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Q76 (IAS/2023) Environment & Ecology › Pollution & Conservation › Water conservation measures Official Key

Consider the following statements : Statement-I : According to the United Nations' World Water Development Report, 2022', India extracts more than a quarter of the world's groundwater withdrawal each year. Statement-II : India needs to extract more than a quarter of the world's groundwater each year to satisfy the drinking water and sanitation needs of almost 18% of world's population living in its territory. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: C
Explanation

The correct answer is Option 3 because Statement-I is a factual data point from the UN report, while Statement-II misrepresents the primary driver of groundwater extraction in India.

  • Statement-I is correct: According to the United Nations’ World Water Development Report 2022, India is the largest user of groundwater globally, extracting approximately 251 cubic kilometers annually. This constitutes more than 25% (a quarter) of the total global groundwater withdrawal.
  • Statement-II is incorrect: While India does support about 18% of the world's population, the vast majority of its groundwater extraction—roughly 89% to 90%—is utilized for agriculture and irrigation (to ensure food security), not for drinking water and sanitation. Domestic and industrial sectors account for only a small fraction (about 5-10%) of the total usage.

Therefore, while the extraction volume mentioned in Statement-I is accurate, the reason provided in Statement-II is false as it ignores the dominant role of the irrigation sector in groundwater depletion.

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Q. Consider the following statements : Statement-I : According to the United Nations' World Water Development Report, 2022', India extracts…
At a glance
Origin: Mixed / unclear origin Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 3.3/10 · 0/10

This question is a classic 'Data vs. Usage' trap. While Statement I tests a famous statistic often cited in UN reports and Economic Surveys (India = ~25% global GW extraction), Statement II tests your fundamental NCERT knowledge of 'Water Utilization by Sector'. The trap lies in attributing the massive extraction to 'drinking water' rather than the actual culprit: agriculture.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
According to the United Nations World Water Development Report 2022, does India extract more than a quarter (>25%) of the world's annual groundwater withdrawal?
Origin: Weak / unclear Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Water Resources > Water Resources of India > p. 41
Strength: 4/5
“India accounts for about 2.45 per cent of the world's surface area, 4 per cent of the world's water resources and more than 17 per cent of the world's population. The total water available from precipitation in the country in a year is about 4,000 cubic km. The availability from surface water and replenishable groundwater is 1,869 cubic km. Out of this, only 60 per cent can be put to beneficial uses. Thus, the total utilisable water resource in the country is only 1,122 cubic km.”
Why relevant

Gives India's share of world surface area (2.45%), water resources (4%) and population (~17%), showing India has a much larger share of people than of renewable water resources.

How to extend

A student could combine the 17% population figure with global per‑capita water use data to judge whether India's withdrawals might be disproportionately large relative to its land/water share.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Government Strategy > p. 36
Strength: 4/5
“The total renewable water resources of India are estimated at about 1900 sq km per annum. It is predicted that by 2025 large parts of India will join countries or regions having absolute water scarcity. Groundwater has emerged as the prime source of drinking and irrigation. About 77% of present groundwater withdrawl is being used for irrigation purpose, thus contributing largely in food security of the country. The following steps have been taken by the government to implement the water harvesting programme: • 1. Since sustainability of drinking water-source is of paramount importance for smooth functioning of rural water supply, 25% out of 20% of the allocation under Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP) has been earmarked exclusively for water harvesting schemes to make implementation of such schemes mandatory.• 2.”
Why relevant

States that about 77% of present groundwater withdrawal in India is used for irrigation, indicating high dependence on groundwater for agriculture.

How to extend

One can use global irrigation water withdrawal proportions and India's large agricultural sector to estimate whether India's absolute groundwater withdrawal could be a large fraction of the world total.

Understanding Economic Development. Class X . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 1: DEVELOPMENT > Example 1: Groundwater in India > p. 13
Strength: 3/5
“"Recent evidence suggests that the groundwater is under serious threat of overuse in many parts of the country. About 300 districts have reported a water level decline of over 4 metres during the past 20 years. Nearly one-third of the country is overusing their groundwater reserves. In another 25 years, 60 per cent of the country would be doing the same if the present way of using this resource continues. Groundwater overuse is particularly found in the agriculturally prosperous regions of Punjab and Western U.P., hard rock plateau areas of central and south India, some coastal areas and the rapidly growing urban settlements." • (a) Why groundwater is overused?• (b) Can there be development without overuse?”
Why relevant

Describes widespread groundwater overuse (one‑third of country overusing, many districts with large declines), pointing to intensive and growing groundwater extraction.

