Definition and Scope of Water Resources Geography (with diagram)

In view of increasing specialization in geography during the second half of the 20th century, importance has been accorded to independent study of resources, as a result of which different branches of geography have come up. Among them Water Resources Geography is an important one.

As a result of technical development, man has increased the use of water in different forms, which has led to quantitative and qualitative deterioration of water resources. In such a context, while giving importance to distribution, use and conser­vation of available water in nature, Association of American Geographers (AAG) has included Water Resources Geography as an independent branch in the series.

Study of water resources has been done since ancient past. In the ancient Vedic era, Greek and Roman geographers had described the use and conservation of water resources. This study remained of normal importance till mediaeval times because there was balance between its availability and use.

During the renaissance period, many discoveries and inventions took place and resources were identified in various countries. The Industrial Revolution that took place in the 18th century resulted in excessive exploitation of water resources in the whole world. At that time, study of water resources was done as a part of Physical Geography.

Due to the increasing demand and decreasing availability of water during the 20th century, study of Water Resources Geography was started as a separate subject in different countries of the world to save the people from the resulting crisis and to give sustainable basis to the use of water. Many environ­mentalists started calling the earth famous as ‘Blue Planet’ as ‘Endangered Planet’ in view of the decreasing availability of water. They believe that due to the worldwide water crisis, many species on earth are on the verge of extinction.

Definition of Water Resources Geography:

Study of Water Resources Geography as a separate branch is being done for the last five decades. It was considered as a study of hydro­sphere in the beginning, which included groundwater besides oceanic water. Subsequently, after climatic and meteorological studies, the quantity of water existing in the atmosphere was also considered as a part of Water Resources Geography since it was an important link of the hydrological cycle. Thus, along with distribution and movement of water on the earth, its uses in different forms by human beings were also included.

In India, many scholars and organizations have worked on distri­bution, use and management of water resources but they have defined some aspects only. In this context, the works of Dakshinamoorty (1972), Nag and Kathpalia (1972), K.L. Rao (1968), Suraj Bhan, Lakshmi Shukla and D.P. Nag are important. The task of defining it as one subject has been done by all these writers.

“Water Resources Geography is the study of nature, spatial distri­bution, utilization and conservation of water on the earth. It consists of all the phenomena of hydrological cycle that passes through all the spheres: hydrosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere and biosphere on the earth.”

It is clear that the definition includes quantitative and qualitative nature of water, distribution in different forms (snow, water vapour and water) at different places, and its conservation along with its use by man. All these facts are organized in a complete chain by the hydrological cycle, which along with maintaining availability of water for human beings at different places, also works as a link in the water cycle. At present, the definition of Water Resources Geography has considerably expanded, whereas water available in large quantity on this planet is going beyond the reach of man.

H.J. DeBlij and Peter Muller have (1993) considered Water Resources Geography as a developed branch from hydrology and a new branch of Physical Geography. According to them, it is a sub-area of Physical Geography, which along with physical constit­uents, also includes interaction of human resources. They have considered economic and topographical study of the uses of water resources by man on the ground in different forms (surface, sub-surface and groundwater) as important.’

Scope of Water Resources Geography:

The subject matter of Water Resources Geography has been changing over time. In the beginning, it was the study of distribution of water in different forms on the earth and the hydrological cycle only. Presently, the increasing importance of water, unevenness in its distri­bution, increasing demand in its various forms and decreasing availability as well as future strategy for its conservation, have become important elements in the study of Water Resources Geography.

During the later half of the 20th century and beginning of the 21st century, demand for water has increased very fast due to increasing world population, which has resulted in the severe water crisis. Hence, water crisis due to unevenness of water distribution and its qualitative deterioration, are considered as the main study center of Water Resources Geography.

Water being related to various systems of environment, occupies a central position in nature. Its availability at the right place and at the right time maintains environmental balance.’ Hence, this interre­lation is also finding its place in Water Resources Geography.

It is clear that the subject matter of Water Resources Geography is fast changing and has been expanded to include the following facts:

1. Study of Geographical Distribution of Water Resources in the World:

It studies the comparative position of spatial distribution of all water resources in nature except oceans, ground surface, sub-surface and groundwater. The study includes how much and in what forms the water becomes available in micro forms in glaciers, rivers, lakes and water reservoirs and in what forms their uses are made by man.

2. Study of Functioning of Hydrological Cycle:

Balanced distribution of water in the hydrosphere, atmosphere (water vapour), litho-sphere, and biosphere becomes possible only through the hydrological cycle in nature. Its study is the main subject matter of Water Resources Geography. This also includes the study of sub-cycles and effect of man on them.

3. Study of Qualitative Aspect of Water:

It also includes the study of qualitative deterioration of water due to water pollution and mixing of undesirable elements in water because of reducing availability of fresh water.

4. Study of Water-Borne Problems:

Many problems are created due to uneven distribution of water by man. The important ones among them are salinity, alkalinity, fluoride, arsenic, and water logging. These new problems are also studied in Water Resource Geography.

5. Study of Water Management in Flood-Prone and Drought-Prone Areas:

This includes the study of providing sustainable base for water excess, flood-prone, and scarce, water affected drought- prone areas.

6. Study of Uses of Water by Man:

Apart from for own domestic use, man uses water available in nature for economic use in various forms mainly for agricultural and industrial uses. Because of continuously increasing demand for water in these spheres, this subject has gained importance. For this reason, the cyclical use of water has also become important.

7. Geographical Study of Watershed:

Since the last decade, particularly since 1994, watershed is considered as a geographical unit for water management because it involves activities of physical and ecological regeneration. It is a community partici­pation programme which includes various activities of water conservation.

8. Study of Effects of Natural Calamities on Distribution and Avail­ability of Water:

Materialistic culture of man has brought many changes in nature in the 20th century. The effect of this culture can be seen on the distribution and quantitative aspect of water. Among them climatic changes, global warming, melting of snow and acid rain etc. are important.

9. Study of Water Crisis and Water Conservation:

Water crisis has been created since the last century due to population increasing at a fast rate. Along with the study of main reasons for water crisis, study of finding solutions is also an important subject matter. Simultaneously, a strategy has to be evolved which can conserve water in different forms. At present, stress is being laid on sustainable management of water, whose origin is considered to be a report ‘Limits to Growth by a research group headed by Denis Meadoz in 1968. Published in 1972, it stressed on improving the quality of life by preventing deterioration of resources, including water, and thereby creating a healthy environment.

Thereafter, in 1987, World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) published its report named ‘Our Common Future’, also called “Braudtland Commission” after the name of its chairman, which also publi­cized the sustainability viewpoint. Sustainable water management is essential for the fulfillment of the needs of the present generation, without reducing the capacity of fulfilling the needs of future generations.