Water Resources Flashcards
The Narmada Bachao Andolan: A Social and Environmental Analysis
The Narmada Bachao Andolan, translated as the Save Narmada Movement, represents a major social movement fundamentally designed to help local communities acquire and maintain access to and control over the natural resources naturally endowed to them. This Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) serves as a collective platform that has successfully mobilized a diverse coalition of stakeholders, including tribal populations, farmers, environmentalists, and human rights activists, to stand in opposition to the Sardar Sarovar Dam project. The movement rose to prominent global visibility during the late and the , as its activities drew the attention of the international community to the severe difficulties and displacement faced by the people residing near the Sardar Sarovar Dam. This dam, constructed across the Narmada River, affects a vast geographic area spanning the Indian states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.
Initially, the primary objectives of the Narmada Bachao Andolan were rooted in environmental conservation, specifically targeting the preservation of vast tracts of forest land and trees that were slated to be submerged under the rising reservoir waters behind the dam. However, the movement has undergone a transition in its focus in recent years. It has refocused its primary aim toward social justice and the rights of the poor citizens affected by the project, specifically the oustees. The movement now advocates for the government to provide comprehensive and full rehabilitation facilities, ensuring that those displaced by the dam are not left without resources or livelihoods.
The Paradox of Global Water Scarcity and Its Primary Causes
The famous literary quote, "Water water everywhere, but not a single drop to drink," aptly describes the grand irony characterizing the water supply of Earth. While approximately of the entire surface of the planet is submerged in water, the vast majority of this resource exists as saline ocean water, which is biologically and chemically unsuitable for human consumption. This disparity between the total water volume and available fresh water is the root of the water scarcity crisis. This scarcity is driven by three primary factors: uneven supply, overuse, and pollution.
Uneven supply refers to the fact that seasonal and regional rainfall patterns vary dramatically; while some areas experience abundance, other dry regions face chronic and severe shortages. Overuse is a consequence of rapidly growing human populations, the expansion of agricultural activities, and industrial growth, all of which lead to the excessive and unsustainable extraction of groundwater. Finally, pollution significantly reduces the available pool of fresh water. Domestic sewage, industrial chemical runoff, and agricultural pesticides introduce toxic substances into river systems and lakes, rendering the remaining fresh water supplies unsafe for drinking or domestic use.
Strategic Measures for the Conservation of Water Resources
To combat the depletion of water resources, several critical conservation measures must be adopted at individual, community, and governmental levels. A primary focus must be placed on preventing the over-extraction of groundwater. Instead of simply drawing water out, efforts must be made to actively recharge groundwater aquifers through various techniques, most notably rainwater harvesting. Furthermore, it is essential to avoid the wastage of water across all sectors of society, ensuring that every drop is utilized efficiently.
Another vital strategy involves increasing the total volume of available water resources by trapping rainfall in man-made reservoirs and implementing comprehensive watershed development programmes. In the agricultural sector, which is the largest consumer of water, the adoption of water-conserving irrigation techniques is paramount. Systems such as drip irrigation and sprinklers are highly effective, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, because they deliver water directly to plants with minimal evaporation or runoff. Additionally, infrastructure for water percolation should be enhanced to facilitate the natural movement of water into the ground, which is necessary to raise the level of the water table over time.
Multipurpose River Valley Projects: The Temples of Modern India
India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, famously referred to multipurpose river valley projects as "The Temples of Modern India." This designation was chosen because these projects were seen as the key to integrating agricultural development and rural progress with rapid industrialization and urban growth. Nehru viewed these projects as holy symbols of a newly independent, strong, and self-reliant nation. Examples of such monumental engineering projects include the Bhakra Nangal and the Hirakud dams.
These projects serve four primary functions that contribute to national growth. First, they provide both power and water by generating hydro-electricity while simultaneously supplying irrigation water to farms during dry seasons. Second, they offer essential flood control by holding back excessive water during periods of heavy rainfall. Third, they facilitate balanced growth by allowing small villages and large-scale factories to develop in tandem. Finally, they represent the country's progress toward modernization and economic independence following the colonial era.
Traditional and Modern Rainwater Harvesting Methods in India
Rainwater harvesting involves a variety of regional methods tailored to specific climates and topographies across the Indian subcontinent. A widely used modern technique is Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting, where rain falling on building roofs is collected via a network of pipes and filters. This water is then stored in large tanks or directed into wells to replenish groundwater supplies. In Shillong, Meghalaya, this method is so prevalent that households meet nearly of their total water requirements through rooftop systems. Similarly, in the village of Gendathur in Karnataka, households have implemented rooftop systems, each collecting approximately of water annually.
In the arid regions of Rajasthan, such as Bikaner, Phalodi, and Barmer, traditional underground storage structures known as Tankas are used to store drinking water for the harsh summer months. Rajasthan is also known for Johads, which are small earthen check dams constructed in semi-arid zones to capture water and encourage it to seep into the soil. In the hilly terrain of the Western Himalayas, traditional diversion channels called Kuls and Guls are employed. These channels capture water from mountain streams, natural springs, and glaciers, transporting it across the landscape for both agricultural irrigation and domestic household use.