Airways transport in India

AIRWAYS
Aeroplanes and helicopters are the fastest and the costliest means of transport.
The first aeroplane flew in December 1903. There are domestic and international airports in India. Some international airports are Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai, Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata.
Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Goa, Patna, Lucknow and Srinagar have large domestic airports in India.
Major airlines in our country are: Air India, Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Vistara and IndiGo. People can travel long distances in a short time by airways.
In times of emergency, essential aid can be quickly sent through airways.

Waterways Transport in India

WATERWAYS
Waterways like boats have been in use since ancient times. They are the cheapest means of transport. Oceans, rivers, lakes and canals are some of the waterways. Our waterways are not fully developed. All Indian rivers are not fit for navigation in every season. Most peninsular rivers are seasonal and have water in the rainy or monsoon season. Due to this, boats cannot navigate in these rivers. Some of these rivers remain dry for most part of the year.
Today, only some stretches of the Ganga, Brahmaputra and Yamuna rivers are navigable and are used as inland waterways.
Passenger ships like steamer carry people and cargo ships transport goods. Petroleum, oil, etc.,are carried by tanker ships. Ferries take people across rivers daily.
Indian mainland has a 6,000 km long coastline. Important ports like Kandla, Mumbai, Kochi, Chennai, Vishakhapatnam and Kolkata are situated along the coastline.

Land transport in India

Land Transport
It is divided into roadways and railways.
Roadways:
Roads are made of coal-tar, gravel and cement. The metalled roads help us to travel in all weather conditions and in all seasons.
In our country, there are three major types of roads.
State Highways:
They connect important towns and cities within a state. State highways are essential for the development of cities because if the roads are in good condition and places are well connected, more industries can be set up and India well progress faster.
District Roads:
They connect rural areas to headquarters. Rural or village roads are mostly unmetalled (kutcha) roads.
Railways:
Railways are another important mode of land transport. In India, the first train ran between Mumbai and Thane in 1853. British Governor General, Lord Dalhousie was responsible for developing the railway network in India.
There are two types of trains- good trains and passenger trains. Almost all the big cities of India are linked with one another by railways.
Good Trains:
Good trains carry manufactured products and raw materials from one place to another. They also connect the ports and the inner towns of the region.
Passenger Trains:
In Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata, there are suburban train services. These trains are called local trains. India also has superfast trains like Rajdhani Express and Shatabdi Express which run on electricity. Recently, special trains called 'Garib Rath', 'Duronto Express', 'Double Decker Coaches' and 'Yuva Express' have been introduced.
Metro Train:
Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Jaipur and Delhi have metro train services. These services will start in Chandigarh in 2018.
MMTS:
Multi Modular Transport services have been introduced in Hyderabad.

Transport and it's types

TRANSPORT
Transport can be defined as a system for carrying people or goods from one place to another using vehicles, roads, railways, airways, waterways etc.
 Need For Transportation
Transportation also plays an important role in trade and commerce. Industries are located in different parts of the world. They need raw material to produce finished goods and to send those finished goods to different markets.
Types Of Transportation
We know that there are three major types of transportation.

1. Land transport
2. Water transport
3. Air transport.

Agriculture and types of crops in India

AGRICULTURE
The practice of growing crop is called agriculture. It is the most important occupation of our country. About 58.9% of our population is engaged in agriculture which is why India is known as agricultural country. Agriculture is the basis of the development of human settlement and civilization. Agriculture provides food for people and raw materials for industries. Today, India ranks second in terms of agricultural output world wide.
TYPES OF CROPS
Farmers in India produce a variety of crops because we have a favourable climate  in agriculture, fertile soil and adequate monsoon rains.
In India, two types of crops are produced:

1. Food Crops 
2. Cash Crops

FOOD CROPS
Food crops are grown to feed people in the country. They form the staple diet of the people. Rice, wheat, pulses, millets and maize are the main food crops of India.
RICE:
Rice being a cereal grain is the staple food of the people living in the eastern and the coastal parts of India. Rice is a Kharif crop.

It grows well in hot and humid climate with plenty of rainfall. West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhara Pradesh and Kerala are the major rice producing states of India. India has the largest area under rice cultivation in the world. However, it is the world's second largest producer of rice after China.

WHEAT:
India is one of the main wheat producing and consuming countries of the world. Wheat is a rabi crop. It is the second most important food crop in India.

It grows well in a cool and wet climate. Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat are the major wheat producing states.
MILLETS:
Millets include jowar, bajra and ragi. They are coarse grains. They are usually grown in areas where rice and wheat cannot be grown.

Parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhara Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu are the major millet producing areas.
PULSES:
Black gram, green gram and pigeon pea are pulses.

They are rich in proteins. They are grown in almost every part of India.
CASH CROPS
Cash crops are the crops that are grown for commercial purposes. They help farmers to earn money. Important cash crops of India are sugarcane, jute, cotton and oilseeds. Certain crops are grown in specific farms called plantations. They are called plantation crops. Tea, coffee, sugarcane and rubber are the main plantation crops in India.
SUGARCANE:
Sugarcane is used for making sugar and jaggery. It belongs to the bamboo family of plants. India is the largest producer of sugarcane in the world.

