Water resources
🔥 Critical Thinking / Competency-Based Questions:
1. If India has abundant rainfall overall, why does it still face severe water scarcity in many
regions?
(Explain with reference to spatial distribution and usage patterns.)
o India has a lot of variations in annual and seasonal precipitation. During July August
there is heavy downpour in the northern parts of the country whereas November
December remains relatively dry.
o For instance, take the case of Cheraponji and Shillong. They lie on the windward and
leeward side of Khasi Hills, respectively. While Cherapunji faces floods while Shillong
faces acute water shortages.
o Over exploitation excessive use and unequal access to water Has resulted into severe
scarcity.
o With an ever-growing population the agriculture demands have risen Drastically,
irrigation being the largest sole consumer of water.
o Industrialization has led to the contamination of several water bodies making them
unfit for drinking moreover it has Led to the creation of water bone diseases.
o Urbanisation and the changes in our lifestyle such as use of showers Have Made city
is the culprits behind water wastage.
o It Is the need of the hour that we work towards conserving and managing our water
resources to prevent health hazards, ensure food security, ecological balance and the
livelihood of millions.
2. Imagine you are a farmer in Maharashtra growing sugarcane. Why might your farming
practices contribute to water scarcity, even if your area receives good rainfall?
(Analyze the crop choice and water needs.)
3. Why might industrial expansion be indirectly causing water scarcity, even though
industries consume much less water compared to agriculture?
o Post independent India has witnessed intensive industrialization especially through
private firms and multinational corporations.
o Industries are not just consumers of water but also require gallons of water to
generate hydroelectric power.
o They released toxins and chemicals into our fresh water bodies further limiting their
usage And making them unsuitable for consumption.
o One of the most common cases is of River Yamuna. Many industrial facilities,
especially those in cities like Delhi, Faridabad, Mathura, and Agra, directly discharge
untreated wastewater into the Yamuna River. This includes effluents from diverse
sectors like chemical plants, tanneries, distilleries, and more.
o Hence industrial expansion may not directly cause water scarcity but By ruining the
quality of water it has ruined the quality of our lives.
4. If rainwater harvesting is a traditional practice, why did modern India move away from it
after independence? What were the consequences?
o Modernization has brought multi-fold advancements to our country, but it does not
come without consequences.
o Structures such as the perennial Indira Canal in Rajasthan provide citizens with all
the necessary water supply.
Water resources
5. Suppose an area has sufficient groundwater reserves. Why might it still experience "water
scarcity" for its residents?
(Think about accessibility and over-extraction.)
6. **Compare two regions:
o Region A has 1200 mm annual rainfall but frequent droughts.
o Region B has 600 mm rainfall but no droughts.
Why might Region B be better off in terms of water management?**
7. If given the choice, would you prioritize building a dam or investing in decentralized
rainwater harvesting for a drought-prone village? Justify with two real-world reasons.
8. Explain how poor water management could turn a naturally water-abundant region into a
water-scarce one. Give an example scenario.
9. How can changing consumer behavior (like preference for water-intensive goods) silently
worsen the water crisis? Give examples.
10. Predict how climate change could make India's water scarcity situation even worse. Which
parts of India would suffer most? Why?
