Page 42 - SST Class 04

India : Water

10
Resources

Water and I

Life was first born in water. It thrived in water. It is
sustained in water. It cannot survive without water. Life
cannot be possible without water, so important is water to
us and all living things like animals, birds, insects, reptiles,
fishes and trees. If water becomes polluted, the quality of
life will also suffer. Conservation of water is, therefore,
necessary for our own good.

Water covers about three-fourth of the earth’s surface. It is found in small and big
water bodies. Large water bodies are oceans and seas; but their water is saline and we
cannot use it directly. The smaller water bodies are rivers, lakes, underground water,
ponds etc. Water is also stored on high mountain peaks in the form of snow. These
bodies have freshwater .

The chief source of freshwater on the earth is rainfall. It occurs when water evaporates
from the oceans, seas, other water bodies and plants. This vapour forms clouds and
brings rain.

The rainwater is accumulated on the mountain tops and in rivers, lakes and ponds.
Some water also seeps into the ground and becomes groundwater. We can get this
groundwater by digging wells, tube-wells etc.

Need for Water

Water is needed for three main purposes : domestic purposes, agricultural purposes

and industrial purposes. At home, we need water for drinking, washing, cleaning,
cooking etc. In agriculture, a large amount of water is needed for irrigation of crops. In
industries, water is needed for different operations, like washing, mixing into products
and cleaning.

42 Contemporary Social Science-4