Water resources

70% water Ocean/seas 97.5%

Earth Water Glaciers/ icecaps -

30% land 2.5.% fresh water

m o

Water scarcity
Water scarcity is a condition when there are insufficient freshwater resources to meet the human and
environmental demands of a given area
Causes -

I
Variations in seasonal and annual precipitation Dealing with water scarcity
i Over-exploitation Drought resistant crops
Excessive use Dry farming techniques
i Unequal access to water among different social groups
L Large and growing population

i Consequent greater demands for water

Expansion of irrigated areas for dry-season agriculture
L Intensive industrialisation and urbanisation -hydroelectric power
↳ Bad quality of water
Jal Jeevan mission
Improve quality of life and enhance ease of living in rural areas
Goal is to enable every rural household get assured supply of potable piped water at a service level of 55
litres per capita per day regularly on long-term basis by ensuring functionality of the tap water connections.

Dams
A dam is a barrier across flowing water to obstruct, direct or hamper its flow by often creating a
reservoir, lake, or impoundment. Most dams have a section called a spillway or weir over which water will
flow through- continuously or intermediately.

Dams are referred as multipurpose projects

Hydraulic Structures in Ancient India
* In the earlier days, they built traditionally to built to impound rivers and rainwater, that could be used to
irrigate agricultural fields.
* In the first century B.C, Sringaverapura near Allahabad, had sophisticated water harvesting system
channelling the flood water.
* During the time of Chandragupta Maurya, dams, lakes and irrigation system were extensively built.
* Evidences of sophisticated irrigation works have been found in
Kalinga(Odhisha), Bennur (Karnataka) and in Kolhapur (Maharashtra)
* In the 14th Century, the tank in Hauz Khaz, Delhi was built by Iltumish for supplying water to Siri Fort
Area.

Dams

Timber dams Embankment dams Masonry dams

( Made of wood) ( Made of naturally (Made of stone and brick)
available soil and rock )

Dams (based on height)

Low dams High dams

Medium dams

Advantages of dams
Electricity generation
Water supply for industrial and domestic uses
Flood control
Recreation
Inland navigation
Fish breeding

Bhakra Nangal project - sutlej-beas riverbasin (water used for Hydel power production and irrigation)
 Jawarhalal Nehru - proclaimed dams as " temples of modern India "
↳ It would integrate development of agriculture and the village economy with rapid industrialisation
and growth of the urban economy

Environmental impacts of dams

Disruption of flow causes excessive sedimentation. Sediments are rich in nutrients
Excessive sedimentation on one side results in rockier beds on the other side
Poor habitat for the aquatics
Dams fragment rivers making it difficult for aquatic fauna to migrate for spawning
Loss in soil fertility
Impoundment causes loss of vegetation and soil
Improper release of water from flood gates can cause floods
Can cause earthquakes
Social impacts of dams
Mass displacement