It requires fertile soil, hot and moist climate with plenty of water to grow. It is mainly grown in Uttar Pradesh followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhara Pradesh and Telangana.
JUTE:
Jute is one of the most important natural fibers. It is called the 'golden fibre' and is used for making bags, sacks, carpets, ropes, etc. It grows well in hot and wet climate.

It needs lots of water and high temperature to grow.
The main jute producing states are West Bengal, Assam, Bihar and Odisha.
COTTON:
Cotton is called the 'king of fibres'. It is a leading commercial crop grown for its valuable fibre. Cotton is used for making cotton clothes.

It grows well in warm, sunny weather and in drier areas with black or alluvial soil. Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab are the major cotton producing states.
OILSEEDS:
Oilseeds include mustard, groundnut, sesame and sunflower. Oil is extracted from the oil seeds and is used in cooking.

They grow well in warm climate with moderate rainfall. They are grown in different parts of the country.
TEA:
Tea is one of the major cash crops of our country. India produces tea on a large scale.

In fact, India is one of the largest producer of tea in the world. Tea is the most popular beverage in India. It requires warm and wet climate. It is mostly grown in Assam, parts of West Bengal and the Nilgiri hills in the South.
COFFEE:
Coffee is mostly grown in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

It requires cool weather and heavy rainfall.
SPICES:
Spices include pepper, chillies, clove, ginger and cardamom. They are grown in Kerala and Karnataka.
Besides the food crops and the cash crops, India also produces a variety of fruits and vegetables.

Role of industries in development

ROLE OF INDUSTRIES IN DEVELOPMENT
The growth of industries is very useful for the overall progress of a country. Industries help to make our lives comfortable. Indian industries are making all efforts to keep pace with the latest technology. India has emerged as one of the leaders in the fields of computer science, software development and space research.
Industries pollute air, soil, water and environment. Many developed countries have adopted cleaner methods of production through the use of hydroelectricity, wind and solar power. India has also taken many steps to reduce pollution levels and safe development of industries. For example, public transport vehicles in Delhi are running on CNG, not on petrol or diesel. Because of this effort, Delhi has become an eco-friendly and clean city. 

Major industrial centres in India

MAJOR INDUSTRIAL CENTRES IN INDIA
TEXTILE INDUSTRY
Textile industry is the oldest industry of India. It produces cotton, silk, woollen and synthetic clothes. Textile industries are located in various cities of our country like Ahmedabad and Mumbai which are famous for cotton industries. Major silk textile mills are located in Bengaluru, Mysuru (Mysore), Varanasi, Titagarh and Howrah. Jute mills are located at Kolkata. Woollen textile industries are located at Ludhiana, Amritsar and Jalandhar.
CEMENT INDUSTRY
These are situated in Sindri, Satna and some places of Rajasthan.
India is the second largest producer of sugar in the world after Cuba. Sugar mills are located in the sugarcane producing states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.
Railway locomotive or equipment industries are located in Kapurthala, Varanasi, Jamshedpur, Chittaranjan, Kolkata and Perambur.
AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRIES
These are located in Gurgaon, Faridabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Jabalpur, Sanand, Jamshedpur and Nashik.
ELECTRONIC INDUSTRIES
These are located in Panchkula, Delhi, Lucknow, Pune, Mumbai, Chennai and Coimbatore.
SHIP-BUILDING INDUSTRIES
These are located at Kochi, Visakhapatnam, Marmugao, Mumbai and Kolkata.
IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRIES
It was started by Jamshetji Tata in India in 1907 at Jamshedpur. It was the most suitable site for iron and steel industry. Steel industries that manufacture a variety of machines and other goods are located in Bokaro(SAIL), Durgapur, Asansol, Chennai and Jamshedpur.
Aeroplanes and aircrafts are made by public sector units in India. These are situated in Bengaluru, Lucknow, Nashim, Hyderabad and Kanpur.
ENGINEERING INDUSTRIES
These industries manufacture tractors, lumps, cranes, telephone and other machinery are found in Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru and Ranchi.
OIL REFINERIES
These are situated in Assam, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Bihar. Reliance has set up an oil refinery in Jamnagar.

Requirements of industries

REQUIREMENTS OF INDUSTRIES
There are various factors required to set up and administer an industry- men, materials, money, place, machines, etc.,
RAW MATERIALS
The basic commodities required in the process of manufacturing of products are known as raw materials. For example, crude oil is the raw material for petroleum industry and cotton bolls are the raw materials for cotton industry.
MACHINES
Machines are required to convert raw materials into finished or final products. For example, tea leaves are processed into fine tea with the help of machines.
PLACE
Location plays a very important role in the functioning of an industry. To acquire raw materials from their source and to distribute the finished products to their destination with minimum expense, an industry should be at the place which is near to the market and raw material is easily available.
POWER
To run machines, we need power (electricity). Thermal, nuclear and hydroelectric power are used to run machinery.
WATER
Water is an essential requirement for most of the industries like jute, cotton textile, paper etc. Therefore, most of the industries are located near river or water bodies.
MANPOWER
Manpower includes the engineers, scientists, managers and workers are required to manage an industry. Industries also need help people who can think, plan and design the set up of factories.
FINANCE
Money is the most important resource for setting up an industry. It is needed to buy land, raw materials, machines and to pay wages to workers.
TRANSPORTATION
To bring raw material to the factory and send the finished products to different markets of the country and across the world, transport is required.
MARKET
A place for selling the finished products is called a market. The nearer is the industry to its market the cheaper is its transportation cost.

