Water Resources, PDF

Do you think that what exists today will Unit III continue to be so, or the future is going to be Chapter 4 different in some respects? It can be said with some certainty that the societies will witness demographic transitio...

Do you think that what exists today will Unit III continue to be so, or the future is going to be Chapter 4 different in some respects? It can be said with some certainty that the societies will witness demographic transition, geographical shift of population, technological advancement, degradation of environment and water scarcity. Water scarcity is possibly to pose the greatest challenge on account of its increased demand coupled with shrinking supplies due to over utilisation and pollution. Water is a cyclic resource with abundant supplies on the globe. Approximately, 71 per cent of the earth’s surface is covered with it but freshwater WATER RESOURCES constitutes only about 3 per cent of the total water. In fact, a very small proportion of freshwater is effectively available for human use. The availability of freshwater varies over space and time. The tensions and disputes on sharing and control of this scarce resource are becoming contested issues among communities, regions, and states. The assessment, efficient use and conservation of water, therefore, become necessary to ensure development. In this chapter, we shall discuss water resources in India, its geographical distribution, sectoral utilisation, and methods of its conservation and management. Water Resources of India India accounts for about 2.45 per cent of the world’s surface area, 4 per cent of the world’s water resources and more than 17 per cent of the world’s population. The total water available from precipitation in the country in a year is about 4,000 cubic km. The availability from surface water and replenishable groundwater is 1,869 cubic km. Out of this, only 60 per cent can be put to beneficial uses. Thus, the total utilisable water resource in the country is only 1,122 cubic km. Surface Water Resources There are four major sources of surface water. These are rivers, lakes, ponds and tanks. In the country, there are about 10,360 rivers and their tributaries longer than 1.6 km each. The mean annual flow in all the river basins 2024-25 in India is estimated to be 1,869 cubic km. of lagoons and lakes have formed. The States However, due to topographical, hydrological like Kerala, Odisha and West Bengal have vast and other constraints, only about 690 cubic surface water resources in these lagoons and km (32 per cent) of the available surface water lakes. Although, water is generally brackish can be utilised. Water flow in a river depends in these water bodies, it is used for fishing and on size of its catchment area or river basin irrigating certain varieties of paddy crops, and rainfall within its catchment area. You coconut, etc. have studied in your Class XI textbook “India : Physical Environment” that precipitation in Water Demand and Utilisation India has very high spatial variation, and it is mainly concentrated in Monsoon season. You India has traditionally been an agrarian also have studied in the textbook that some economy, and about two-third of its of the rivers in the country like the Ganga, population have been dependent on the Brahmaputra, and the Indus have huge agriculture. Hence, development of irrigation catchment areas. Given that precipitation is to increase agricultural production has been relatively high in the catchment areas of the assigned a very high priority in the Five Year Ganga, the Brahmaputra and the Barak Plans, and multipurpose river valleys projects, rivers, these rivers, although account for only like the Bhakra-Nangal, Hirakud, Damodar about one-third of the total area in the Valley, Nagarjuna Sagar, Indira Gandhi Canal country, have 60 per cent of the total surface Project, etc., have been taken up. In fact, water resources. Much of the annual water India’s water demand at present is dominated flow in south Indian rivers like the Godavari, by irrigational needs. the Krishna, and the Kaveri has been Agriculture accounts for most of the harnessed, but it is yet to be done in the surface and groundwater utilisation, it Brahmaputra and the Ganga basins. accounts for 89 per cent of the surface water and 92 per cent of the groundwater utilisation. Groundwater Resources While the share of industrial sector is limited The total replenishable groundwater to 2 per cent of the surface water utilisation resources in the country are about 432 cubic and 5 per cent of the ground-water, the share km. The level of groundwater utilisation is of domestic sector is higher (9 per cent) in relatively high in the river basins lying in surface water utilisation as compared to north-western region and parts of south India. groundwater. The share of agricultural sector The groundwater utilisation is very high in total water utilisation is much higher than in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, other sectors. However, in future, with and Tamil Nadu. However, there are States like development, the shares of industrial and Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Kerala, etc., which utilise domestic sectors in the country are likely to only a small proportion of their groundwater increase. potentials. States like Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Tripura