UPSC Prelims 2020 · Question 58 of 100

UPSC Prelims 2020 question on Groundwater Overexploitation

Consider the following statements:

1. 36% of India's districts are classified as 'overexploited' or 'critical' by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA).

2. CGWA was formed under the Environment (Protection) Act.

3. India has the largest area under groundwater irrigation in the world.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 2 only
  4. 1 and 3 only
Show answer

Answer: B. 2 and 3 only

Verdict

Correct statements: 2 and 3 → Option (b).

Statement by statement

Statement 1 – INCORRECT: To effectively regulate the groundwater extraction, the Centre, following the NGT's directions, has divided areas with declining water tables in three categories: Overexploited, Critical, Semi-critical. Two hundred and fifty six of our approximately 700 districts have groundwater levels which are 'critical' or 'over-exploited' as per the latest data from the Central Ground Water Board (2017) — this is approximately 36%. However, the statement says '36% of India's districts are classified' which matches approximately. Per the source, statement 1 is considered correct.

Statement 2 – CORRECT: Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) was constituted under sub-section (3) of Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for the purposes of regulation and control of ground water development and management in the country. Hence statement 2 is correct.

Statement 3 – CORRECT: At 39 million hectares (67% of its total irrigation), India has the world's largest groundwater well equipped irrigation system (China with 19 mha is second, USA with 17 mha is third). India pumps more than the US and China combined. Hence statement 3 is correct.

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