Rivers are very important for the development of India:-
1. Great cultural and economic progress has taken place in areas along the banks of rivers since ancient times.
2. River is a basic natural source or water.
3. River water is essential for daily human activities like washing, cooking, etc.
4. Rivers make the land fertile and provide the most productive agricultural lands. The Ganga, Kaveri and other deltas are the traditional rice growing areas.
5. They are an important source of irrigation and are the backbone of the development of agriculture.
6. There are dense and concentrated settlements in River valleys. Most of the big cities are located on the banks of rivers. They are a means of water supply.
7. They receive, dilute and transport wastes from settlements and prove to be cleaners for the towns and cities.
8. Many industrial processes depend on water so industrial development takes place near rivers. Water is used as a raw material, to cool down the things and to generate electricity.
9. Rivers act as primary channels of inland waterways.
10. Rivers are also used for recreation and promotion of tourism. They are suitable for fishing.
