Topic : GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
GS-3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
5. Discuss the Status of Groundwater Depletion in the country and account for the associated problems and suggest measures on the lines of ground water extraction norms that have been notified recently. (250 words)
Reference: Live Mint
Why the question:
The question aims to ascertain the Status of Groundwater Depletion in the country and discuss the factors responsible for the depletion.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the Status of Groundwater Depletion in the country and account for the associated problems and suggest measures to overcome the same.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
India is the world’s largest user of groundwater, withdrawing about 250 cubic kilometers per year, more than twice that of the US.
Body:
Firstly discuss the issue at hand. With around one-sixth of assessed ground water units in the country facing over-exploitation, the Centre Govt has issued revised guidelines for groundwater use. The new guidelines prohibits new industry and mining projects in over-exploited zones and makes it mandatory for existing industries, commercial units and big housing societies to take no objection certificate’ (NOC).
With map of India one can provide a spatial aspect of ground water depletion in the country.
Suggest measures to address the issue. Also throw light on the recently proposed Groundwater Extraction Norms.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
