WATER RESOURCES

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Water Resources

• Water is a precious and essential resource that sustains life on our planet. It covers most of the Earth’s surface, but not all of it is readily available for our needs. Understanding and managing water resources is crucial for ensuring access to clean and safe water for drinking, agriculture, industry, and the environment. In this exploration, we’ll delve deeper into the significance of water resources, their management, and the challenges associated with ensuring a sustainable and equitable supply of this life-giving liquid.

Water

• Three-Fourths Water: Indeed, most of the Earth’s surface is water, but most of it is salty seawater, which is unsuitable for drinking or agriculture.
• Freshwater Sources: Usable water mainly comes from two sources: surface runoff (rivers and lakes) and groundwater (from wells). These sources are constantly replenished through the hydrological cycle, making water a renewable resource.
• Water Scarcity: Despite its renewal, water scarcity happens due to various factors. Population growth, pollution, and mismanagement strain these resources. Some regions lack access to freshwater due to geographical constraints.
• Predicted Scarcity: By 2025, around two billion people might face absolute water scarcity. This is due to a combination of increased demand, pollution, and climate change, affecting the availability of clean, usable water.

Global Water Distribution

• A vast 96.5% of the world’s water is held within the salty embrace of our oceans. In contrast, a mere 2.5% is freshwater, a limited resource crucial for our survival. Of this freshwater, a significant 70% is locked away in ice sheets and glaciers in places like Antarctica, Greenland, and mountainous regions, while just under 30% is stored below the Earth’s surface in aquifers, like hidden treasure.

Water in India

• Despite its size, India receives only about 4% of the world’s precipitation. Surprisingly, when we measure water availability per person each year, India stands at the 133rd position globally. This ranking reflects the challenge of distributing water resources across a populous nation.

Renewable Water Resources in India

• India’s annual renewable water resources are estimated at approximately 1,897 square kilometers. This represents the sustainable water supply available for various needs while maintaining the health of our water systems.

Water Scarcity

• Abundance and Renewability of Water: Earth’s water seems abundant and renewable due to the hydrological cycle, but scarcity is a real concern.
• Water Scarcity and Region: Water scarcity is often associated with regions that have low rainfall or are prone to droughts, like the deserts of Rajasthan.
• Visual of Water Scarcity: The mental image of women carrying earthen pots for water, traveling long distances, is a poignant symbol of water scarcity.
• Variability in Water Resources: Water availability changes with seasons and years due to variations in precipitation, affecting different regions differently.
• Causes of Water Scarcity: In most cases, water scarcity is caused by over-exploitation, excessive use, and unequal access to water among various social groups.

Causes of Water Scarcity

• Water scarcity can exist in areas that seem to have abundant water resources. Many cities face this paradox due to factors like growing population and increased water demands.
• Population Growth and Water Demand: Large and expanding populations lead to greater water demands, not just for domestic use but also for food production. To boost food-grain production, water resources are over-exploited for irrigation, impacting groundwater levels.
• Industrialization and Urbanization: Post-independent India experienced rapid industrialization and urbanization, creating numerous opportunities. However, the surge in industries and urban centers exerts pressure on existing freshwater resources.
• Industrial Water Usage: Industries are heavy water users, and they also rely on power, much of which comes from hydroelectric sources. Approximately 22% of India’s electricity is generated from hydroelectric power.
• Urban Growth and Water Depletion: The proliferation of densely populated urban areas with modern lifestyles increases water and energy demands. Many urban areas use groundwater pumping devices, leading to overexploitation and depletion of fragile water resources.

Facts about Water Conservation

• Ancient Water Management in Sringaverapura: Around the first century B.C., the city of Sringaverapura near Allahabad showcased an advanced water harvesting system, diverting flood waters from the Ganges River.
• Mauryan Era Infrastructure: During the reign of Chandragupta Maurya, extensive construction of dams, lakes, and irrigation systems took place.
• Evidence of Ingenious Irrigation: Evidence of sophisticated irrigation systems has been discovered in various regions, including Kalinga (Odisha), Nagarjunakonda (Andhra Pradesh), Bennur (Karnataka), and Kolhapur (Maharashtra).
• 11th Century Bhopal Lake: In the 11th century, the construction of Bhopal Lake, considered one of the largest artificial lakes of its time, was a remarkable achievement.
• 14th Century’s Hauz Khas Tank: In the 14th century, Iltutmish oversaw the construction of the Hauz Khas tank in Delhi, designed to supply water to the Siri Fort area.

