GS1 · 10 marks · 150 words

India faces a looming freshwater crisis despite its vast river systems. Discuss the causes and evaluate integrated water resource management strategies for sustainability.

Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2023–2025

WaterNatural Resources

Syllabus: Geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

How toppers approached it

From all 4 answers · about 210 words · 75% drew a diagram.

Opening

  • A figure4 of 4

Body

  • Points and prose2 of 4
  • Points2 of 4

Close

  • A way forward2 of 4
  • A source1 of 4
  • A summary1 of 4

The toppers’ answers

Raghav JhunjhunwalaAIR 4 · CSE 2025 · 145 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a figure

As per NITI Aayog's CWMI Report, over 600mn. Indians face moderate to extreme water threat.

Body · points and prose

causes of freshwater crisis:

① 18% Population and only 4% fresh water reserves (globally)

② urbanization and demands for ever increasing construction.

③ Agrarian Inefficiencies (and needs) 3.1 India draws over 25% Groundwater globally 3.2 over 90% of it used @ Agri.

④ water pollution (Ex: rivers like yamuna)

⑤ concentrated nature of Rainfall @ monsoon and poor rainwater harvesting

(6) underinvestment at waste and grey water recycling. [Case study: Singapore's 4 taps policy]

Integrated water Resource mgmt strategies

(1) Integrated Farming (Ex: Pisciculture - Poultry - Agriculture

Diagram
Residue feed / \ Pisciculture ← Poultry Agriculture | ↑ └---- water wastes as ----┘ fertilizer & Irrigation

(2) Integrated watershed development ↳ taking Ecosystem approach; includes: (i) Stream level planning (ii) Ground water recharge (iii) soil moisture retention (iv) Community participation.

(3) Utilizing Hydrological cycle

Diagram
Rainwater harvest → Agris → Nondrinking purpose → Recycle → wastewater ↑ | └-------------------------- Reuse ← filter ←----------┘

Close · a source

Thus; along with above, Mihir Shah Committee recommendations must be taken up.

More on Water

Rivers, groundwater, irrigation, water bodies and water sharing.

All GS1 questions on Water