Industry and its types in India

INDUSTRY
India is endowed with plenty of natural resources to fulfil most of our needs. Many of these resources, however, cannot be used directly. For example, we cannot use cotton, wood or iron ore directly, so we need to convert them into usable materials. The process of transformation of natural resources into more useful products with the help of manual labour and machines is called industry or manufacturing. Commonly used things like watch, pen, copy, fan, television etc.,are industrial products.
TYPES OF INDUSTRIES
There are many types of industries in India. Industries can be divided on the basis of their size and on the basis of the raw material used.
On the basis of size, industries can divided into - cottage industry, small scale industry and large scale industry.
Cottage Industry
A cottage industry is set up by people in their homes. Simple tools are used for production in these industries. Cottage industries use raw materials that are available close by. Weaving cloth on handlooms, extracting coconut oil, grinding flour and species are some examples of cottage industries. Some cottage industries manufacture toys, baskets, leather goods and other handicrafts. Mostly family members are employed for the manufacturing activities in these industries.

Small scale industry

A small scale industry uses small machines and employs more people than the cottage industry. It requires more money and raw materials than a cottage industry. Small scale industries make hosiery items, electronic and automobile parts, utensils, furniture, clothes, etc.

Large scale industry

A large scale industry is a very big manufacturing industry. It employs thousands of workers to produce good in very large quantities. Huge machines are used for this purpose. For example, locomotives, petroleum refinery and various types of alloy manufacturing industries. Ship building and iron and steel factories are also examples of large scale industries. They play a vital role in the development of the nation.

On the basis of raw materials, the industries can be divided into 

• Agro based industries
• Mineral based industries.

Agro based industries

Agro based industries are the ones where the raw materials is obtained from agriculture. Cotton cloth, sugar, jute, etc.are some products of agro industry.

Mineral based industries

Mineral based industries are the ones where the raw materials is obtained from mineral products. Electrical goods, oil, etc.,are the by products of mineral based industry.

Need for conservation of natural resources

NEED FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES
The need to conserve natural resources because they are limited. We cannot manufacture them and if we run out of these resources, there will be nothing left on earth. Even the ones that we have require some control over, for example, trees will take many years to replace. There is no easy replacement when it comes to natural resources. We have fossil fuels which we consider essential resources in today's world. Fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, take millions of years to form. These are even more precious because there is no way we can replace such resources. Our little timely steps in the process of conservation can save earth from the upcoming destruction. The three R's theory - reduce, reuse and recycle is a great way to conserve our resources and protect the Earth.

Over exploitation of natural resources

OVER-EXPLOITATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Some human activities are harmful to both renewable and non renewable resources. For example, by cutting forests to accommodate the growing human needs we are killing both plants and animals by destroying their natural habitat; industrialization has led to the inestimable amount of increase in population, soil erosion and other disastrous effects on life.
The mindless exploitation of available resources by man has resulted in the extinction of various plants and animal species, increased pollution in the atmosphere, depletion of ozone layer, degeneration of sources and above all threat to the survival of humankind itself.
So its high time we realise the need to conserve our resources.

Types of natural resources

NATURAL RESOURCES
The earth has plenty of resources that people can use to meet their needs. People use both living and non living things to satisfy their needs. The materials found naturally on earth, which people use are called natural resources. Land, water, plants, minerals, animals, etc.are our natural resources.
TYPES OF NATURAL RESOURCES
There are two types of natural resources on earth- Renewable resources and Non- Renewable resources.
Renewable Resources
Renewable resources are those that can be reproduced easily. For example, plants and animal resources, water and certain soil types.

These materials are constantly renewed in nature and can be used again and again. If consumed at a faster rate, without being given enough time to reproduce they will soon get wipe out from the face of the earth.

Non Renewable Resources

A non renewable resources is a natural resource which cannot be reproduced easily. For example, natural gas, coal, petroleum, mineral oils, metals, minerals and stones. These materials were created millions of years ago under the earth's surface. These materials once extinct can never be recreated. It is very important for us to conserve them and use them wisely so that they last longer.

Development of livestock sector and its benefits

DEVELOPMENT OF LIVESTOCK SECTOR AND ITS BENEFITS
The animal husbandry sector is developing very fast. It provides large self employment opportunities. This sector plays a very important role in the rural economy.
Dairy farming has become an important source of income for millions of rural families. Poultry farming is another source of income. It provides employment to about 1.5 million people in India. Livestock also provides occupation to a large section of the society particularly to the people living in the drought prone and hilly areas. Livestock provides proteins and nutrition in human diet through food items like milk, eggs , meat, etc.
 Animal husbandry practices have proved to be an boon for sustaining the livelihood of the farmers. One fifth of the world's cattle population is in India, but most of the cattle in our county are underfeed because the majority of farmers who maintain cattle are very poor. They cannot afford to buy proper fodder.
The livestock sector of India exports dairy, fishery, wool, poultry and such products. Thus, livestock is our national wealth and we must take good care of them.

