Agriculture
Traditionally, the Indian economy is considered to be an agro-based economy. Thus, to fulfill the need for agricultural activities, there is a high demand for water supply. Arguably the most crucial role that rivers play is in the field of agriculture. Despite the technologies of handpumps available, most farmers, even today, depend on rain for their need for water for the crops. Rainfall is quite uncertain, and with climate change, it has become worse. So, the river water fulfills the need for water for various crops. The river water is carried through the agricultural fields via canals.
Moreover, the area around the rivers is more fertile, especially in the case of Himalayan rivers, which bring requisite minerals from the mountains in the form of silt and sediments. These silt and sediments gradually settle and become fit for the cultivation of crops. This is the reason why the northern plains are the most fertile area of India. Thus, it gives a better possibility to the farmers to maximize their yield.
Role of Rivers in Indian Economy
Since the inception of human civilization, rivers have been a significant part of human lives. Water has been the most precious natural resource since time immemorial. In fact, the earliest known human settlements were started around the river banks, for instance, the Indus valley civilization. The primary reason for these developments was the potential of rivers as a source of livelihood and to generate economic activities around them. Over the period, as human civilizations across the nation began to develop, the dimensions of rivers as a source of the economy also increased. Let’s discuss some spheres where we find the economic importance of rivers.
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