UPSC Prelims 2005 · General Studies

Question 115: Environment and Ecology

Virtual water trade is being looked at by experts as a solution to the world’s water crisis. What does virtual water (VW) imply?

aVolume of heavy water required to replace ordinary water.

bVolume of water required to produce a commodity or service.

cVolume of water saved by using rainwater harvesting.

dVolume of water utilized by an effective flood control.

AnswerThe answer is (b).

Virtual water is the volume of water used to produce a commodity or service, counted along the whole production chain. Trading goods therefore moves water in virtual form: a country that imports a tonne of wheat saves the water that growing it at home would have needed. The idea was put forward by the geographer J.A. Allan in the 1990s.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Heavy water is a different thing, used in some nuclear reactors.
(b) Correct: water needed to produce a commodity or service.
(c) Water saved by rainwater harvesting is not virtual water.
(d) Water used in flood control is not virtual water.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2005, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.