Water—The Essence of Life Class 5 The World Around Us Chapter 1 CBSE Notes 2025-26

Water is one of the most important resources on Earth and is crucial for the survival of all living things, such as humans, animals, birds, plants, and even small insects. Almost three-quarters of the Earth’s surface is covered with water.

However, most of this is saltwater found in oceans and seas, and only a tiny portion is fresh water that we can actually use for drinking, farming, and daily chores. If you imagine all the water on earth filling up a glass, just a teaspoon from that glass would represent the available fresh water!

Fresh water is essential for life. We use it for drinking, irrigation of crops, cooking, bathing, and cleaning. Besides humans, many plants and animals rely on freshwater for their habitats. The main sources of fresh water include rivers, ponds, lakes, underground water (called groundwater), and precipitation like rain and snow. Oceans contain saltwater, which is not fit for drinking or irrigation without treatment. Saltwater can, however, be used to make salt in places like the salt pans of Gujarat.

There are also traditional ways of collecting and storing rainwater, such as 'johads' in Rajasthan, which are small earthen dams that help recharge groundwater. Such traditional methods highlight the importance of conserving every drop of water.

Water can exist in three main forms: liquid (water in rivers, lakes, or rain), solid (ice or snow), and gas (water vapour, as steam or in the air). A simple activity like putting ice cubes in a glass shows that water can change forms easily—ice melts into liquid, and water can evaporate into vapour when heated. If you observe carefully, you will see water returns to its liquid state after cooling down. This property allows water to travel and change forms in our environment.

The continuous movement of water around the Earth is known as the water cycle. The Sun heats water in rivers, lakes, and oceans, turning it into water vapour. This vapour rises into the air, cools down, and forms clouds.

When clouds get heavy, the water falls back to the Earth as rain, snow, or hail. This rainwater then flows back into rivers, lakes, and oceans, and the cycle begins again. The water cycle ensures a continuous supply of fresh water to all living beings.

When it rains, some water is absorbed by the soil and seeps deep into the ground. This underground water is called groundwater and is kept stored between layers of soil and rocks. People draw this water by digging wells, borewells, or using handpumps and tube wells.

Open areas, ponds, soak pits, and planting more trees help rainwater seep into the ground and recharge groundwater levels. Paved or concrete surfaces prevent this process and can lead to water shortages. That’s why it’s important to leave some spaces open and green.

Apart from groundwater, surface water is found in rivers, lakes, and ponds. Rivers usually start from high hills or mountains and flow downwards, following the shape of the land. You can see how rivers flow by pouring seeds on a sloped newspaper and watching the seeds move—just like water moves on land!

Rivers shape the land as they flow, and their direction depends on geographic features like hills and valleys. In India, some major rivers flow into the Bay of Bengal, while others flow into the Arabian Sea. For example, the Luni river in Rajasthan flows into the land and does not reach the sea.

• Rivers are lifelines for people, animals, and our farms.
• Traditional villages often work together to store and share river water.
• India even has a water museum called Jal Shakti Museum to spread awareness.

Water bodies like ponds and lakes are home to many plants and animals. For example, fish, frogs, herons, and insects like dragonflies live in or around water. Some animals, such as fish, have fins to swim, while others, like herons, have long legs to catch fish.

Plants in water are also special—some float on the surface, like lilies; some have roots anchored to the pond bed but leaves floating on top, like lotuses; and some, like water hyacinths, float freely and can spread quickly.

Information on water animals and plants:

• Dragonfly: Lays eggs near water and eats mosquitoes.
• Water scorpion: An insect with pincers and a breathing tube.
• Pond heron: Catches fish with its long legs and beak.
• Freshwater turtle: Lives in ponds and rivers.
• Reeds: Tall plants found at the pond’s edge.
• Lotus and Water Lily: Roots in bed, leaves floating.
• Water Hyacinth: Fast-growing and floats on water surface.

Plants that grow in water have special features. For instance, leaves of lotus and lily have a waxy coating, making them waterproof. This prevents the plant from soaking up too much water and keeps it healthy. Some plants float freely, while others have roots in the soil at the bottom of the water body but leaves on the surface. Observing these plants and animals can help us understand how they have adapted to their watery environment.

People living close to rivers, ponds, and forests often care for water sources wisely. They build small structures to store rainwater, keep their water clean, and use water responsibly. Overuse and wastage of water can make it scarce, especially when there is little rainfall. In some parts of India, communities have become successful examples of “water-positive” living by managing rainwater and using it thoughtfully, such as the Hiware Bazar village in Maharashtra.

We all can help conserve water at home and school. Simple actions like collecting rainwater, fixing leaks, and watering plants carefully can help. Large structures like dams store water at a large scale for cities and farms. Sharing these practices with family and friends can save a lot of water and ensure there is enough for everyone.

Throughout this chapter, there are many activities to help you see, test, and think about water. From experimenting with ice and water vapour to observing plants and animals in local ponds, these tasks help us learn hands-on about water’s importance and behaviour. There are also simple classroom games, like creating a food chain with friends or matching water forms. These activities make science fun and help deepen your understanding.

Reflection questions in the chapter encourage you to think about what would happen if there was no rain, why most water isn’t drinkable, or how rainwater behaves differently in forests and cities. These are designed to make you more aware about the value of water in our daily lives and how we can help protect this precious resource.

• Most water on Earth is saltwater, and fresh water is scarce.
• The water cycle maintains our supply of fresh water.
• Water exists as liquid, solid, and vapour, and can easily change state.
• Life in water includes special plants and animals adapted for the aquatic environment.
• Conservation and wise water use are essential for people, animals, and plants.

Understanding water’s journey, its sources, and how living beings depend on it helps us appreciate and protect this essence of life.

CBSE Class 5 EVS Chapter 1 Notes – Water — The Essence of Life: Quick Revision Guide

These easy-to-understand Class 5 EVS Chapter 1 notes cover all the important points about water, its sources, the water cycle, and conservation. The notes use simple language, bullet points, and tables to help students grasp facts quickly for effective last-minute revision. Mastering these key ideas from “Water — The Essence of Life” will support building a strong foundation in science and environmental studies.

Use these revision notes to easily recall the main concepts, examples, fun activity ideas, and ways water shapes nature and our daily lives. These highlights are perfect for quick study sessions before exams and to understand how life depends on water on Earth.