The white revolution

THE WHITE REVOLUTION
Milk is an essential ingredient of our daily diet. Since  independence, great efforts have been made to increase the population of milk. A programme called 'operation flood' was started which led to the white revolution. Under this programme, the breed of milch cattle is being improved. Veterinary dispensary have been opened for the treatment of sick animals. Animals feeds of good quality have been developed. These feeds help in keeping the animals in good health and also in increasing the production of milk. Dr. Verghese Kurien is called the 'Father of the white revolution'.

Animal husbandry

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
Animal husbandry is a branch of agriculture which is concerned with the care and breeding of domestic animals such as cattle, horses, sheep, etc.
Important branches of animal husbandry
Dairy farming:
Dairy animals are reared and bred on large farms. Many types of modern machines and improve facilities are provided in such farms.

Sheep farming:

We get wool from sheep, goats, camels and rabbits. Wool is used for making woollen clothes, blankets and carpets. The best quality of wool comes from the sheep of the mountain regions.

Poultry farming:

A poultry farm is a farm where chickens, ducks, turkeys etc.are reared for their meat and eggs.

Fish farming:

Fish is an important source of food for the people living in the coastal areas. Pisciculture is becoming very popular. Increase in the production of fish is being encouraged through a movement called the blue revolution.

Live stock and its importance

LIVESTOCK
Animals kept for our use or for product are called livestock. It includes animals such as cows, bulls, buffaloes, goats, sheep, horses, mules, camels and even elephants. These animals are great gifts of nature to man. Livestock sector is an important source of income for many people in India. Occupations like dairy farming, pisciculture, poultry farming, bee keeping and sheep rearing comes under this category.
Importance of livestock:

• Cattle is the real wealth of an Indian farmer. They help him in a number of ways. Cow, Buffalo and goat him a milk. The milk used to make butter, cheese, butter milk, ghee and many different sweets.
• The bulls or oxen help the farmer in ploughing, levelling and watering his fields. They also help him to draw carts and to separate corn from chaff.
• Even the dung of cattle is of great use. It can be used as manure. It increases the fertility of soil. Nowadays animal waste it used to produce biogas which is a cheap source of heat and energy.
• Animals serve us even after they die. Their bones and hides are used to make many things. Their hides are used to make leather for shoes, belts, bags and many other things. The bones are used to make fertilizers.
• Animal meat is source of food. Fish and eggs are good sources of protein. We get fish from lakes, rivers and seas. We get eggs from hens and ducks.
• We get wool from sheep, goats and camels. It is used to make shawls, blankets, carpets and wollen clothes.
• Some animals are used as a means of transport. The camel is used in deserts. Mules and yaks are used in hilly areas. Elephants are used in forests where they help in carrying heavy logs of wood.

Steps taken by the government over population

Steps taken by the government to control population in India:
Government is making efforts to ensure the optimal use of human resources by initiating human resource development programmes. The government has taken various steps to minimise the problems caused due to over population. Some of them are:

• To check the problem of migration from villages to cities, the government has introduced different programmes to provide education and unemployment opportunities to the people living in villages.
• Hospitals and health care centres have been opened up in the villages.
• Land has been given to the landless farmers.
• To remove illiteracy, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan has been launched and implemented all over India.
• Under different programmes, the government is creating awareness about birth control methods and the benefits of a small family.
• Government has introduced various vocational training programmes to provide employment to people on a large scale.

Problems due to over population

PROBLEMS DUE TO OVERPOPULATION
No doubt India has made great progress, but the biggest problem that India is facing is the rapid growth of population. A large number population means more people dependent on the limited resources. It results in the shortage of food, water, clothes, houses, jobs, etc. Above all, unemployment stands out be the most distinctive problem of the country. The population of India is increasing rapidly by leaps and bounds but jobs and avenues cannot be created in the same proportion. So a large section of people remains unemployed. There is a large number of people who are partly employed or completely unemployed. Many educated and qualified people are not able to get jobs. As a result, a large number of people are migrating from villages to cities in search of jobs. The cities are getting overcrowded due to which a large number of people are forced to live in the slum areas where the living conditions are very unhygienic. Our country cannot grow economically, politically or socially, unless this problem is solved. Government is also taking many steps to curb this social problem.

India's ever increasing population has led to many problems. A few of them are:

• Shortage of food and water.
• Over utilisation of resources.
• Increase in population.
• Mass species extinction.
• Conversion of agricultural land into housing and industrial sector.
• Increase in unemployment.
• Increase in poverty.
• Depletion of forests and wildlife.
• Deforestation and loss of ecosystem.

Human resources

HUMAN RESOURCES
India is blessed with rich natural resources. The natural resources in themselves are of no use if not utilised wisely and efficiently. To utilise these resources effectively, we need people who are educated, rational, intelligent and skilled. The people of a country are called its human resources. They are a country's most valuable resource. The quality of resources is more important than its quantity. The persons who are healthy, skilled, educated, hard working and adventurous are the real human resources of a country. India is the second most populous country of the world. Its present population is about 132 crores which is increasing further at a very fast rate.

