Technical methods to conserve water

Rainwater Harvesting : 
Rainwater harvesting is the gathering and collection of water from the rooftop. The traditional method of rain water harvesting is the most effective and simple way to conserve the water. It means utilization of rain water for the domestic as well as agricultural purposes. There are three technical methods of rain water harvesting such as Catchment, Conveyance and storage. 

Historical Water Bodies : 
There are many traditional water bodies which have been in disuse for the longer time. These bodies can be reused as the recharging points.

Ponds :
Steps should be taken to avoid dumping of sewage into the village ponds. Efforts need to be made to deepen these ponds with the dragline machines. Garbage and other waste sholud not be dumped into the ponds.

Water Conservation

A step to conserve water is the step to secure the future. The most essential among all the natural resources on earth is water. A drop of water is worth more than a sack of gold for the thirsty man. If each one of us make efforts to save water today , it will save us later. Water conservation is the most effective and environmentally sound method to fight global warming. Water conservation is what that can reduce the scarcity of water. It aims to improve the efficiency of use of water, and reduce losses and waste. 


Tips to save water :

• Avoid leakage of water from the taps.
• Turn the tap off when not in use especially when you brush your teeth or wash clothes.
• Rainwater harvesting is the another method to conserve water.
• The water supply should be limited in those areas which enjoys the unlimited water supplies.
• Check the leakage of water in the toilets. Also get check the hidden water leaks.
• Educate the mind of the people in the rural areas to save the water.
• Promote the conservation of water through media and wall posters.
• Never throw the water unnecessary on roads which can be used for gardening and cleaning.
• Avoid unnecessary flushing the toilets. Dispose off the tissues, cigarettes and other waste into the bin instead of toilets.
• Use minimum amount of water to bath.
• Water Waste restrictions.
• Improvement in the water distribution system.
• Water your lawn only when it is needed.
• Use a broom instead of hose to clean the sidewalks or to wash the car.
• Capture the water that is leaking and repair it as soon as possible.
• You can use washing machine to wash clothes that does not consume much water.
• Donot leave the tap running while washing the dishes in the kitchen.
• Install small shower heads to reduce the flow of water.

Benefits to Conserve water :

• If you save water it can save your money bills.
• Reduction in interior water use cuts waste water flows, especially overflowing of gutters which contaminates the environment.
• Environment benefits include eco system and habitat protection.
• Water conservation helps in improving the quality of your drinking water.

WATER IS LIFE

Save Water Save Lives (SWSL) is an activity (program) to supply clean water to desperate people in underdeveloped countries through a planned system of water catchment, storage and reticulation. Also to instruct the Nationals in methods of concrete tank construction and encourage them to maintain and protect the water supply system. Education in hygiene is also offered

The Activity involves teams of RAWCS SAVE WATER SAVE LIVES VOLUNTEERS who travel to areas in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, India, Indonesia for a period of 10 days, to instruct the Nationals in the skills of concrete tank construction ranging in storage capacity from 2,000 litres to 40,000 litres The method using steel formwork moulding is used in earthquake prone areas where trans- port is available A system of ferro-cement tank building is used in inaccessible locations such in mountainous regions It is very cost efficient and does not need the heavy (4 tonnes) steel formwork, using instead bird wire and very light reinforcing. Working manuals have been produced to assist in the instruction.

Over 350 concrete tanks using the steel formwork method have been built since 1986, many of the projects have attracted Rotary Foundation 3H Grants, Matching Grants and AusAID subsidies Various other types of tanks are used where necessary such as fibre glass tanks and Aqua-Iok kit steel tanks with plastic liner, and Rotartanks are popular because of ease of transportation, slung under a helicopter.

Other water projects such as tube wells in Zambia to piping water to tap-stands in 12 villages from a spring in the highlands near Mt Hagen PNG are projects which were designed by the Engineering and Health Departments of provincial Governments. The World Health Organisation has also been involved in the planning of projects. Funding only projects are listed in the Projects Funding (IPAC SWSL) section Funds are always required.

