Topic: Geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
1. Despite being the lifeline of India’s water supplies, groundwater issues are often overlooked. Examine the issues with ground water utilisation and suggest steps to promote its sustainable use and management. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Down to Earth
Why the question: The United Nations advocated finding ways to unlock the potential of groundwater in providing water security, in its latest edition of the United Nations World Water Development Report. The intergovernmental organisation called for governments to build sustainable models to harness the potential of groundwater.
Key Demand of the question: To write about the various issues with respect to ground water in India and to suggest steps overcome them.
Directive word:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by giving statistic regarding the status of groundwater utilisation in India.
Body:
Frist, write about various issues regarding groundwater in India Depletion of water tables, saltwater encroachment, drying of aquifers, groundwater pollution, water logging and salinity, etc. are major consequences of overexploitation and intensive irrigation. Substantiate with examples and facts
Next, write about the measures that are needed to promote sustainable utilisation and management of ground water.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
