Question

Write note on availability of water on earth and in India. Why do we need to ensure proper management of water resources?

Answer 1

Only about 3% of world’s total water supply is potable or can be used for agricultural purposes (fresh water). Of this, while the ground-water reserves constitute about 30%, rivers, lakes etc. make up less than 1% of the reserves. 69% of the remaining water are in the form of ice and glaciers.

In India, the main sources of water are from rivers and lakes. These rely on water from ice melts or rain. The reliance on ground-water is high – both for drinking and agricultural purposes.

It is a known fact that unless water and its resources are preserved and used judiciously, the world is heading towards a serious water crisis. Hence the onus is on people to conserve water and maintain its resources.