How to extend

Combine evidence of overexploitation with India’s population/agricultural area to infer that withdrawals may be large and rising compared with other countries.

INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Water Resources > Demand of Water for Irrigation > p. 44
Strength: 4/5
“In Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, more than 85 per cent of their net sown area is under irrigation. Wheat and rice are grown mainly with the help of irrigation in these states. Of the total net irrigated area 76.1 per cent in Punjab and 51.3 per cent in Haryana are irrigated through wells and tubewells. This shows that these states utilise large proportion of their groundwater potential which has resulted in groundwater depletion in these states. The over-use of groundwater resources has led to decline in groundwater table in these states. In fact, over withdrawals in some states, like Rajasthan and Maharashtra, has increased fluoride concentration in groundwater, and this practice has led to increase in concentration of arsenic in parts of West Bengal and Bihar.”
Why relevant

Provides state‑level data showing extremely high reliance on wells/tubewells in major irrigated states (e.g., Punjab 76.1% of irrigated area via wells), illustrating concentrated, intensive groundwater use.

How to extend

A student could map major groundwater‑intensive states (Punjab, Haryana, UP, etc.) against national irrigated area to approximate India’s large absolute groundwater withdrawal.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Inland Water Resources of India > p. 33
Strength: 3/5
“In terms of exploitation of ground water potential, Punjab comes on top (about 94%) followed by Haryana (84%), Tamil Nadu (61%), Rajasthan (51%), Gujarat (42%), Uttar Pradesh (38%), Maharashtra (31%), West Bengal (25%), and Andhra Pradesh (24%). States like Assam, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar have not been able to utilise even 20% of their total ground water potential. The maximum reserves of the ground water are accounted by the Indo-Gangetic and Brahmaputra plains (Table 3.6) and peninsular region also offers potential for the exploitation of the ground water resource in India.”
Why relevant

Lists percentages of groundwater potential exploited by key states (e.g., Punjab ~94%, Haryana 84%), indicating near‑maximal extraction in important agricultural regions.

How to extend

Using these high exploitation rates in populous/agricultural states, a student could infer that India's per‑area withdrawal is high and consider that this may push India’s share of global withdrawal upward.

Statement 2
What percentage of the world's population lives in India (is it approximately 18%)?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 19: Population and Demographic Dividend > INDIA'S POPULATION: TREND IN SIZE, GROWTH PATTERN, BIRTH AND DEATH RATES > p. 560
Presence: 5/5
“• With just 2.4 per cent of total land area of the planet, India accommodates 17.8 per cent ø of the world's total population.• India's population is next to China and more than the combined population of the \bullet United States, Brazil, Bangladesh, Japan and Indonesia.• As per the available records (till 2020), India's population is around 138.77 crore. This indicates an alarming situation as it affects the national income and the resources.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states India accommodates 17.8% of the world's total population.
  • Provides a recent population total (around 138.77 crore / 1.3877 billion) that matches the stated percentage.
Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 35: TABLES > India has- > p. 503
Presence: 5/5
“• an area of over 2,65,000 sq miles (32,877.82 sq km) of which 10,861 sq miles are included in the Union Territories and the rest in the States; • 6,05,224 villages against 4,689 towns; and 72.22% of the population live in villages as per 2001 census; • a population 1,210,193,422 (vide India 20 II) (about 17% of the world population) - of whom Hindus constitute 80.05%, Muslims 13.4%; and other religious together 6 a literacy of 74 . .04% of tile population. [In 1951, it was 18% only.)”
Why this source?
  • Gives an India population figure (1,210,193,422) and directly describes it as about 17% of the world population.
  • Supports the statement's claim that India's share is near 18% by providing an earlier percentage estimate.
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Setting > Source: Census of India, 2011. > p. 65
Presence: 3/5
“As stated at the outset, India has the second largest population in the world after China. The population of India, according to the census of 2011 was 1210.19 million. It is growing at a faster pace. India's 2019, population is estimated at 1.37 billion (1,368,097,497) On an average, Indian population is increasing at a growth rate of over 1.08% per annum as against 1.3% for the world as a whole and 0.57% for China (2001–11). According to Uno projections, India's population, is projected to rise to 1.51 billion by 2030 and further to 1.68 billion by 2050, before declining to 1.52 billion by the end of the 21st century.”
Why this source?
  • Provides the 2011 census population (1,210.19 million) and a 2019 estimate (1.368 billion), enabling calculation of India's share versus world population.
  • Shows population trend and projections that contextualize small differences between ~17% and ~18% estimates.
Statement 3
Does the United Nations World Water Development Report 2022 (or other authoritative sources) state that India needs to extract more than a quarter of the world's annual groundwater withdrawal to satisfy the drinking water and sanitation needs of the roughly 18% of the world's population living in India?
Origin: Weak / unclear Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Water Resources > Water Resources of India > p. 41
Strength: 4/5
“India accounts for about 2.45 per cent of the world's surface area, 4 per cent of the world's water resources and more than 17 per cent of the world's population. The total water available from precipitation in the country in a year is about 4,000 cubic km. The availability from surface water and replenishable groundwater is 1,869 cubic km. Out of this, only 60 per cent can be put to beneficial uses. Thus, the total utilisable water resource in the country is only 1,122 cubic km.”
Why relevant

