ANALYSING THE STATUS OF WATER RESOURCES AND THEIR CONSERVATION: KEY STRATEGIES FOR SUTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN MAHOBA DISTRICT OF UTTAR PRADESH (INDIA)

Abstract

Water is one of the most important natural resources on the earth surface. It is the base not only for survival of human beings but to operate different types of activities for existence of biotic and abiotic eco-system. Although, water is abundant on the earth but the usable water is considerably very limited. The Mahoba district of Uttar Pradesh is water stressed district which is part of Bundelkhand region, known as a water deficit and drought prone region in the country. Therefore, water crisis is the main issue of the entire region. Due to the less annual rainfall, the availability of water resources is very limited in Mahoba district of Uttar Pradesh. Consequently, there is an urgent need to conserve and manage all type of water resources in order to quench the thirst of large population of the region and to operate different types of agricultural activities including tremendous anthropogenic activities for livelihood security and to feed millions of people. Hence, it is also very important to conserve and manage the water resources of the target area. By applying different types of methods and techniques including traditional and modern, we may not only conserve and manage the water resources of the region by involving local people, farmers, youth and women but also provide drinking water to the millions of people of the area as well as to irrigate farm lands. An attempt has also been made in the research paper to know the people’s perception for management and conservation of water resources.