Water is essential for people, but where does it come from? Humans have severely damaged the world’s rivers, threatening the water security for billions of people as well as the existence of millions of aquatic species. Approximately 0.5% of the world’s freshwater resources are found in rivers, from where humans obtain the majority of their daily water. Rivers serve as important sources of drinking water for several communities throughout the world. Because of the persistent threat to our rivers, maintaining freshwater supplies has become a matter of life and death in some locations. Let us dive in deeper and learn more about why are rivers important for the country’s economy and the importance of rivers in India.
1. What is the Importance of Natural Resources?
The value of natural resources on the globe cannot be overstated, which is why we all must take responsibility and conserve and value our environment. The following are a few characteristics that highlight the significance of natural resources and the requirement for their conservation:
- They give us oxygen which we need to breathe and is an essential component for survival.
- The land is used for agriculture and the production of food.
- The sun provides us with solar energy, which is a valuable alternative energy source.
- Oil and natural gas supply fuel for a variety of industries and vehicles.
- Coal, oil, soils, water, land, mineral deposits, trees and wood, and the air we breathe are just a few examples.
- Nature contributes to the preservation of the environment and the complete fulfillment of human needs.
- A diverse range of industrial and biological materials derived from plants and animals are employed directly or indirectly in human lives.
- Resources are capital that has been turned into commodities’ inputs for infrastructural capital operations.
- Natural resources are developed over millions of years, therefore conserving them when the population expands is vital.
- They contribute significantly to the country’s economic development by enhancing agriculture, commerce, exports and imports, and so on.
2. Why is a River Important?
Rivers are an important natural resource for nature, human livelihoods, and wildlife, as it is where they get access to clean drinking water, which is the basic requirement for human survival. Unfortunately, they continue to be threatened to ensure that both people and the environment can live, we must dedicate ourselves to regaining freshwater biodiversity, re-establishing natural river flows, and cleaning up polluted water.
So why are rivers important for the country’s economy? Rivers give numerous benefits such as drinking water, affordable transportation, electricity, agriculture, and natural habitat for a variety of species, so it is important to save rivers for the sake of humanity and the love of mother earth. (See How has the Removal of Wetlands Impacted Rivers and Streams?)
3. Why Rivers are an Important Natural Resource?
Resources are essential for each country’s development. For example, fossil fuels are required to provide energy, and mineral resources are required for industrial development, similarly, rivers are an important natural resource to ensure the survival of both humans and wildlife. The river plays an important role in our day-to-day lives like drinking water, washing, cleaning, irrigation, etc, which is why are rivers important for the country’s economy.
So we must commit to restoring freshwater biodiversity, preserving natural river flows, and cleaning up dirty water. Swimmers, boaters, and anglers can all enjoy themselves to the fullest on rivers and streams. Therefore, it is important to save rivers and maintain the condition of our rivers and streams to keep our community liveable. (See What are Parts of a River System?)
4. Why are Rivers Important for the Country’s Economy?
Rivers are significant to the economics of a country since human civilizations were born, flourished, and developed in river valleys. Take a look at the following points to know why are rivers important for the country’s economy:
- They transport sediments and minerals that are extremely beneficial to us. Rivers offer inexpensive and efficient inland transportation for trade and commerce.
- River water is frequently utilized for agriculture and hydroelectric development.
- Rivers supply natural freshwater, which is essential for the survival of most species, including humans.
- It supports fisheries as well as inland transportation channels.
- Lakes such as Sambhar Lake produce edible salt.
- They also contribute to the development of tourism and provide recreational opportunities as a source of income for millions of people across the country.
5. What is the Importance of Rivers in India?
Rivers play an essential role in people’s lives in India, the fact that almost all of India’s main cities are situated along riverbanks as rivers are extremely important in the Hindu religion and are regarded as holy among many Hindus throughout the country. India’s river system is made up of seven main rivers and several tributaries. The largest basin system of the rivers pours their waters into the Bay of Bengal; however, some of the river courses take them through and drain into other regions.