AGRICULTURE SECTOR IN INDIA

Rural Indian women are extensively involved in agricultural activities. However the nature andextent of their involvement differs with the variations in agroproduction systems. The mode of femaleparticipation in agricultural production varies with the landowning status of farm households. Theirroles range from managers to landless labourers. In over all farm production, women’s average contributionis estimated at 55% to 66% of the total labour with percentages, much higher in certain regions. 

In the Indian Himalayas a pair of bullocks works 1064 hours, a man 1212 hours and a woman 3485hours in a year on a once hectare farm, a figure that illustrates women’s significant contribution to agricultural production. (Shiva FAO, 1991)

The impact of W.T.O rules and policies of trade liberalization in the agriculture sector on womenis distinctive for four reasons. Firstly, women have been the primary seed keepers, processors. They have been the both experts and producers of food, from seed to the kitchen. W.T.O impacts women’s expertise and productive functions throughout the food chain. 

The Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement impacts women’s knowledge of and control over seed. The Agreement onAgriculture impacts women’s livelihood and income security, and also has secondary impacts in terms of increased violence against women. The sanitary and phyto sanitary agreement has a direct impact on women’s expertise and economic role in agroprocessing.

Secondly, as globalization shifts agriculture to capital intensive, chemical intensive systems, women bear disproportionate cots of both displacement and health hazards.

Thirdly, Women carry the heavier work burden in food production, and because of gender discrimination get lower returns for their work. When WTO destroys rural livelihoods, it is women who loose the most. When WTO rules allow dumping which leads to decline in prices of farm products, it is womens - already low incomes, which go down further.

Fourthly, their position vis-à-vis WTO is also more vulnerable because as the livelihoods and incomes of farmers in general, and women agriculturists in particular are eroded, they are displaced from productive roles, women in agriculture and their status is further devalued, while the patriarchal power of those who control assets and benefit from asset transfer due to globalization is increased,other social processes are triggered which result in increased violence against women.

The violence associated with displacement, devaluation and dis-empowerment takes the form of intensive violence, increasing incidences of rape, the epidemic of female foeticide, and growth in trafficking of women. Women also bear the ultimate burden of farm suicides, since they are left to look after their households without assets but with the burden of indebtedness.

India has a geographical area of 328.73 million hectares; of which reported area for land use is 306.04 million hectares. The net area cultivated is about 142.60 million hectares i.e. about 46.6 per cent of the total reported area. Since nearly 50 million hectares of area is sown more than once,

the cropping intensity works out to 135.1. Forests account for about 68.97 million hectares i.e. 22.5 percent of the total reported land area. Also nearly 13.97 million hectares are cultivable wastelands and 9.91 million hectares are fallow lands. Only about 30 percent of the total cropped area is irrigated and the remaining area is rain fed. The available statistics further shows that only about 66 percent of the gross cropped area is under food crops and nearly 34 percent area under nonfood crops. Cereals and pulses account for nearly 52.93 per cent and 12.64 percent of the total area respectively. Fruits and vegetables occupy nearly 4.24 percent of area. 

Plantation crops accounts for insignificant proportion of total area at the macro level, although these are very important crops for certain regions, namely tea in Assam and West Bengal, Coffee in Kerala and Karnataka, Coconut, cashew nut and rubber in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Of the total coconut area of 1.84 million hectares, Kerala accounts for 51 percent followed by Tamil Nadu 17 percent, Karnataka 18 percent, Andhra Pradesh 5.4 percent and other 9.6 percent. In the case of cashew nut, there are about 601 thousand hectares of which Kerala accounts for 20 percent, Andhra Pradesh 15 percent, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu 14 percent each, Orissa 11 percent and Goa 8 percent and others 4 percent. Tea covers nearly 4.34 lakh hectares of area in the country of which 3.33 lakh hectares are in the states of Assam and West Bengal. Coffee is predominantly grown in the three southern states of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Of the total coffee area of about 2.41 lakh hectares, Karnataka shares 1.28 lakh hectares, Kerala 66.5 thousand hectares and Tamil Nadu 32.9 thousand hectares. Similarly rubber is the crop of southern states. Of the total rubber area of 5.59 lakh hectares, Kerala shares 4.73 lakh hectares, Karnataka 19.6 thousand hectares and TamilNadu 18.7 thousand hectares. Also the contribution of plantation crops to foreign exchange earnings is very significant. While tea and coffee earn sizeable foreign exchange, rubber is a valuable import substitute, for rubber-based industries.

