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Questions and Answers
Explain the concept of water scarcity.
Water scarcity refers to the lack of sufficient available water resources to meet the demands of water usage in a region.
What is the main purpose of multi-purpose river projects?
The main purpose of multi-purpose river projects is to bring various benefits like water supply, flood control, electricity generation, and irrigation to multiple sectors.
How do multi-purpose river projects help in flood control?
Multi-purpose river projects help in flood control by regulating water flow and managing water levels to prevent devastating floods in downstream areas.
Explain how water becomes a renewable resource.
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Why is rooftop rainwater harvesting gaining popularity in Rajasthan despite high water availability due to the Indira Gandhi Canal?
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What are some negative consequences of multi-purpose river projects?
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How do urban centers impact water resources according to the text?
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What was the reaction of Sabarmati basin farmers in Gujarat when higher priority was given to water supply in urban areas during droughts?
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Why is it important to regulate and dam rivers properly?
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What benefits do multi-purpose river projects bring to industries and homes?
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Study Notes
Water Scarcity
- Only a small proportion of the Earth's surface water is freshwater that can be used.
- Freshwater is mainly obtained from surface runoff and groundwater, which is continually renewed and recharged through the hydrological cycle.
- Despite being a renewable resource, water scarcity is a growing concern, with predictions suggesting that by 2025, nearly two billion people will live in absolute water scarcity.
Causes of Water Scarcity
- Over-exploitation, excessive use, and unequal access to water among different social groups are major contributors to water scarcity.
- Large and growing populations require more water for domestic use and food production, leading to over-exploitation of water resources.
Agriculture and Water Usage
- Irrigated agriculture is the largest consumer of water, with farmers relying on wells and tube-wells for irrigation to increase their produce.
- Developing drought-resistant crops and dry farming techniques can help alleviate water scarcity.
Water Conservation
- Conserving water is crucial to prevent ecological crises and ensure sustainable development.
- Individuals can contribute to water conservation through everyday practices, such as reducing water waste and adopting water-efficient habits.
India's Water Resources Management
- Ancient India had sophisticated hydraulic structures, including dams, reservoirs, and canals for irrigation.
- Modern India has continued this tradition by building dams in most river basins.
- Evidences of sophisticated irrigation works have been found in various regions, including Kalinga, Nagarjunakonda, Bennur, and Kolhapur.
Rainwater Harvesting
- Rainwater harvesting is a viable alternative to multipurpose projects, with socio-economic and environmental benefits.
- Ancient India had an extraordinary tradition of water-harvesting systems, with people developing techniques to harvest rainwater, groundwater, river water, and flood water based on local ecological conditions and water needs.
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Description
Learn about water conservation and management strategies to prevent the impoverishment of water resources and ecological crises. Discover how multi-purpose river projects and integrated water resources management can help in conserving water. Explore historical records of sophisticated hydraulic structures for water management.