Gives India’s share of world population (~17%) and quantifies national annual precipitation/total utilisable water (total utilisable water ≈ 1,122 km3).

How to extend

A student could compare India’s per‑year utilisable water volumes with global annual groundwater withdrawal figures (from UN/WWDR) to judge whether meeting drinking/sanitation for ~18% population would require >25% of global groundwater withdrawal.

INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Water Resources > Groundwater Resources > p. 42
Strength: 5/5
“The total replenishable groundwater resources in the country are about 432 cubic km. The level of groundwater utilisation is relatively high in the river basins lying in north-western region and parts of south India. The groundwater utilisation is very high in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu. However, there are States like Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Kerala, etc., which utilise only a small proportion of their groundwater potentials. States like Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Tripura and Maharashtra are utilising their groundwater resources at a moderate rate. If the present trend continues, the demands for water would need the supplies.”
Why relevant

States the total replenishable groundwater resource in India ≈ 432 cubic km per year (explicit national annual replenishable GW volume).

How to extend

Compare this 432 km3 figure to reported global annual groundwater withdrawal (from UN/WWDR or FAO) to estimate India’s potential share of global withdrawals if India used a large fraction of its replenishable groundwater for drinking/sanitation.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Government Strategy > p. 36
Strength: 4/5
“The total renewable water resources of India are estimated at about 1900 sq km per annum. It is predicted that by 2025 large parts of India will join countries or regions having absolute water scarcity. Groundwater has emerged as the prime source of drinking and irrigation. About 77% of present groundwater withdrawl is being used for irrigation purpose, thus contributing largely in food security of the country. The following steps have been taken by the government to implement the water harvesting programme: • 1. Since sustainability of drinking water-source is of paramount importance for smooth functioning of rural water supply, 25% out of 20% of the allocation under Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP) has been earmarked exclusively for water harvesting schemes to make implementation of such schemes mandatory.• 2.”
Why relevant

Notes that about 77% of present groundwater withdrawal in India is used for irrigation (i.e., non‑drinking uses dominate GW use).

How to extend

Use this pattern to infer that a large portion of India’s groundwater is already committed to irrigation, so the fraction available/needed for drinking and sanitation may be substantially less than total withdrawal — compare to global withdrawal breakdowns to assess the plausibility of the >25% claim.

INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Water Resources > Demand of Water for Irrigation > p. 44
Strength: 3/5
“In Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, more than 85 per cent of their net sown area is under irrigation. Wheat and rice are grown mainly with the help of irrigation in these states. Of the total net irrigated area 76.1 per cent in Punjab and 51.3 per cent in Haryana are irrigated through wells and tubewells. This shows that these states utilise large proportion of their groundwater potential which has resulted in groundwater depletion in these states. The over-use of groundwater resources has led to decline in groundwater table in these states. In fact, over withdrawals in some states, like Rajasthan and Maharashtra, has increased fluoride concentration in groundwater, and this practice has led to increase in concentration of arsenic in parts of West Bengal and Bihar.”
Why relevant

Provides state‑level examples showing very high dependence on wells/tubewells for irrigation (e.g., 76.1% irrigated area in Punjab via wells), illustrating intense local groundwater withdrawals.