Need for Water Conservation

• Water conservation is imperative for several compelling reasons. Here are five detailed points highlighting the need for water conservation:
• Preservation of Ecosystems: Water conservation is crucial for maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems. Many plants, animals, and aquatic species rely on consistent water flows in rivers, lakes, and wetlands. Excessive water extraction can disrupt these ecosystems, leading to the decline or extinction of certain species. By conserving water, we protect these invaluable habitats and the biodiversity they support.
• Mitigation of Water Scarcity: The world faces a growing water scarcity crisis due to factors like population growth, urbanization, and climate change. Water conservation is essential to mitigate this crisis. By using water efficiently, we ensure a reliable supply for essential needs like drinking, sanitation, and agriculture. This is particularly vital in regions prone to droughts or with limited access to freshwater sources.
• Energy and Cost Savings: Water conservation goes hand in hand with energy efficiency. Pumping, treating, and heating water demands significant energy. By reducing water usage, we lower the associated energy costs and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, conserving water can lead to lower water utility bills, benefiting households and businesses.
• Sustainable Agriculture: Agriculture is a major consumer of water resources. Water conservation practices, such as precision irrigation and improved soil management, enhance agricultural efficiency. This not only reduces water use but also contributes to sustainable food production, crucial for global food security.
• Climate Change Resilience: Climate change is causing more frequent and severe weather patterns, including droughts and extreme rainfall events. Water conservation measures, such as rainwater harvesting and drought-resistant water sources, build resilience against these climate-related challenges. They ensure that communities have adequate water supplies even in changing climate conditions.

Ways to Conserve Water

• Invest in Modern Infrastructure: Upgrading and maintaining water infrastructure at a regional or national level can significantly reduce water losses during distribution. Repairing and replacing aging pipes and improving water treatment facilities can help prevent leaks and inefficiencies.
• Legislation and Regulation: Enacting and enforcing water conservation laws and regulations is vital. This can include setting standards for water efficiency in industries, agriculture, and municipalities. Implementing strict water-use guidelines and monitoring compliance can help ensure responsible water management.
• Water Recycling and Reuse: Promote water recycling and reuse practices, especially in industries and agriculture. Treating and reusing wastewater, whether from industrial processes or urban sources, reduces the demand on freshwater resources and conserves water on a large scale.

DAM

• A dam is a formidable structure erected across the path of a flowing body of water, meticulously designed to impede, guide, or decelerate the natural flow of the watercourse. In doing so, it frequently results in the formation of a vast reservoir, an expansive lake, or an extensive impoundment. Remarkably, the term “dam” does not merely pertain to the physical structure itself but encapsulates the entirety of the water body it holds, shaping landscapes and water resources in profound ways.

Uses of DAMS

• Irrigation: Dams store water for agricultural irrigation.
• Hydropower: Dams generate electricity from flowing water.
• Water Supply: Dams provide water for urban and industrial use.
• Flood Control: Dams regulate water flow to prevent floods.
• Recreation and Ecology: Dams create opportunities for leisure and support aquatic ecosystems.

Side Effects of DAMS

• Altered Natural Flow: Damming rivers disrupts their natural flow patterns, which can have far-reaching ecological consequences.
• Diminished Aquatic Habitats: Aquatic life in rivers may suffer due to the changed water conditions and loss of suitable habitats.
• Migration Barriers: Fragmented rivers pose challenges for the migration of aquatic fauna, hindering their life cycles.
• Submergence of Ecosystems: Dams built on floodplains lead to the submergence of existing ecosystems, causing soil decomposition over time.
• Environmental Activism: The construction of large dams often triggers environmental movements, as seen with initiatives like the ‘Narmada Bachao Andolan’ and the ‘Tehri Dam Andolan.’
• Displacement of Local Communities: Local populations sometimes face displacement, losing their land, livelihoods, and control over resources due to dam construction.

Rainwater Harvesting

• Rainwater harvesting is an eco-friendly technique that involves collecting and storing rainwater for various uses. It typically includes capturing rain from rooftops, directing it through gutters and downspouts into storage tanks or reservoirs. This stored rainwater can be used for irrigation, landscape maintenance, flushing toilets, and even for drinking with proper treatment. Rainwater harvesting reduces the strain on conventional water sources, conserves water, and minimizes urban runoff, which can carry pollutants into natural water bodies. It’s a sustainable and efficient practice that helps mitigate water scarcity and promotes environmental responsibility.

Different Methods of Rainwater Harvesting

• Hill and Mountain Regions: ‘Guls’ and ‘Kuls’ are used in the Western Himalayas for agricultural water diversion.
• Rooftop Harvesting: Common in Rajasthan for drinking water storage.
• Flood Plains: Inundation channels are used for field irrigation in Bengal.
• Arid Regions: ‘Khadins’ in Jaisalmer and ‘Johads’ in Rajasthan convert fields into rainfed storage structures.
• Tankas: Rooftop systems with underground storage rooms, particularly in Rajasthan (e.g., Bikaner, Phalodi, and Barmer) to conserve rainwater and provide cooling in hot summers.

The Krishna- Godavari Dispute

• The Krishna-Godavari river dispute arises from objections raised by the governments of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The core issue revolves around the Maharashtra government’s plan to divert additional water at the Koyna reservoir for a multipurpose project. This diversion has the potential to diminish downstream water flow in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, which could have adverse consequences for agriculture and industry in those states. This dispute underscores the complexity of managing shared water resources and the need for collaborative agreements among states to ensure equitable and sustainable use of these vital waterways.