UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 11)

QUESTION 2

Discuss the consequences of the depletion of the groundwater resources.

General points on the structure of the answers

Introduction

— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.

— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.

Body

— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.

— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.

— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.

— Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer.

— Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required.

Way forward/ Conclusion

— The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction.

— You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers.

Self Evaluation

— It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers.

THOUGHT PROCESS

You may enrich your answers by some of the following points

QUESTION 1: Highlight the impact of climate change on the pattern of monsoons in India.

Introduction:

A simple introduction to this answer can revolve around a general statement about monsoons in India.

— The climate of India can broadly be classified as a tropical monsoon. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) designates four official seasons out of which the Monsoon or rainy season is from June to September.

— The Indian subcontinent receives around 80% of its annual rainfall during the summer monsoon, from June to September.

(Source: dst.gov.in)

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

Impact of Climate Change on Monsoons in India

The Indian monsoon is a complex phenomenon influenced by various internal and external factors:’

— El Nino is an external driver that modulates the monsoon’s intensity and spatial distribution. However, it is important to note that El Nino alone cannot account for all monsoonal variations.

— El Nino is associated with weak monsoons and lower-than-average rainfall in India.

— The location of the El Nino event also influences its effects on the Indian monsoon — warming in the Central Pacific Ocean affects it more than the warming in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

— Indian Ocean Dipole significantly shape monsoon dynamics.

— The western coast of the country witnessed the high-intensity cyclone

— Central, Eastern and Northern parts experienced heat stress.

— In India, heavy rainfalls “lasting from May to September triggered multiple landslides and river overflows and floods, resulting in casualties and damage

— According to the report by WMO, the rise in frequency and severity of extreme weather events has particularly impacted the agriculture sector in Asia. For climate-related disasters such as floods, droughts, and tropical storms, more than 25 per cent of all damage and losses is associated with the agriculture sector.

(Source: When El Nino and the monsoon meet in India: Rain checks for our times by Abinash Mohanty, New WMO report says climate change impacts have increased in Asia: What are the key takeaways)

Conclusion:

Your conclusion should be short.

— The country needs to identify the monsoon variability-related impacts and more importantly, map its associated hazards (landslides, flash floods, etc) risks, and vulnerability at the hyper-granular level.

— The mapping should include hard losses (infrastructure and finances) and soft losses (livelihoods, migration). India needs a high-resolution monsoon variability index to track critical vulnerabilities at the block and city level and simultaneously enhance early warning systems and forecasting.

(Source: When El Nino and the monsoon meet in India: Rain checks for our times by Abinash Mohanty)

Points to Ponder

Tibetan High

Monsoon Low

Indian Ocean Dipole

Related Previous Year Questions

What characteristics can be assigned to monsoon climate that succeeds in feeding more than 50 percent of the world population residing in Monsoon Asia? (2017)

How far do you agree that the behaviour of the Indian monsoon has been changing due to humanizing landscapes? Discuss. (2015)

QUESTION 2: Discuss the consequences of the depletion of the ground water resources.

Introduction:

A simple introduction to this answer can revolve around a general statement about ground water resources.

— Ground water has emerged as the backbone of India’s agriculture and drinking water security.

— The contribution of ground water is nearly 62 per cent in irrigation, 85 per cent in rural water supply and 50 per cent in the urban water supply.

— Ground water is an annually replenishable resource but its availability is non-uniform in space and time.

— The availability of groundwater resources in a given area is determined by several factors such as rainfall intensity and duration, geological strata of the area, the number of existing recharge structures, and extraction by consumers for a variety of purposes such as industrial applications, drinking/domestic purposes, irrigation, and so on.

(Source: cgwb.gov.in)

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

Consequences of the depletion of the ground water

— According to the journal “Drift of Earth’s Pole Confirms Groundwater Depletion as a Significant Contributor to Global Sea Level Rise 1993–2010”, published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, the excessive extraction of groundwater for drinking and irrigation has shifted the Earth’s axis of rotation.

— According to the Central Groundwater Board of India, around 17 per cent of groundwater blocks are overexploited (meaning the rate at which water is withdrawn exceeds the rate at which the aquifer can recharge), while 5 per cent and 14 per cent are at critical and semi-critical phases, respectively.

— The government’s support for the “green revolution” to ensure food security has increased the demand for groundwater for agriculture.

— The depletion of ground water resources will demand the extraction of water from deeper inside the Earth.

— The depletion of water resources will reduces the water bodies, lakes and will restrict the biodiversity

— The depletion of water resources will lead to salt contamination of the ground water.

(Source: Groundwater extraction shifted the Earth’s axis: What a new study says by Alind Chauhan, pib.gov.in)

Conclusion:

Your conclusion should be short.

— The sustainable utilisation of ground water resources demands a realistic quantitative assessment of ground water availability in this zone based on reasonably valid scientific principles. National Water Policy, 2012 has laid emphasis on periodic assessment of ground water resources on a scientific basis.

— Schemes like Atal Bhujal Yojna aims to improve groundwater management.

(Source: Concerned over depleting groundwater level, Haryana plans awareness campaign, blogs.worldbank.org by John Roome)

Points to Ponder

Government’s effort in improving ground water

Related Previous Year Questions

“The ideal solution of depleting ground water resources in India is water harvesting system”. How can it be made effective in urban areas? (2018)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 9)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 10)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 11)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 10)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 11)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 10)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 4 (Week 9)

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