According to population census of India 2001, there are about 402.5 million rural workers of which 127.6 million are cultivators and 107.5 million are agricultural labourers .

In other words, pure agricultural workers constitute nearly 58.4 per cent of the total rural workers, of which

31.7 percent are owner cultivators and 26.7 percent are mainly agricultural wage earners (Agriculture Statistics at a Glance, sourced from Registrar General of India, New Delhi 2001). The latest available agricultural census data (Govt. of India, Agricultural Census Division, Ministry of Agriculture 2002) also reveal that about 78 percent of operational holdings in the country are marginal and small, having less than 2 hectares. About 13 percent holdings have 2 to 4 hectares and 7.1 per cent have 4 to 10

hectares of land.

Farming

‘Go Green’, as we dearly call the concept of integrated farming, is an ideal investment option for anyone who want to make wealth through farming and farm tourism. The investment is safe since these farms are professionally managed and scientifically developed, with an added advantage of the touristic importance of the selected plots. Our farms are hand-picked venues for those who visit South India on farm tour proposes. In short, Go Green is a unique philosophy- a long term approach careing the land, water, vegetation, people and revenue

Project 1 – Theni Farms:

Prime Move has acquired 150 acres of land in Bodinaykannur (a village close to Theni) for developing farming which includes a mix of agriculture crops like coconut, mango, amla, supporta, papaya, pomegranate, etc. Every plot will be having high income trees like Teak (at least 500) plus natural fencing facility with trees like grantis or choukka. Each developed plot provides an independent farm house, electricity and telephone connection, independent road access, not to mention special privileges such as vehicle facility, indoor games, swimming pool, kids play area, guest house, plus other recreational facilities. Theni is blessed to be at an ideal geographic position which serves as a gateway to tourist places like Kodaikkanal, Madurai, Thekkady and Munnar, all in the vicinity of 100 kms. It is definitely once-in-a lifetime farming opportunity for aspiring investors!!!

Project 2 – The Theni Magic :

Prime Move has bought 23 cents of land in Theni. The location is supreme, at the heart of commercial activity in the town. We are planning to setup a multiplex shopping mall or re-sale by a huge margin, either can turn out to be lucrative in every aspect. We are confident of very attractive returns by the implementation of these two projects.

8 Great Earth Day Activities for Kids

Make a Papier-Mache Earth

Kids can learn about the Earth, its oceans, ice masses and continents by making their very own globe from strips of papier-mache wrapped around a balloon. Painting and naming each land mass, mountain range and body of water is a valuable geography lesson they can take home and keep for years.

Music and Songs for Earth Day

Make a joyful noise unto the Earth with these two songs about Earth Day and kids' involvement in the celebration: "Recycle" and "The Earth and the Rainbow." Kids love music and singing, and these songs will help get them in the Earth Day spirit.

Make a Recycled Animal for Earth Day

Kids can learn about recycling discarded items while making a whole menagerie of colorful animals. Egg cartons, plastic bottles, corks, bottle caps, grocery bags, popsicle sticks and other household items can be turned into caterpillars, fish, camels, birds and insects with just a little glue and imagination.

Visit Your Local Zoo or Aquarium on Earth Day

If a day spent indoors seems like a lousy way to celebrate Earth Day, get the kids outside and spend some time where the wild things roam. Most zoos and aquariums are planning special Earth Day festivities especially for the young ones, who can learn first-hand about the natural environment, the plants and animals living there, and why it's important to save them.

