Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements.
36% of India’s districts are classified as ‘overexploited’ or ‘critical’ by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA).
CGWA was formed under the Environment (Protection) Act.
India has the largest area under groundwater irrigation in the world.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Only 1
2 and 3
Only 2
1 and 3
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Solution
In India, groundwater resources are generally assessed on the basis of blocks, talukas, mandals or other specified assessment units rather than districts.
These units are classified under categories such as safe, semi-critical, critical, overexploited and saline.
The national groundwater assessment is carried out by the Central Ground Water Board in cooperation with States and other concerned institutions.
Therefore, the statement that 36% of India’s districts were classified as critical or overexploited by the CGWA is not correct. Hence, Statement 1 is not correct.
The Central Ground Water Authority was constituted by the Central Government under Section 3(3) of the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
It was constituted through a notification dated 14 January 1997.
Its objective is to regulate and control the development and management of groundwater resources in the country. Therefore, Statement 2 is correct.
The CGWA regulates groundwater extraction in specified areas and projects and may issue No Objection Certificates subject to required conditions.
The regulatory role of the Central Ground Water Authority is distinct from the scientific and technical functions of the Central Ground Water Board.
India is the largest user of groundwater in the world.
A very large share of irrigation in India depends upon groundwater obtained from tube wells and wells.
India has the largest area under groundwater irrigation in the world. Therefore, Statement 3 is correct.
Groundwater irrigation has increased food production, but uncontrolled extraction may cause a decline in the water table.
Consequences of excessive extraction may include drying of wells, increased pumping costs, deterioration of water quality, saline-water intrusion and land subsidence.
Rainwater harvesting, artificial recharge, micro-irrigation, appropriate crop selection and regulation of groundwater extraction are major measures for its sustainable management.