Geography

Concepts to cover

1. India's water resources: surface and groundwater potential, sectoral use (irrigation dominant), thermal power as the largest industrial user
2. Irrigation: canals, wells and tube wells, tanks; regional dominance of each
3. Multipurpose projects and reservoirs by river and state: Bhakra Nangal, Hirakud, Damodar valley (Maithon, Panchet), Nagarjuna Sagar, Gandhi Sagar, Indira Sagar, Sardar Sarovar, Tehri, Tungabhadra, Ghataprabha, Aliyar, Isapur, Kangsabati
4. Command Area Development Programme (1974-75) and Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (1996-97)
5. Groundwater depletion, over-exploited blocks, arsenic and fluoride contamination
6. Watershed management, rainwater harvesting (tankas, johads, kuls, bamboo drip), river interlinking
7. Water requirement of crops: sugarcane and rice least water-efficient, millets and pulses most
8. River pollution: untreated municipal sewage, industrial effluents and activities on channels and floodplains