WATER RESOURCES

What percentage of the world's surface area does India account for?

2.45%

India possesses what percentage of the world's total water resources?

4%

India supports more than what percentage of the world's population?

17 %

What is the estimated total annual precipitation in India?

4,000 cubic km

Out of the 1,869 cubic km of surface and replenishable groundwater, what percentage can be put to beneficial use?

60%

What is the total 'utilisable' water resource in India?

1,122 cubic km

How many rivers and tributaries longer than 1.6 km each are found in India?

10,360

What percentage of India's available surface water can actually be utilized due to topographical and hydrological constraints?

690 cubic km(32 %)

write two factors that affect river flow

size of catchment area

rainfall within the catchment area

The Ganga, Brahmaputra, and _____ basins cover one-third of India's area but contain 60 percent of its surface water resources.

Barak

Which three South Indian rivers have already had much of their annual water flow harnessed?

Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri

In which Indian states are lagoons and backwaters particularly prominent surface-water resources?

Kerala, Odisha, and West Bengal

Water in lagoons and backwaters is generally ___________, but it is used for ___________________.

brackish

fishing and irrigating certain paddy varieties.

write a note on lagoons and backwaters as water resources.

India has a vast coastline, and the coast is highly indented in some states. This has resulted in the formation of many:

• Lagoons

• Lakes

Major states

States with vast surface-water resources in lagoons and lakes include:

• Kerala

• Odisha

• West Bengal

Characteristic

The water is generally brackish.

Despite this, it is used for:

• Fishing

• Irrigating certain varieties of paddy

• Coconut, etc.

What is the total estimated replenishable groundwater resource in India?

432 cubic km

Name 4 states where groundwater utilization is extremely high.

• Punjab

• Haryana

• Rajasthan

• Tamil Nadu

Which group of states shows moderate groundwater utilization according to the source?

Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Tripura, and Maharashtra

Which states utilize only a small proportion of their groundwater potential (low utilization)?

Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Kerala

On the map of india mark the states with high, moderate and low utilisation of groundwater

draw a table of 3 sectors and their utilisation of groundwater

Sector	Surface Water	Groundwater
Agriculture	89%	92%
Industry	2%	5%
Domestic	9%	—

What percentage of surface water utilization in India is dedicated to the agricultural sector?

89 %

What percentage of groundwater utilization in India is dedicated to the agricultural sector?

92 percent

write a note on the importance of irrigation

Name three crops that require high water supplies and thus depend heavily on irrigation.

Rice, sugarcane, and jute

In Punjab, what percentage of the net sown area is under irrigation?

More than85 %

What is the primary source of irrigation in Punjab 76.1% and Haryana 51.3%?

Wells and tubewells

Excessive groundwater withdrawal in Rajasthan and Maharashtra has led to an increased concentration of which element?

Fluoride

Groundwater depletion in parts of West Bengal and Bihar has led to increased concentrations of which toxic element?

Arsenic

The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) was launched in which year?

$2015-16$

What is the vision of the 'Har Khet Ko Pani' objective under PMKSY?

To expand cultivable area under assured irrigation and enhance physical access to water on farms.

The PMKSY slogan 'Per Drop More Crop' focuses on what specific goal?

Improving on-farm water-use efficiency to reduce wastage.

Term: Water Quality

Definition: The purity of water, or water that is free from unwanted foreign substances like micro-organisms or chemicals.

Which river stretch is identified as the most polluted in India?

The Yamuna between Delhi and Etawah

what is cpcb? write a note on it

CPCB and State Pollution Control Boards

• The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), in collaboration with State Pollution Control Boards, monitors the water quality of national aquatic resources.

• Monitoring is carried out at 507 stations.

• The data shows that organic and bacterial contamination continues to be the main source of pollution in rivers

What is the main source of river pollution according to CPCB monitoring data?

Organic and bacterial contamination

write a note on polluted rivers and their areas

• Yamuna: Delhi–Etawah — most polluted river in the country

• Sabarmati: Ahmedabad

• Gomti: Lucknow

• Kali

• Adyar

• Cooum: entire stretches

• Vaigai: Madurai

• Musi: Hyderabad

• Ganga: Kanpur and Varanasi

In what year was the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act enacted?

$1974$

The Environment Protection Act was implemented in which year?

$1986$

What was the primary goal of the Water Cess Act of $1977$?

To reduce water pollution by levying a tax on water consumption.

Why is seawater currently considered a negligible water resource for India?

Because of the high cost associated with desalination.

In urban areas, what are two recommended uses for water reclaimed from washing vehicles or utensils?

Gardening and fire fighting

Term: Watershed Management

Definition: The efficient management and conservation of surface and groundwater resources, involving runoff prevention and storage.

What is the central aim of watershed management regarding resources and society?

To create a balance between natural resources and society.

Which Central Government-sponsored watershed development project aims to enable rural people to conserve water for drinking and fisheries?

Haryali

What local body is responsible for executing the Haryali watershed project?

Gram Panchayats

The 'Neeru-Meeru' (Water and You) watershed program was implemented in which state?

Andhra Pradesh

In which district of Rajasthan was the 'Arvary Pani Sansad' program initiated?

Alwar

Which state has made water-harvesting structures compulsory for all new building constructions?

