Question Q.15GS3GS1

The invisible nature of groundwater is a major obstacle in the path towards achieving the twin objectives of building climate resilience and meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Elucidate.

Main Body

India is the largest user of ground water in the world with ~25% of global extraction

Invisible nature

(A) Obstacle towards climate resilience

a) Aquifers uses 99% of groundwater in India - Tube wells - Higher dependency on ever declining groundwater will not be making ways resilient in future

b) Supply demand mismatch

ever increasing demand for groundwater and limited supply

Over dependence will hamper humans endeavor to look for other sources and hence not become resilient

(B) Obstacle towards sustainable development

a) Using ground water without evaluating the decline - leading to unsustainable upsage

b) Interconnected nature of groundwater exhaustion of ground water in one region may lead to chain reaction of exhaustion in other areas

Measures needed:

Rainwater harvesting to recharge ground water ex Paharpur model

Integrated watershed development

Sustainable agriculture practices

ex Direct seeding of rice, inplace flood irrigation

Sustainability of ground water is crucial for a sustainable future

Accessibility to health enhanced

Elimination of various diseases & famine

2Telecommunication

Revolution in telecommunication had led to creation of numerous jobs

Paved way for tele-survey here in India

eGovernance development - had helped cost of living & last mile delivery of services ex JAM (JanDhan Aadhar Mobileye)

3Industrial technology

Development of heavy industry and self-reliance in capital goods

Lower security - development of large hydro power plants and thermal plants

Access to electricity had reduced poverty and paved way for new industries

5Space technology

India today is one of pioneer in space technology,

Concluded to disaster management

Remote sensing - had contributed to agriculture

Communication development - NAVIC

Boost to domestic industry and cost of living

6Infrastructure

Building mega dams - enhanced irrigation and thus boost to livelihoods

High-speed trains, expressways - contributed to business development and thus enhanced GDP

Today there is a need to enhance spending on R&D from 0.6-0.77% GDP to around 2-5.1% GDP which can further drive the nation growth towards Vixit Bharat

342 words12 paragraphs19 bullet points

Quantified India's position (25% global extraction)
Clear categorization of obstacles
Identifies interconnected nature of groundwater issues
Provides specific examples of sustainable practices
Names concrete models (Paharpur model)
Connects infrastructure developments to GDP growth
Mentions specific policy targets (R&D spending percentage)

Open original scan

Page 33

Topper

CHAKKA SNEHITHUPSC

AIR 1392025

Subject & Paper

GS3GS1

Topic

Environmental Geography and Water Resources

Groundwater Management and Sustainability

Groundwater invisibility and climate resilience challenges

Writing Stats

342

Total words

Paragraphs

Bullets

analytical

Tone