Coloring Your World

If you're looking for some easy coloring for Earth Day to keep younger children thinking about nature, visit the website of the EPA for Earth Day coloring activities. This section of the EPA's site also includes links to other places with great ideas for celebrating Earth Day with kids.

Read Me an Earth Day Story!

Kids love it when you read them a story, and the following list of Earth Day-related titles is by no means complete:

• Celebrating Earth Day: Circle the Year With Holidays, by Janet McDonnell
• Every Day Is Earth Day: A Craft Book, by Kathy Ross
• Keeper of the Swamp, by Ann Garrett
• Mr. Garbage, by William H. Hooks
• Gover's 10 Terrific Ways to Help our Wonderful World, by Anna Ross
• Tanya's Big Green Dream, written by Lida Glaser
• Pollution? No Problem!, by David Morichon
• For the Love of Our Earth, by P.K. Hallinan

Make an Earth Day Flag

Originally designed in the 60s to celebrate the environmental movement, the green Earth Day flag has evolved over the years and now has a partner, the blue Earth Day flag. Pick one (or both) and hoist it on your nearest flag pole.

Feed Our Fine-Feathered Friends

Birds are migrating back north this time of year -- help them on their journey by making an inexpensive pine-cone feeder for Earth Day. All you need is a pine cone, some string, and peanut butter (or lard -- this can be mixed with seeds, oats, corn meal or nuts). Smear the mixture onto the pine cone, then hang it outside to attract cardinals, chick-a-dees and other birds.

Water Pollution Solutions

There are several steps that can be taken to help prevent water pollution from getting worse.

Conserve Soil

Erosion is one of the biggest causes of water pollution today. When you take steps to conserve soil, you are also conserving water and water life. Planting vegetative covers, strict erosion management and implementing beneficial farming methods are just a few of the many possible approaches to soil conservation.

Dispose of Toxic Chemicals Properly

It’s always a good idea to use lower VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) products in your home whenever possible. If you do use toxic chemicals, such as paints, stains or cleaning supplies, dispose of them properly. Paints can be recycled and oils can be reused after treatment. Proper disposal keeps these substances out of storm drains, water ways and septic tanks.

Keep Machinery in Good Working Order

Oil is one of the largest polluters of water in the world. It’s estimated that just the transportation of oil is responsible for .0001 percent of oil contamination in water. Take steps to ensure you aren’t adding to this problem by repairing oil leaks in cars and machinery as soon as they are spotted. Clean up the residue and dispose of the used oils properly.

Clean Up Beaches and Waterways

Just picking up waste and litter wherever it is spotted can go a long way to keeping debris and pollutants out of the water. Do your part by taking your own trash, other wastes and any you see to a nearby disposal facility.

Avoid Plastics When Possible

Plastic bags in the ocean is a well documented water pollutant. Keep this problem from getting worse by changing to reusable grocery bags whenever possible.

Get Active and Get Involved

Is there a company near your home that releases heat, coolants or chemicals into a nearby waterway? You can get involved. Contact the EPA, local authorities or write letters to the heads of companies. Spreading an awareness of problems is a big first step toward combating them.

While water pollution solutions may seem like too little, too late when viewed in the light of major oil spills and floating plastic bag islands they are necessary to prevent these problems from growing worse. Simply slowing down the rate of pollution can give the environment and scientists time to find long-term solutions to the very real problems of water pollution. If you do your part to prevent pollution in your area, then you’ll be helping to protect aquatic life.

The costs of water pollution in India

Unless there have been some environment related acts in India as early as the nineteenth century, 

the first significant laws  regarding the protection  of environmental resources appeared in the 

1970's with the setting up of a National Comimittee on Environmental Planning and

Coordination, and the enactment of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. 

Since then, three  main texts have been passed at the central level, that are relevant to  water

pollution :   the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Water (Prevention 

and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977 and the Environment (Protection) Act (1986). 