How to extend

A student can extrapolate that localized heavy withdrawal increases national totals; then compare aggregated national groundwater use (implied by heavy irrigation use) with global withdrawal totals from authoritative sources to evaluate the statement.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Inland Water Resources of India > p. 32
Strength: 3/5
“It is expected that per capita surface water availability is likely to be reduced to 1401 m3 and 1191 m3 by the years 2025 and 2050 respectively. Of the total world's surface area, India accounts for 2.45%, 4% of the world's water resources. The total available water from precipitation is about 4000 km3. The availability from the surface water and replenishable groundwater is 1869 km3. Merely 60% can be used beneficially. There are two major sources of water namely: • i) Surface water resources• ii) Ground water resources”
Why relevant

Gives national estimates of surface and replenishable groundwater combined (1,869 km3) and reiterates India’s ~4% share of world water resources — useful context on national vs global water endowment.

How to extend

Combine this national resource magnitude with external global groundwater withdrawal numbers to check whether supplying drinking/sanitation for ~18% population would imply extracting >25% of global groundwater withdrawal.

Pattern takeaway: UPSC loves to pair a 'Correct High-Level Statistic' with an 'Incorrect Underlying Reason'. They will take a true data point (India extracts huge GW) and attribute it to a sympathetic cause (drinking water) to bait you, when the reality is economic (irrigation/agriculture).
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Trap. Statement I is a standard 'Report Headline' fact, but Statement II is a 'Causal Fallacy' that contradicts basic NCERT Geography.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: NCERT Class XII 'India People and Economy', Chapter 4 (Water Resources) – specifically the section on Sectoral Usage of Water.
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Water Profile': India has 2.4% World Land, 4% Water, ~18% Population. Sectoral Usage: Agriculture (~89-90%), Domestic (~5-6%), Industrial (~3-4%). Top GW extractors: India (#1), China, USA. Critical threshold: Per capita availability <1700 m³ (Stress), <1000 m³ (Scarcity).
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When you read a statistic like '25% of world's groundwater', immediately ask 'Where does it go?'. If the question claims we pump that much just for drinking/sanitation, apply the 'Volume Logic'—humans drink liters, crops drink tons. The claim in Statement II is physically impossible for domestic use alone.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 India's share of global water resources versus population
💡 The insight

India holds a small fraction of global surface area and freshwater but a large share of the world's population, creating disproportionate per‑capita water pressure.

High-yield for questions on water scarcity and resource stress; links demographic pressure to per‑capita resource availability and sustainable development. Helps answer comparative questions on resource distribution, water security, and policy priorities.

📚 Reading List :
  • INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Water Resources > Water Resources of India > p. 41
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Inland Water Resources of India > p. 32
🔗 Anchor: "According to the United Nations World Water Development Report 2022, does India ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Groundwater over‑extraction and regional hotspots
💡 The insight

Large parts of India, notably Punjab, Haryana and western UP, show significant groundwater level declines and regional overuse of aquifers.

Essential for questions on environmental degradation, agriculture and rural livelihoods; connects hydrology with irrigation practices, regional development and policy responses (e.g., water harvesting). Enables case‑based answers on causes, impacts and mitigation of groundwater depletion.

📚 Reading List :
  • Understanding Economic Development. Class X . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 1: DEVELOPMENT > Example 1: Groundwater in India > p. 13
  • INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Water Resources > Demand of Water for Irrigation > p. 44
  • Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science, Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 1: Natural Resources and Their Use > Overexploitation of groundwater: a caselet from Punjab > p. 13
🔗 Anchor: "According to the United Nations World Water Development Report 2022, does India ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Dominant use of groundwater for irrigation
💡 The insight

A very high share of India's groundwater withdrawal is consumed by irrigation, linking groundwater stress to agricultural water demand and food security.

