Water Resources
Introduction
● Importance of Water for Life:
○ Essential for drinking, cooking, and sanitation.
○ Supports plants, animals, and overall ecosystem health.
● Importance for Agriculture:
○ Required for irrigation and crop growth.
○ Supports food security for the growing population.
● Importance for Industry:
○ Used in manufacturing, cooling, and processing.
○ Vital for hydroelectricity and energy production.
● Water as a Renewable but Limited Resource:
○ Water recycles through the hydrological cycle (rain, rivers, groundwater).
○ Limited availability due to unequal distribution, overuse, and pollution.
○ Sustainable management is necessary to meet current and future needs.
Types of Water Resources
● Surface Water:
○ Found on the earth’s surface in rivers, lakes, ponds, and reservoirs.
○ Used for irrigation, drinking, industrial purposes, and hydroelectricity.
○ Example: Ganga, Brahmaputra, Chilika Lake, Bhakra Reservoir.
● Groundwater:
○ Water present beneath the earth’s surface in aquifers, wells, and tube wells.
○ Major source of drinking water and irrigation, especially in arid regions.
○ Over-extraction can cause depletion and lowering of water tables.
● Rainwater and its Harvesting:
○ Rainwater is a natural source that replenishes surface and groundwater.
○ Rainwater harvesting involves collecting and storing rainwater for future use.
○ Helps in reducing water scarcity and recharging groundwater.
Distribution of Water Resources in India
● Major River Basins:
○ Ganga Basin: Northern and Eastern plains; supports agriculture and drinking water.
○ Brahmaputra Basin: North-eastern region; prone to floods.
○ Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri Basins: Southern India; important for irrigation and
hydroelectricity.
○ Narmada and Tapi Basins: Central India; flow westwards into Arabian Sea.
○ Other rivers: Mahanadi, Yamuna, Indus, etc.
● State-wise Availability:
○ High water availability: Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Assam (due to heavy
rainfall and rivers).
○ Moderate availability: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra.
○ Low water availability: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana (arid and semi-arid regions).
○ Groundwater availability varies; over-extraction is common in Punjab, Haryana,
Rajasthan, western UP.
● Variation in Rainfall and Water Availability:
○ Uneven rainfall leads to surplus in some regions (North-East, West Bengal) and
scarcity in others (Rajasthan, Gujarat).
○ Monsoon-dependent agriculture makes water management crucial.
○ Seasonal rivers dry up in summer; perennial rivers rely on snowmelt or consistent
rainfall.
Multipurpose River Projects
● Objectives:
○ Irrigation: Provide water for agriculture to improve crop yield.
○ Hydroelectricity: Generate electricity from river water.
○ Flood Control: Manage floods and reduce damage to life and property.
○ Water Supply: Ensure drinking water and industrial water availability.
● Examples of Major Projects:
○ Bhakra Nangal (Himachal Pradesh / Punjab): Irrigation and hydroelectricity.
○ Hirakud Dam (Odisha): Flood control, irrigation, and power generation.
○ Sardar Sarovar Project (Gujarat / Madhya Pradesh / Maharashtra): Irrigation,
drinking water, and hydroelectricity.
○ Damodar Valley Project (Jharkhand / West Bengal): Flood control, irrigation, and
power generation.
Water Scarcity and Conservation
● Causes of Water Scarcity:
○ Overuse / Over-extraction: Excessive withdrawal of groundwater and surface water
for agriculture, industry, and domestic use.
○ Pollution: Contamination of rivers, lakes, and groundwater by industrial effluents,
sewage, and chemicals.
○ Uneven Distribution: Some regions (e.g., Rajasthan, Gujarat) receive less rainfall
and have limited water resources.
○ Climate Change: Changes in rainfall patterns, droughts, and melting glaciers reduce
water availability.
● Conservation Methods:
○ Rainwater Harvesting: Collecting and storing rainwater to recharge groundwater
and surface water.
○ Watershed Management: Planning and managing land and water resources to
conserve water and prevent soil erosion.
○ Efficient Irrigation: Using drip irrigation, sprinkler systems, and other techniques to
reduce water wastage.
○ Afforestation and Reforestation: Planting trees to maintain the water cycle and
reduce runoff.
National Water Policies and Management
● Government Policies:
○ Aim to ensure equitable distribution of water among states, sectors, and users.
○ Promote efficient irrigation techniques like drip and sprinkler systems.
○ Encourage sustainable use of surface and groundwater resources.
○ Emphasize pollution control, watershed development, and conservation.
● River Interlinking Projects:
○ Plan to connect surplus rivers with water-deficit rivers.
○ Objectives include flood control, irrigation, water supply, and hydroelectricity
generation.
○ Example: Ken-Betwa Link, Damanganga-Pinjal Link.
○ Helps reduce regional water imbalance and improve water availability for
agriculture and domestic use.
Dam / Project River State(s) Purpose
Bhakra Nangal Sutlej Himachal Pradesh / Punjab Irrigation, Hydroelectricity
Dam
Hirakud Dam Mahanadi Odisha Flood control, Irrigation,
Hydroelectricity
Sardar Sarovar Narmada Gujarat / Madhya Pradesh / Irrigation, Drinking water,
Project Maharashtra Hydroelectricity
Damodar Valley Damodar Jharkhand / West Bengal Flood control, Irrigation, Power
Project generation
