Water Conservation Notes with PDF
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Important Days and Themes
- World Water Day
- Date: Celebrated on March 22 every year.
- 2024 Theme: “Leveraging water for peace”.
Key Authorities and Plans in India
National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)
- Establishment: February 20, 2009, under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- Key Declaration: Declared the Ganga River a National River.
- Main Goal: Reduce pollution and protect the Ganga River using a river basin approach.
- Chairman: The Prime Minister of India.
Evolution of River Conservation Efforts
- 1985: Central Ganga Authority created.
- 1995: Renamed the National River Conservation Authority.
Yamuna Action Plan (YAP)
- Launch: Formally launched in 1993 to clean the Yamuna river.
- YAP III: Launched on May 7, 2016, as part of the Namami Gange Programme.
Other Key Bodies
- Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA): Created under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to regulate groundwater development.
- Irrigation Research and Management Organization: Established by the Central Water Commission in 1984.
Water-Related Acts and Laws in India
- The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act: Passed in 1974 (amended in 1988).
- The Water Cess Act: Passed in 1977, came into force in 1979.
Water Purification and Quality
Purification Methods & Disinfectants
- Common Methods: UV radiation, Ozone, Iodine, Chlorine, Chloramine, Chlorine dioxide.
- UV Radiation: Inactivates 99.99% of harmful microorganisms without altering taste or smell.
- Chlorine: The most commonly used disinfectant for drinking water.
Contamination
- Arsenic Contamination: Kolkata, West Bengal, has the highest level of arsenic contamination in drinking water in India.
Environmentalists and Terminology
- Rajendra Singh: Known as the ‘Waterman of India’.
- Greenwash: The act of making false promises of protecting the environment.
Conservation and Environmental Context
India’s Groundwater Usage
- India has the largest area under groundwater irrigation in the world (more than China and the US).
Threats to Aquatic Life (Ganges River Dolphin)
- Causes of Population Decline:
- Construction of dams and barrages.
- Accidental trapping in fishing nets.
- Pollution from synthetic fertilizers and industrial waste.
Sand Mining
- Negative Effects:
- Pollution of groundwater.
- Lowering of the water-table.
Lake Conservation
- National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP): Aims to restore lakes in urban areas.
- Lakes under NLCP: Bhoj (MP), Sukhana (Chandigarh), Pichola (Rajasthan).
- Not part of NLCP: Chilka Lake (Odisha).
International Example
- Aral Sea: Has shrunk immensely due to human activities.
Miscellaneous Facts
- Resource Type: Freshwater is considered an abiotic resource.
- Desert Plant Adaptations to reduce water loss:
- Hard and waxy leaves.
- Tiny or no leaves.
- Thorns instead of leaves.
- National Water Mission:
- Aims: To conserve water, reduce waste, and ensure equitable distribution.
- Goals: Include recycling wastewater for urban use and using technology to utilize ocean water for coastal cities.
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