CHAPTER 3 – WATER RESOURCES

Q. What is water scarcity? What are the two aspects of it? 1+2
Water scarcity refers to the situation when the available fresh water is insufficient to meet the needs of people,
agriculture, industry, and the environment in a particular region.
It can be caused by physical shortage, poor distribution, overuse, or pollution of water resources.
Quantitative water scarcity and qualitative water scarcity are two ways of classifying water scarcity based on the
nature of the shortage:
1. Quantitative Water Scarcity
o Meaning: There is not enough water available to meet the demand.
o Cause: Overuse, drought, low rainfall, population growth, and excessive irrigation.
o Example: Regions where rivers dry up before reaching the sea due to over-extraction.
2. Qualitative Water Scarcity
o Meaning: Water may be available in sufficient quantity, but its quality is too poor for use (unsafe for
drinking, irrigation, or industry).
o Cause: Pollution from industries, sewage discharge, agricultural chemicals, and saline intrusion.
o Example: A river near an industrial city where chemical waste makes water unfit for consumption.
Q. Disadvantages of Multi-purpose river valley projects. 5
1. Environmental Problems
• Disturbance of natural river flow – leads to poor sediment flow and excessive sedimentation in reservoirs.
• Habitat loss – rockier stream beds and reduced habitats for aquatic life.
• Fragmentation of rivers – prevents migration of aquatic fauna, affecting spawning.
• Submergence of vegetation and soil – causes decomposition and release of gases over time.
• Loss of fertile silt on floodplains – due to trapping of sediments in reservoirs, leading to land degradation.
• Soil salinisation – caused by over-irrigation and shift to water-intensive crops.
2. Ecological and Geological Problems
• Flooding – ironically, dams meant to control floods may trigger them due to sedimentation and excessive
rainfall overflow.
• Induced earthquakes – pressure from large water bodies can trigger seismic activity.
• Erosion – floods from dam releases cause extensive soil erosion.
3. Health and Pollution Problems
• Water-borne diseases and pests – stagnant reservoir water becomes a breeding ground.
• Pollution – excessive use of water and agricultural chemicals contaminates the environment.
4. Agricultural Problems
• Change in cropping patterns – farmers shift to water-intensive commercial crops, which may harm long-term
soil health.
In short, large dams can have serious environmental, ecological, health, and agricultural consequences despite their
intended benefits.
Q. Advantages of dams. 5
Advantages of Dams
1. Irrigation Support
o Provide a reliable water supply for agriculture, especially in dry seasons.
o Enable multiple cropping and expansion of cultivated areas.
2. Hydroelectric Power Generation
o Produce renewable electricity without burning fossil fuels.
o Reduce dependency on imported energy sources.
3. Flood Control
o Regulate river flow to reduce flood risks in downstream areas.
o Store excess rainwater for controlled release.
4. Water Supply
o Ensure continuous water availability for domestic, industrial, and municipal needs.
5. Navigation
o Facilitate inland water transport by maintaining stable water levels.
6. Fisheries and Aquatic Life
 o Reservoirs can be used for fish breeding and aquaculture.
7. Recreation and Tourism
o Reservoirs and surrounding areas can be developed for boating, fishing, and tourism.
8. Drought Mitigation
o Stored water can be used during periods of low rainfall to maintain agriculture and water supply.
Q. What are the methods of rain water harvesting practiced in India? 5
Methods of Rainwater Harvesting
From the passage and traditional practices in India, the main methods include:
1. Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting
o Rainwater falling on roofs is collected and directed into storage tanks (e.g., tankas in Rajasthan).
o Common in arid and semi-arid regions like Bikaner, Phalodi, and Barmer.
o First rainfall is usually let out to clean the roof and pipes; subsequent rainfall is stored for drinking
water.
2. Diversion Channels
o Channels built to divert water from streams or springs to fields for irrigation.
o Example: Guls or Kuls in the Western Himalayas.
3. Inundation Channels
o Used in flood plains to channel floodwater to agricultural fields.
o Example: Practised in Bengal to irrigate crops.
4. Rain-fed Storage Structures in Fields
o Agricultural land designed to store rainwater and moisten soil for a longer time.
o Examples: Khadins in Jaisalmer, Johads in Rajasthan.
5. Underground Storage Tanks
o Large tanks built inside houses or courtyards to store rainwater.
o Connected to sloping roofs through pipes; water stored can last until the next rainy season.
Q. What is PMKSY? What are its objectives? 1+4
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)
• It is a government programme launched to ensure protective irrigation to all agricultural farms in India,
thereby promoting rural prosperity.
• It aims to provide water to every farm (Har Khet Ko Pani), improve water-use efficiency, and encourage
sustainable irrigation practices.
Objectives of PMKSY:
1. Enhance physical access of water on farms and expand the cultivable area under assured irrigation (Har Khet
Ko Pani).
2. Improve on-farm water use efficiency to reduce wastage and increase the availability of water in terms of
both duration and coverage.
3. Promote water-saving technologies such as drip irrigation and sprinkler systems (Per Drop More Crop).
4. Introduce sustainable water conservation practices for long-term ecological balance.
5. Integrate water sources and distribution systems to ensure optimal utilisation.

Q. Write a short note on “Atal Bhujal Yojana”. 3

Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal) is being implemented in 8220 water stressed Gram Panchayats of 229 administrative
blocks/ talukas in 80 districts of seven states, viz. Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,
Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. The selected States account for about 37 per cent of the total number of water—
stressed (over-exploited, critical and semi-critical) blocks in India. One of the key aspects of Atal Jal is to bring in
behavioural changes in the community, from the prevailing attitude of consumption to conservation and smart water
management.
Q. What is the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and what is its main goal? 2/3
The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) is a Government of India initiative aimed at improving the quality of life and ease of
living, especially in rural areas, by providing every rural household with an assured supply of potable piped water.
Its main goal is to ensure that each rural household receives 55 litres of safe drinking water per person per day
through functional tap water connections on a long-term and regular basis.
Q. Map : River valley projects
1. River valley project on Chenab – Salal
2. River valley project on Satluj – Bhakra Nangal
3. River valley project on Ganga - Tehri
4. River valley project on Chambal – Rana Pratap Sagar
5. River valley project on Narmada – Sardar Sarovar
6. River valley project on Mahanadi - Hirakud
7. River valley project on Krishna – Nagarjuna Sagar
8. River valley project on Tungabhadra - Tungabhadra