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WATER RESOURCES Water is an important natural resource. It is the basic need of human beings and considered as the wealth of a nation. Water is needed for irrigation, generation of power, industries, domestic use, navigation, fisheries and recreational purposes. The use of water resources is not new to humankind. The development of water resources is very essential to satisfy the needs of growing population and as a natural resource, its judicious conservation is required. Now a days rain water harvesting is given due importance. The chief sources of surface water are rivers and lakes. The underground water sources are wells and springs. The availability of water varies from place to place and from time to time. India depends on rainfall and snowfall for surface water and underground water. Rainfall in India is uncertain, unevenly distributed and seasonal. Therefore, to carry on agriculture, India depends on canals, tanks and wells. They are very essential wherever the water is scarce. This method of supplying water artificially for agriculture is called irrigation. Irrigation is very important in India agriculture is the main occupation of the people and rainfall is insufficient. One of the greatest achievements in the history of agriculture is the practice of irrigation. The perennial rivers of North India and the underground water resources of the Great Plains of the north have helped in the development of irrigation. TYPES OF IRRIGATION: Different regions have different types of irrigation, depending upon the source of water. The distribution of rainfall, relief features and the requirement of water for different crops are the factors affecting the practice of different types of irrigation. The major types of irrigation practised in India are:1) Well irrigation, 2) Tank irrigation, 3) Canal irrigation. WELL IRRIGATION: It is the most important type of irrigation in India. It provides water to large areas of cultivated land. It is most suitable for Indian agriculture because this system of irrigation can be adopted even in areas where rainfall is scanty. For the construction of wells, huge capital and technology are not required. Irrigation is possible throughout the year. For small landholders, this type of irrigation is easily accessible. Because of these reasons, well irrigation is largely practised to-day. There are two types of wells, namely, open wells and tube wells. Water is lifted from open wells through manual power or with the help of diesel or electric pumpsets. But the tube wells are usually fitted with
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