Water Resources

What proportion of the earth's surface is covered with water?

Three-fourths.

What is the main source of freshwater that can be put to use?

Surface run-off and groundwater.

What is the hydrological cycle?

The continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.

Is water a renewable resource?

Yes.

Why do countries and regions around the globe suffer from water scarcity?

Despite the abundance and renewability of water, several factors contribute to water scarcity, such as uneven distribution, pollution, and overuse.

How many people are predicted to live in absolute water scarcity by 2025?

Nearly two billion people.

What do we associate with water shortages?

Regions having low rainfall or those that are in drought-prone areas.

What is the visual image that comes to mind when we think of water scarcity?

Women balancing many 'matkas' (earthen pots) used for collecting and storing water and travelling long distances to get water.

What are some factors that contribute to water scarcity?

Uneven distribution, pollution, overuse, climate change, and population growth.

What is the need for water conservation and management?

To ensure the sustainable use of freshwater resources and prevent water scarcity.

e to balance the demand for water resources and the need for higher food-grain production?

Yes, it is possible through the development of drought-resistant crops and dry farming techniques.

What is the largest consumer of water?

Irrigated agriculture.

What is the main cause of water scarcity in most cases?

Over-exploitation, excessive use, and unequal access to water among different social groups.

Where can freshwater be obtained from in the hydrological cycle?

Freshwater can be obtained directly from precipitation, surface run-off, and groundwater.

What is the main reason for the over-exploitation of water resources?

The consequent greater demands for water and unequal access to it due to a large population requiring more water not only for domestic use but also to produce more food.

What are the three sources of freshwater in the hydrological cycle?

Precipitation, surface run off, and groundwater.

Can an area with ample water resources still face water scarcity?

Yes, it can be an outcome of large and growing population.

What is the reason for water scarcity in many cities?

Large and growing population.

What happened in Kolkata after a heavy downpour?

Life in the city and its adjacent districts was paralyzed as incessant overnight rain flooded vast areas and disrupted traffic.

What is the need of the hour regarding water resources?

To conserve and manage them to safeguard ourselves from health hazards, ensure food security, continuation of our livelihoods and productive activities, and prevent degradation of our natural ecosystems.

What will happen if water resources are overexploited and mismanaged?

It will impoverish this resource and cause ecological crisis that may have profound impact on our lives.

What do farmers use their own wells and tube-wells for?

Irrigation.

What is the impact of using wells and tube-wells for irrigation?

It may lead to falling groundwater levels, adversely affecting water availability and food security of the people.

What is the effect of intensive industrialization and urbanization on freshwater resources?

It exerts pressure on existing freshwater resources.

What are the two main requirements of industries?

Water and power.

What is the source of much of the energy used by industries in India?

Hydroelectric power.

What percentage of the total electricity produced in India is contributed by hydroelectric power?

Approximately 22%.

How have multiplying urban centers and urban lifestyles aggravated the problem of water and energy requirements?

They have added to the requirements and further aggravated the problem.

What is the common feature of housing societies or colonies in cities?

They have their own wells and tube-wells for water supply.

What is the potential impact of overusing natural resources?

It may cause ecological crisis that may have profound impact on our lives.

What is the main cause of depletion of water resources in cities?

Over-exploitation of groundwater through pumping devices.

What is the impact of bad water quality on water scarcity?

It can cause water scarcity even if there is sufficient water available.

What is the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)?

It is a government initiative in India to improve the quality of life and enhance ease of living of people, especially those living in rural areas, by providing assured supply of potable piped water.

What is the goal of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)?

To enable every rural household to get assured supply of potable piped water at a service level of 55 litres per capita per day.

What are some of the pollutants that can make water hazardous for human use?

Domestic and industrial wastes, chemicals, pesticides, and fertilisers used in agriculture.

How does the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) aim to improve the quality of life in rural areas?

By providing assured supply of potable piped water to every rural household.

What is the goal of JJM?

To enable every rural household get assured supply of potable piped water at a service level of 55 litres per capita per day regularly.

What are some of the hydraulic structures that have been constructed in ancient India?

Dams built of stone rubble, reservoirs or lakes, embankments and canals for irrigation.

How have we continued the tradition of constructing hydraulic structures in modern India?

By building dams in most of our river basins.

What was the water harvesting system near Allahabad in the first century B.C.?

