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| Hydrogeological Resources |
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| Due to unequal temperatures during the cooling process, earth's surface developed large number of vast depressions (where oceans are formed), mountains (due to which rains are intercepted) and valleys (where rain water is collected to flow in the form of rivers, streams). In addition, a part of rainfall received at surface infiltrates into the soil and forms what is popularly called 'underground water'. |
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| Underground water has its own course of movement below the surface - though it cannot be seen on the surface. |
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| Rainfall is the basis of all the hydro-geological sources. It is available in the form of river, stream, ocean, underground water (exploited through wells). |
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| Hydro geological resources available on earth are: |
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| Oceans |
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| Oceans occupy large part of earth. It is almost 2/3 part of earth's surface. It is often presumed that vast hydro source of oceans is a wasteful collection. But, without the presence of oceans, the hydrological cycle is incomplete. In absence of oceans, land wouldnt have received the rains. |
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| River system |
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| River system, which collect the rain water fallen on land to convey it to sea / ocean. |
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| Underground water |
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| Underground water is that part of rainwater, which is infiltrated into the soil and is developed into a source of water. |
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| Total rainfall in the country is estimated to contribute 400 million hectare meters (1 hectare metre = 10,000 cubic metre = 2,80,000 cu ft) of water annually. Out of this, 70 million hectare meters is lost as evaporation, 115 million hectares meters is converted into run off as rivers while 215 million hectares meters of water is percolated into soil to help recharging the ground water. Presently, we are using 38 million hectare meters water, of which 13 million hectare meter is from ground water and rest from surface flows. It is projected that by 2025, these may increase to 105 million hectare meters (total utilization), of which 35 million hectare meters will be from ground water resources. It is also estimated that 92% of water utilized is for irrigation and the balance is utilized for domestic and industrial purposes. |
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| During last 45 - 50 years, the total irrigated area has increased from 22.6 million ha (1950 - 51) to 74 million ha (1996 - 97) showing an improvement of utility of water resources. |
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| Utilization of underground water resources is more difficult than other sources. It is astonishing but true that water reaching the underground pool of water and water stored in tanks is almost double the entire year's flow of water in all the rivers. Realising this, large number of minor irrigation projects were encouraged. Today, the irrigation potentiality created and utilized under minor irrigation (both underground and surface) projects is 1.9 times more than that of irrigation potentiality created and utilized under major and medium irrigation projects. As at the end of 2000, 54 million hectares of irrigated area was developed due to underground water resources and tank water resources. |
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| Out of 142 million hectares of cultivated area of our country, 84 million hectares is irrigated due to utilization of all the water resources. Irrigation of this order has increased the agricultural food production from mere 50 million tons during 1950 - 51 to 203 million tons during 1999. Besides food, many other crops like jute, cotton, sugarcane, tobacco, coconut, arecanut, flowers, mango, apple, and other fruit crops as well as many plantation crops such as tea, coffee, cardamom, pepper have also improved their productivity and improved their respective trade / industry. For example, 766 cotton mills are presently working in our country compared to 79 mills in 1950 - 51. Thereby we are not only able to meet domestic demand for textiles, we are able to export large quantity of cotton garments. |
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| Water resources have acted as the main source of power generation in our country. At the end of 1997 - 98, 75 billion KWH electricity was generated by hydroelectric stations out of 410 billion KWH of power generated in our country. Although power generation in multipurpose project started during 1948, in the last 20 years it has gained momentum and most of the projects have come up to generate some electricity. National Hydro Electric Power Corporation has been established in 1975 to promote hydro electric power in central sector. Besides this, all the power projects pertaining to their river sources are managed by respective states. |
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