Water: Some facts and figures Do you know? Three- fourth of the Earth’s Surface area is covered with water but only a small portion of it's accounts for freshwater that can be put to use
Out of 96.5 % of the total volume of world’s water 2.5% exists as freshwater. 70% of this freshwater occurs as ice sheets and glaciers in Antarctica, Greenland and mountainous regions Little less than 30% exist as groundwater in the aquifers. Water: Some facts and figures All water moves within the hydrological cycle ensuring that water is a renewable resource.
India receives 4% of global precipitation . Ranks 133 in terms of water availability per person per annum Total renewable water resources of India is 1897 sq.km.per annum Water: Some facts and figures
By 2025 , it is estimated that large parts of India will join countries or region having complete water scarcity If 3/4 of the world is covered with water and water is a renewable resource, then why countries around that globe suffer from water scarcity?
Earth has a lot of water, but only a small part is freshwater from sources like surface runoff and groundwater.
Water scarcity is a global issue, even though water is renewable through the hydrological cycle.
Nearly two billion people may face severe water scarcity by 2025
Water Scarcity Causes:
Water Scarcity Falkenmark , a Swedish expert said water stress occurs when water availability is between 1000 and 1600 cubic metre per person per year.
Over-exploitation, excessive use, and unequal access are key contributors.
Large and growing populations, along with unequal access, exacerbate the problem.
Overall these are the six reasons which cause water scarcity: Overpopulation Intense urbanisation Unequal access Water Pollution Intense agriculture Lack of planning
Sources of Freshwater:
Freshwater is obtained from precipitation, surface runoff, and groundwater.
Impact On Agriculture:
Over-exploitation in irrigated agriculture leads to water scarcity.
Drought-resistant crops and dry farming techniques are necessary solutions.
Industrialization & Urbanization Impact:
Industrialization and urbanization increase water and energy demands.
Industries and dense populations over-exploit water resources, causing depletion.
Water scarcity in India is compounded by poor water quality and pollution. Concerns in India:
Government initiatives like the Jal Jeevan Mission aim to improve rural water access.
The focus is on achieving a service level of 55 litters per capita per day through tap water connections. Government Response:
Conservation and proper management of water resources are crucial for health, food security, livelihoods, and ecosystem preservation. Overall Urgency:
Overexploitation and mismanagement pose risks of ecological crises.
Water Conservation & Management Practices Dam construction Rainwater Harvesting But, how do we conserve and manage water?
MULTI-PURPOSE RIVER PROJECTS AND INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
Hydraulic Structures in Ancient India In the first century B.C. , Sringaverapura near Allahabad had sophisticated water harvesting system channelling the flood water of the river Ganga. During Mauryan period , irrigation system such as dam, lakes were extensively built Evidences of sophisticated irrigation works have also been found in Kalinga, Nagarjunakonda, Bennur, Kolhapur etc. In the 11th century , Bhopal Lake , one of the l argest artificial lakes of its time was built In the 14th century, the tank in Hauz Khas , Delhi was constructed by Iltutmish for supplying water to Siri Fort area.
Ancient India has been constructing hydraulic structures like dams, reservoirs, lakes, embankments. canals for irrigation, which continues to be built in modern India's river basins
Dam Construction A Dam is a barrier across flowing water that obstructs, directs or retards the flow often creating a reservoir, lake or impoundment. “Dam” refers to the reservoir
Originally for irrigation, dams are now multi-purpose projects. Examples: Bhakra-Nangal for power and irrigation, Hirakud for various uses. Dams' Evolution:
Multi-purpose projects symbolized overcoming colonial past. Nehru termed dams as 'temples of modern India' for holistic development. Post-Independence Vision:
Opposition due to river flow impact, habitat disruption, and ecological issues. Dams fragment rivers, harm fauna, and cause environmental damage. Environmental Concerns:
Environmental movements (e.g., 'Narmada Bachao Andolan') oppose displacement. Resistance from communities, benefiting landowners, farmers, and urban areas. Social Impact:
Altered cropping patterns lead to soil salinization. Social divide emerges between rich and poor due to irrigation changes. Irrigation Challenges:
Conflicts over water resources, like riots over urban water supply priorities. Inter-state disputes over shared costs and benefits. Water Resource Conflicts:
Dams fail to control floods due to sedimentation and excessive rainfall. Result in soil erosion, land degradation, earthquakes, diseases, pests, and pollution. Unintended Consequences:
Ancient India had an effective water harvesting system based on knowledge of rainfall and soil types. Implemented methods included diversion channels, rooftop rainwater harvesting, and storage structures in hilly areas. Ancient India's Water Harvesting:
Regions like Bikaner, Phalodi, and Barmer in Rajasthan had traditional underground tanks for drinking water. Rooftop rainwater harvesting, connected to sloping roofs, provided a reliable source, especially during dry seasons. Examples from Rajasthan:
Underground tanks were linked to houses, storing rainwater known as "palar pani." These tanks served as a crucial drinking water source, and some houses had adjacent underground rooms to keep the water cool. Storage and Usage:
In western Rajasthan, rooftop rainwater harvesting is declining due to the availability of the Indira Gandhi Canal. Despite this, some houses still maintain tanks for the sake of taste- consciousness. Challenges in Western Rajasthan:
Rooftop rainwater harvesting is successful in both rural and urban areas. Example from Gendathur, Mysuru, Karnataka, where nearly 200 households installed the system, collecting about 50,000 liters of water annually per house. Success Stories in India:
The system has an 80% collection efficiency, allowing each house to collect and utilize around 50,000 liters of water annually with 10 fillings. This results in an impressive total of 1,00,000 liters of rainwater per house annually. Efficiency and Impact: