NCERT Textbook: Water Resources | Geography for UPSC CSE PDF Download

 Page 1


You already know that three-fourth of the
earth’s surface is covered with water, but only
a small proportion of it accounts for
freshwater that can be put to use. This
freshwater is mainly obtained from surface
run off and ground water that is continually
being renewed and recharged through the
hydrological cycle. All water moves within the
hydrological cycle ensuring that water is a
renewable resource.
You might wonder that if three-fourth of
the world is covered with water and water is
a renewable resource, then how is it that
countries and regions around the globe suffer
from water scarcity? Why is it predicted that
by 2025, nearly two billion people will live in
absolute water scarcity?
W W W W WATER ATER ATER ATER ATER S S S S SCARCITY CARCITY CARCITY CARCITY CARCITY     AND AND AND AND AND     THE THE THE THE THE N N N N NEED EED EED EED EED     FOR FOR FOR FOR FOR W W W W WATER ATER ATER ATER ATER
C C C C CONSERVATION ONSERVATION ONSERVATION ONSERVATION ONSERVATION     AND AND AND AND AND M M M M MANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT
Given the abundance and renewability of
water, it is difficult to imagine that we may
suffer from water scarcity. The moment we
speak of water shortages, we immediately
associate it with regions having low rainfall
or those that are drought prone. We
instantaneously visualise the deserts of
Rajasthan and women balancing many
‘matkas’ (earthen pots) used for collecting
and storing water and travelling long
distances to get water. True, the availability
of water resources varies over space and time,
mainly due to the variations in seasonal and
annual precipitation, but water scarcity in
Reprint 2024-25
Page 2


You already know that three-fourth of the
earth’s surface is covered with water, but only
a small proportion of it accounts for
freshwater that can be put to use. This
freshwater is mainly obtained from surface
run off and ground water that is continually
being renewed and recharged through the
hydrological cycle. All water moves within the
hydrological cycle ensuring that water is a
renewable resource.
You might wonder that if three-fourth of
the world is covered with water and water is
a renewable resource, then how is it that
countries and regions around the globe suffer
from water scarcity? Why is it predicted that
by 2025, nearly two billion people will live in
absolute water scarcity?
W W W W WATER ATER ATER ATER ATER S S S S SCARCITY CARCITY CARCITY CARCITY CARCITY     AND AND AND AND AND     THE THE THE THE THE N N N N NEED EED EED EED EED     FOR FOR FOR FOR FOR W W W W WATER ATER ATER ATER ATER
C C C C CONSERVATION ONSERVATION ONSERVATION ONSERVATION ONSERVATION     AND AND AND AND AND M M M M MANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT
Given the abundance and renewability of
water, it is difficult to imagine that we may
suffer from water scarcity. The moment we
speak of water shortages, we immediately
associate it with regions having low rainfall
or those that are drought prone. We
instantaneously visualise the deserts of
Rajasthan and women balancing many
‘matkas’ (earthen pots) used for collecting
and storing water and travelling long
distances to get water. True, the availability
of water resources varies over space and time,
mainly due to the variations in seasonal and
annual precipitation, but water scarcity in
Reprint 2024-25
20 CONTEMPORARY INDIA – II
consequent greater demands for water, and
unequal access to it. A large population
requires more water not only for domestic
use but also to produce more food. Hence, to
facilitate higher food-grain production, water
resources are being over-exploited to expand
irrigated areas for dry-season agriculture.
Irrigated agriculture is the largest consumer
of water. Now it is needed to revolutionise the
agriculture through developing drought
resistant crops and dry farming techniques.
You may have seen in many television
advertisements that most farmers have their
Fig. 3.1: Fig. 3.1: Fig. 3.1: Fig. 3.1: Fig. 3.1:  Water Scarcity
most cases is caused by over-exploitation,
excessive use and unequal access to water
among different social groups.
Where is then water scarcity likely to
occur? As you have read in the hydrological
cycle, freshwater can be obtained directly
from precipitation, surface run off and
groundwater.
Is it possible that an area or region may
have ample water resources but is still facing
water scarcity? Many of our cities are such
examples. Thus, water scarcity may be an
outcome of large and growing population and
Water, Water Everywhere, Not a Drop to Drink Water, Water Everywhere, Not a Drop to Drink Water, Water Everywhere, Not a Drop to Drink Water, Water Everywhere, Not a Drop to Drink Water, Water Everywhere, Not a Drop to Drink: : : : :
After a heavy downpour, a boy collects drinking
water in Kolkata. Life in the city and its adjacent
districts was paralysed as incessant overnight rain,
meaning a record 180 mm, flooded vast area and
disruted traffic.
