Water Resources - Geography

Definition of Water Resource

Any natural water on Earth that can potentially be used by living beings

Main Available Water Resources

Oceans

Other Available Water Resources

Groundwater

Percentage of Earth's Water in Oceans

97% of total water

Percentage of Earth's Water in Ice Caps

2.3% locked in polar ice caps

Percentage of Earth's Water Available as Freshwater

0.7% of total water

Percentage of Freshwater as Groundwater

0.66% of usable water

Definition of Surface Water

Water on land from precipitation or seepage forming streams

Definition of Groundwater

Water that seeps underground through cracks and crevices after precipitation

Definition of Aquifer

Layer of rock or soil saturated with water that can yield water readily

India's Share of World's Water Resources

4% of global water resources

Sources of Water in India

Rivers, Oceans

Examples of States with Lagoon and Lake Resources

Odisha

Uses of Lagoon and Lake Water

Fishing

Reason for Rising Water Demand

Increase in population

Consequence of Rising Water Demand

Decline in groundwater levels in many regions

States with Sharp Groundwater Decline

Delhi

Percentage of Groundwater Decline in Some States

70–80% fall in groundwater levels

Future Risk Due to Overuse of Water

Critical shortage of water of suitable quality for future needs

Reason to Conserve Water: Overexploitation

Lowers the water table

Reason to Conserve Water: Loss of Vegetation

Causes drought

Definition of Water Resource

Any natural water on Earth that can potentially be used by living beings

Main Available Water Resources

Oceans

Other Available Water Resources

Groundwater

Percentage of Earth's Water in Oceans

97% of total water

Percentage of Earth's Water in Ice Caps

2.3% locked in polar ice caps

Percentage of Earth's Water Available as Freshwater

0.7% of total water

Percentage of Freshwater as Groundwater

0.66% of usable water

Percentage of Freshwater in Rivers

Lakes

Definition of Surface Water

Water on land from precipitation or seepage forming streams

Definition of Groundwater

Water that seeps underground through cracks and crevices after precipitation

Definition of Aquifer

Layer of rock or soil saturated with water that can yield water readily

Groundwater Share of Usable Water

0.66% of Earth's usable water

India's Share of World's Water Resources

4% of global water resources

Sources of Water in India

Rivers

Examples of States with Lagoon and Lake Resources

Odisha

Uses of Lagoon and Lake Water

Fishing

Reason for Rising Water Demand

Increase in population

Consequence of Rising Water Demand

Decline in groundwater levels in many regions

States with Sharp Groundwater Decline

Delhi

Percentage of Groundwater Decline in Some States

70–80% fall in groundwater levels

Future Risk Due to Overuse of Water

Critical shortage of water of suitable quality for future needs

Reason to Conserve Water: Overexploitation

Lowers the water table

Reason to Conserve Water: Loss of Vegetation

Causes drought

Reason to Conserve Water: Population Growth

Increases demand for water beyond natural availability

Reason to Conserve Water: Agriculture

Requires large quantities of irrigation water

Reason to Conserve Water: Industrialisation

Expanding industries increase water consumption and pollution

Consequences of Water Scarcity

Lower crop yields

Definition of Water Conservation

Planned management of water resources to prevent wastage and overuse

Method of Water Conservation: Afforestation

Planting trees to reduce runoff and improve groundwater recharge

Method of Water Conservation: Rainwater Harvesting

Collecting and storing rainwater for later use

Method of Water Conservation: Recycling and Reuse

Treating used water for reuse in industries and households

Method of Water Conservation: Improving Irrigation

Using efficient irrigation methods like drip irrigation and sprinklers

Method of Water Conservation: Construction of Dams

Storing river water for irrigation

Purpose of Dams

Control floods

Major Dams in India: Bhakra Nangal

Dam on Sutlej River in Himachal Pradesh

Major Dams in India: Hirakud

Dam on Mahanadi River in Odisha

Major Dams in India: Damodar Valley Project

Series of dams on Damodar River for flood control and power in Jharkhand/West Bengal

Major Dams in India: Nagarjuna Sagar

Dam on Krishna River in Telangana

Major Dams in India: Sardar Sarovar

Dam on Narmada River in Gujarat

Definition of Irrigation

Artificial supply of water to crops at regular intervals

Purpose of Irrigation

To ensure crop growth when rainfall is insufficient or uncertain

Advantages of Irrigation

Increases agricultural productivity

Irrigation Method: Wells

Traditional source of irrigation using dug wells or tube wells

Irrigation Method: Canals

Large-scale irrigation channeling water from rivers or reservoirs

Irrigation Method: Tanks

Artificially constructed depressions to store rainwater

Modern Irrigation Method: Drip Irrigation

Water delivered directly to plant roots drop by drop

Modern Irrigation Method: Sprinkler Irrigation

Water sprayed through nozzles

Problems with Irrigation: Waterlogging

Excessive irrigation leads to rise in water table and crop damage

Problems with Irrigation: Salinisation

Accumulation of salts in soil reduces fertility

Problems with Irrigation: Displacement

Dam projects displace people and submerge land

Problems with Irrigation: Environmental Impact

Dams affect aquatic ecosystems and reduce river flow downstream