Chapter Overview
Water is essential for life, agriculture, industry and domestic use. Uneven rainfall, rising demand and over-exploitation create water stress, making conservation, rainwater harvesting and careful management important.
Detailed Textbook-Aligned Concepts
Water scarcity
Scarcity may result from population growth, intensive irrigation, urbanisation, industrialisation and unequal access. Even areas with rainfall can experience shortages when demand is high.
Multipurpose river projects
Dams can provide irrigation, hydroelectricity, flood control, water supply, navigation and recreation. They may also cause displacement, ecological change and conflicts over benefits and costs.
Integrated water management
Water planning must consider river basins, groundwater, surface water, agriculture, cities and ecosystems together rather than treating each use separately.
Rainwater harvesting
Collecting and storing rainwater can recharge groundwater and reduce dependence on distant supplies. Traditional and modern systems are used in different regions.
Groundwater and irrigation
Excessive pumping can lower water tables. Efficient irrigation, watershed management and crop choices can reduce pressure on groundwater.
Water conservation
Reducing wastage, reusing water, protecting catchments and maintaining recharge areas are key components of sustainable water management.
Last-Minute Revision
Revise the definitions, causes, effects, examples, comparisons and textbook activities. Practise map/figure-based points where applicable and answer the chapter exercises in your own words.