A Kashmiri earthquake survivor carries water in
the snow in a devastated village.
Reprint 2024-25
Page 3


You already know that three-fourth of the
earth’s surface is covered with water, but only
a small proportion of it accounts for
freshwater that can be put to use. This
freshwater is mainly obtained from surface
run off and ground water that is continually
being renewed and recharged through the
hydrological cycle. All water moves within the
hydrological cycle ensuring that water is a
renewable resource.
You might wonder that if three-fourth of
the world is covered with water and water is
a renewable resource, then how is it that
countries and regions around the globe suffer
from water scarcity? Why is it predicted that
by 2025, nearly two billion people will live in
absolute water scarcity?
W W W W WATER ATER ATER ATER ATER S S S S SCARCITY CARCITY CARCITY CARCITY CARCITY     AND AND AND AND AND     THE THE THE THE THE N N N N NEED EED EED EED EED     FOR FOR FOR FOR FOR W W W W WATER ATER ATER ATER ATER
C C C C CONSERVATION ONSERVATION ONSERVATION ONSERVATION ONSERVATION     AND AND AND AND AND M M M M MANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT
Given the abundance and renewability of
water, it is difficult to imagine that we may
suffer from water scarcity. The moment we
speak of water shortages, we immediately
associate it with regions having low rainfall
or those that are drought prone. We
instantaneously visualise the deserts of
Rajasthan and women balancing many
‘matkas’ (earthen pots) used for collecting
and storing water and travelling long
distances to get water. True, the availability
of water resources varies over space and time,
mainly due to the variations in seasonal and
annual precipitation, but water scarcity in
Reprint 2024-25
20 CONTEMPORARY INDIA – II
consequent greater demands for water, and
unequal access to it. A large population
requires more water not only for domestic
use but also to produce more food. Hence, to
facilitate higher food-grain production, water
resources are being over-exploited to expand
irrigated areas for dry-season agriculture.
Irrigated agriculture is the largest consumer
of water. Now it is needed to revolutionise the
agriculture through developing drought
resistant crops and dry farming techniques.
You may have seen in many television
advertisements that most farmers have their
Fig. 3.1: Fig. 3.1: Fig. 3.1: Fig. 3.1: Fig. 3.1:  Water Scarcity
most cases is caused by over-exploitation,
excessive use and unequal access to water
among different social groups.
Where is then water scarcity likely to
occur? As you have read in the hydrological
cycle, freshwater can be obtained directly
from precipitation, surface run off and
groundwater.
Is it possible that an area or region may
have ample water resources but is still facing
water scarcity? Many of our cities are such
examples. Thus, water scarcity may be an
outcome of large and growing population and
Water, Water Everywhere, Not a Drop to Drink Water, Water Everywhere, Not a Drop to Drink Water, Water Everywhere, Not a Drop to Drink Water, Water Everywhere, Not a Drop to Drink Water, Water Everywhere, Not a Drop to Drink: : : : :
After a heavy downpour, a boy collects drinking
water in Kolkata. Life in the city and its adjacent
districts was paralysed as incessant overnight rain,
meaning a record 180 mm, flooded vast area and
disruted traffic.
A Kashmiri earthquake survivor carries water in
the snow in a devastated village.
Reprint 2024-25
21 WATER RESOURCES
own wells and tube-wells in their farms for
irrigation to increase their produce. But have
you ever wondered what this could result in?
That it may lead to falling groundwater levels,
adversely affecting water availability and food
security of the people.
Post-independent India witnessed
intensive industrialisation and urbanisation,
creating vast opportunities for us. Today, large
industrial houses are as commonplace as the
industrial units of many MNCs (Multinational
Corporations). The ever-increasing number of
industries has made matters worse by exerting
pressure on existing freshwater resources.
Industries, apart from being heavy users of
water, also require power to run them. Much
of this energy comes from hydroelectric power.
Moreover, multiplying urban centres with
large and dense populations and urban
lifestyles have not only added to water and
energy requirements but have further
aggravated the problem. If you look into the
housing societies or colonies in the cities, you
would find that most of these have their own
groundwater pumping devices to meet their
water needs. Not surprisingly, we find that
fragile water resources are being over-
exploited and have caused their depletion in
several of these cities.
