Water Resources and Scarcity in India

These flashcards cover the geographic distribution of water in India, the causes of water scarcity, definitions of conservation, and specific historical/cultural references found in the lecture notes.

Blue Planet

A descriptor for Earth based on the fact that a total of $3/4\text{th}$ of the earth's surface is covered by water.

Uneven Water Distribution (India)

A phenomenon where $21\text{\%}$ of the country receives less than $750\text{\,mm}$ of rain annually, while $15\text{\%}$ receives rainfall exceeding $1500\text{\,mm}$.

Mawsynram

A location near Cherrapunji in the state of Meghalaya that records the highest rainfall of about $11,690\text{\,mm}$, with daily recordings as high as $1040\text{\,mm}$.

Jaisalmer

A place in Rajasthan that barely receives $150\text{\,mm}$ of rain.

Seasonal Rainfall Concentration

The fact that nearly three-quarters of India's rain falls in less than $120\text{\,days}$, from the month of June to September.

Water Scarcity

The shortage of potable water to meet minimum demands, often caused by misuse, abuse, and unequal access even in water-rich regions.

Water Scarcity Threshold

A classification given to a country if the per capita water availability is less than $1000\text{\,m}^2$ per year.

Agricultural runoff

Water from fields that mixes with fertilizers and pesticides, which then reaches and pollutes lakes or rivers.

Effluents

Waste water released by industries on a large scale, causing extensive water pollution and rendering water useless for functional purposes.

Hydroelectricity

Power generated from water storage that contributes $22\text{\%}$ of the total power generation in India.

Water Conservation

Any beneficial reduction in water loss, use, or waste, as well as the preservation of water quality to secure a sustained supply.

Dharmaraj

An entity in Yamlok who was worried and frustrated because the disappearance of Bholaram's soul might erase the distinction between sin and merit.

Bholaram

The individual whose soul (jeev) went missing, causing trouble and fear within the realm of Yamlok.