Class Notes
Water Resources
By - Aanchal
Water Resources & Hydrological Cycle
● Though three-fourths of Earth is covered with water, only a small proportion is
freshwater suitable for use.
● Water is a renewable resource because of the Hydrological Cycle, which
continuously renews surface runoff and groundwater.
[Link]
Hydrological Cycle
Causes of Water Scarcity
A. Quantitative Water Scarcity
● Water availability varies across space and time due to seasonal and annual
rainfall.
● Water scarcity is mainly caused by over-exploitation, unequal access and
excessive use, not only by low rainfall.
Agriculture
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● Irrigated agriculture is the largest consumer of water.
● Expansion of irrigated areas for higher food-grain production has led to
over-exploitation of water resources.
● Falling groundwater levels affect water availability and food security.
● Need for drought-resistant crops and dry farming techniques.
Urban Areas
● Urban centres and industries over-exploit groundwater.
● This results in declining water tables.
B. Qualitative Water Scarcity
Water may be available but becomes unsafe due to pollution from:
1. Domestic wastes
2. Industrial wastes
3. Chemicals
4. Pesticides
5. Fertilisers
Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)
Goal: Provide every rural household with functional tap water connections.
Assured supply of 55 litres per capita per day (LPCD) of potable water on a long-term
basis.
Traditional Water Conservation
Ancient India developed dams, reservoirs and irrigation systems.
Examples
● 1st Century BC: Sringaverapura (Allahabad) – Floodwater harvesting from River
Ganga.
● Chandragupta Maurya: Extensive construction of dams, lakes and irrigation
systems.
● Irrigation works are found in Kalinga (Odisha), Nagarjunakonda (Andhra
Pradesh), Bennur (Karnataka) and Kolhapur (Maharashtra).
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● 11th Century: Bhopal Lake – One of the largest artificial lakes.
● 13th–14th Century: Hauz Khas (Delhi), built by Alauddin Khalji to supply water to
Siri Fort.
Modern Water Conservation
● Rooftop rainwater harvesting.
● Traditional methods like Khadins and Tankas.
● Water Management Projects
Multi-purpose Projects
Dams are used for:
● Irrigation
● Electricity generation
● Domestic water supply
● Industrial water supply
● Flood control
● Recreation
● Inland navigation
● Fish breeding
Jawaharlal Nehru
Called dams the "Temples of Modern India" as they supported agricultural, industrial
and urban development.
Problems of Large Dams
● Affect the natural flow of rivers.
● Cause poor sediment flow and excessive sedimentation in reservoirs.
● Fragment rivers, affecting migration and spawning of aquatic fauna.
● Reservoirs submerge vegetation and soil, causing decomposition.
● Mostly unsuccessful in controlling floods during excessive rainfall.
● May induce earthquakes.
● Cause water-borne diseases, pests and pollution due to excessive use of water.
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● Encourage water-intensive commercial crops, leading to soil salinisation.
[Link]
Classification of Dams
Water Harvesting
● Hill Regions : Guls/Kuls – Diversion channels for agriculture.
● Flood Plains of Bengal : Inundation channels for irrigation.
● Arid & Semi-Arid Regions Khadins (Jaisalmer) and Johads (Rajasthan) stored
rainwater and improved soil moisture.
● Tankas
1. Underground tanks in Bikaner, Phalodi and Barmer.
2. Part of rooftop rainwater harvesting systems.
3. Built inside houses or courtyards to store drinking water.
4. Palar Pani (rainwater) was considered the purest form of natural water.
5. Underground rooms beside tankas remain cool during summer.
Present Situation
● Rooftop rainwater harvesting has declined in western Rajasthan due to the Indira
Gandhi Canal, though many families still use tankas.
● Gendathur (Mysuru, Karnataka) Villagers installed rooftop rainwater harvesting
systems to meet household water needs.
● Tamil Nadu was the first state to make rooftop rainwater harvesting mandatory
for all existing and new buildings (2003).
Examples of Water Management Projects
Bhakra Nangal Project
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River: Sutlej–Beas Basin
States: Himachal Pradesh & Punjab
Uses: Hydel power and irrigation.
Hirakud Project
River: Mahanadi
State: Odisha
Uses: Water conservation, irrigation and flood control.
Sardar Sarovar Dam
River: Narmada
State: Gujarat
Benefits: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Tehri Dam – Bhagirathi River – Uttarakhand
Nagarjuna Sagar Dam – Krishna River – Telangana & Andhra Pradesh
Tungabhadra Dam – Tungabhadra River – Karnataka
Indira Sagar Dam – Narmada River – Madhya Pradesh
Koyna Dam – Koyna River – Maharashtra
[Link]
Major Dams
Water Disputes
Krishna–Godavari dispute: Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh opposed Maharashtra's
diversion of water at Koyna, fearing reduced downstream flow affecting agriculture and
industry.
Floods
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Heavy rainfall causes floods, leading to:
Soil erosion
Land degradation
Water Conservation Strategies
● Rainwater harvesting.
● Traditional water storage methods.
● Community participation.
● Legal measures for water conservation and management.
[Link]
The Bamboo Drip Irrigation Method