Importance of mineral resources

IMPORTANCE OF MINERAL RESOURCES
Man has known the use of minerals since ancient times. Minerals are valuable resources as they have a variety of uses. Some of the uses are as follows:

• Minerals are used as raw materials in various industries.
• Most of the power needed for domestic, agricultural and industrial use is generated from mineral fuels.
• Mineral fuels are used to run aeroplanes, trains, ships, etc.
• Minerals and chemicals are used for manufacturing medicines, fertilizers, and other useful substances.
• Some of the metallic minerals are used for making tools and implements.

Mineral resources of India

MINERAL RESOURCES OF INDIA
Iron:
It is very useful metal. It is used to manufacture all kinds of vehicles, machinery, and many household articles like knives, scissors, pots and pans. It is also used in building houses, dams, bridges and factories.
India has rich stores of iron ore. It is found in large quantities in Jharkhand, odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Goa. We have big iron and steel plants at Bokaro, Bhilai, Durgapur, Rourkela and Jamshedpur.
Coal:
It is a very useful mineral. It is also known as black diamond. It is used to produce heat and energy. In many houses, it is used for cooking food. It is used to run factories and trains. It is also used for producing electricity. Jharkhand, odisha, West Bengal, Telangana and Andhara Pradesh have large coal mines. Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and chhattisgarh also have coal mines.
Petroleum:
It is a kind of mineral oil found deep under the ground or the sea. It is a great source of energy. Area where oil is found is known as oilfields. Oil that is found under the ground or the sea is not refined. It is called crude oil. It has to be refined before use. We have big oil refineries in Mumbai, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Kochi, Baroda, Mathura, Barauni, Haldia and Guwahati.
Natural Gas:
It is a type of gas that occurs naturally under the ground. It is usually found in oilfields.
Manganese:
It is used in the making of steel, chemicals and glass. We have large deposits of this mineral in odisha.
Mica:
It is used to manufacture medicines and electrical goods. India is the largest producer of mica in the world. Jharkhand is the leading producer of mica in India.
Atomic Minerals:
India has considerable deposits of atomic minerals. Uranium is found mainly in Jharkhand and Rajasthan. The atomic power plants in the country are at Tarapur(Maharashtra), Kalpakkam(Tamil Nadu),Kota and Rawatbhata in Rajasthan and Narora in Uttar Pradesh.

Types of minerals

MINERAL RESOURCES
A mineral is a naturally occurring substance found on the earth. For example, gold, silver, copper, coal and iron. We have to dig them out from the earth. The place from where a mineral is dug out is called a mine.
Minerals are valuable gifts of nature to us. They are the wealth of a nation. Think, what we would do if there was no coal, iron or petroleum. Let's learn about some important minerals found in our country.
TYPES OF MINERALS
Minerals can be classified into two types:

1. Metallic
2. Nonmetallic

Metallic minerals
Metallic minerals contain metals. Metals are hard substances with a lustre or shine. They can be moulded into different shapes. The important metallic minerals are ores of iron, manganese, copper, bauxite, mice, etc. These are used to make machines, utensils, cars, aeroplanes, etc. Some metals like gold, silver etc.are used as valuable like making jewellery, etc.

Nonmetallic minerals

The minerals do not contain metals are called non metallic minerals. These include minerals fuels like coal and petroleum.

Some steps to conserve water

NEED TO CONSERVE WATER
Water supports life on earth. The increase in population and lack of proper management of this natural resource has resulted in the shortage of water. Therefore, it is essential to conserve and manage our water resources effectively and efficiently. Some of the measures which help us to conserve water are:

• We should not waste water.
• Effluents from industries like chemicals and domestic wastes should not be thrown into the lakes and rivers.
• Check that the taps are closed properly after use and check leakage of water.
• The rainwater should be collected in reservoirs and used for daily needs. The techniques of conserving water is called rainwater harvesting.
• Dams can be built to check floods and stop destruction.

Bigger dams in India

MULTI-PURPOSE PROJECTS
Dams are built on rivers which serve many purposes are called multi - purpose projects. For example, irrigation flood control electricity generation, fishing, etc. Some multi- purpose projects in India are:
Damodar Valley Project
It is built on the river Damodar in West Bengal. It includes a number of dams which provide water for irrigation in West Bengal and Jharkhand.

Sardar Sarovar Dam

It is built on the river Narmada. It provides water to Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

Bhakra Nangal Dam

It is built on the river Satluj in Himachal Pradesh. It provides water for irrigation and  electricity to Delhi and its neighbouring states. It is the largest dam in i India.

Hirakud Dam

It is built on the river Mahanadi in Odisha and is the longest dam in India.

