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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.
Despite being the second highest rainfall-receiving state of the country, Maharashtra still faces water crisis. Substantiate this statement in 40 words.
Answer by Student
Answer:
Traditional irrigation practices like flood irrigation lead to water shortages in Maharashtra, despite its high rainfall, because:
- Flood irrigation uses more water than required by the crops
- Flood irrigation causes water loss due to runoff and evaporation
- Flood irrigation reduces water availability for other purposes
Detailed Answer by Teachoo
Traditional irrigation practices like flood irrigation lead to water shortages in Maharashtra, despite its high rainfall, because:
- Flood irrigation uses more water than required by the crops
-
Flood irrigation is a method of irrigation where water is applied to the field in large quantities, covering the entire surface of the soil. The water flows through furrows or channels and reaches the roots of the plants.
- Flood irrigation is an inefficient and wasteful method of irrigation, as it uses more water than the crops actually need. It also does not take into account the soil type, crop type, or climatic conditions, which affect the water requirement of the crops.
- Flood irrigation causes water loss due to runoff and evaporation
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Flood irrigation leads to water loss due to runoff and evaporation. Runoff is the excess water that flows out of the field and drains into nearby water bodies or groundwater. Evaporation is the process of water turning into vapour and escaping into the atmosphere.
-
Runoff and evaporation
reduce the amount of water
that reaches the roots of the plants and increases the salinity of the soil. They also cause soil erosion and nutrient leaching, which affect the fertility and productivity of the soil.
- Flood irrigation reduces water availability for other purposes
-
Flood irrigation consumes a large amount of water, which reduces the availability of water for other purposes, such as domestic, industrial, and environmental use. This creates a situation of
water scarcity and conflict
among different users of water.
- Flood irrigation also affects the quality of water, as it carries pollutants and sediments from the fields into the surface water or groundwater. This poses risks to human health and aquatic life.
