TAKSH EDUCATION
CBSE-X Chapter 3 - Water Resources
Introduction: Water - A Vital Resource
Earth's Water Distribution:
- Three-fourths of the Earth's surface is covered with water.
- However, only a small percentage (2.5%) is freshwater.
- Of this freshwater, 70% exists as ice sheets and glaciers (Antarctica, Greenland, mountainous regions), and less
than 30% is stored as groundwater in aquifers.
- Thus, only a tiny fraction of freshwater is readily accessible for human use.
Renewable Resource: Water is a renewable resource, constantly replenished and recharged through the
hydrological cycle (evaporation, condensation, precipitation, surface runoff, groundwater recharge).
Importance of Water: Essential for life, agriculture, industries, domestic use, and maintaining ecological
balance.
Water Scarcity and the Need for Water Conservation and Management
Definition of Water Scarcity: Water scarcity refers to the shortage of water relative to its demand in a region.
It's not just about low rainfall areas; it can also occur in regions with abundant water due to over-exploitation,
excessive use, and unequal access.
Causes of Water Scarcity:
1. Over-exploitation and Excessive Use:
Increasing Population: Greater demand for domestic use and food production. To facilitate higher food-grain
production, water resources are over-exploited for irrigated agriculture, especially for dry-season crops. Most
farmers have their own wells and tube-wells in their farms for irrigation to increase their produce.
Urbanization: Growing number of urban centers with dense populations and urban lifestyles lead to increased
water and energy requirements. Most of the housing societies or colonies in the cities have their own
groundwater pumping devices to meet their water needs.
Industrialization: Industries are heavy consumers of water and also pollute water bodies by discharging
untreated waste. Hydroelectric power also contributes to water demand for energy.
2. Unequal Access to Water: Even with sufficient water, unequal distribution among different social groups can
lead to scarcity for some.
3. Pollution of Water Bodies: Situation where water is sufficiently available to meet the needs of the people, but,
the area still suffers from water scarcity. This scarcity may be due to bad quality of water. Domestic and industrial
wastes, chemicals, pesticides, and fertilizers contaminate water, making it hazardous for human use, thereby
reducing the available usable water.
- Water, Water Everywhere, Not a Drop to Drink- Flood in Kolkata
- 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
, 4. Variations in Precipitation: Seasonal and annual variations in rainfall across space and time.
Need for Water Conservation and Management:
- To safeguard ourselves from health hazards (due to polluted water).
- To ensure food security (water is crucial for agriculture).
- To ensure the continuation of livelihoods and productive activities.
- To prevent the degradation of our natural ecosystems.
Government’s initiatives:
- Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal) is being implemented in 8220 water stressed Gram Panchayats of 229
administrative blocks/ talukas in 80 districts of seven states, viz. Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh,
Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. The selected States account for about 37 per cent of the total
number of water— stressed (over-exploited, critical and semi-critical) blocks in India. One of the key aspects of
Atal Jal is to bring in behavioural changes in the community, from the prevailing attitude of consumption to
conservation and smart water management.
Multipurpose River Projects and Integrated Water Resources Management
Historical Context: In ancient India, sophisticated hydraulic structures like stone-rubble dams, lakes, reservoirs,
embankments, and irrigation canals were built.
Hydraulic Structures in Ancient India :
- In the first century B.C., Sringaverapura near Allahabad had sophisticated water harvesting system channelling
the flood water 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
(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.
Dams: A dam is a barrier across flowing water that obstructs, directs, or retards the flow, often creating a
reservoir, lake, or impoundment. Jawaharlal Nehru called dams "Temples of Modern India" as they integrate:
- the development of agriculture and the village economy with
- rapid industrialization and the growth of the urban economy.
Types of Multipurpose projects:
1. According to structure materials used- timber dams, embankment dams or masonry (stone) dams
2. Intended purpose
3. Height- large dams (major dams), high dams, low dams, medium height dams
Purposes of Multipurpose Projects:
1. Irrigation: Provides water for agriculture, ensuring food security.
2. Hydroelectric Power Generation: Significant source of renewable energy.
3. Water Supply: For domestic and industrial uses.
4. Flood Control: Regulating river flow to prevent floods.
5. Recreation: Development of tourism activities around reservoirs.
CBSE-X Chapter 3 - Water Resources
Introduction: Water - A Vital Resource
Earth's Water Distribution:
- Three-fourths of the Earth's surface is covered with water.
