Environment · X-Factor Notes
Water Conservation and Aquatic Ecosystems revision notes for UPPCS Prelims.
High-Yield Revision| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Water Cycle (Hydrological Cycle) | Driven primarily by solar energy which initiates evaporation. The water cycle is essentially a closed system (volume of water remains constant in the hydrosphere). | U.P. Lower Sub. (Spl.) (Pre) 2004, UPPCS (Pre) 2000 |
| Sustainable Development | Defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is a matter of inter-generational sensibility regarding the use of Natural Resources. | UPPCS (Pre) 2019, UPPCS(Pre) 2012 |
| Water as a Resource | Pure water is a natural resource (created by nature without human interference) and is considered an abiotic resource. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2016 |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Measuring Water Pollution | Water pollution in a river is measured by the dissolved amount of Oxygen (Dissolved Oxygen or DO). | U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2021, UPPCS (Pre) 2011 |
| Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) | A high BOD indicates a high level of organic pollution, often due to water being contaminated by sewage. | UPPCS (Pre) 2007 |
| Eutrophication |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act | Enacted in 1974. Enforced on December 7, 1977. | |
| Environment (Protection) Act | Enacted in 1986. The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) was formed under this Act. | UPPCS (Pre) 2014 |
| SDG-6 |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| World Water Day | Celebrated on March 22nd. | U.P.P.C.S (Pre) 2011, UPPCS (Mains) 2017 |
| World Wetlands Day | Celebrated on February 2. This marks the signing of the Ramsar Convention. | UPPCS (Mains) 2008, UPPCS (Pre) 2023 |
| Ramsar Convention |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Confluence/River/Place | UPPSC/ Exam Year |
| Devprayag | Alaknanda and Bhagirathi Rivers. | UPPSC Pre-2024 |
| Rudraprayag | Alaknanda and Mandakini Rivers. | UPPSC Pre-2024 |
| Karnaprayag |
| Conservation Strategy | Plants in desert areas conserve water by modifying their leaves into hard and waxy leaves, tiny leaves or no leaves, or thorns. |
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| Water Conservation Expert | Rajendra Singh is known as the ‘Waterman of India’ (Jal Purush). He won the Stockholm Water Prize (2015) and the Ramon Magsaysay Award (2001) for his work in community-based water harvesting. |
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| UPPCS (Pre) 2019 |
| Arsenic Contamination | The problem of water pollution with Arsenic is maximum in West Bengal (specifically Kolkata). | UPPCS (Pre) (Re. Exam.) 2015, UPPCS (Pre) 2005 |
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| Water Purification | Uses include Chlorine gas (to deactivate bacteria) and Ultra-violet (UV) radiation (inactivates/kills harmful microorganisms without changing taste/odor). | UPPCS (Pre) 2013 |
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| UPPCS (Pre) 2019 |
| National Water Mission (NWM) | Part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change. Its goals include water conservation and ensuring equitable distribution. Importantly, the plan to connect rivers is NOT included under this mission. |
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| Ganga Conservation Authority | The Central Ganga Authority was constituted in February 1985. Renamed National River Conservation Authority (NRCA) in September 1995. | UPPCS (Mains) 2014 |
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| NGRBA | National Ganga River Basin Authority was established in February 2009 under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, and is chaired by the Prime Minister. |
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| Ganga River | Declared the National River on November 4, 2008. |
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| Ganges Dolphin | Declared the National Aquatic Animal (2009/2010). Their population decline is attributed to dams, accidental netting, and agricultural chemicals. |
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| Watershed Development | The Central Government-sponsored Watershed Development Project aiming at rural water conservation is 'Hariyali'. | UPPCS (Pre) 2022 |
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| Jal Jeevan Mission | Declared in the Union Budget for Financial Year 2019-20. | UPPCS (Pre) 2023, UPPCS (Pre) 2022 |
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| Ramganga Project | The Ramganga project location is Garhwal (Uttarakhand), with a dam length of 825.8 meters and an irrigated area of 6 lac hectares. | UPPSC Pre-2024 |
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| UPPCS (Mains) 2008 |
| Montreux Record | A register of Ramsar Sites where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur due to human interference. |
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| Wetland Function | Wetlands are useful for nutrient recovery and cycling, providing habitats for specialized plants, and reducing siltation of rivers by retaining sediments. | UPPCS (Pre) 2012 |
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| Major Wetland Sites | Chilka Lake, Keoladeo, Wullar Lake, and Loktak Lake are all designated Ramsar sites. Sunderbans is also a Ramsar site. | UPPCS(Pre) 2013, UPPCS (Mains) 2015 |
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| Largest Inland Saline Wetland (India) | Sambhar Lake (Rajasthan). (Note: Gujarat has the greatest share of overall wetland area). |
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| National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) | Aimed at restoring urban and semi-urban lakes. Covered lakes include: Bhoj (MP), Sukhna (Chandigarh), and Pichola (Rajasthan). Chilika Lake (Odisha) is not covered. | U.P.P.C.S (Pre) 2002 |
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| Ecosystem Stability | The Oceanic/Marine ecosystem is the most stable ecosystem. | U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2018 |
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| Aquatic Ecosystem Types | Lentic Ecosystem refers to static water habitats (ponds, lakes, swamps, marshes). Lotic Ecosystem refers to moving water habitats (rivers). | U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2023 |
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| Aquatic Gradients | Pycnocline shows the density gradient of the water system. Halocline shows the salinity gradient. Thermocline shows the change in temperature with depth. | UPPCS (Mains) 2016, UPPCS Prelims-2024 |
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| Marine Upwelling | Important because it brings nutrients to the surface, supporting high biological productivity. |
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| Keibul Lamjao National Park | Located in Loktak Lake (Manipur). It is unique for being a swamp with floating vegetation (phumdis). | UPPCS (Pre) 2022 |
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| Bhitarkanika | Protected area for wildlife and biodiversity located where the Brahmani and Vaitarni rivers merge before flowing into the sea. It is in the state of Odisha. |
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| Alaknanda and Pindar Rivers. |
| UPPSC Pre-2024 |
| Tehri | Bhagirathi and Bhilangna Rivers. | UPPSC Pre-2024 |
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| Harike Wetlands | Confluence of Beas and Satluj/Sutlej Rivers. |
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| Keoladeo Ghana National Park | Confluence of the Gambhir and Banganga rivers. |
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| Kolleru Lake (Andhra Pradesh) | Located between the Krishna and Godavari deltas. |
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