A sophisticated system channelling the flood water of the river Ganga.

During the time of Chandragupta Maurya, what kind of systems were extensively built?

Dams, lakes and irrigation systems.

What is the current state of India's rivers?

India's rivers, especially the smaller ones, have all turned into toxic streams. And even the big ones like the Ganga and Yamuna are far from being pure.

What are some of the reasons for the assault on India's rivers?

Population growth, agricultural modernisation, urbanisation and industrialisation.

How is India's entire life threatened by the assault on its rivers?

India's entire life stands threatened.

What are the different uses of dams?

Dams are built for irrigation, electricity generation, water supply for domestic and industrial uses, flood control, recreation, inland navigation, and fish breeding.

What is the Bhakra-Nangal project?

The Bhakra-Nangal project is a multi-purpose project in the Sutluj-Beas river basin that uses impounded water for both hydel power production and irrigation.

What is the Hirakud project?

The Hirakud project is a multi-purpose project in the Mahanadi basin that integrates conservation of water with flood control.

What are the environmental and social problems associated with the construction of large dams?

The construction of large dams has resulted in the displacement of people, loss of forests and wildlife habitats, and altered the natural flow of rivers.

What is the need for a more sustainable and participatory approach to water management?

There is a need to adopt a more sustainable and participatory approach to water management that takes into account the needs and aspirations of all stakeholders.

What is the purpose of the Hirakud project in the Mahanadi basin?

It integrates conservation of water with flood control.

What were multi-purpose projects launched after Independence thought to be?

The vehicle that would lead the nation to development and progress, overcoming the handicap of its colonial past.

Why did Jawaharlal Nehru call dams the 'temples of modern India'?

Because they would integrate development of agriculture and the village economy with rapid industrialisation and growth of the urban economy.

What does the popular Bhadu song in the Damodar valley region narrate?

The troubles faced by people owing to the flooding of Damodar river known as the river of sorrow.

Where have evidences of sophisticated irrigation works been found?

Kalinga (Odisha), Nagarjunakonda (Andhra Pradesh), Bennur (Karnataka), Kolhapur (Maharashtra), etc.

What is Bhopal Lake?

One of the largest artificial lakes in the 11th Century.

What is the comparative advantage of multi-purpose projects?

They have an integrated water resources management approach.

What is the cause and effect relationship between the Hirakud project and flood control?

The Hirakud project integrates conservation of water with flood control.

What is the vocabulary definition of 'integrated water resources management approach'?

A method of managing water resources that takes into account the interdependent nature of water resources and the need to balance competing demands.

What is the process explanation of how multi-purpose projects integrate development of agriculture and the village economy with rapid industrialisation and growth of the urban economy?

Multi-purpose projects provide water for irrigation, which leads to increased agricultural productivity and income for farmers. This, in turn, leads to the growth of the village economy. The availability of water also attracts industries to the area, leading to rapid industrialisation and growth of the urban economy.

What is a dam?

A barrier across flowing water that obstructs, directs or retards the flow, often creating a reservoir, lake or impoundment.

What is the spillway or weir of a dam?

A section over which or through which it is intended that water will flow either intermittently or continuously.

How are dams classified according to structure and materials used?

As timber dams, embankment dams or masonry dams, with several subtypes.

How are dams classified according to height?

As large dams and major dams or alternatively as low dams, medium height dams and high dams.

What is the purpose of a spillway or weir in a dam?

To allow water to flow over or through it either intermittently or continuously.

What is the traditional method of building dams and irrigation works?

The text does not provide information on a specific traditional method of building dams and irrigation works.

Why have multi-purpose projects and large dams come under great scrutiny and opposition in recent years?

The text does not provide a specific reason for the scrutiny and opposition of multi-purpose projects and large dams.

What are some of the reasons why multi-purpose projects and large dams have come under scrutiny and opposition in recent years?

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.

What are some of the negative effects of dams on the natural flow of rivers?

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.

What are some of the negative effects of reservoirs created on floodplains?

The reservoirs that are created on the floodplains also submerge the existing vegetation and soil leading to its decomposition over a period of time.

What are some of the reasons for the resistance to multi-purpose projects and large dams?

Large-scale displacement of local communities. Local people often had to give up their land, livelihood and their meagre access and control over resources for the greater good of the nation.

