Here are concise and organized Class 10 Geography (Water Resources) Notes covering key concepts for CBSE/NCERT curriculum:
Chapter 3: Water Resources
1. Importance of Water
- Essential for life: Agriculture, industries, households, ecosystems.
- Renewable but finite resource: Only 2.5% of Earth’s water is freshwater; usable portion is minimal.
- Growing scarcity: Due to population growth, urbanization, pollution, and over-exploitation.
2. Water Scarcity
- Causes:
- Overuse: Excessive withdrawal from rivers/groundwater.
- Unequal access: Disparities in availability between regions/communities.
- Pollution: Industrial waste, agricultural chemicals, sewage.
- Climate change: Erratic rainfall, droughts.
- Consequences: Depleted groundwater, conflicts, reduced agricultural output.
3. Sources of Freshwater
- Surface Water:
- Rivers, lakes, ponds.
- Examples: Ganga, Brahmaputra, Indus basins.
- Groundwater:
- Aquifers (replenished by rainfall).
- Issue: Over-extraction lowers water tables (e.g., Punjab, Haryana).
4. Multi-Purpose River Projects
- Purpose: Irrigation, hydropower, flood control, recreation.
- Examples:
- Bhakra Nangal (Satluj): Largest in India (Himachal/Punjab).
- Hirakud (Mahanadi): Longest dam (Odisha).
- Criticisms:
- Displacement of communities.
- Environmental damage (siltation, habitat loss).
- Unequal water distribution (e.g., Karnataka-TN Cauvery dispute).
5. Rainwater Harvesting
- Traditional Methods:
- Khadins (Rajasthan), Johads (water pits), Guls/Kuls (Himalayas).
- Modern Techniques:
- Rooftop harvesting → storage in tanks/recharging groundwater.
- Benefits: Reduces runoff, replenishes groundwater, low-cost.
- Examples:
- Rajasthan: Tankas (underground tanks).
- Tamil Nadu: Mandatory rainwater harvesting in buildings.
6. Water Conservation Methods
- Agricultural:
- Drip/Sprinkler irrigation.
- Industrial:
- Recycling wastewater.
- Domestic:
- Fixing leaks, using water-efficient fixtures.
- Government Schemes:
- Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Atal Bhujal Yojana (groundwater management).
7. Key Terms
- Dam: Barrier across rivers to store/control water.
- Watershed: Area draining into a river.
- Aquifer: Underground layer of water-bearing rock.
- Water Stress: <1,000 m³ water/person/year.
Exam Tips
- Case Studies: Revise Sardar Sarovar Dam (controversy) & Sukhomajri (Haryana) for conservation.
- Diagrams: Sketch rainwater harvesting system.
- 3R Approach: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle water.
- Stats: India receives 4% global rainfall but has 18% population.
Good luck! 🌊 Save these notes for quick revision. Focus on understanding causes of scarcity and conservation strategies.
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