Describe the potential water resources of India.
Rivers are major source of surface water in India. There are 10360 rivers and tributaries. The mean annual flow is estimated to 1869 billion cubic meters. Because of the topographical hydrological and other constraints only about 690 billion cubic meters (32%) of the available surface water can be utilized.
The table shows the basin wise ground water resources potential.
Basin-wise groundwater resources potential
|
Basin |
Total replenishable ground water resources (million hectare metre per year) |
Utilisable groundwater for irrigation (mill. hec. metre per year) |
Level of ground water development (percent) |
|
Indus Ganga Narmada Tapi Mahanadi Godavari Krishna Kaveri Brahmaputra |
2.55 17.17 1.19 0.82 2.13 4.68 2.66 1.36 2.79 |
2.17 14.59 1.01 0.67 1.81 3.94 2.23 1.16 2.37 |
79.29 30.79 15.31 20.19 4.32 14.98 29.11 44.72 2.12 |
Why is conservation and management of water resources essential in India? State any three reasons.
Mention the five characteristics each of 'surface water resources' and 'groundwater resources' in India.
State the salience of rain water harvesting.
Describe the watershed development and management programmes in the country initiated by the Central and State Governments.
