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1. WATER
RESOURCE

2. INTRODUCTION :-
Water: A Precious and Renewable
Resource Water is essential for all
living beings and activities like
agriculture, industry, and electricity
production.
India has about 4% of the world’s
freshwater resources but supports
nearly 16% of the global population,
causing a strain on available water.
Though water is renewable
through the water cycle, its
availability varies across regions
and seasons, leading to scarcity in
some parts.

3. CAUSES OF WATER SCARCITY IN INDIA:-
Unequal distribution of rainfall and
water sources leads to some areas
facing shortages, especially in arid and
semi-arid regions.
Over-extraction of groundwater,
mainly due to agriculture, lowers water
tables in many states
.Rapid urbanisation and population
growth increase water
demand.Pollution from industrial
waste, sewage, and chemicals
contaminates water bodies, making
water unusable.
Water-intensive crops like paddy and
sugarcane consume a large amount of
water.

4. WATER CONSERVATION: WHY IT IS NECESSARY:-
 Conserving water ensures
enough supply for future
generations.
 It reduces dependency on
groundwater, which is depleting
rapidly.
 Helps prevent conflicts over
water sharing between regions.
 Protects ecosystems that depend
on water.
 Promotes sustainable use of
water resources.

5. Post-Independent India: Industrialisation & Urbanisation
1.Rapid Industrialisation and urbanisation
post-independence created vast
opportunities.
2.Large industrial houses and MNCs are
now widespread.
3.The growing number of industries has
increased pressure on freshwater
resources.
Impact of Industries on Water and
Energy
4.Industries are heavy users of water.
5.Most industries rely on hydroelectric
power, increasing water dependency.
6.Urban centres with dense populations
and changing lifestyles raise water and
energy demands.
7.Many housing societies use private
groundwater pumps, leading to:
•Over-exploitation
•Depletion of groundwater in several
cities.
Water Scarcity – Quantity vs. Quality
8.Water scarcity can occur even when water is available:
•Due to poor water quality.
9.Common pollutants include:
•Domestic waste
•Industrial waste
•Agricultural chemicals (pesticides, fertilisers)
10.Polluted water is hazardous for human use.
Government Initiative – Jal Jeevan
Mission (JJM)
11.JJM aims to:
•Provide piped potable water to every
rural household.
•Ensure 55 litres per capita per day.
•Focus on regularity and functionality
of tap water.
12.Priority is on improving quality of life
and ease of living, especially in rural
areas.

6. MULTI-PURPOSE RIVER PROJECTS AND
INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT:-
(In ancient times, we used to conserve water by
constructing sophisticated hydraulic structures like
dams built of stone rubble, reservoirs or lakes,
embankments and canals for irrigation. We have
continued this tradition in modern India by building
dams in most of our river basins.)
Hydraulic Structures in Ancient India*
 In the first century B.C., Sringaverapura near
Allahabad had sophisticated water harvesting system
channelling the floodwater of the river Ganga.
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
(AndhraPradesh), 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.

7. DAMS:-
A dam is a barrier across flowing water
that obstructs, directs or retards the
flow, often creating a reservoir, lake or
impoundment. “Dam” refers to the
reservoir rather than the structure.
Some examples of dams :-
Bhakra Nangal Dam on Satluj River
(Himachal Pradesh)
Hirakud Dam on Mahanadi River
(Odisha)
Sardar Sarovar Dam on Narmada
River (Gujarat)
Tehri Dam on Bhagirathi River
(Uttarakhand)

8. NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN
(NBA) :-
Meaning: “Save the Narmada Movement” – a non-
political social movement.
Started: 1985
Leader: Medha Patkar (along with Baba Amte and
others).
Reason: Opposition to the construction of large
dams on the Narmada River, especially the Sardar
Sarovar Dam in Gujarat.
Main Concerns:
1. Displacement of People:Thousands of tribal
people, farmers and villagers from Madhya
Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat were losing
their homes and land.
2. Loss of Livelihood:Submergence of fertile
agricultural land, forests and grazing land.
3. Environmental Impact:Destruction of
biodiversity, submergence of cultural heritage
sites.
4. Human Rights Issue:Rehabilitation and
resettlement not being done properly.
Demands: Stop dam construction until proper
rehabilitation is ensured.
Reduce the dam’s height to minimise displacement.
Promote smaller, decentralised water harvesting
structures as alternatives.
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai
Yojana:
Launched in 2015, this scheme
aims to provide irrigation to every
farm in India and promote efficient
water use through micro-irrigation
techniques like drip and sprinkler
systems.

9. USES OF DAMS:-
Dams are built,
•To impound rivers and rainwater that can be used later to irrigate
agricultural fields.
•For electricity generation.
•Water supply for domestic and industrial uses.
•Flood control.
•Recreation, inland navigation and fish breeding.
• Hence According to Nehru ‘Dams are known as temples of Modern
India’.
SIDE EFFECTS OF
CREATING DAMS :-
Regulating and damming rivers affect their natural flow.
Poorer the habitats for the rivers’ aquatic life.
Fragmented rivers make it difficult for aquatic fauna to migrate.
Dams created on the floodplains submerge the existing vegetation and soil,
leading to its decomposition over a period of time.
Creating of large dams has been the cause of many new environmental
movements like the ‘Narmada Bachao Andolan’ and the ‘Tehri Dam Andolan’.
Many times local people had to give up their land, livelihood and their control
over resources for the construction of the dam.

