WATER RESOURCES IN INDIA

INTRODUCTION

1. Rivers, lakes, ponds, lagoons, etc are the water resources in India.

2.Total water available through precipitation is 4000 cubic km annually.

3. The availabity from surface water- 1869 km³.

IMPORTANCE OF IRRIGATION

Irrigation refers to the process of watering of agricultural plants through artificial means from wells, tanks, tubewells, canals, etc.

92% of water for agriculture

2% for industries

6% for drinking and domestic purposes.

IMPORTANCE OF IRRIGATION

In India irrigation has been practised from ancient times.

ex. two big tanks in Chingleput district (TN)

Constructed in 8th & 9th centuries AD.

The grand Anicut built across the Kaveri river during the 2nd centuary AD.

IMPORTANCE OF IRRIGATIONIrrigation potential was regarded was one of

the prerequisites for agricultural development in the country because of the following reasons.

1. Uncertainty of rainfall

2. Uneven distribution of rainfall.

3. Crop requirements

4. Nature of the soil.

5. To utilise river water effectively

6. To maximise production

MEANS OF IRRIGATION

1. Wells

2. Canals

3. Tanks

4. Furrow Irrigation

5. Spray Irrigation

6. Drip Irrigation

1.WELLS

A well is a small hole dug in the surface of the earth to obtain water from the subsoil.

It is cheap, simple and dependable source.

Practised in areas where plenty of ground water is available. Where depth of water table not more than 15m.

Confined mainly to the alluvial plains as it is easy to dug because of soft nature of soil.

Water is lifted from the well for Irrigation in number of ways.

1. Persian wheel metod.

2. Lever method

3. Inclined plane method

4. Power driven pumps ( Table wells)

1. Pertian wheel method

2. Lever method

3. Inclined Plane Method

4. Power driven pumps

2. CANALS

Canal is an artificial waterway constructed to convey water for irrigation and other purposes.

India has one of the world's largest canal system streching over more than 1 lakh km.

The irrigation canals are of two types-

1. Inundation canals

2. Perennial canals

CANAL

1. Inundation canals1. These canals are are drawn directly from

large rivers without making any barrage or dam.

2. These canals provide water only when rivers are flooded.

3. Water level is reduced during dry season.

4. Can not supply water throughout the year.

5.Mostly found in punjab along the river Sutlez

2. Perennial canals

1. These are constructed by putting some kind of barrage across the river.

2. These have full of water throughout the year.

3. Mostly found in Northern plains.

Some of the longest canals in India

1.Upper Ganges canal – length 1412 km,From Haridwar to Alighar district.

2. Indira Gandhi canal – length 649 km, Rajasthan, Punjab and Hariyana.

3. Buckingham canal – length 421 km, From Vijaywada to Villupuram district in TamilNadu.

4. Sutlej Yamuna Link canal – length 214 km, connect the Sutlej and Yamuna rivers.

4. Furrow Irrigation

5. Sprinkle Irrigation

6. Drip Irrigation