M M M M MULTI ULTI ULTI ULTI ULTI- - - - -PURPOSE PURPOSE PURPOSE PURPOSE PURPOSE R R R R RIVER IVER IVER IVER IVER P P P P PROJECTS ROJECTS ROJECTS ROJECTS ROJECTS     AND AND AND AND AND
I II I INTEGRATED NTEGRATED NTEGRATED NTEGRATED NTEGRATED W W W W WATER ATER ATER ATER ATER R R R R RESOURCES ESOURCES ESOURCES ESOURCES ESOURCES M M M M MANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT
But, how do we conserve and manage water?
Archaeological and historical records show
that from ancient times we have been
constructing sophisticated hydraulic
structures like dams built of stone rubble,
reservoirs or lakes, embankments and canals
for irrigation. Not surprisingly, we have
continued this tradition in modern India by
building dams in most of our river basins.
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.
Lately, there has been a growing concern that
even if there is ample water to meet the needs
of the people, much of it may be polluted by
domestic and industrial wastes, chemicals,
pesticides and fertilisers used in agriculture,
thus, making it hazardous for human use.
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. (Source: Economic
Survey 2020–21, p.357)
You may have already realised that the need
of the hour is to conserve and manage our
water resources, to safeguard ourselves from
health hazards, to ensure food security,
continuation of our livelihoods and productive
activities and also to prevent degradation of our
natural ecosystems. Over exploitation and
mismanagement of water resources will
impoverish this resource and cause ecological
crisis that may have profound impact on
our lives.
From your everyday experiences, write a short
proposal on how you can conserve water.
So far we have focused on the quantitative
aspects of water scarcity. Now, let us consider
another situation where water is sufficiently
Hydraulic Structures in Ancient India
• In the first century B.C., Sringaverapura
near Allahabad had sophisticated water
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.
Source: Source: Source: Source: Source: Annual Report, Ministry of Jal Shakti,
Government of India 2022–23
Reprint 2024-25
Page 4


You already know that three-fourth of the
earth’s surface is covered with water, but only
a small proportion of it accounts for
freshwater that can be put to use. This
freshwater is mainly obtained from surface
run off and ground water that is continually
being renewed and recharged through the
hydrological cycle. All water moves within the
hydrological cycle ensuring that water is a
renewable resource.
You might wonder that if three-fourth of
the world is covered with water and water is
a renewable resource, then how is it that
countries and regions around the globe suffer
from water scarcity? Why is it predicted that
by 2025, nearly two billion people will live in
absolute water scarcity?
W W W W WATER ATER ATER ATER ATER S S S S SCARCITY CARCITY CARCITY CARCITY CARCITY     AND AND AND AND AND     THE THE THE THE THE N N N N NEED EED EED EED EED     FOR FOR FOR FOR FOR W W W W WATER ATER ATER ATER ATER
C C C C CONSERVATION ONSERVATION ONSERVATION ONSERVATION ONSERVATION     AND AND AND AND AND M M M M MANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT
Given the abundance and renewability of
water, it is difficult to imagine that we may
suffer from water scarcity. The moment we
speak of water shortages, we immediately
associate it with regions having low rainfall
or those that are drought prone. We
instantaneously visualise the deserts of
Rajasthan and women balancing many
‘matkas’ (earthen pots) used for collecting
and storing water and travelling long
distances to get water. True, the availability
of water resources varies over space and time,
mainly due to the variations in seasonal and
annual precipitation, but water scarcity in
Reprint 2024-25
20 CONTEMPORARY INDIA – II
consequent greater demands for water, and
unequal access to it. A large population
requires more water not only for domestic
use but also to produce more food. Hence, to
facilitate higher food-grain production, water
resources are being over-exploited to expand
irrigated areas for dry-season agriculture.
Irrigated agriculture is the largest consumer
of water. Now it is needed to revolutionise the
agriculture through developing drought
resistant crops and dry farming techniques.
You may have seen in many television
advertisements that most farmers have their
Fig. 3.1: Fig. 3.1: Fig. 3.1: Fig. 3.1: Fig. 3.1:  Water Scarcity
most cases is caused by over-exploitation,
excessive use and unequal access to water
among different social groups.