Ways of irrigation in India

WAYS OF IRRIGATION IN OUR COUNTRY
Rain and rivers are the major sources of irrigation for our land. Since distribution of rainfall is uneven, various canals, dams, reservoirs, etc.,have been built on the rivers to facilitate better irrigation. Let us understand the various sources of irrigation in brief.
Canals
A canal is a channel of water drawn from a river. It is a man made river. We have a large number of canals all over India . These canals take the water of rivers to distant places for irrigation. Canals are a major source of irrigation in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

Dams

Dams are strong walls built across rivers. These are man made reservoir in which water is stored for various purposes. Water is allowed to fall from a height through dams to produce electricity. Water is supplied through canals for irrigation and through pipes for drinking, washing and cooking. Many big dams have been built across rivers in our country. Jawaharlal Nehru called these dams the 'new temples of modern India'. The Bhakra Nangal Dam over the river Satluj, the Gandhi Sagar Dam over the river Chambal, the Nagarjunasagar Dam over the river Krishna, the Hirakud Dam over the river Mahanadi, the Kosi Dam over the river Kosi and the Mettur Dam over the river Kaveri are some of the important dams in our country.

Wells and Tubewells

Since ancient times, wells have been used to avail water for domestic purposes and for irrigation. But in some parts of the country, the water level is very low. It is not easy to dig wells in such places. To draw water from great depths, we now dig tubewells. These tubewells are run by diesel engines or electrical motors.

Tanks

It is difficult to dig wells in hilly areas. In such places, big tanks are built. Rain water is stored in these tanks. This water is then used for irrigation and other purposes. Tanks are mostly used in Andhara Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Karnataka.

Water is the basis of the survival of life. We must not waste it or pollute it. Dirty or impure water can make us sick. So we must not throw any garbage into our rivers , streams or canals. We should not wash or clean things into these sources of water. We should keep our water clean.

Water resources in India

WATER RESOURCES IN INDIA
Water is the most important thing on the earth. It is a gift of nature without which no life is possible. We depend on water for all our needs. We need water for drinking, bathing, washing, cleaning and cooking. But one of the most important uses of water is irrigation. We can't grow any crop without irrigating our fields. Irrigation supplies the land or crops with water.
MAIN SOURCES OF WATER
RAIN
Rainwater is the best natural means of irrigation. But many parts of India does not get rain throughout the year. The rain mostly occur in the months of July and August. Sometimes, the rain is too late, sometimes too early. Sometimes the rain is too heavy that floods occur. At some places, there is no rain at all and there are drought. So we can't depend solely on seasonal rainfall for irrigation.
RIVERS
A large natural stream of water is called a river. There are many big rivers in India. Among them the most important are Satluj, Ganga, Yamuna and Brahmaputra in North India. They are perennial rivers. They originate from the Himalayas and have water throughout the year. The Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri are the prominent rivers following in the Southern Plateau. They are seasonal rivers as they have water only when there is rain.

Advantages of forests

ADVANTAGES OF FORESTS

1. They help to cause rainfall.
2. They help to prevent floods.
3. They give us firewood to burn.
4. They stop the growth of deserts.
5. They provide fodder for animals.
6. They check soil erosion.
7. They are homes to wildlife.
8. They help to make the climate cool and pleasant.
9. They give us timber for our furniture and buildings.
10. They give us many herbs that can be used as medicines.
11. They give us wood pulp from which paper can be made.
12. They give us hard wood for making railway sleepers and coaches.
13. Forests are great spots for tourist attraction.
14. They purify the air and thus protect the environment from pollution.
15. They give us soft wood for making crates, matchsticks, play wood, etc.
16. They give us resin, gum, honey, lac, rubber, tanning materials, etc.
17. They help in maintaining ecological balance.

Forest and wildlife of India

OUR FOREST AND WILDLIFE
A large area of land thickly covered with trees, bushes, etc...is called a forest. The trees and bushes in a forest grow on their own. We call them natural vegetation.
TYPES OF FOREST
There can be different types of forests in different regions. It depends on the rainfall, temperature and soil of that particular region. In India, we have different kinds of forest; namely, Evergreen Forest, Deciduous Forest, Coniferous Forest, Marshy Forest and Thorny Forest.
Evergreen Forest
Forests that remain green throughout the year are called evergreen forest. They do not shed their leaves all together at any particular time of the year. Such forests are tall and have huge crowns. The crowns are so thick that even the rays of the sun cannot pass through them. The wood of such trees are very hard. They include rosewood, mahogany, sandalwood and bamboo. They are found along the windward side of the western Ghats and in the north eastern parts of the country(Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram)

Coniferous Forest

Trees that bear cones and long, pointed leaves are called coniferous trees. The for and diodar are such trees. They grow in very cold regions. Their wood is soft and is good for building houses and for making furniture. Thick coniferous forests are found on the higher slopes of the Himalayas and the Nilgiris. Coniferous forests are also called the mountain forests.

Marshy Forest

The deltas of rivers have a marshy land. Therefore the forests found on the deltas of rivers called marshy forests. For example, in West Bengal there are thick forests on the delta of the river Ganga. They are called Sundarbans because the trees that grow in these forests are called sundari.

Thorny Forests

The rainfall is very scanty in desert area. Only bushes and short thorny plants and trees grow in deserts. In India , we have thorny forest in the dry regions of Rajasthan, Punjab, central Maharashtra, East Karnataka and Gujarat. Trees like babul, keekar, and khair grow in these places. Thorny plants and trees can live for long periods without any water or rainfall.