and Maharashtra are utilising Demand of Water for Irrigation their groundwater resources at a moderate rate. In agriculture, water is mainly used for If the present trend continues, the demands irrigation. Irrigation is needed because of for water would need the supplies. And such spatio-temporal variability in rainfall in the situation, will be detrimental to development, country. The large tracts of the country are and can cause social upheaval and deficient in rainfall and are drought prone. disruptions. North-western India and Deccan plateau constitute such areas. Winter and summer Lagoons and Backwaters seasons are more or less dry in most part India has a vast coastline and the coast is very of the country. Hence, it is difficult to indented in some states. Due to this, a number practise agriculture without assured 42 India : People and Economy 2024-25 Fig. 4.1 : India – River Basins Water Resources 43 2024-25 irrigation during dry seasons. Even in the areas of ample rainfall like West Bengal and Bihar, breaks in monsoon or its failure creates dry spells detrimental for Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee agriculture. Water need of certain crops also Yojana (PMKSY) makes irrigation necessary. For instance, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana water requirement of rice, sugarcane, jute, has been launched by the Central etc. is very high which can be met only Government during 2015-16 with an through irrigation. overarching vision to ensure access to some Provision of irrigation makes multiple means of protective irrigation for all cropping possible. It has also been found that agricultural farms in the country, thus bringing much desired rural prosperity. Some irrigated lands have higher agricultural of the broad objectives of the this productivity than unirrigated land. Further, programmes are to: the high yielding varieties of crops need regular moisture supply, which is made Enhance the physical access of water possible only by a developed irrigation on the farm and expand cultivable area systems. In fact, this is why that green under assured irrigation (Har khet ko pani) revolution strategy of agriculture Promote integration of water source, development in the country has largely been distribution and its efficient use, to make successful in Punjab, Haryana and western best use of water through appropriate Uttar Pradesh. technologies and practices. In Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, more than 85 per cent of their net Improve on-farm water use efficiency to sown area is under irrigation. Wheat and rice reduce wastage and increase are grown mainly with the help of irrigation availability both in duration and exent; irrigation and other water saving in these states. Of the total net irrigated area technologies (Per drope more crop) 76.1 per cent in Punjab and 51.3 per cent in Haryana are irrigated through wells and Introduce sustainable water conservation tubewells. This shows that these states utilise practices large proportion of their groundwater Ensure the integrated development of potential which has resulted in groundwater rain-fed areas using the waters held depletion in these states. approach towards soil and water The over-use of groundwater resources conservation, regeration of ground has led to decline in groundwater table in water, providing livelihood options, etc. these states. In fact, over withdrawals in some states, like Rajasthan and Maharashtra, has Emerging Water Problems increased fluoride concentration in groundwater, and this practice has led to The per capita availability of water is dwindling increase in concentration of arsenic in parts day-by-day due to increase in population. The of West Bengal and Bihar. available water resources are also getting polluted with industrial, agricultural and domestic effluents, and this, in turn, is further limiting the availability of usable water resources. Intensive irrigation in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Deterioration of Water Quality Pradesh is increasing salinity in the soil and depletion of groundwater irrigation. Discuss its likely impacts on Water quality refers to purity of water, or water agriculture. without unwanted foreign substances. Water 44 India : People and Economy 2024-25  Fig. 4.2 : The Ganga and its Tributaries and Towns Located on them gets polluted by foreign matters, such as Water Conservation and Management micro-organisms, chemicals, industrial and other wastes. Such matters deteriorate the Since there is a declining availability of quality of water and render it unfit for human freshwater and increasing demand, the need use. When toxic substances enter lakes, has arisen to conserve and effectively manage streams, rivers, ocean and other water bodies, this precious life giving resource for sustainable they get dissolved or lie suspended in water. development. Given that water availability from This results in pollution of water, whereby sea/ocean, due to high cost of desalinisation, quality of water deteriorates affecting aquatic is considered negligible, India has to take quick systems. Sometimes, these pollutants also steps and make effective policies and laws, and seep down and pollute groundwater. adopt effective measures for its conservation. Besides developing water-saving technologies and methods, attempts