- Water is a basic resource on the earth for all living organisms including mankind and for development and survival of plant community.
- Water is needed for daily use of organism.
- It is used for irrigation, generating hydro-electricity, navigation, industries, domestic use etc.
- Water Resources can be divided into
Surface water resources and
Ground water resources.
- The surface water resources are rainfall, rivers, lakes, tanks & springs.
1. Surface water resources :
- India has been blessed with extensive surface water resorces, because of the large number of rivers and sufficient rainfall.
- The most important source of surface water is rainfall.
- The average rainfall in India is 118 cm.
- The second important source of surface water is the rivers. The average run *** in the river system of the country has been assessed at 1869 billion cubic meters [BCM].
- Approximately 60 – 65% of the total surface water resources are contributed by the North. Indian rivers. The remaining part is provided by other river systems.
2. Ground water resources : –
- The total collected ground water resources of the country have been estimated at 433 billion cubic metres of this about 40% is found in Ganga basin which has the highest potential in the country.
- Uttar Pradesh has the maximum potential followed by Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
- The average rainfall in India is 118 cm.