Crucial for integrated answers on water‑food nexus, agricultural policy and sustainability; helps frame questions on resource allocation, irrigation efficiency and rural development. Useful when evaluating tradeoffs between food security and long‑term resource sustainability.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Government Strategy > p. 36
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Inland Water Resources of India > p. 33
🔗 Anchor: "According to the United Nations World Water Development Report 2022, does India ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 India's share of world population (%)
💡 The insight

India's proportion of the global population is directly quantified as about 17–18%, which is the target of the statement.

High-yield for demographic questions: estimating policy impact, resource pressure and comparative rankings. Mastering this helps answer questions on population share, international comparisons, and demographic implications across papers.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 19: Population and Demographic Dividend > INDIA'S POPULATION: TREND IN SIZE, GROWTH PATTERN, BIRTH AND DEATH RATES > p. 560
  • Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 35: TABLES > India has- > p. 503
🔗 Anchor: "What percentage of the world's population lives in India (is it approximately 18..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Absolute population and global rank
💡 The insight

Knowing India's absolute population (around 1.21–1.37 billion) and that it is the world's second largest population provides the basis for percentage calculations.

Helps convert between absolute numbers and percentages in static and comparative questions; links to topics on development, resource allocation, and geopolitics. Useful for questions that require contextual interpretation rather than just a single percentage.

📚 Reading List :
  • INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 1: Population: Distribution, Density, Growth and Composition > POPULATION > p. 1
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Setting > Source: Census of India, 2011. > p. 65
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 19: Population and Demographic Dividend > INDIA'S POPULATION: TREND IN SIZE, GROWTH PATTERN, BIRTH AND DEATH RATES > p. 560
🔗 Anchor: "What percentage of the world's population lives in India (is it approximately 18..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Use of census counts vs later estimates/projections
💡 The insight

The statement's percentage depends on which year’s population figure is used (2011 census vs later estimates), so year-selection matters for the ~17–18% range.

Crucial for UPSC to distinguish dated census figures from current estimates and projections; affects answers on trends, policies, and projections-based reasoning. Enables precise answering in questions that specify a year or ask for trends.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Setting > Source: Census of India, 2011. > p. 65
  • INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 1: Population: Distribution, Density, Growth and Composition > POPULATION > p. 1
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 19: Population and Demographic Dividend > INDIA'S POPULATION: TREND IN SIZE, GROWTH PATTERN, BIRTH AND DEATH RATES > p. 560
🔗 Anchor: "What percentage of the world's population lives in India (is it approximately 18..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 India's population vs share of global water resources
💡 The insight

India has roughly 17–18% of the world's population but only about 4% of the world's water resources, creating a mismatch between population share and water availability.

High-yield for UPSC: explains why water scarcity is a major policy challenge in India and underpins questions on resource stress, water security and sustainable development. Connects to topics on population pressure, resource distribution and policy responses (water conservation, allocation). Enables analysis-style answers comparing demographic burden with resource endowment.

📚 Reading List :
  • INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Water Resources > Water Resources of India > p. 41
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Inland Water Resources of India > p. 32
🔗 Anchor: "Does the United Nations World Water Development Report 2022 (or other authoritat..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

The 'Virtual Water' Concept. Since India exports rice/wheat, we are effectively exporting groundwater. Expect a question on 'Virtual Water Trade' or the 'Falkenmark Water Stress Indicator' (1700 vs 1000 cubic meters thresholds).

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Use 'Scale of Consumption' logic. Domestic water use is negligible compared to agriculture. If India needed 25% of the *entire world's* groundwater just to give water to 18% of people, the rest of the world would be dead. The math implies an absurdity. Statement II is false.

🔗 Mains Connection

Link this to GS3 Agriculture & Economy: The 'Green Revolution' in semi-arid states (Punjab/Haryana) + Free Electricity + MSP for water-intensive crops = Groundwater Depletion. This is a policy-induced ecological disaster, not just a resource constraint.

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS · 2021 · Q57 Relevance score: 1.90

Consider the following statements : Statement 1 : The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Arbor Day Foundation have recently recognized Hyderabad as 2020 Tree City of the World. Statement 2 : Hyderabad was selected for the recognition for a year following its commitment to grow and maintain the urban forests. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?