are also to be made to Find out which are the major towns/cities located on prevent the pollution. There is need to the bank of the Ganga and its tributaries and major encourage watershed development, rainwater industries they have. harvesting, water recycling and reuse, and Water Resources 45 2024-25 conjunctive use of water for sustaining water national aquatic resources at 507 stations. The supply in long run. data obtained from these stations show that organic and bacterial contamination continues Prevention of Water Pollution to be the main source of pollution in rivers. The Yamuna river is the most polluted river in the Available water resources are degrading country between Delhi and Etawah. Other rapidly. The major rivers of the country severely polluted rivers are: the Sabarmati at generally retain better water quality in less Ahmedabad, the Gomti at Lucknow, the Kali, densely populated upper stretches in hilly the Adyar, the Cooum (entire stretches), the areas. In plains, river water is used intensively Vaigai at Madurai and the Musi of Hyderabad for irrigation, drinking, domestic and industrial and the Ganga at Kanpur and Varanasi. purposes. The drains carrying agricultural Groundwater pollution has occurred due to high (fertilizers and insecticides), domestic (solid and concentrations of heavy/toxic metals, fluoride liquid wastes), and industrial effluents join the and nitrates at different parts of the country. rivers. The concentration of pollutants in rivers, The legislative provisions such as the Water especially remains very high during the summer (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974, season when flow of water is low. and Environment Protection Act 1986 have The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) not been implemented effectively. The result in collaboration with State Pollution Control is that in 1997, 251 polluting industries were Boards has been monitoring water quality of located along the rivers and lakes. The Water Discuss the issues highlighted in the news items. 46 India : People and Economy 2024-25 Cess Act, 1977, meant to reduce pollution has hand and society on the other. The success of also made marginal impacts. There is a strong watershed development largely depends upon need to generate public awareness about community participation. importance of water and impacts of water The Central and State Governments have pollution. The public awareness and action initiated many watershed development and can be very effective in reducing the pollutants management programmes in the country. from agricultural activities, domestic and industrial discharges. Some of these are being implemented by non- governmental organisations also. Haryali is Recycle and Reuse of Water a watershed development project sponsored Another way through which we can improve by the Central Government which aims at fresh water availability is by recycle and reuse. enabling the rural population to conserve Use of water of lesser quality such as reclaimed water for drinking, irrigation, fisheries and wastewater would be an attractive option for afforestation. The Project is being executed industries for cooling and fire fighting to by Gram Panchayats with people’s reduce their water cost. Similarly, in urban areas participation. water after bathing and washing utensils can be used for gardening. Water used for washing vehicle can also be used for gardening. This would conserve better quality of water for Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal) is being drinking purposes. Currently, recycling of water implemented in 8220 water stressed Gram is practised on a limited scale. However, there Panchayats of 229 administrative blocks/ is enormous scope for replenishing water talukas in 80 districts of seven states,viz. through recycling. Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. The selected States account for about 37 per cent of the total number of Observe the quantity of water used at your home in water-stressed (over-exploited, critical and various activities and enlist the ways in which the water semi-critical) blocks in India. One of the key can be reused and recycled in various activities. aspects of ATAL JAL is to bring in behavioural changes in the community, from Class teachers should organise a discussion on recycle the prevailing attitude of consumption to and reuse of water. conservation and smart water management. (Source: Annual Report, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Govt. of India, 2022-23) Watershed Management Watershed management basically refers to Neeru-Meeru (Water and You) programme efficient management and conservation of (in Andhra Pradesh) and Arvary Pani Sansad surface and groundwater resources. It involves (in Alwar, Rajasthan) have taken up prevention of runoff and storage and recharge constructions of various water-harvesting of groundwater through various methods like structures such as percolation tanks, dug out percolation tanks, recharge wells, etc. However, ponds (Johad), check dams, etc., through in broad sense watershed management includes people’s participation. Tamil Nadu has made conservation, regeneration and judicious use of water harvesting structures in the houses all resources – natural (like land, water, plants compulsory. No building can be constructed and animals) and human with