Introduction

Life is possible on earth due to presence of

water. Water is also found below the earth’s
surface.
Rainwater, oceans, rivers, lakes, streams,
ponds and springs—natural sources of water.
Dams wells tubewells handpumps and canals–
manmade resources.
 Need to conserve water
• Overexploitation of underground water results
lowering of water table.
• Due to Ganga-Brahmaputra’s overexploitation,
their glaciers are melting at a high rate.
• Due to India's seasonal rainfall, conservation of
water helps during the scarcity periods.
• Due to industries’ huge amount of water
utilization, conservation of water is necessary.
• Afforestation encouraged, increases the
transpiration which enhances the rate of
precipitation.
 Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting can be defined as the
method of storage or conservation of water by
use of water tanks during rainfall, so that dry
seasons are not followed by scarcity of water.
 Johads
Johads are check dams or embankments built to
store rainwater during the monsoon season on a
large scale to prevent scarcity of water during dry
season. Johads are abundant in Rajasthan.
 Importance of rain water harvesting
• This process is a means to preserve rainwater to
be used in dry season and in dry areas.
• Rainwater, which flows into the drains without
any use, can be used for mankind purposes by
applying this method.
• To meet population demands, this process can be
practised all over India.
• It improves the quality of groundwater by diluting
salinity.
• It provides drinking water when all other sources
have dried up.
 Storing Mechanism
Water harvesting is the
activity of direct collection
of rainwater. The rain water
collected can be stored for
direct use or can be
recharged into the ground
water. The various methods
of rainwater harvesting are
classified below under two
categories -Traditional and
Modern Methods. Storing
mechanism are known by
different names in different
areas.
 Traditional Methods
• Kunds of the thar desert.
• Bamboo Drip Irrigation of north-eastern hilly
region.
• Kul Irrigation of Trans-Himalayas.
• Johads in central India.
• Bhandaras in the Deccan plateau.
• Surangam in Western Ghats.
• Zing in Ladakh.
• Cheruva- types of reservoir in A.P.
• Dongs- ponds in Assam.
• Kere- Tanks in Karnataka.
Traditional Methods
 Modern Methods
• Pit recharge– To recharge the shallow aquifers,
pits are constructed.
• Trenches– To collect water in depth, trenches are
constructed.
• Filtration tank– Roof top water is carried with the
help of pipe to a filtration tank.
• Dugwell– rainwater, roof top water collected in
dugwell.
• Ferrocement tank– Type of storage made up of
simple materials.
Modern Methods
 Irrigation–Importance
• Seasonal rainfall
• Uncertain rainfall
• Uneven distribution of rainfall
• Erratic Rainfall
• Cultivation of certain crops
• Hot climate
• Green Revolution Programme
 Irrigation–Potential
• Perennial Rivers
• Low-level Land
• Reservoir of Groundwater
• Sites for Construction Dams
Means of Irrigation
 Types of Irrigation

Canals Tanks Wells

Surface or
Inundation Perennial Tubewell
sub-surface
 Canal Irrigation
• Inundation–these canals are taken out from rivers
without building barrages. These canals are
useful for controlling flood.
• Perennial– these canals can be constructed
where the rivers have water in them throughout
the year. The canal draw water throughout the
year and irrigate larger areas.
 Canals
Advantages Disadvantages
• Water is provided • Construction of canals is
throughout the year. very costly.
• Very large areas can be • Sometimes fields are
irrigated. overflooded.
• Overflooding leads to salt
• Inundation Canals control effervescence.
flood.
• Problem of water-logging
has rendered extensive
areas.
Areas – Sutlej-Ganga plains, Peninsular India and the deltas
of the Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri[Northern India]
 Difference between Perennial Canal and
Inundation Canal
Perennial Canal Inundation Canal

• It supplies water • It supplies water during rainy

throughout the year.
• Cost of construction high.
• It irrigates larger areas.
• There is a weir at the head
to check the flow of water.
season.
• Construction cost is cheaper.
• It irrigates smaller areas.
• There is no regulator to
check the flow of water
 Tank Irrigation-Natural hollows
Advantages Disadvantages
• Allows monsoon waters to • Has no such use in drought
be stored. period.
• Raises the underground • Occupy larger area
water level. • Due to high temp., water is
• Tank irrigation is cheaper. lost through evaporation.
• Form the source of water.
Areas – Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha,
Maharashtra, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
 How to conserve water
Preventing and controlling of the depletion and
degradation of water is known as conservation of
water.
1. Water saving technology has to be developed.
2. Prevent water pollution.
3. Encourage watershed development.
4. Promoting Rainwater Harvesting.
5. Recycling and reusing of water in the industry
and urban areas.
 Well Irrigation

Wells are of three types:-

1. Unlined wells– also known as
‘Kuchcha’ wells are the large holes dug
near the field. They are not lined with
brick or cement.
2. Lined wells– a lined or pucca wells are
lined with brick or cement. Such wells
are perennial also.
3. Tube wells– Large reserves of water, found at
lower depth, are drawn by digging deep
bore, known as tubewells, with a drilling
machine.
Advantages Disadvantages
• They can irrigate larger areas. • They are very costly to set
• They do not dry up in dry up.
period. • They cannot be
• Water is not polluted. constructed in remote
• They are not affected by failure areas.
of rain. • Tubewell construction is
• They do not strain to the men not possible on India's hard
and animals due to their soil.
electricity work.
 Surface and Sub-surface Well Irrigation
Advantages
• Easy to dig
• Can be dug at any places.
• Is easily accessible to the
farmland.
• Cheaper to construct.
• Farmer has control over water
flow.
• Does not occupy larger areas.
Disadvantages
• Surface wells are not too
deep and dry during dry
season.
• Can irrigate only smaller
areas.
• Irrigation is time taking.
• Well water in most areas turn
into brackish(salty
water)which is unsuitable.

Areas– Uttar Pradesh ,Haryana, Punjab, Bihar and West Bengal.

 Sprinkler Irrigation
Advantages Disadvantages
• There is no loss of water. • Higher initial cost.
• Suitable for all types of • Helpful for crops which
soils. require less water.
• Increases yield and checks • Can not be used in all crops
soil erosion. such as jute and paddy.
• Facilities of using soluble
fertilizers.
 Drip Irrigation
Advantages
• Water application efficiency
is high.
• Fertilizer and nutrient loss
in minimum.
• Water distribution is
uniform.
• Soil erosion is lessened.
Disadvantages
• This method is expensive.
• Requires special technical
knowledge.
• Is not suitable for every
crop.
• In case of uneven land,most
of the dripper work on
pressure.
 Central Pivot Irrigation
Central pivot irrigation consist of a series of
pipes each with a wheel about 1.5 m in
diameter with water being supplied through
one end with a hose. This is most commonly
used method for oddly shaped field.
 Sub or Seep Irrigation
• This type of irrigation is mostly used in field
with high water tables. Through this method
the water table is artificially raised to allow
the plants to be watered directly into their
roots. This method is very efficient in terms of
water saving. This method is commonly used
in greenhouses for potted plants.