WATER RESOURCES

 Two-Thirds of the Earth is covered with water. Most of the earth`s freshwater is found in rivers, streams, lakes and ponds. The saline water in the ocean has to be treated before it is fit for consumption. Water is an indispensable resource because all types of life are dependent on it. Freshwater is used in agriculture and also for industrial and domestic consumption. But, its availability depends on the amount of rainfall while others remain deficient. In areas of heavy rainfall, water seepage creates a good reserve of underground water which is another source of freshwater.

The amountof available freshwater may also vary according to the pattern of consumption in a region. However, the water cycle in which water evaporates, forms clouds and then precipitates back to the surface keeping the amount of water almost stable.

Freshwaters accounts for only 2.5% of the Earth`s water, and most of it is frozen in glaciers and ice caps. The remaining unfrozen freshwater is mainly found as groundwater, with only a small fraction present above ground or in the air.

In many countries including India, river valley projects have been developed to utilize water for various purposes. For multi-purpose projects, dams are constructed and water is collected in a reservoir. This water is put to various uses such as irrigation, hydroelectricity power generation, afforestation, navigation, etc. Most of the large rivers across the world have been utilized for this purpose.

The amount of rainfall in India is unevenly distributed which makes freshwater availability insufficient in many regions. After independence, the government undertook many multi-purpose projects to make water easily available for farming and other activities. Many such projects have made the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan fit for agriculture and also help in controlling floods and soil conservation. However, increasing urbanization water pollution and absence off water management are responsible for the choking of freshwater supplies, the world over the government at various levels needs to develop ways to conserve and manage water resources.