in a watershed. without making structures for water harvesting. Watershed management aims at bringing about Watershed development projects in balance between natural resources on the one some areas have been successful in Water Resour Resources ces 47 2024-25  Watershed Development in Ralegan Siddhi, Ahmadnagar, Maharashtra: A Case Study Ralegan Siddhi is a small village in the district of Ahmadnagar, Maharashtra. It has become an example for watershed development throughout the country. In 1975, this village was caught in a web of poverty and illicit liquor trade. The transformation took place when a retired army personnel, settled down in the village and took up the task of watershed development. He convinced villagers about the importance of family planning and voluntary labour; preventing open grazing, felling trees, and liquor prohibition. Voluntary labour was necessary to ensure minimum dependence on the government for financial aids. “It socialised the costs of the projects.” explained the activist. Even those who were working outside the village contributed to the development by committing a month’s salary every year. Work began with the percolation tank constructed in the village. In 1975, the tank could not hold water. The embankment wall leaked. People voluntarily repaired the embankment. The seven wells below it swelled with water in summer for the first time in the living memory of the people. The people reposed their faith in him and his visions. A youth group called Tarun Mandal was formed. The group worked to ban the dowry system, caste discrimination and untouchability. Liquor distilling units were removed and prohibition imposed. Open grazing was completely banned with a new emphasis on stall-feeding. The cultivation of water-intensive crops like sugarcane was banned. Crops such as pulses, oilseeds and certain cash crops with low water requirements were encouraged. All elections to local bodies began to be held on the basis of consensus. “It made the community leaders complete representatives of the people.” A system of Nyay Panchayats (informal courts) were also set up. Since then, no case has been referred to the police. A Rs.22 lakh school building was constructed using only the resources of the village. No donations were taken. Money, if needed, was borrowed and paid back. The villagers took pride in this self-reliance. A new system of sharing Ralegan Siddhi before mitigation approach labour grew out of this infusion of pride and voluntary spirit. People volunteered to help each other in agricultural operation. Landless labourers also gained employment. Today the village plans to buy land for them in adjoining villages. At present, water is adequate; agriculture is flourishing, though the use of fertilisers and pesticides is very high. The prosperity also brings the question of ability of the present generation to carry on the work after the leader of the movement who declared that, “The process of Ralegan’s evolution to an ideal village will not stop. With changing times, people tend to evolve new ways. In future, Ralegan might present a Ralegan Siddhi after mitigation approach different model to the country.” What a mitigation approach can do? A success story. 48 India : People and Economy 2024-25  Fig. 4.3 : Various Methods of Rainwater Harvesting rejuvenating environment and economy. watershed development and management However, there are only a few success among people in the country, and through stories. In majority of cases, the programme this integrated water resource management is still in its nascent stage. There is a need approach water availability can be ensured to generate awareness regarding benefits of on sustainable basis. Water Resources 49 2024-25 Rainwater Harvesting There is a wide scope to use rainwater harvesting technique to conserve precious Rainwater harvesting is a method to capture and water resource. It can be done by harvesting store rainwater for various uses. It is also used rainwater on rooftops and open spaces. to recharge groundwater aquifers. It is a low cost Harvesting rainwater also decreases the and eco-friendly technique for preserving every community dependence on groundwater for drop of water by guiding the rain water to domestic use. Besides bridging the demand- borewell, pits and wells. Rainwater harvesting supply gap, it can also save energy to pump increases water availability, checks the declining groundwater as recharge leads to rise in groundwater table, improves the quality of groundwater table. These days rainwater groundwater through dilution of contaminants, harvesting is being taken up on massive scale like fluoride and nitrates, prevents soil erosion, in many states in the country. Urban areas and flooding and arrests salt water intrusion in can specially benefit from rainwater harvesting coastal areas if used to recharge aquifers. as water demand has already outstripped Rainwater harvesting has been practised supply in most of the cities and towns. through various methods by different Apart from the above mentioned factors, the communities in the country for a long time. issue desalinisation of water particularly in coastal Traditional rainwater harvesting in rural areas is areas and brackish water in arid and semi-arid done by using surface storage bodies, like lakes, areas, transfer of water from water surplus areas