UPSC Mains 2017 GS3 Q8 — Water Resources
Not many years ago, river linking was a concept but it is becoming a reality in the country. Discuss the advantages of river linking and its possible impact on the environment. (Answer in 150 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Discuss
- Scope keywords
- river linkingbecoming a realityadvantages of river linkingpossible impact on the environment
- Implicit sub-parts
- Current status of implementation (e.g., Ken-Betwa Link Project) to validate 'becoming a reality'.
- Economic and social benefits including irrigation, power, and water security.
- Ecological trade-offs such as biodiversity loss, forest submergence, and riverine ecosystem disruption.
- Sustainable alternatives or mitigation measures to balance development and environment.
- Common pitfalls
- Writing a generic essay on water scarcity without mentioning specific projects like Ken-Betwa or Damanganga-Pinjal.
- Ignoring the negative environmental impacts or listing only 'pollution' instead of specific issues like 'habitat fragmentation' or 'altered siltation'.
- Failing to address the first part of the prompt regarding the transition from 'concept' to 'reality'.
- Spending too many words on technical engineering aspects instead of socio-economic and environmental consequences.
- Dimensions required
- Economic (irrigation/logistics)Environmental (biodiversity/ecology)Geographical (regional water surplus vs deficit)Administrative (Inter-state cooperation/National Perspective Plan)
- Marks allocation hint
Devote 30 words to the introduction and context of the National Perspective Plan. Allocate 50-60 words to the multi-sectoral advantages, 50-60 words to the environmental impacts, and a 10-word forward-looking conclusion focusing on sustainable water management.
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