Water conservation

INTRODUCTION:

Water conservation is the practice of using water efficiently to reduce waste and preservefreshwater resources for future generations. It involves implementing strategies andtechnologies to minimize water usage in various sectors such as agriculture, industry, andhouseholds. By adopting water-saving techniqueslikeefficientirrigationsystems,rainwaterharvesting, and reducing leakages, individuals and communities can help mitigatewater scarcity, ensure sustainable water management, anprotectecosystems.Waterconservationis essential for maintaining ecosystem health, supporting human well-being, andaddressingthe growing challenges of water scarcity and climate change.


HARANGI DAM:

The Harangi Dam is located near Hudgur village, Kushalnagar taluk in Kodagu district in the indian state of Karnataka. The masonry dam is built across the river Harangi, a tributary of theKaveri. The dam is located about 9 km away from the heart of Kushalnagar town.The Harangi originates in the Pushpagiri Hills of Western Ghats in Kodagu, Karnataka.Heavy rainfall from the south-west monsoon is the source of water in the catchment area ofHarangi river which is about 419.58 km2. The length of the Harangi from its origin to theconfluence with the Kaveri river is 50 km. The Harangi joins the Kaveri near Kudige, 5 kmnorth of Kushalnagar.


The construction of the Harangi Dam began in 1971 and was completed in 1979. The damwas built by the Karnataka State Government with the primary objective of harnessing thewater resources of the Harangi River. The project was executed by the Karnataka PowerCorporation Limited (KPCL) and the Central Water Commission (CWC). The dam stands at aheight of 47 meters and has a length of 846 meters. It has a storage capacity of 8.56 thousandmillion cubic feet (TMC) and a catchment area of 717 square kilometers.The Harangi Dam also plays a crucial role in generating hydroelectric power. The dam has apower station with an installed capacity of 9.5 megawatts (MW). The water released from thedam flows through the penstocks, which are large pipes that carry the water to the turbines.The force of the flowing water rotates the turbines, which in turn generate electricity. Thegenerated power is then supplied to the grid and used to meet the energy needs of thesurrounding areas.

In addition to irrigation and power generation, the Harangi Dam serves as a floodcontrol mechanism. The dam has a spillway that allows excess water to flow out duringheavy rainfall or monsoon seasons. By regulating the water flow, the dam helps inpreventing floods downstream. The controlled release of water ensures that the river doesnot overflow its banks and cause damage to the surrounding areas. The dam has beensuccessful in mitigating the impact of floods and protecting the lives and properties of thepeople living in the downstream regions.Apart from its functional aspects, the Harangi Dam has also become a popular touristattraction in Karnataka. The scenic beauty of the dam and its surroundings attract visitorsfrom far and wide. The calm and serene environment, coupled with the lush greenery,makes it an ideal spot for picnics and leisure activities. Boating facilities are also availableat the dam, allowing visitors to enjoy a peaceful ride on the reservoir. The Harangi Dam hasbecome a favorite destination for nature lovers and photography enthusiasts.While the Harangi Dam has brought numerous benefits to the region, it has also had someenvironmental impact. The construction of the dam resulted in the submergence of a large areaof land, leading to the displacement of several families. The dam has also altered the naturalflow of the river, affecting the aquatic ecosystem. However, efforts have been made to mitigatethese impacts through various measures, including the implementation of fish ladders tofacilitate the movement of fish and other aquatic organisms.

WHY IS WATER CONSERVATION IMPORTANT:

Water conservation is crucial for various reasons, spanning environmental, social, andeconomic aspects. Here are the key points highlighting the importance of waterconservation.

1 Preservation of Freshwater Resources: Freshwater is a finite resource essential for life, agriculture, industry, andecosystem health. Conservation ensures sustainable use and availabilityof freshwater for currentand future generations

2 Mitigation of Water Scarcity: Many regions face water scarcity due to factorssuch as population growth, urbanization, and climate change.