All significant rivers in India come from one of the following major watersheds:
- The Aravalli mountain range.
- Himalayan and Karakoram mountain ranges.
- In western India, the Sahyadri or the Western Ghats.
- The Vindhya and Satpura ranges, as well as the Chotanagpur plateau, are located in central India.
The Indian subcontinent’s Himalayan glaciers are essentially separated into three river basins: the Indus, Ganga, and the Brahmaputra. Although there are countless rivers in India, other examples include the Narmada and Godavari rivers. Therefore, all these rivers in India have history and religious sentiments attached to them. These rivers are a constant part of holy practices and rituals among Indians on various occasions. These factors somehow are related to why are rivers important for the country’s economy. Check out the Types of Rivers and Facts.
6. How do Rivers help Society?
Rivers are an integral resource for our existence as they are the primary source of clean drinking water, but the uses for river water stretch far beyond this, they are used by farmers for irrigation in agriculture, industries in manufacturing different objects for daily use, hydro plants to generate electricity and supply water for domestic purposes such as cleaning, cooking, washing, etc.
Rivers are very important for transportation as they offer a quick mode of transportation. Rivers are used for recreational purposes as they are great for rafting and boating and also are sources of water for swimming pools. All these are responsible for why are rivers important for the country’s economy. (See How are Levees Beneficial to Human Settlements?)
7. Why is River Water Quality Important?
- Water quality is one of the most important parts of a healthy ecosystem since a variety of flora and wildlife flourish in clean water. Although it may appear unrelated at first, our actions on land do have an impact on the quality of water.
- Rivers and streams collect runoff from highland areas which dilute and dissolve toxins faster than still water, however many streams and rivers across the world are severely contaminated which affects the quality of water.
- Natural water quality in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs is determined by several interconnected factors, including geology, climate, geography, biological processes, and land use. Because water can react with minerals found in soil and rocks, as well as dissolve a wide variety of compounds as it travels through, its natural condition is never pure.
- Water also contains a variety of organic and inorganic pollutants and can carry a significant volume of suspended insoluble materials. Natural water has a variety of contaminants that vary in size and type based on location, season, and other circumstances, and these impurities impact the cleanliness and quality of the water body.
8. What are the 5 Uses of River?
5 uses of the river which explain why are rivers important for the country’s economy are:
- People who live close to rivers utilize the water for other domestic activities, such as washing and bathing, but the majority of the water is used for drinking.
- River water is extensively used for irrigation and agriculture.
- Dams are built across rivers to capture river water to produce energy. The high intensity of the water flow is particularly beneficial for generating energy because it is a major source of hydroelectricity.
- The river produces fertile soil, which is ideal for agriculture.
- Rivers are home to a wide variety of aquatic environments and rare species, which support human existence by fostering the fishing industry.
9. What are Some Facts about Rivers?
- The Ganga River in India is considered the holiest river due to its historical significance, and it offers a lifeline for millions of people who live along its path since the Hindu religion honors the goddess Ganga.
- The River of Five Colors, known as the Liquid Rainbow, is one of the most beautiful rivers in the world due to its vibrant colors.
- River currents can be dangerous due to the intensity and speed of the water; some rivers have very powerful currents.
- Rivers contribute significantly to the water cycle, commonly known as the hydrological cycle.
10. Why is it Important to Save Rivers?
Rivers are the backbone of all civilizations since they are essential to maintaining life on Earth. There are several factors that can tell you why are rivers important for the country’s economy. However, it has recently been discovered that our rivers are losing their identity; some have even dried up and are in danger of extinction, as the majority of rivers have been transformed into drains. As responsible citizens, it is our responsibility to safeguard the rivers, if not for future generations, then for ourselves.
Although river water accounts for only around 0.2 percent of all freshwater on Earth, it is vital to our life, and its preservation is our responsibility. Rivers, like roads, transmit nutrients, critical gases, water, and support living things, etc., hence protecting rivers is a basic human requirement. (See Which River is Smallest in the Length?)
