
commonplace as the industrial units of many MNCs (Multinational
Corporations). The ever -increasing number of industries has made matters
worse by exerting pressure on existing freshwater resources. These industries
not only use water as raw material, but also require power to run them.
Much of this energy comes from hydroelectricity power. Today in India
hydro electric power contributes approximately 22% of the total electricity
produced.
• Urbanization: Rapid increase in population and urban life style has not
only increased the demand for water but have further aggravated the
problem. Most of the housing societies have their own ground water
pumping devices to meet their water needs. Thus fragile water resources are
being over – exploited and have caused their depletion in several of these
cities.
• Scarcity due to Pollution: Many times water is available in sufficient
quantity but still people cannot use it due to bad quality. Much of the
water is polluted these days by domestic and industrial wastes, chemicals
pesticides and fertilizers used in agriculture.
Water Resources
• Government of India has accorded highest priority to improve the quality
of life and enhance ease of living of people especially those living in rual
areas by announcing the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). The Goal of JJM is
to enable every rural household get assured supply of potable piped water
at a service level of 55 litres per capita per day regularly on long-term
basis by ensuring functionality of the tap water connections.
Need of water 1. To safeguard from health hazard

conservation 2. To ensure food security
3. To continue our livelihood
4. To preserve the ecosystem
Hydraulic • In the first century B.C., Sringaverapura near Allahabad had sophisticated
structures of water harvesting system channelling the flood water of the river Ganga.
Ancient India • During the time of Chandragupta Maurya, dams, lakes and irrigation
systems were extensively built.
• Evidences of sophisticated irrigation works have also been found in Kalinga,
(Odisha), Nagarjunakonda (Andhra Pradesh), Bennur (Karnataka), Kolhapur
(Maharashtra), etc.
• In the 11th Century, Bhopal Lake, one of the largest artificial lakes of its time
was built.
• In the 14th Century, the tank in Hauz Khas, Delhi was constructed by
Iltutmish for supplying water to Siri Fort area.
Multi-Purpose • Archaeological and historical records show that from ancient times hydraulic
river projects structures have been constructing. A hydraulic structure is a system to
channelise the natural flow of water.
• These hydraulic structures include dams built of stone rubble, reservoirs or
lakes, embankments and canals for irrigation. In modern India, this motion
of constructing hydraulic structures is continued by building dams in most
of our river basins.
• Multi-Purpose river projects launched after Independence aim to develop
proper management of water resources by storing river water for many
purposes.
• First Prime Minister, Pt. Jawharlal Nehru, proclaimed multi-purpose river
projects as TheTemples of Modern India, as they initiate development of
agriculture and the village economy with rapid industrialisation and
growth of the urban economy.
Water Resources
Objectives of The primary objectives of such projects are:-
Multi-Purpose • Electricity generation is one of the objectives of multi-purpose projects. India
Projects generates approximately 22 percent of its energy needs through this.
• These projects conserve soil by slowing down the speed of river water.
• These projects control floods by storing excess water in their reservoirs.
• During the dry season, the stored water in these projects can be used to
irrigate the fields.
• Trees are systematically planted around reservoirs in these projects which
help in preserving the natural eco-systems as well as wildlife.
• These projects provide controlled conditions for breeding of fish.
• These projects provide for inland water navigation through the main river
as well as associated canals.
• These projects also act as tourist attraction place where boating etc can be
done by the people.
• These projects also supply water for domestic and industrial uses.
Adverse effects of Multi-purpose projects also have many adverse effects and limitations. Due to
Multi-Purpose these effects these projects have come under great opposition. The adverse effects
river projects are as follows:-
• Effect on Soil Fertility: The reservoirs that are created on the flood plains
submerge the existing vegetation and soil leading to its decomposition over
a period of time.
• Impact on Society: Large river projects cause large-scale displacement of
local communities alongwith destruction of their livelihood and culture.
• Impact on Aquatic Life: Dams break up rivers making it difficult for aquatic
fauna like fishes to migrate especially for spawning (release or deposit eggs).
• Change in Cropping Pattern: Irrigation has changed the cropping pattern
in many regions with farmers shifting to water intensive methods and
commercial crops. This has a great ecological consequences like salinisation
of soil.
• Excessive Sedimentation at the Bottom of the Reservoir: Regulating and
damming of rivers affect their natural flow. This causes poor sediment flow
and excessive collection of sediments at the bottom of the reservoir. Further,
this result in rockier stream beds and raised level of water that cause floods.
For example, the release of water from dams during heavy rains aggravated
the flood situation in Maharashtra and Gujarat in 2006.
• Excessive Use of Water: It has been observed that the multi-purpose projects
induced earthquakes, caused water-borne diseases and pests and pollution
resulting from excessive use of water.
Water Resources
Major River
Projects
Adverse effects of
Multi-Purpose
river projects

Water Resources

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Water Resources

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Water Resources

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Water Resources

Causes of 1. Unequal distribution of Rainfall: Water is available in abundance and it is

Water Scarcity • Intensive Industrialisation: Post independent India witnessed intensive

Need of water 1. To safeguard from health hazard

You might also like