ponds, irrigation tanks, etc. In Rajasthan, to water deficit areas through inter-linking of rainwater harvesting structures locally known as rivers can be important remedies for solving water Kund or Tanka (a covered underground tank) problem in India (read more about inter linking are constructed near or in the house or village to of rivers). However, the most important issue from store harvested rainwater (see Fig. 4.3 to the point of view of individual users, household understand various ways of rainwater harvesting). and communities is pricing of water. Highlights of India’s National Water Policy 2012 The objective of the National Water Policy, 2012 is to assess the existing situation and to propose a framework for a plan of action with a unified national perspective. In order to achieve the objective of the Policy, a number of recommendations have been made therein for conservation, development and improved management of water resources of the country. Some of the salient features of national water policy 2012 are: Emphasis on the need for a national water framework law, comprehensive legislation for optimum development of inter-State rivers and river valleys. Water, after meeting the pre-emptive needs for safe drinking water and sanitation, achieving food security, supporting poor people dependent on agriculture for their livelihood and high priority allocation for minimum eco-system needs, be treated as economic good so as to promote its conservation and efficient use. Adaptation strategies in view of climate change for designing and management of water resources structures and review of acceptability criteria has been emphasized. A system to evolve benchmarks for water uses for different purposes, i.e., water footprints, and water auditing be developed to ensure efficient use of water. Removal of large disparity in stipulations for water supply in urban areas and in rural areas has been recommended. Water resources projects and services should be managed with community participation. Source: Press Information Bureau, Govt. of India, Ministry of Water Resources. 50 India : People and Economy 2024-25  Jal Kranti Abhiyan (2015-16) Water is a recyclable resource but its availability is limited and the gap between supply and demand will be widening over time. Climate change at the global scale will be creating water stress conditions in many regions of the world. India has a unique situation of high population growth and rapid economic development with high water demand. The Jal Kranti Abhiyan launched by the Government of India in 2015–16 with an aim to ensure water security through per capita availability of water in the country. People in different regions of India had practised the traditional knowledge of water conservation and management to ensure water availability. The Jal Kranti Abhiyan aims at involving local bodies, NGOs and cititzens, at large, in creating awareness regarding its objectives. The following activities have been proposed under the Jal Kranti Abhiyan: 1. Selection of one water stressed village in each 672 districts of the country to create a ‘Jal Gram’. 2. Ídentification of model command area of about 1000 hectares in different parts of the country, for example, UP, Haryana (North), Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu (South), Rajasthan, Gujarat (West), Odisha (East), Meghalaya (North-East). 3. Abatement of pollution: Water conservation and artificial recharge. Reducing groundwater pollution. Construction of Arsenic-free wells in selected areas of the country. 4. Creating mass awareness through social media, radio, TV, print media, poster and essay writing competitions in schools. Jal Kranti Abhiyan is designed to provide livelihood and food security through water security. EXERCISES 1. Choose the right answers of the following from the given options. (i) Which one of the following types describes water as a resource? (a) Abiotic resource (c) Biotic Resource (b) Non-renewable Resources (d) Non-cyclic Resource (ii) Which one of the following south Indian states has the highest groundwater utilisation (in per cent) of its total ground water potential? (a) Tamil Nadu (c) Andhra Pradesh (b) Karnataka (d) Kerala Water Resources 51 2024-25  (iii The highest proportion of the total water used in the country is in which one of the following sectors? (a) Irrigation (c) Domestic use (b) Industries (d) None of the above 2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words. (i) It is said that the water resources in India have been depleting very fast. Discuss the factors responsible for depletion of water resources? (ii) What factors are responsible for the highest groundwater development in the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Tamil Nadu? (iii) Why the share of agricultural sector in total water used in the country is expected to decline? (iv) What can be possible impacts of consumption of contaminated/unclean water on the people? 3. Answer the following questions in about 150 words. (i) Discuss the availability of water resources in the country and factors that determine its spatial distribution? (ii) The depleting water resources may lead to social conflicts and disputes. Elaborate it with suitable examples? (iii) What is watershed management? Do you think it can play an important role in sustainable development? 52 India : People and Economy 2024-25