India extracts over a quarter of world's groundwater (UN World Water Development Report 2022); India's justification for extraction
Question
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?
Options
Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Explanation
Statement-I is correct; India is the world's largest groundwater extractor, accounting for over a quarter of global withdrawals. Statement-II is incorrect; India extracts this massive volume primarily for agricultural irrigation (almost 90%), not merely to satisfy the drinking and sanitation needs of its population.
Answer: (c).
Question details
Year
2023
Paper
GS Paper 1
Question
Q76
Subject
Environment
Sub-topic
Oceanography & Water Resources
Type
Assertion-Reason
Difficulty
Medium
Nature
Current-affairs-linked
Source hint
UN World Water Development Report 2022 / Groundwater Extraction
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