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Maharashtra is a state located in western India, with a population of over 110 million people. The state is home to several large cities, including Mumbai, and has a significant agricultural sector. However, the state is facing a severe water crisis, with its water resources coming under increasing pressure due to climate change, industrialization, and urbanization. The main challenges faced by water resource management in Maharashtra are:
i. Overexploitation of groundwater: Maharashtra is one of the most groundwater-stressed states in India, with the demand for water exceeding the supply. Overexploitation of groundwater for agriculture and urban use has led to a decline in water levels, which has severe implications for the sustainability of water resources.
ii. Pollution of surface water: Industrialization and urbanization have led to the pollution of surface water bodies such as rivers and lakes. The pollution has led to water quality degradation, which poses risks to human health and the environment.
iii. Inefficient irrigation practices: The agricultural sector is the largest user of water in Maharashtra, accounting for around 80% of total water use. However, traditional irrigation practices such as flood irrigation are inefficient and lead to the wastage of water.
Mention any two reasons for the water crisis faced by the state of Maharashtra.
Answer:
Answer by Student
Two reasons for the water crisis faced by the state of Maharashtra are:
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Overexploitation of groundwater
for agriculture and urban use, which has led to a decline in water levels and sustainability.
- Pollution of surface water bodies due to industrialization and urbanization, which has led to water quality degradation and health risks.
Detailed Answer by Teachoo
Two reasons for the water crisis faced by the state of Maharashtra are:
- Overexploitation of groundwater for agriculture and urban use, which has led to a decline in water levels and sustainability.
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Groundwater is the water that is stored underground in aquifers, which are layers of porous rock or soil that can hold water. Groundwater is extracted through wells or boreholes for various purposes, such as irrigation, drinking, and industrial use.
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Maharashtra is one of the most groundwater-stressed states in India, with the demand for water exceeding the supply. According to a report by NITI Aayog, 71% of Maharashtra’s districts have overexploited their groundwater resources, meaning that they have withdrawn more water than they can recharge naturally.
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Overexploitation of groundwater has led to a decline in water levels, which has severe implications for the sustainability of water resources. It reduces the availability of water for future use, affects the quality and quantity of surface water, causes land subsidence and saltwater intrusion, and threatens the livelihoods and food security of millions of people.
- Pollution of surface water bodies due to industrialization and urbanization, which has led to water quality degradation and health risks.
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Surface water is the water that is found on the surface of the earth, such as rivers, lakes, ponds, streams, etc. Surface water is used for various purposes, such as irrigation, drinking, recreation, and power generation.
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Industrialization and urbanization have led to the pollution of surface water bodies in Maharashtra. Industries discharge their effluents and wastes into rivers and lakes without proper treatment, contaminating them with harmful chemicals and metals. Urban areas generate large amounts of sewage and solid waste, which also end up in surface water bodies without adequate sanitation and disposal systems.
- Pollution of surface water bodies has led to water quality degradation, which poses risks to human health and the environment. It affects the dissolved oxygen level, pH level, turbidity level, and biological oxygen demand of water, making it unfit for human consumption and aquatic life. It also causes diseases such as cholera, typhoid, dysentery, hepatitis, etc., which affect millions of people every year.