- However, only a small percentage (2.5%) is freshwater.
- Of this freshwater, 70% exists as ice sheets and glaciers (Antarctica, Greenland, mountainous regions), and less
than 30% is stored as groundwater in aquifers.
- Thus, only a tiny fraction of freshwater is readily accessible for human use.
Renewable Resource: Water is a renewable resource, constantly replenished and recharged through the
hydrological cycle (evaporation, condensation, precipitation, surface runoff, groundwater recharge).
Importance of Water: Essential for life, agriculture, industries, domestic use, and maintaining ecological
balance.
Water Scarcity and the Need for Water Conservation and Management
Definition of Water Scarcity: Water scarcity refers to the shortage of water relative to its demand in a region.
It's not just about low rainfall areas; it can also occur in regions with abundant water due to over-exploitation,
excessive use, and unequal access.
Causes of Water Scarcity:
1. Over-exploitation and Excessive Use:
Increasing Population: Greater demand for domestic use and food production. To facilitate higher food-grain
production, water resources are over-exploited for irrigated agriculture, especially for dry-season crops. Most
farmers have their own wells and tube-wells in their farms for irrigation to increase their produce.
Urbanization: Growing number of urban centers with dense populations and urban lifestyles lead to increased
water and energy requirements. Most of the housing societies or colonies in the cities have their own
groundwater pumping devices to meet their water needs.
Industrialization: Industries are heavy consumers of water and also pollute water bodies by discharging
untreated waste. Hydroelectric power also contributes to water demand for energy.
2. Unequal Access to Water: Even with sufficient water, unequal distribution among different social groups can
lead to scarcity for some.
3. Pollution of Water Bodies: Situation where water is sufficiently available to meet the needs of the people, but,
the area still suffers from water scarcity. This scarcity may be due to bad quality of water. Domestic and industrial
wastes, chemicals, pesticides, and fertilizers contaminate water, making it hazardous for human use, thereby
reducing the available usable water.
- Water, Water Everywhere, Not a Drop to Drink- Flood in Kolkata
- 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
, 4. Variations in Precipitation: Seasonal and annual variations in rainfall across space and time.
Need for Water Conservation and Management:
- To safeguard ourselves from health hazards (due to polluted water).
- To ensure food security (water is crucial for agriculture).
- To ensure the continuation of livelihoods and productive activities.
- To prevent the degradation of our natural ecosystems.
Government’s initiatives:
- Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal) is being implemented in 8220 water stressed Gram Panchayats of 229
administrative blocks/ talukas in 80 districts of seven states, viz. Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh,
Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. The selected States account for about 37 per cent of the total
number of water— stressed (over-exploited, critical and semi-critical) blocks in India. One of the key aspects of
Atal Jal is to bring in behavioural changes in the community, from the prevailing attitude of consumption to
conservation and smart water management.
Multipurpose River Projects and Integrated Water Resources Management
Historical Context: In ancient India, sophisticated hydraulic structures like stone-rubble dams, lakes, reservoirs,
embankments, and irrigation canals were built.
Hydraulic Structures in Ancient India :
- In the first century B.C., Sringaverapura near Allahabad had sophisticated water harvesting system channelling
the flood water 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
(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.
Dams: A dam is a barrier across flowing water that obstructs, directs, or retards the flow, often creating a
reservoir, lake, or impoundment. Jawaharlal Nehru called dams "Temples of Modern India" as they integrate:
- the development of agriculture and the village economy with
- rapid industrialization and the growth of the urban economy.
Types of Multipurpose projects:
1. According to structure materials used- timber dams, embankment dams or masonry (stone) dams
2. Intended purpose
3. Height- large dams (major dams), high dams, low dams, medium height dams
Purposes of Multipurpose Projects:
1. Irrigation: Provides water for agriculture, ensuring food security.
2. Hydroelectric Power Generation: Significant source of renewable energy.
3. Water Supply: For domestic and industrial uses.
4. Flood Control: Regulating river flow to prevent floods.
5. Recreation: Development of tourism activities around reservoirs.