Where is then water scarcity likely to
occur? As you have read in the hydrological
cycle, freshwater can be obtained directly
from precipitation, surface run off and
groundwater.
Is it possible that an area or region may
have ample water resources but is still facing
water scarcity? Many of our cities are such
examples. Thus, water scarcity may be an
outcome of large and growing population and
Water, Water Everywhere, Not a Drop to Drink Water, Water Everywhere, Not a Drop to Drink Water, Water Everywhere, Not a Drop to Drink Water, Water Everywhere, Not a Drop to Drink Water, Water Everywhere, Not a Drop to Drink: : : : :
After a heavy downpour, a boy collects drinking
water in Kolkata. Life in the city and its adjacent
districts was paralysed as incessant overnight rain,
meaning a record 180 mm, flooded vast area and
disruted traffic.
A Kashmiri earthquake survivor carries water in
the snow in a devastated village.
Reprint 2024-25
21 WATER RESOURCES
own wells and tube-wells in their farms for
irrigation to increase their produce. But have
you ever wondered what this could result in?
That it may lead to falling groundwater levels,
adversely affecting water availability and food
security of the people.
Post-independent India witnessed
intensive industrialisation and urbanisation,
creating vast opportunities for us. Today, large
industrial houses are as commonplace as the
industrial units of many MNCs (Multinational
Corporations). The ever-increasing number of
industries has made matters worse by exerting
pressure on existing freshwater resources.
Industries, apart from being heavy users of
water, also require power to run them. Much
of this energy comes from hydroelectric power.
Moreover, multiplying urban centres with
large and dense populations and urban
lifestyles have not only added to water and
energy requirements but have further
aggravated the problem. If you look into the
housing societies or colonies in the cities, you
would find that most of these have their own
groundwater pumping devices to meet their
water needs. Not surprisingly, we find that
fragile water resources are being over-
exploited and have caused their depletion in
several of these cities.
M M M M MULTI ULTI ULTI ULTI ULTI- - - - -PURPOSE PURPOSE PURPOSE PURPOSE PURPOSE R R R R RIVER IVER IVER IVER IVER P P P P PROJECTS ROJECTS ROJECTS ROJECTS ROJECTS     AND AND AND AND AND
I II I INTEGRATED NTEGRATED NTEGRATED NTEGRATED NTEGRATED W W W W WATER ATER ATER ATER ATER R R R R RESOURCES ESOURCES ESOURCES ESOURCES ESOURCES M M M M MANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT
But, how do we conserve and manage water?
Archaeological and historical records show
that from ancient times we have been
constructing sophisticated hydraulic
structures like dams built of stone rubble,
reservoirs or lakes, embankments and canals
for irrigation. Not surprisingly, we have
continued this tradition in modern India by
building dams in most of our river basins.
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.
Lately, there has been a growing concern that
even if there is ample water to meet the needs
of the people, much of it may be polluted by
domestic and industrial wastes, chemicals,
pesticides and fertilisers used in agriculture,
thus, making it hazardous for human use.
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. (Source: Economic
Survey 2020–21, p.357)
You may have already realised that the need
of the hour is to conserve and manage our
water resources, to safeguard ourselves from
health hazards, to ensure food security,
continuation of our livelihoods and productive
activities and also to prevent degradation of our
natural ecosystems. Over exploitation and
mismanagement of water resources will
impoverish this resource and cause ecological
crisis that may have profound impact on
our lives.
From your everyday experiences, write a short
proposal on how you can conserve water.
So far we have focused on the quantitative
aspects of water scarcity. Now, let us consider
another situation where water is sufficiently
Hydraulic Structures in Ancient India
• In the first century B.C., Sringaverapura
near Allahabad had sophisticated water
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.
Source: Source: Source: Source: Source: Annual Report, Ministry of Jal Shakti,
Government of India 2022–23
Reprint 2024-25
22 CONTEMPORARY INDIA – II
What are dams and how do they help us
in conserving and managing water? Dams
were traditionally built to impound rivers and
rainwater that could be used later to irrigate
agricultural fields. Today, dams are built not
just for irrigation but for electricity generation,
water supply for domestic and industrial
uses, flood control, recreation, inland
navigation and fish breeding. Hence, dams are
now referred to as multi-purpose projects
where the many uses of the impounded water
are integrated with one another. For example,
in the Sutluj-Beas river basin, the Bhakra –
Nangal project water is being used both for
hydel power production and irrigation.
