Plenty of water - still we are thirsty!

 

Plenty of water - still we are thirsty!

 

Background Water is essential for existence of life in any form. Water resources are depleting slowly and this is a major threat to living beings. The world today is debating a lot about water conservation and the need to protect water resources. Imbalance caused by excessive human activities in forest reserves and unprecedented development in terms of infrastructure and other activities affect the pattern of rainfall. Some regions get more rainfall during monsoon which affects normal life and also the existence of people and livestock. In 2006, the desert region of India, the Thar, experienced unusual rainfall that caused damage to people, property and livestock in the region Methodology

1. Discuss with your elders or visit the meteorological office and collect information about the rainfall pattern in your area during the last ten years.

 2. Find out whether there were floods or drought during that period.

3. Find out how it affected the lives of the people.

 4. Analyse the rainfall patterns and the possible causes of excess or scanty rainfall during a particular year.

Conclusion Why there are famines? Why there are floods? Who is responsible for this? Do you accept if the pointer is towards you? Let us discuss this point. We know that forest cover is necessary for proper rainfal. Forests will not allow the water to flow quickly, abstructing it’s flow. Water percolates, into, the soil and excess water is shed in the form of brooks, springs which finally join the rivers. If forests cutdown indiscriminately there is no obstruction for the flow of water. If, heavy rain fall is there heavy flow of water results in floods. All the water flows out quickly. Small amounts of water only percolates into the soil.

So very little amount of water is added to the underground reserves. When the soil is not covered with forests the water in the subsoil quickly gets evoporated. It results in drying up of plants, increase in temperature. Now do you accept that man is responsible for famines and floods. To construct roads and buildings big trees more than fifty year old are also cutdown.

Now a days tree transplanting technology is available. By using this technology we may transplant even big trees. But this is not familiar for all. The only solution for all environmental problems is planting trees. Write a report on your study using pictures. Follow-up 1. Find out the reasons for floods in a city or big town. 2. Suggest measures to check it. 3. Why some people do not have drinking fecilities eventhough they reside near rivers and streams. Give your reasons

Do we need zoos ?

Background Zoological gardens or zoos are places for conservation of animals, research and creating awareness amongst people about the animals kept there. In most cases, it is not possible for us to go and see animals in their natural habitats due to the dangers associated with it and prohibitions by the government. In some other cases, the animals are not found in our state/country. A zoo gives us an opportunity to see and learn about animals found in different places in the world. However, many of us assume that the zoo is meant for the entertainment and amusement of people, particularly children. Methodology

1. Collect necessary information about zoos and how the idea of setting up zoos emerged.

2. Identity some famous zoos in our country and find out why they are famous.

3. Visit a zoo and observe the behaviour pattern of animals and the conditions in which they are kept, and try to understand their problems.

4. Find out about the problems of keeping animals in a zoo from the caretaker /