The Water Act 1974 established the Pollution Control Boards at the central and state level.   

The Water Cess Act 1977 provided the Pollution Control Boards with a funding tool, enabling 

them to charge the water user with a cess designed as a financial support for the board's activities. 

The Environment Protection Act 1986 is an umbrella legislation providing a single focus in the 

country for the protection of environment and seeks to plug the loopholes of earlier legislation 

relating to environment.  

The law prohibits the pollution of water bodies and requires any potentially polluting activity to

get the consent of the local SPCB before being started. 

Composition : Each board is composed of a chairman and five  members, with agriculture 

fisheries, and government-owned industries having representation.  

                 

The CPCB has overshight powers over the various state boards. It sets emission standards, and 

lays down ambient standards. The CPCB also conducts nation wide surveys about the status of

pollution, and of pollution mitigation. 

Two programs of inland water quality monitoring have been  set up so far, leading to the 

spreading of  480 measurement stations over the  main river basins of the country. These two

programs are the Global  Environment Monitoring System (GEMS) and Monitoring of Indian

Aquatic Resources (MINARS). The ganga river is subject to a dedicated program called Ganga 

Action Plan (GAP) under which a water quality control network as been set up in the ganga basin. 

The measurement are made in different kind of medium (river, wells, lakes, creeks, ponds, tanks, 

drains and canals) and 25 physico-chemical and biological parameters are monitored. 

The implementation of the national environmental laws, and the enforcement of the standards set

by the CPCB is decentralised at the level of each state, with the SPCB in charge of this role. The

SPCB can demand information from any industry about the  compliance  with the Act. Non-

2compliance can be punished with fines up to Rs. 10000, and imprisonment up to three months. In

case of continued non-compliance, an additional  daily fine of  5000 Rs. can be imposed. Until 

1988, the only enforcement tool of the SPCB was criminal prosecution. This was revised by the 

1988 amendment to the Water Act of 1974. The  boards now  have the power to close noncompliant companies or to cut their  water and power supply. The ultimate recourse remains 

public interest litigation in front on the supreme court. During the last decade, the supreme court 

has been involved several times in large scale environment related measures. In April 1995 for 

example, the Supreme Court of India, in a public interest litigation case, has ordered that 538 

tanneries located in 3 clusters in Calcutta generating about 30 mld of effluents be shifted from the 

city to a leather complex and a CETP (Common Effluent Treatment Plant)be provided to treat the

effluent generated from the complex. In 1996, it has ordered the closure of all tanneries in Tamil 

Nadu that had not set up pollution control systems.

However, control and sanction is not the only way of interaction between the boards and the 

polluting entities. Under the Water  Cess Act of 1977 state boards  may charge industries and 

municipalities with a water cess calculated on the volume of water consumed, and for consent

fees. Nevertheless any fee levied by the SPCBs have to be sent to the central government. The 

central government is then supposed to return 80% of the fees to the SPCBs 

Water Conservation Devices

Water conservation should not be considered an option any longer. Current circumstances require our full attention if we hope to thrive as a civilization. If these statements sound dramatic, it is because much of the world is currently suffering due to a lack of clean water.

(1)Rain Harvesting:-

Rainwater harvesting is a technology used for collecting and storing rainwater from rooftops, the land surface or rock catchments using simple techniques such as jars and pots as well as more complex techniques such as underground check dams.

(2)Showerheads:-

•(1.5 GPM) Powerful, two-setting massage spray showerhead that does not sacrifice performance for efficiency

•Flow control technology: greater force at low pressure!

•Rated #1 showerhead by leading industry organization

•Conserves water and saves money while enhancing pressure, performance and appearance! • 9-jet turbo massage is adjustable: gentle needle spray to forceful jet

•Saves 40% more energy & water

•Non-removable flow compensator

•Non-aerating spray means less temperature loss with maximum energy savings

•Pressure-enhancing construction • Consistent flow rate regardless of water pressure

•Self-cleaning and maintenance-free

•Installs easily by hand and without tools

•Corrosion-resistant, high-impact ABS thermoplastic body

•Meets or exceeds ANSI specifications

•California Energy Commission-certified

•10-year guarantee

(3)Teflon Tape:-

This product is used to quickly seal indoor and outdoor leaks, thereby saving lots and lots of water.