Similarly, the Hirakud project in the
Mahanadi basin integrates conservation of
water with flood control.
Multi-purpose projects, launched after
Independence with their integrated water
resources management approach, were thought
of as the vehicle that would lead the nation to
development and progress, overcoming the
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 11
th
 Century, Bhopal Lake, one of the
largest artificial lakes of its time was built.
• In the 14
th
 Century, the tank in Hauz Khas,
Delhi was constructed by Iltutmish for
supplying water to Siri Fort area.
Source: Source: Source: Source: Source:     Dying Wisdom, CSE, 1997.
Find out more about any one traditional
method of building dams and irrigation works.
Fig. 3.2: Fig. 3.2: Fig. 3.2: Fig. 3.2: Fig. 3.2: Hirakud Dam
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. Most dams have a section called a
spillway or weir over which or through which
it is intended that water will flow either
intermittently or continuously. Dams are
classified according to structure, intended
purpose or height. Based on structure and
the materials used, dams are classified as
timber dams, embankment dams or masonry
dams, with several subtypes. According to
the height, dams can be categorised as large
dams and major dams or alternatively as low
dams, medium height dams and high dams.
handicap of its colonial past. Jawaharlal Nehru
proudly proclaimed the dams as the ‘temples of
modern India’; the reason being that it would
integrate development of agriculture and the
village economy with rapid industrialisation and
growth of the urban economy.
We have sown the crops in Asar
We will bring Bhadu in Bhadra
Floods have swollen the Damodar
The sailing boats cannot sail
Oh! Damodar, we fall at your feet
Reduce the floods a little
Bhadu will come a year later
Let the boats sail on your surface
(This popular Bhadu song in the Damodar valley
region narrates the troubles faced by people
owing to the flooding of Damodar river known
as the river of sorrow.)
Reprint 2024-25
Page 5


You already know that three-fourth of the
earth’s surface is covered with water, but only
a small proportion of it accounts for
freshwater that can be put to use. This
freshwater is mainly obtained from surface
run off and ground water that is continually
being renewed and recharged through the
hydrological cycle. All water moves within the
hydrological cycle ensuring that water is a
renewable resource.
You might wonder that if three-fourth of
the world is covered with water and water is
a renewable resource, then how is it that
countries and regions around the globe suffer
from water scarcity? Why is it predicted that
by 2025, nearly two billion people will live in
absolute water scarcity?
W W W W WATER ATER ATER ATER ATER S S S S SCARCITY CARCITY CARCITY CARCITY CARCITY     AND AND AND AND AND     THE THE THE THE THE N N N N NEED EED EED EED EED     FOR FOR FOR FOR FOR W W W W WATER ATER ATER ATER ATER
C C C C CONSERVATION ONSERVATION ONSERVATION ONSERVATION ONSERVATION     AND AND AND AND AND M M M M MANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT
Given the abundance and renewability of
water, it is difficult to imagine that we may
suffer from water scarcity. The moment we
speak of water shortages, we immediately
associate it with regions having low rainfall
or those that are drought prone. We
instantaneously visualise the deserts of
Rajasthan and women balancing many
‘matkas’ (earthen pots) used for collecting
and storing water and travelling long
distances to get water. True, the availability
of water resources varies over space and time,
mainly due to the variations in seasonal and
annual precipitation, but water scarcity in
Reprint 2024-25
20 CONTEMPORARY INDIA – II
consequent greater demands for water, and
unequal access to it. A large population
requires more water not only for domestic
use but also to produce more food. Hence, to
facilitate higher food-grain production, water
resources are being over-exploited to expand
irrigated areas for dry-season agriculture.
Irrigated agriculture is the largest consumer
of water. Now it is needed to revolutionise the
agriculture through developing drought
resistant crops and dry farming techniques.
You may have seen in many television
advertisements that most farmers have their
Fig. 3.1: Fig. 3.1: Fig. 3.1: Fig. 3.1: Fig. 3.1:  Water Scarcity
most cases is caused by over-exploitation,
excessive use and unequal access to water
among different social groups.
Where is then water scarcity likely to
occur? As you have read in the hydrological
cycle, freshwater can be obtained directly
from precipitation, surface run off and
groundwater.
