Question

assignment on water resources

Answer 1

# Water Resources

>> Water is an essential renewable resource for life on earth. We use it for drinking, bathing , relaxing , fishing , keeping cool, cooking food and irrigation fields. Most of the ancient civilizations flourished and developed along the river valleys. For example, Nile , Indus, Tigris and Euphrates. It provides a base for sustenance of life.

<> Characteristics of water resources

* It is the most widely distribution substance on earth. Seventy-one percent of the earth's surface is covered with it.

* It was in primitive oceans that life began almost 3.5 billion years ago.

* It is present in all three states , i.e. solid, liquid and gas.

* It's a renewable resource.

* It is abundantly found on earth.

* It is home to a rich variety of plants and marine life.

<> Problems of water availability

>> Water is renewable resource. Fresh water is precious and constant. It can neither be added nor be subtracted. Access to clean and adequate water sources is a major problem facing the world today. Growing population, unequal access , increase in demands for food , cash , crop cultivation, intensive farming , use of fertilizers and HYV ( High yielding Variety) seeds , commercialisation , urbanisation , and modern ways that many regions of the world are facing scarcity of this essential resource.

<> Water pollution

>> Water pollution means contamination of water due to any external material which makes it unsuitable for use. Even if there is ample water to meet the needs of people, there is a concern that much of it may be polluted by domestic and industrial wastes, untreated sewage , chemicals, pesticides and fertilisers used in agriculture. Most of the pollutants are non- biodegradable, making it hazardous for human use.

<> Conservation of water

>> To ensure our livelihoods and safeguard ourselves from health hazards, for food security and prevent degradation of our natural eco systems , we need to conserve and manage water resource.

<> Some of the ways to conserve water resources are:

* Control deforestation

* Increase forest and vegetation

* Rational use of underground water

* Water harvesting

* Use of sprinklers

* Drip irrigation

* proper limiting of irritation canals to check wastage through seepage.

* Treatment of waste water.