WILDLIFE RESOURCES

India has a large variety of wildlife. However, animals are being hunted and killed in large numbers by human beings for their skin, fur, horn and tusks. In order to protect the wildlife, certain forests are protected. These are known as forest reserves or wildlife sanctuaries.

At present, there are 531 wildlife sanctuaries and 103 national parks in India. Some of the famous National Parks are Sundarbans in West Bengal, Kaziranga and Manas in Assam, Bandipur in Karnataka, Corbett National parks in Uttarakhand, Kanha-Kisli in Madhya Pradesh, Periyar in Kerala, Gir in Gujarat and Sariska , Ranthambore, Keoladeo(Bharatpur) in Rajasthan. Many animals such as lion, tiger, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, nilgai, chinkara, monkey and others are found in these sanctuaries. Here animals live in their natural habitat and no one is allowed to disturb, hunt or kill them.

History of India

HISTORY OF INDIA
India has a glorious past; a wonderful history going back to nearly 5000 years ago. Our history is broadly divided into three periods- the Ancient period(from prehistory to 600CE), the Medieval period (from 700CE to about 1750CE) and the Modern period(from 1750CE to 1947)
THE ANCIENT PERIOD
Indus Valley Civilisation
Indus civilisation, also called Indus valley civilisation or Harappan Civilisation, is the earliest known urban culture in the Indian subcontinent. It was first identified in 1921 in Harappa in Punjab region and then in 1992 in Mohenjo-Daro near the Indus River in the Sindh region, both now in Pakistan. The Indus civilisation is known to have comprised two large cities, Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, and more than 100 towns and villages, mostly of relatively small size.
The cities of the Indus valley civilisation were well organised and solidly built out of brick and stone. Their drainage system, wells and water storage systems were the most sophisticated in the ancient world. They also developed systems of weights and measure and trade. They designed jewellery and made game pieces and toys for their children. With the help of the remains of Indus valley civilisation, we can learn about the people who lives and worked in these cities. The people of the Indus valley civilisation also developed a writing system which was used for several hundred years. However, unlike some other ancient civilisations, we are still unable to read the words that they had wrote.

THE ARYANS
The Aryans were warrior people who celebrated their victories in battle on their war stories from one generation to the next. Early Aryans were nomads who travelled from one place to another in search of food and shelter. Later, Aryans learned to farm the fertile Soils of the Indus River Valley allowing their settlements to become more permanent.
They lived and occupied the northern plains gradually. They worshiped natural powers and made open air sacrifices (yajnas). Both boys and girls were allowed to attend school and receive education. They raised livestock, road chariots and loved to gamble. They had no sophisticated government. Later, they grouped themselves into clans and were ruled by warriors chiefs called rajas. Their history consists of constant war amongst themselves and among the various clans. The Aryan beliefs and their daily life is described in the four Vedas. Veda means knowledge. The Vedas are comprised of the Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva Vedas . During this period, there were a number of Janapadas or small kingdoms in North India. Later, they were all conquered by the rulers of Magadha, one of the most powerful kingdoms of North India.
Alexander The Great
In 326BCE, Alexander the ruler of Macedonia in Greece came to conquer India. He defeated king Porus of Punjab but was impressed with the bravery of Porus. Even though he won the battle, he had to return to Greece as his army was very tired. On the way back, Alexander was affected with malaria and died in 323 BCE.
MAURYAN EMPIRE
Chandragupta Maurya was a skilled leader and politician. He expanded the kingdom of Magadha into the Mauryan empire.
Maurya's grandson , Ashoka began his rule as a brutal warlord. His military expanded the borders of the empire to include two thirds of the Indian subcontinent. In later life, Ashoka grew tired of war and converted himself to Buddhism. He taught his people to be kind to others and to have regard for human life. Under his rule, Buddhist teachers were able to spread Buddhism far and wide.
After the death of Ashoka, the Mauryan Empire entered a period of decline. After the Mauryas, the Guptas ruled over India in the fourth and the fifth centuries CE. They were very powerful rulers and India became a rich country under their rule. This period is known as 'the golden age of India '.
THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD
By the end of 7th century CE, the rulers of central Asia became very powerful. They were attracted to India because of its riches. AMahmud of Ghazni and Muhammad Ghori plundered India . In 1206 CE, Qutub-ud-din Aibak became the ruler of North India . He founded the Delhi Sultanate. He was followed by Iltutmish, Raziya Sultana and Balban.
With the decline of the Delhi Sultanate, North India was divided into many small kingdoms. Later, Babur came to India in 1526 CE and laid the foundations of the Mughal rule in India. After Babur, Humayun succeeded the thorns of the mughal emperor. He was followed by his son Akbar in 1556 CE. Akbar was the most successful Mughal ruler. He conquered a number of kingdoms and brought a greater part of India under his control.
After him, came Jahangir followed by Shah Jahan. Shah Jahan built many famous monuments; the most famous being Taj Mahal. He was succeeded by his son Aurangzeb, the last important ruler of the Mughal Dynasty. After him, the Mughal Dynasty declined.
THE MODERN PERIOD
The decline of the Mughal rule saw the beginning of the British rule in India. The first European traders - the French, the Portuguese and the Dutch, who had come to India to trade, were defeated by the British. In 1757 CE, the British defeated the Nawab or ruler of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daulah and became the rulers of Bengal. The British who had come to India as traders gradually started participating in the administration of the country. They soon overtook the control over the whole of India and started exploiting the Indian riches and her people.
In 1857, Indians revolted against British East India Company. But this revolt was crushed and the Queen of England took over the Indian empire. Many educated Indians formed political organizations to free India from the British rule. The Indian National Congress (INC) was one of the most important organizations that led the Indian freedom struggle.
Mahatma Gandhi was the most popular leader of the freedom movement. He organised a number of movements to force the British to leave India. He used peaceful methods of protest like Satyagraha, Quit India Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, etc. Which were based on the principles of truth and non violence. After a lot of struggle and loss of lives, India finally became independent on 15th August 1947.