Is it possible that an area or region may
have ample water resources but is still facing
water scarcity? Many of our cities are such
examples. Thus, water scarcity may be an
outcome of large and growing population and
Water, Water Everywhere, Not a Drop to Drink Water, Water Everywhere, Not a Drop to Drink Water, Water Everywhere, Not a Drop to Drink Water, Water Everywhere, Not a Drop to Drink Water, Water Everywhere, Not a Drop to Drink: : : : :
After a heavy downpour, a boy collects drinking
water in Kolkata. Life in the city and its adjacent
districts was paralysed as incessant overnight rain,
meaning a record 180 mm, flooded vast area and
disruted traffic.
A Kashmiri earthquake survivor carries water in
the snow in a devastated village.
Reprint 2024-25
21 WATER RESOURCES
own wells and tube-wells in their farms for
irrigation to increase their produce. But have
you ever wondered what this could result in?
That it may lead to falling groundwater levels,
adversely affecting water availability and food
security of the people.
Post-independent India witnessed
intensive industrialisation and urbanisation,
creating vast opportunities for us. Today, large
industrial houses are as commonplace as the
industrial units of many MNCs (Multinational
Corporations). The ever-increasing number of
industries has made matters worse by exerting
pressure on existing freshwater resources.
Industries, apart from being heavy users of
water, also require power to run them. Much
of this energy comes from hydroelectric power.
Moreover, multiplying urban centres with
large and dense populations and urban
lifestyles have not only added to water and
energy requirements but have further
aggravated the problem. If you look into the
housing societies or colonies in the cities, you
would find that most of these have their own
groundwater pumping devices to meet their
water needs. Not surprisingly, we find that
fragile water resources are being over-
exploited and have caused their depletion in
several of these cities.
M M M M MULTI ULTI ULTI ULTI ULTI- - - - -PURPOSE PURPOSE PURPOSE PURPOSE PURPOSE R R R R RIVER IVER IVER IVER IVER P P P P PROJECTS ROJECTS ROJECTS ROJECTS ROJECTS     AND AND AND AND AND
I II I INTEGRATED NTEGRATED NTEGRATED NTEGRATED NTEGRATED W W W W WATER ATER ATER ATER ATER R R R R RESOURCES ESOURCES ESOURCES ESOURCES ESOURCES M M M M MANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT
But, how do we conserve and manage water?
Archaeological and historical records show
that from ancient times we have been
constructing sophisticated hydraulic
structures like dams built of stone rubble,
reservoirs or lakes, embankments and canals
for irrigation. Not surprisingly, we have
continued this tradition in modern India by
building dams in most of our river basins.
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.
Lately, there has been a growing concern that
even if there is ample water to meet the needs
of the people, much of it may be polluted by
domestic and industrial wastes, chemicals,
pesticides and fertilisers used in agriculture,
thus, making it hazardous for human use.
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. (Source: Economic
Survey 2020–21, p.357)
You may have already realised that the need
of the hour is to conserve and manage our
water resources, to safeguard ourselves from
health hazards, to ensure food security,
continuation of our livelihoods and productive
activities and also to prevent degradation of our
natural ecosystems. Over exploitation and
mismanagement of water resources will
impoverish this resource and cause ecological
crisis that may have profound impact on
our lives.
From your everyday experiences, write a short
proposal on how you can conserve water.
So far we have focused on the quantitative
aspects of water scarcity. Now, let us consider
another situation where water is sufficiently
Hydraulic Structures in Ancient India
• In the first century B.C., Sringaverapura
near Allahabad had sophisticated water
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.
Source: Source: Source: Source: Source: Annual Report, Ministry of Jal Shakti,
Government of India 2022–23
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22 CONTEMPORARY INDIA – II
What are dams and how do they help us
in conserving and managing water? Dams
were traditionally built to impound rivers and
rainwater that could be used later to irrigate
agricultural fields. Today, dams are built not
just for irrigation but for electricity generation,
water supply for domestic and industrial
uses, flood control, recreation, inland
navigation and fish breeding. Hence, dams are
now referred to as multi-purpose projects
where the many uses of the impounded water
are integrated with one another. For example,
in the Sutluj-Beas river basin, the Bhakra –
Nangal project water is being used both for
hydel power production and irrigation.
Similarly, the Hirakud project in the
Mahanadi basin integrates conservation of
water with flood control.
