Question Details

Read the following passage and answer the question.

Given the precarious condition of its ground and surface water resources (rivers, stream, lakes, wetlands and reservoirs). India could be a water-scarce country in the next 40 years. With 1,486 cubic meters (∼1.5 million litres) of water available per person, per annum. India falls in the water stressed category. A dip below 1000 cubic meters per person, per annum will push it into the waterscarce category.

The manner of water consumption also compounds the problem. Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) statistics show the indiscriminate use of ground water turned 4% of the total 7,809 assessed units in the country critical in 2022 while 14% were assessed as over-exploited. The situation was worse in 2017 when 17% of the units overexploited. Various recharge and conservation efforts have borne fruit but the number of such units remain high in state like Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

In India, 87% of groundwater is extracted for irrigation and experts say excess withdrawal round the year may be the biggest reason for depletion, as the recharge primarily happens in the monsoon. On the other hand encroachment of water bodies and the discharge of untreated waster water into rivers and streams have reduced the surface water resources.


India will become water-scarce country if the availability of water per person per annum falls below:

Options

A

∼ 1 million litre

B

∼ 1.5 million litre

C

∼ 1.2 million litre

D

∼ 100000 litre

Show Answer

Correct Answer :

Option A

∼ 1 million litre

Solution :

The correct option is ∼ 1 million litre.

Step-by-step Explanation:

According to the provided passage, India is currently classified under the water-stressed category with an annual water availability of 1,486 cubic meters (approximately 1.5 million litres) per person. The passage states:
"A dip below 1000 cubic meters per person, per annum will push it into the waterscarce category."

To determine the threshold in litres, we convert cubic meters to litres using the standard conversion factor:

1 m3 = 1000 litres

Applying this to the threshold of 1000 cubic meters:

1000 m3 = 1000 × 1000 litres = 1,000,000 litres

Since 1,000,000 litres is equal to 1 million litres, India will become a water-scarce country if the availability of water per person per annum falls below approximately 1 million litres (∼ 1 million litre).

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