MA

Medha AnandAIR 13

Question 6Examine the factors; implicationsGS1GS1

Examine the factors contributing to India's groundwater crisis, and its implications for agriculture and water security in the country.

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AnswerStrengthsGapsKeywords

Introduction

India alone utilizes 80% of world's groundwater resources and NITI Aayog has highlighted that atleast 30 cities will become water scarce by 2030 due to this.

26 words

Main Body

Groundwater crisis in India:

Factors contributing to GW crisis:

1Lack of regulation on use leads to overexploitation
2Free resource - so often exploited
3Overuse of fertilizers leads to groundwater contamination (only 38% fertilizer and 0.1% pesticide reach crops)
4Lack of awareness among users

Ex- overnight motor remain on for Punjab farmers.

5Lack of effective data on Acquifer use and management in a centralized data = no use to minute

Implications for agriculture and water security:

1less water for irrigation
2enhance drought prone areas
3Reduce yield of crop
4more input cost to take out water from great depth => increase in debt of farmers (38% informal lending) => farmer suicide (NCBI: 12000 farmers die every year)

Implications for water security:

1Parks wages under- already water stressed (< 1000 m³/person)
2water queries - Ex- in Shimla
3lack of adequate supply of drinking water - grey water management
157 words10 paragraphs

Conclusion

Swayal Yojana and Atai Bhijal Yojana should be implemented in letter and spirit to overcome this challenge.

17 words

Diagram

Diagram showing sources and causes of groundwater contamination including overexploitation, uranium contamination in Punjab, arsenic in UP/Bihar, and dwindling groundwater levels

  • Uses NITI Aayog data
  • Identifies specific contaminants and regions
  • Addresses both overexploitation and contamination
  • Mentions fertilizer and pesticide residues

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Page 17

Topper

Medha Anand

AIR 13

Subject & Paper

GS1GS1

Topic

Distribution of Key Natural Resources across the world

Groundwater Crisis in India

Factors and Implications of Groundwater Depletion

Writing Stats

200

Total words

10

Paragraphs