Intro (Micro Notes Format):
Land and water are critical natural resources. Their degradation and mismanagement lead to poverty, displacement, food insecurity, and disasters. Effective management reduces human miseries and ensures sustainable development.
Why Effective Land Management Reduces Misery:
- Prevents soil erosion, desertification, and land degradation.
- Promotes sustainable agriculture, enhancing food security.
- Controls urban sprawl, reduces slum development.
- Helps manage disaster risks (e.g., landslides, droughts).
- Ensures land tenure and rights, reducing conflicts.
Examples:
- Watershed management in Bundelkhand reduced drought vulnerability.
- Land zoning in Uttarakhand restricted hazardous construction post-2013 floods.
Why Effective Water Management Reduces Misery:
- Reduces drought and flood impact through regulated flow.
- Ensures drinking water and irrigation access.
- Promotes rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge.
- Prevents conflicts over water, e.g., Cauvery dispute.
- Supports livelihoods in agriculture, fisheries, and industry.
Examples:
- Hiware Bazar (Maharashtra): Watershed and water budgeting reversed drought.
- Mission Kakatiya (Telangana): Tank restoration boosted agriculture.
Conclusion:
Integrated land and water resource management through scientific planning, community participation, and policy convergence can greatly improve quality of life, reduce vulnerability, and ensure sustainable development.