Heritage of India

HERITAGE OF INDIA
India is a land of rich heritage of art, architecture, philosophy, classical music and dance and much more. Heritage of India is something that sets India apart from the rest of the world.
The cultural heritage of India, originates from various elements of culture, namely dance, music, sculptures, languages, festivities, traditional customs and beliefs and so on. It is these aspects and their significance that make Indian heritage the most vibrant of all.
DANCE AND MUSIC
The dance forms of India include both folk dance and classical dance.
Our folk dance bring great joy to every occasion. Folk dances are performed on special occasions, such as festivals, marriages, harvesting time, etc. some of the popular folk dances are Bhangra of Punjab, Ghoomar of Rajasthan, the tribal dances of the Nagas, Mizos and Finds, etc.
Indian classical dances started as a form of worship. Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Manipuri, Odissi and Kuchipudi are some of the popular classical dance forms of India . Different classical dances have different beats, rhythms and costumes.

India has a rich heritage that believes in touching the soul. Indian classical music is of two types- Hindustani music and Carnatic music. Hindustani music was developed in North India. Hindustan music was not only influenced by ancient Hindu musical traditions, but also by the Persian people of the Mughal era. Besides pure classical, there are also several semi classical forms such as Thumri and Tappa.

Carnatic music was developed in South India. Carnatic in Sanskrit means 'soothing to the ears'. The main emphasis is on vocal music, and the composition is meant to be performed in a singing style known as gayaki.

Different musical instruments are used in classical music. Veena, sitar, shehnai, flute, harmonium and tabla are some of the popular musical instruments used in classical music.

FOOD

Spices are the very essence of Indian cuisine ans these colourful ingredients and what bind the rich Indian culinary tradition. There is a great variety of food items in India. Each part of the country has a cuisine or a delicacy exclusive to that region. North Indian people prefer roti, paranthas and a vegetable dish with pickles. In south India people prefer idlis and dosas with different chutneys. In Eastern India rice and fish are the preferable food items, while in western India dhokla, thepla, khandavi etc are the main food items.

PAINTING

Paintings constitute an important part of our culture. Early humans painted on the walls of the caves as in Bhimbetka in Madhya Pradesh. The Ajanta paintings in the Maharashtra depict the life of Buddha. Paintings from the Mughal Era were beautiful and usually depicted a story. Mughal rulers used to invite painters to decorate their palaces  and temples. Some of the popular painting forms include the Tanjore painting of Tamil Nadu, Madhubani painting of Bihar, Kalamkari painting of Andhara Pradesh and Telangana Pithora and painting of Gujarat.

ARCHITECTURE

India is blessed with a rich cultural legacy of art and architecture. The numerous beautiful temples and other monuments bear testimony to the rich Indian culture heritage. The Ajanta and Ellora caves in Maharashtra, the Khajuraho temples in Madhya Pradesh, the Konark temple in Puri, the stupas of the Sanchi and shore temple at Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu and the Taj Mahal in Agra are some of the beautiful monuments that reflect the rich architectural heritage of India.

FESTIVALS

The thing that is most striking about India is its vibrancy and colours. The country is a land of myriad fairs and festivals which have been categorized into 3 types of festivals: 

• National festival 
• Religious festival
• Seasonal festival

National Festival

In India, there are three national festivals - Independence day, Republic day and Gandhi Jayanti.

Religious Festival

Many religious festivals are celebrated in India such as Diwali, Dussehra, Christmas, id-ul-fitr, Gurpurab, Buddha Purnima, Mahavira Jayanti and many others.

Seasonal Festivals

Some seasonal festivals are celebrated in particular seasons such as Baisakhi in Punjab, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Bihu in Assam and Onam in Kerala which are harvest festivals.

Languages

In India, people speak many languages. There are twenty major languages in India which are recognized by our constitution. These are Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Santhali, Maithali, Konkani, Dogri and Bodo. Hindi is our official language and is also spoken by the majority of Indians. Most of the languages spoken in India in one way or the other belong to two main families of languages, Dravidian and Aryan.

India is a vast country and is centuries old. It is difficult to sum up our heritage in a few words. Her glorious past has many great art forms, architecture, literature, cultures and traditions adorning her. The most prominent feature of India's culture is that it combines many cultures. We should preserve this precious gift of our ancestors and live up to the glory of our rich heritage.