10. Negative Impacts of Dams and Flood Control Efforts
1.Irony of Dams:
•Dams constructed to control floods have
ironically contributed to flooding.
•Reason: Sedimentation in reservoirs
reduces their capacity to hold water.
2.Failure During Excess Rainfall:
•Big dams often fail to manage excessive
rainfall and overflow.
Environmental and Agricultural Consequences
4.Soil Erosion:
5.Loss of Natural Fertiliser (Silt):
6.Land Degradation:
7.Earthquakes and Pests:
8.Pollution: Changes in Cropping Pattern
9.Shift to Water-Intensive Crops:
•Farmers increasingly grow cash
crops requiring more water (e.g.,
sugarcane, paddy).
10.Ecological Impact:
•Over-irrigation leads to salinisation of
soil, affecting long-term fertility.
Government Initiative – PMKSY
(Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee
Yojana)
11.Objective:
•Provide protective irrigation access to
all farms.
12.Broad Goals:
•Har Khet Ko Pani: Bring more land
under assured irrigation.
•Per Drop More Crop: Promote water-
use efficiency.
•Reduce Water Wastage: Encourage
smart irrigation techniques.
•Sustainable Water Use: Promote
conservation practices.

11. FACTS:-
Sardar Sarovar Dam has been built over
the Narmada River in Gujarat. This is one
of the largest water resource projects of
India covering four states-Maharashtra.
Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan.
The Sardar Sarovar project would meet the
requirement of water in drought-prone
and desert areas of Gujarat (9,490 villages
and 173 towns) and Rajasthan (124
villages).
Krishna-Godavaridispute is due to the
objections raised byKarnataka and
Andhra Pradeshgovernments? It is
regarding the diversionof more water at
Koyna by the Maharashtragovernment
for a multipurpose project. Thiswould
reduce downstream flow in theirstates
with adverse consequences
foragriculture and industry.

12. TRADITIONAL WATER CONSERVATION
METHODS IN INDIA:-
India has a rich history of water conservation
methods suited to local environments.
Baolis and Kunds in North India are step wells
and water storage tanks.
Khadins and Johads in Rajasthan collect and
store rainwater for farming.
Kulhs in Himachal Pradesh are small channels
diverting water for irrigation.
Bamboo drip irrigation in Meghalaya allows
slow water drip to plants.
Zabo system in Nagaland integrates water
harvesting with agriculture and animal rearing.
These methods help recharge groundwater
and conserve water sustainably.

13. RAINWATER HARVESTING:-
Rainwater harvesting is a simple method by
which rainfall is collected for future usage. The
collected rainwater may be stored, utilised in
different ways or directly used for recharge
purposes.
Different methods have been adopted in
different areas for Rain Water Harvesting.
•In hill and mountainous regions, people have
built diversion channels like the ‘guls’ or ‘kuls’ of
the Western Himalayas for agriculture.
•Rooftop rainwater harvesting is commonly
practised to store drinking water, particularly in
Rajasthan.
In the flood plains of Bengal, people developed
inundation channels to irrigate their fields.
•In arid and semi-arid regions, agricultural
fields were converted into rain-fed storage
structures that allowed the water to stand and
moisten the soil such as ‘khadins’ in Jaisalmer
and ‘Johads’ in other parts of Rajasthan.•

14. The tankas are part of the well-developed rooftop
rainwater harvesting system and are built inside the main
house or the courtyard.
 This is mainly practised in Rajasthan, particularly in
Bikaner, Phalodi and Barmer areas for saving rainwater.
Many houses have constructed underground rooms
adjoining the ‘tanka’ to beat the summer heat as it would
keep the room cool.
(Tamil Nadu is the first state in India which has made
rooftop rainwater harvesting structures compulsory for
all the houses across the state. There are legal provisions
to punish the defaulters)

15. WATERSHED MANAGEMENT:-
A watershed is an area drained by
a river and its tributaries.
Watershed management involves
conserving soil and water in this
area to improve water availability.
Activities include afforestation,
building check dams, contour
bunding, and involving local
communities.
Proper watershed management
helps prevent floods, soil erosion,
and drought.

16. FACT:-
Rooftop rainwater harvesting is themost common practice in
Shillong,Meghalaya. It is interesting becauseCherapunjee and
Mawsynram situatedat a distance of 55 km. from Shillongreceive
the highest rainfall in the world,yet the state capital Shillong faces
acuteshortage of water. Nearly everyhousehold in the city has a
rooftoprainwater harvesting structure. Nearly15-25 per cent of the
total waterrequirement of the household comesfrom rooftop
water harvesting.

17. Rooftop harvesting was common across the townsand villages of the
Thar. Rainwater that falls onthe sloping roofs of houses is taken
through apipe into an underground tanka (circular holes inthe
ground). built in the main house or in thecourtyard. The picture
above shows water beingtaken from a neighbour’s roof through a
long pipe.Here the neighbour’s rooftop has been used forcollection of
rainwater. The picture shows a holethrough which rainwater flows
down into an underground tanka .