3 Protection of Ecosystems: Aquatic ecosystems, including rivers, lakes, andwetlands,depend on adequate water levels and quality. Conservation maintainshabitat integrity, biodiversity, and ecological balance, supporting various plantand animal species.

4 Adaptation to Climate Change: Climate change exacerbates water-relatedchallenges, including droughts and extreme weather events. Conservationmeasures, such as rainwaterharvesting and efficient irrigation, enhanceresilience to climate variability.

5 Reduced Energy Consumption: Water treatment, distribution, and heatingconsume energy. By conserving water, less energy is required for pumping,heating, and treatingwater, leading to lower greenhouse gas emissions andenergy costs.

6 Protection of Water Quality: Overuse and pollution degrade water quality,posing risks tohuman health and ecosystems.

7 Economic Benefits: Water conservation leads to cost savings for individuals,businesses, and governments by reducing water bills, infrastructure maintenancecosts, and expenses associated with water-related disasters.

USE OF THE CONSERVATION OF WATER:

 Sustainable Agriculture: Conserving water in farming helps maintain soilmoisturelevels essential for plant growth, reducing the need for excessiveirrigation.

 Environmental Preservation: Water conservation protects aquatic habitatsby maintaining adequate water levels in rivers, lakes, and wetlands, crucialfor the survival ofdiverseecosystems.

 Climate Resilience: Efficient water use in agriculture mitigates the impact ofdroughtsand water scarcity, enhancing resilience to climate change.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Plantation

Image
 Social connectivity & responsibility Module - 1 A plantation is an extensive agricultural estate dedicated to the large-scale cultivation of specific crops, often characterized by a single type of plant dominating vast areas. This agricultural model has historical roots in colonial economies where crops such as sugar, tobacco, and cotton were cultivated for export.   The term "plantation" is not only associated with historical practices but is also relevant in contemporary contexts, especially in the cultivation of cash crops like tea, coffee, rubber, and palm oil. Modern plantations may strive to balance agricultural productivity with environmental sustainability, employing responsible land management and ethical labor practices. As agriculture continues to evolve, the concept of plantations plays a crucial role in discussions about food production, economic development, and environmental conservation.  As global perspectives on agriculture shift towards sustainabil...
Read more

Program9

 <html lang="en"> <head> <meta charset="UTF-8"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0"> <title>jQuery Combined Example</title> <style> body { font-family: Arial, sans-serif; margin: 20px; text-align: center; } p, ul { margin: 20px 0; } #box { width: 100px; height: 100px; background-color: #2196f3; margin: 20px auto; } button { padding: 10px 15px; margin: 10px 5px; cursor: pointer; background-color: #4caf50; color: white; border: none; border-radius: 5px; } button:hover { background-color: #388e3c; } </style> <script src="https://code.jquery.com/jquery-3.6.0.min.js"></script> </head> <body> <h1>jQuery Combined Example</h1> <!-- Content to append to --> <p id="paragraph">This is a paragraph.</p> <ul id="list"> <li>Item 1</li> <li>Item 2</li> </ul> <!...
Read more

Program8

 8(a) Visitor Counter (PHP) : <?php // File to store the visitor count $counterFile = "counter.txt"; // Check if the file exists, if not, create it and set count to 0 if (!file_exists($counterFile)) {  file_put_contents($counterFile, 0); } // Read the current count from the file $visitorCount = (int)file_get_contents($counterFile); // Increment the count $visitorCount++; // Save the updated count back to the file file_put_contents($counterFile, $visitorCount); ?> <!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en"> <head>  <meta charset="UTF-8">  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">  <title>Visitor Counter</title> <style>  body {  font-family: Arial, sans-serif;  text-align: center;  background-color: #f0f8ff;  }  h1 {  color: #333;  }  p {  font-size: 1.2em;  color: #555;  }  </style> </head> <body>  <h1...
Read more