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?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 2 only

(d) 1 and 3 only

16. Ans: b

Explanation:

The Central Groundwater Board of India estimates that about 17% of groundwater blocks are overexploited (meaning the rate at which water is extracted exceeds the rate at which the aquifer is able to recharge) while 5% and 14% , respectively, are at critical and semi-critical stages. The situation is particularly alarming in three major regions – north-western, western, and southern peninsular.

Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.

ABOUT CENTRAL GROUND WATER AUTHORITY

Central Ground Water Authority has been constituted under Section 3 (3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to regulate and control development and management of groundwater resources in the country.

Hence, statement 2 is correct.

The agriculture sector is the largest consumer of groundwater resources, accounting for 87% of the total annual groundwater extraction, which amounts to 213.29 bcm. 

India is the largest user of groundwater in the world. It uses an estimated 230 cubic kilometers of groundwater per year – over a quarter of the global total.

Groundwater resources  serve 85% of domestic water supply in rural areas, 45% in urban areas, and over 60% of irrigated agriculture.

Hence, statement 3 is correct. 

Read: Previous Year UPSC Environment Questions (PYQs) With Explanation 2020