Multi-purpose projects, launched after
Independence with their integrated water
resources management approach, were thought
of as the vehicle that would lead the nation to
development and progress, overcoming the
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 11
th
 Century, Bhopal Lake, one of the
largest artificial lakes of its time was built.
• In the 14
th
 Century, the tank in Hauz Khas,
Delhi was constructed by Iltutmish for
supplying water to Siri Fort area.
Source: Source: Source: Source: Source:     Dying Wisdom, CSE, 1997.
Find out more about any one traditional
method of building dams and irrigation works.
Fig. 3.2: Fig. 3.2: Fig. 3.2: Fig. 3.2: Fig. 3.2: Hirakud Dam
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. Most dams have a section called a
spillway or weir over which or through which
it is intended that water will flow either
intermittently or continuously. Dams are
classified according to structure, intended
purpose or height. Based on structure and
the materials used, dams are classified as
timber dams, embankment dams or masonry
dams, with several subtypes. According to
the height, dams can be categorised as large
dams and major dams or alternatively as low
dams, medium height dams and high dams.
handicap of its colonial past. Jawaharlal Nehru
proudly proclaimed the dams as the ‘temples of
modern India’; the reason being that it would
integrate development of agriculture and the
village economy with rapid industrialisation and
growth of the urban economy.
We have sown the crops in Asar
We will bring Bhadu in Bhadra
Floods have swollen the Damodar
The sailing boats cannot sail
Oh! Damodar, we fall at your feet
Reduce the floods a little
Bhadu will come a year later
Let the boats sail on your surface
(This popular Bhadu song in the Damodar valley
region narrates the troubles faced by people
owing to the flooding of Damodar river known
as the river of sorrow.)
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23 WATER RESOURCES
In recent years, multi-purpose projects
and large dams have come under great
scrutiny and opposition for a variety of
reasons. Regulating and damming of rivers
affect their natural flow causing poor sediment
flow and excessive sedimentation at the bottom
of the reservoir, resulting in rockier stream
beds and poorer habitats for the rivers’ aquatic
life. Dams also fragment rivers making it
difficult for aquatic fauna to migrate, especially
for spawning. The reservoirs that are created
on the floodplains also submerge the existing
vegetation and soil leading to its
decomposition over a period of time.
Irrigation has also changed the cropping
pattern of many regions with farmers shifting
to water intensive and commercial crops. This
has great ecological consequences like
salinisation of the soil. Pradhan Mantri Krishi
Sinchaee Yojana has been started which
ensures access to some means to protective
irrigation for all agricultural farms in the
country, thus bringing much desired rural
prosperity.
Ironically, the dams that were constructed
to control floods have triggered floods due to
sedimentation in the reservoir. Moreover, the
big dams have mostly been unsuccessful in
controlling floods at the time of excessive
rainfall.
These floods have not only devastated life
and property but also caused extensive soil
erosion. Sedimentation also meant that the flood
plains were deprived of silt, a natural fertiliser,
further adding on to the problem of land
degradation. It was also observed that the multi-
purpose projects induced earthquakes, caused
water-borne diseases and pests and pollution
resulting from excessive use of water.
Collect information about floods occurred in
different parts of the country due to heavy
rainfall in recent times.
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. Sardar Sarovar Project will
provide irrigation facilities to 18.45 lakh
hectare of land, covering 3112 villages in
15 districts of Gujarat. It will also irrigate
2,46,000 hectare of land in the strategic
desert districts of Barmer and Jalore in
Rajasthan and 37,500 hectare in the tribal
hilly tract of Maharashtra through lift.
About 75 per cent of the command area in
Gujarat is drought prone while entire
command in Rajasthan is drought prone.
Assured water supply will soon make this
area drought proof.
Source: Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd.
https://www.sardarsarovardam.org/
Do you know that the Krishna-Godavari
dispute is due to the objections raised by
Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh
governments? It is regarding the diversion
of more water at Koyna by the Maharashtra
government for a multipurpose project. This
would reduce downstream flow in their
states with adverse consequences for
agriculture and industry.
Make a list of inter-state water disputes.
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchaee Yojana
Some of the broad objectives of this
programme are to enhance the physical
access of water on the farm and expand
cultivable area under assured irrigation (har
khet ko pani), improve on-farm water use
efficiency to reduce wastage and increase
availability both in duration and extent,
irrigation and other water saving
technologies (per drop more crop) and
introduce sustainable water conservation
practices, etc.
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