(4)Tankless Water Heaters:-

A tankless water heater provides hot water only when needed. It heats water on demand.

Here’s how it works:-

You turn on the hot water tap, the system rapidly heats cold water (which travels through a pipe into the unit), and hot water flows to your tap as long as you’d like. That means you won’t run out of hot water in the middle of a shower.

Because of the energy efficient capabilities of tankless water heaters you will notice big savings in your monthly utility bills. 

Water Conservation Technology

Water conservation should not be considered an option any longer. Current circumstances require our full attention if we hope to thrive as a civilization. If these statements sound dramatic, it is because much of the world is currently suffering due to a lack of clean water.Statistics around the reveal that our fresh water supply is practically nonexistent. That is why it is so important to seek out, find and start using all the innovative water conservation solutions and methods that are available today.

Water Conservation ideas are cropping up in exciting legislation. That’s why our participation in the voting process is so important. Let’s act now, so our kids will have a brighter, greener future.

Water Conservation Technology / It’s on the rise…

The importance of the conservation of water is on the rise. And factors such as global warming and increased population are just a couple of elements that play a role. Luckily there are many things we, as citizens of the Earth, can do to help.There are numerous water conservation devices available in many retail stores and online that are also affordable. These pages on water conservation are piece of the solution since they help to educate the public as well as offer solutions.

Water Conservation Technology / Companies Making a Difference

As water conservation awareness increases, more companies become determined to provide water-efficient technological advancements that contribute to worldwide water conservation efforts. The solutions available today do not only include water-efficient equipment but also entire systems that reduce usage and wastage.

Leaks are significant sources of wasted water. Often, much water has already been wasted when leaks are found. Nowadays, consumers are beginning to invest in various technologies such as leakage detection equipment and water consumption software so they can tackle water conservation in the home. Companies leading these technological advancements include Instrotech, Hydroshare, and Accurate Detection.

Even appliance companies have produced more water-efficient products. Dishwashers and washing machines have greatly reduced water usage. The type of equipment that previously used 40 liters per load now use about 18 liters. They are mostly those that are developed by companies like Whirlpool, Asko, Fisher & Paykel, and Bosch.

Bathroom fixtures have also become more water-efficient. Old showerheads and taps use up to 20 litres of water per minute. Today, showerheads use 9 litres or less while newer tapware typically use only 4 liters per minute. Toilets and urinals have also become more water-efficient as most now provide the option for either full or half flushing.

Typically, modern toilets use 4.5 litres of water per full flush while old ones use up to 23 liters. Other technology such as hot-water-on-demand equipment have also reduced water wastage. Some companies at the forefront of these developments are Zip Industries, Pacific Products, and Caroma.

Water Conservation Technology / Freedom

Numerous waterless solutions are also becoming popular. Products such as Freedom Waterless Car Wash provide ecologically safe alternatives to running hoses that can flow at up to 30 liters per minute. Using synthetic grass, mostly from Smartgrass and Grass Solutions, has also grown to be an acceptable alternative to water-dependent landscapes.

Those who still prefer natural landscapes can benefit from various horticultural advances. These include water-efficient irrigation systems and horticultural software developed by companies such as Yates, Davey Water Products, Waterwise Systems, Toro, Ladco, and ecoCare.

Various other products that reduce water loss or improve water retention include modern mulches and soil enhancers mostly from companies like Enviromix, Fytogreen, and Waterlog International.

Water Conservation Technology / Greywater

But perhaps the most significant contributors to water conservation are greywater systems as well as rainwater and stormwater harvesting equipment. These do not only ensure efficient harvesting but also safe as well as proper treatment and distribution of reusable water.

