Infographics: Water Resources | Social Studies (SST) Class 10 PDF Download

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Water Resources
Earth is called the <blue planetî as 3/4th of its 
surface is covered with water.
Only a small part is fresh water, available from 
rivers, lakes, and groundwater.
Fresh water is renewable through the 
hydrological cycle.
The cycle includes precipitation, surface runoff, 
and groundwater recharge.
This shows why water is both abundant yet 
scarce and must be valued.
Understanding Water Scarcity
Definition
Water scarcity occurs when demand 
exceeds supply or when water quality 
becomes too poor for safe use
Timeline
By 2025, approximately 2 billion people 
are predicted to live under absolute 
water scarcity conditions
Major Causes of Water Scarcity
1
Over-exploitation
Excessive use of tube-wells and intensive agricultural practices that drain aquifers 
faster than they can naturally recharge
2
Unequal Access
Disparities between social groups and stark differences between urban and rural 
water availability
3
Pollution Crisis
Industrial effluents, agricultural pesticides, and untreated sewage contaminating 
water sources
4
Population Pressure
Growing population demands more food production, leading to increased 
irrigation requirements
5
Industrial Growth
Industrialization and urbanization processes that both consume and contaminate 
water resources
Government Water Programmes
1
Jal Jeevan Mission (2019)
Ambitious programme targeting 55 liters 
per capita per day (LPCD) of piped 
drinking water to every rural household 
across India
2
Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal)
Community-based groundwater 
management initiative focusing on seven 
water-stressed states to promote 
sustainable water use
Multi-purpose River Projects
Dams store and impound water, serving multiple critical functions for modern water 
management and national development. Jawaharlal Nehru famously called these structures 
"Temples of Modern India".
Major Dam Projects
Bhakra-Nangal
Located on Sutlej-Beas 
rivers, providing irrigation 
and hydroelectric power 
to northern India
Hirakud
Built on Mahanadi river, 
serving irrigation needs 
and flood control for 
Odisha
Sardar Sarovar
Narmada river project 
providing water to 
Gujarat, Rajasthan, 
Madhya Pradesh, and 
Maharashtra
Criticism of Large Dams
Despite their benefits, large dams face significant criticism from environmental and social 
perspectives. 
Ecological Impact
Disruption of natural river flow 
patterns
Sedimentation behind dam walls
Blocking fish migration routes
Waterlogging and soil salinization
Social Consequences
Large-scale displacement of 
communities
Submergence of forests and 
agricultural land
Loss of traditional livelihoods
Cultural heritage destruction
Environmental Hazards
Sediment build-up triggering floods
Spread of water-borne diseases
Pest proliferation in stagnant waters
Microclimate changes
Political Issues
Inter-state water disputes
Krishna-Godavari river conflicts
Unequal water distribution
Compensation disputes
Regional Harvesting Practices
Himalayan Region
Diversion channels 
called guls and kuls 
redirect mountain 
streams for irrigation, 
utilizing gravity and 
natural topography
Rajasthan 
(Arid/Semi-arid)
Rooftop harvesting, 
underground tankas, 
embankment 
systems called 
khadins, and small 
check dams known 
as johads
Bengal Floodplains
Intricate inundation 
channels that 
harness seasonal 
flooding for rice 
cultivation and 
aquaculture
Meghalaya Hills
200-year-old 
bamboo drip 
irrigation system 
providing drop-by-
drop water delivery 
with remarkable 
precision
Irrigation
Agricultural water supply
Hydroelectricity
Clean energy generation
Drinking Water
Municipal water supply
Flood Control
Protection from flooding
Navigation
Water transportation
Recreation
Tourism and fish breeding