UPSC Prelims 2014 · GS Paper I
Question 56: Economy and Social Development
What are the benefits of implementing the 'Integrated Watershed Development Programme'?
- 1.Prevention of soil runoff
- 2.Linking the country's perennial rivers with seasonal rivers
- 3.Rainwater harvesting and recharge of groundwater table
- 4.Regeneration of natural vegetation
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).
Integrated watershed development aims to conserve soil and water on a watershed basis. Its benefits are preventing soil runoff and erosion, harvesting rainwater and recharging the groundwater table, and regenerating natural vegetation. It does not link perennial rivers with seasonal rivers: that is river-linking, a different type of scheme that moves water between basins. So statements 1, 3 and 4 are right.
- 1. Watershed works check runoff and soil loss.
- 2. Linking rivers is river-linking, not watershed development.
- 3. Rainwater harvesting recharges the groundwater table.
- 4. Natural vegetation regenerates after watershed treatment.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (a), (b) and (d) go: each of them includes 2.
What you needed to know: Linking rivers is river-linking, not watershed development.
Only (c) is left. You didn’t need statements 1, 3 or 4.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong. Statement 2, river linking, is not an aim, and it omits statements 3 and 4.
- (b) Wrong. Statement 2 is not a watershed benefit, and it omits statement 1.
- (c) Right. Soil conservation, water harvesting and vegetation regeneration are its benefits.
- (d) Wrong. Statement 2 is not a benefit.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2014, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.