Tamil Nadu

What is the primary eco-friendly benefit of using rainwater harvesting to recharge aquifers in coastal areas?

It arrests salt-water intrusion.

What are 'Kunds' or 'Tankas' in the context of traditional water harvesting in Rajasthan?

Covered underground tanks built near or inside houses to store harvested rainwater.

How does rainwater harvesting help reduce energy consumption in urban areas?

By raising the groundwater table, it reduces the energy needed to pump water from deep underground.

Which policy recommends treating water as an 'economic good' after meeting basic needs to promote efficient use?

National Water Policy $2012$

The Jal Kranti Abhiyan was launched by the Government of India in which year?

$2015-16$

Under Jal Kranti Abhiyan, what is the 'Jal Gram' initiative?

The selection of one water-stressed village in each of the $672$ districts for comprehensive water conservation.

What is a 'Water Footprint' as mentioned in the National Water Policy $2012$?

A benchmarked system for auditing and ensuring efficient water use across different purposes.

Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal) is implemented in how many water-stressed Gram Panchayats?

$8,220$

Name the seven states covered under the Atal Bhujal Yojana.

Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.

In the Ralegan Siddhi case study, what was the primary source of the village's problems before $1975$?

Poverty and the illicit liquor trade.

What was the first physical project undertaken for watershed development in Ralegan Siddhi?

The construction and repair of a percolation tank.

In Ralegan Siddhi, what specific water-intensive crop was banned to conserve water?

Sugarcane

What is the role of 'Tarun Mandal' in the transformation of Ralegan Siddhi?

A youth group that worked to ban the dowry system, caste discrimination, and untouchability.

How did Ralegan Siddhi reduce its dependence on government financial aid for development projects?

Through voluntary labor (Shramdan) and financial contributions from villagers working elsewhere.

What is the 'Nyay Panchayat' system established in Ralegan Siddhi?

Informal courts that resolve disputes at the village level so that no cases are referred to the police.

Why does the concentration of pollutants in Indian rivers become very high during the summer season?

Because the low water flow reduces the river's capacity to dilute contaminants.

The replenishment of groundwater is highest in which region of India?

The North-western river basins.

Which objective of the National Water Policy $2012$ focuses on the disparity in water supply?

Removal of large disparities between urban and rural water supply provisions.

What is the purpose of constructing arsenic-free wells under the Jal Kranti Abhiyan?

To provide safe drinking water in areas suffering from groundwater pollution.

How does rainwater harvesting improve groundwater quality?

By diluting harmful contaminants such as fluoride and nitrates.

Which major multipurpose river valley project was mentioned as being part of India's Five Year Plans?

Bhakra-Nangal (or Hirakud, Damodar Valley, etc.)

In the context of PMKSY, what does the term 'protective irrigation' mean?

Ensuring all agricultural farms have access to at least some means of irrigation to safeguard crops.

Under the National Water Policy $2012$, what are the pre-emptive needs that must be met before water is treated as an economic good?

Safe drinking water, sanitation, food security, and minimum ecosystem needs.

Which sector's share of water utilization is expected to increase in the future with further development?

Industrial and domestic sectors.

What is 'conjunctive use of water' as listed under important conservation approaches?

The coordinated use of surface water and groundwater to optimize water supply and minimize depletion.

Which river in South India has its entire stretch heavily polluted, according to the source?

The Cooum (and Adyar)

Identify the primary source of water for irrigation in the 'Green Revolution' states of Punjab and Haryana.

Groundwater (via wells and tubewells)

What is the main objective of the 'Namami Gange Programme' as per the practice questions?

Pollution abatement, conservation, and rejuvenation of the River Ganga.

Which three diseases are listed as primary examples of water-borne diseases resulting from poor water quality?

Hepatitis, Diarrhoea, and Intestinal worms.

According to the practice MCQ, which group of industries is a major source of water pollution?

Leather, pulp, and paper.

What is the 'Model Command Area' target for Jal Kranti Abhiyan?

Identification of about $1,000$ hectares in different regions to showcase efficient water management.

Why is water considered a 'cyclic resource'?

Because it moves through the hydrological cycle (evaporation, precipitation, etc.) and is naturally replenished.

What percentage of the Earth's surface is covered by water?

$71\%$

Freshwater constitutes only about what percentage of total global water?

$3\%$

Which three North Indian rivers have huge catchment areas and receive high precipitation?

The Ganga, the Brahmaputra, and the Indus.

In Ralegan Siddhi, what replaced 'open grazing' to help protect the environment?

Stall-feeding of animals.

What is the specific target group of the 'Haryali' project's outcomes?

Rural populations.

The practice of 'multiple cropping' in India is primarily made possible by _____

assured irrigation

Which state has the highest percentage of net sown area under irrigation?

Punjab

Name the city associated with the high pollution levels of the Musi river.

Hyderabad

Which act intended to reduce pollution by taxing water usage but had only 'marginal impact'?

The Water Cess Act, $1977$.

What is a 'Johad' in the context of watershed management?

A traditional dugout pond used for water harvesting (as seen in Alwar, Rajasthan).

What is the primary reason given for the declining per capita availability of water in India?

Increasing population.

Which organization works with State Pollution Control Boards to monitor national aquatic resources?

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

What percentage of the world's surface area does India account for?

$2.46\%$