Who are the primary beneficiaries of multi-purpose projects and large dams?

Landowners and large farmers, industrialists and few urban centers.

What are the potential beneficiaries of large-scale irrigation projects?

Landowners, large farmers, industrialists, and few urban centers.

How does irrigation affect the cropping pattern of many regions?

It changes the cropping pattern of many regions with farmers shifting to water-intensive and commercial crops.

What are the ecological consequences of changing the cropping pattern due to irrigation?

It can lead to salinization of the soil.

How has irrigation transformed the social landscape?

It has increased the social gap between the richer landowners and the landless poor.

What conflicts can arise due to the construction of dams?

Conflicts can arise between people wanting different uses and benefits from the same water resources.

What was the cause of the agitation among Sabarmati-basin farmers in Gujarat?

The higher priority given to water supply in urban areas, particularly during droughts.

What is the Narmada Bachao Andolan or Save Narmada Movement?

It is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) that mobilized tribal people, farmers, environmentalists, and human rights activists against the Sardar Sarovar Dam being built across the Narmada river.

What did the Narmada Bachao Andolan originally focus on?

The environmental issues related to trees that would be submerged under the dam water.

What is the aim of the Narmada Bachao Andolan now?

To enable poor citizens, especially the oustees (displaced people) to get full rehabilitation facilities from the government.

Why did the survivors of Rihand accept their sufferings?

They believed in the promise of irrigated fields and plentiful harvests and accepted their sufferings as sacrifice for the sake of their nation.

What question do the survivors of Rihand keep asking now?

"Are we the only ones chosen to make sacrifices for the nation?"

What is the cause of the Krishna-Godavari dispute?

The objections raised by Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh governments regarding the diversion of more water.

What is the definition of "oustees"?

Displaced people who have been forced to leave their homes or land.

Can you explain the process of how the Narmada Bachao Andolan mobilized people?

The movement mobilized tribal people, farmers, environmentalists, and human rights activists against the Sardar Sarovar Dam being built across the Narmada river in Gujarat.

What is the Krishna-Godavari dispute about?

It is about the diversion of more water at Koyna by the Maharashtra government for a multipurpose project, which would reduce downstream flow in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh with adverse consequences for agriculture and industry.

What is the Sardar Sarovar Dam?

It is one of the largest water resource projects of India built over the Narmada River in Gujarat, covering four states—Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.

What is the purpose of the Sardar Sarovar project?

It would meet the requirement of water in drought-prone and desert areas of Gujarat (9,490 villages and 173 towns) and Rajasthan (124 villages).

What are the objections to the water resource projects in India?

Most of the objections arose due to their failure to achieve the purposes for which they were built, triggering floods due to sedimentation in the reservoir, and being unsuccessful in controlling floods at the time of excessive rainfall.

How do the dams affect downstream flow in the Krishna-Godavari dispute?

The diversion of more water at Koyna by the Maharashtra government for a multipurpose project would reduce downstream flow in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh with adverse consequences for agriculture and industry.

What are the states covered by the Sardar Sarovar project?

The Sardar Sarovar project covers four states—Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.

What is the significance of the Sardar Sarovar project?

It is one of the largest water resource projects of India and would meet the requirement of water in drought-prone and desert areas of Gujarat and Rajasthan.

What is the irony of the dams constructed to control floods?

Ironically, the dams that were constructed to control floods have triggered floods due to sedimentation in the reservoir.

What have big dams mostly been unsuccessful in controlling?

Floods during excessive rainfall.

How did the release of water from dams during heavy rains affect the flood situation in Maharashtra and Gujarat in 2006?

It aggravated the flood situation.

What are the consequences of floods besides devastating life and property?

Extensive soil erosion and deprivation of silt, a natural fertiliser.

What are some negative effects of multi-purpose projects?

Inducing earthquakes, causing water-borne diseases and pests, and pollution resulting from excessive use of water.

What is rainwater harvesting?

A system of collecting and storing rainwater for later use.

What is the advantage of rainwater harvesting over multi-purpose projects?

It is a viable alternative, both socio-economically and environmentally.

What was the tradition of water-harvesting system in ancient India?

People had in-depth knowledge of rainfall regimes and soil types and developed wide ranging techniques to harvest rainwater, groundwater, river water, and flood water in keeping with the local ecology.