A topper · CSE 2024 · GS1 · 54 pages

Aditya Agarwal: GS1 answer copy

20 answers by Aditya Agarwal, as written in the test. Each question opens a page with how other toppers answered it.

The questions

The answers

Question 1 · 10 marks · 107 words written

What do you understand from land subsidence? Explaining various reasons behind land subsidence, recommend measures to arrest the calamity.

Opening · a recent event

The recent news of land subsidence in Joshimath, Uttarakhand has highlighted the calamity.

Body · points and prose

Land subsidence refers to the sinking of land due to underlying factors.

Reasons of land subsidence :

Diagram
- Natural factors - Build up on seismically active terrain - Land slide prone area - Presence of aquifer underneath - Anthropogenic factors - Unplanned construction - build up of pressure on land - Heavy construction and demolition activity - disturbing the land - Punctures in aquifer leading to sinking
Diagram
[House] [House] [Building] ------------------------- | loose soil due to | | deposition from | | landslides | ------------------------- ~~~~~~~~~~ aquifer ~~~~~~

Fig: land subsidence and factors

Measures to arrest the calamity

(i) Planned construction – limiting the number of households.

(ii) Surveying and mapping of land – Hazard zone maps

(iii) Building laws – light weight materials usage.

(iv) Proper drainage

(v) Use of scientific methods for development projects. (Eg) Drilling instead of using detonators for making tunnels.

Close · a way forward

MC Mishra committee guidelines along with collaboration of institutions such as ISRO, IITs, GSI is needed to arrest the calamity