Some of the most technologically advanced companies in this industry are Water Pros, ecoCare, Davey Water Products, Wattworks, ADG Global Supply, and Nylex.

These companies continue to research and develop more technologically advanced solutions to address the increasing need to conserve water. While all the recent advancements are enough to drastically reduce the amount of clean water we use, it is up to us to make the conscious decision to take advantage of modern technology for the benefit of the environment and future generations.

Land Resource Management In INDIA

Land is a finite resource and put to many competing uses. It comprises soils,minerals, water and biota. In India land is a source of livelihood for 60 % of the population through agriculture and related activities. Population growth and the consequent demand for land, water and biological resources has put tremendous

pressure on land.

Agenda 21 recognizes the need to allocate land for sustainable uses and promote the integrated planning and management of land resources. 

The condition of land resources in India, along with policies, programmes and technologies adopted.

Institutional set-up
Land is a subject within the legislative and administrative jurisdiction of the states as per the VIIth Schedule of the Constitution, empowering the states to develop policies and enact laws. 
In India, the 3 Ministries responsible for the conservation and management of land resources are the Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Agriculture, and Ministry of Environment and Forests. 
At the national level, the Department of Land Resources under Ministry of Rural Development is the nodal agency for coordinating different land resource development and management programmes.

Land use
Of India’s reporting area for land use statistics, about 46.6% is under agriculture, 22.6% is forested, and 13. 6 % is not available for cultivation. Roughly 41 million hectares of land are considered totally unfit (snow cover, desert) or not available (urban use, rivers) for vegetation. The per capita 

13 Land 240 

availability of land declined from 0.89 hectare in 1951 to 0.3 hectares in 2001; the 

per capita availability of agricultured land declined from 0.48 hectare in 1951 to 

0.14 hectares in 2001. 

Besides the pressure of human population, there are about 

500 million cattle and other livestock living off the biomass from the land (Bali,

2000).

Climatic regions in India

The various climatic regions of India are given below:

Name of climatic region	States or territories
Tropical Rainforest	Assam and parts of the Sahyadri Mountain Range
Tropical Savannah	Sahyadri Mountain Range and parts of Maharashtra
Tropical and subtropical steppe	Parts of Punjab and Gujarat
Tropical Desert	Most parts of Rajasthan
Moist subtropical with winter	Parts of Punjab, Assam, and Rajasthan
Mountain climate	Parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttaranchal
Drought	Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Haryana
Tropical semi-arid steppe	Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and other parts of South India

Features of the seasons in India

Given below are the prominent features of the seasons in India in a tabular format:

Name of the season	Features
Winter	The winter in India spans the months of December till the beginning of April. The coldest months of the year are January and December. During this period, the average temperature is approximately 50-59 °F (10-15 °C) in the northwestern parts of the country. The mercury soars as you move in the direction of the equator, and the maximum temperature in this area is close to 68-77 °F or 20-25 °C in the southeastern parts of the Indian territory.
Summer. The summer is also known as the pre-monsoon season.	The summer months are the months of April to June. However, the summer refers to the months of April to July in the northwestern parts of the country. In the southern and western parts of the country, the month with the maximum recorded temperature is April. In case of the northern parts of the country, the month with the maximum recorded temperature is May. The average temperature registered during these months is close to 90-104 °F (32-40 °C) in majority of the inland areas of the country.
Monsoon or rainy season	The monsoon, also known as the rainy season, spans the months of June to September. This season is primarily influenced with the moist southwestern summer torrential rainfall that gradually moves throughout the nation. It starts in the end of May or the beginning of June. The precipitation starts to ebb from Northern India in the early October. Usually, the southern parts of the country get higher volume of precipitation than the northern parts of the country.
Post-monsoon season	The post-monsoon season spans the months of October to December. In the northwest parts of the country, the months of November and October normally have a bright weather. The Indian state of Tamil Nadu gets the maximum volume of yearly rainfall in the northeastern rainy season.