UPSC Mains 2020 GS1 Q14 — Water Resource Management
The interlinking of rivers can provide viable solutions to the multi-dimensional inter-related problems of droughts, floods and interrupted navigation. Critically examine. (Answer in 250 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Critically examine
- Scope keywords
- interlinking of riversmulti-dimensional inter-related problemsdroughtsfloodsinterrupted navigation
- Implicit sub-parts
- The mechanism by which river interlinking (NRLP) mitigates seasonal and spatial water imbalance.
- Potential of the project to revive inland waterways and socio-economic connectivity.
- Critical analysis of environmental costs, ecological disruption, and riverine biodiversity loss.
- Federal and geopolitical challenges involving water-sharing disputes and displacement.
- Common pitfalls
- Focusing only on drought and floods while neglecting the 'interrupted navigation' aspect specifically mentioned in the prompt.
- Treating the project as a silver bullet without discussing the 'Critically' aspect—specifically the loss of silt flow and delta erosion.
- Providing a generic geography answer without mentioning specific examples like the Ken-Betwa link or the National River Linking Project (NRLP).
- Ignoring the 'inter-related' nature of the problems, such as how drought in one basin can coexist with floods in another.
- Dimensions required
- Hydrological/GeographicalTechno-economicEcological/EnvironmentalInter-state FederalismSocio-economic/Displacement
- Marks allocation hint
Allocate 50 words to the affirmative potential of ILR in solving droughts, floods, and navigation issues. Spend the largest chunk (120-130 words) on the critical examination of ecological risks, federal disputes, and financial feasibility. Use the remaining 70 words for a balanced conclusion or a 'way forward' involving decentralized water management alternatives.
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