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Polity & Governance2023
Consider the following statements: Statement-I: According to the United Nations’ World Water Development Report, 2022’, India extracts more than a quarter of the world’s groundwater withdrawal each year. Statement-II: India needs to extract more than a quarter of the world’s groundwater each year to satisfy the drinking water and sanitation needs of almost 18% of the world’s population living in its Territory. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Explanation

Statement-I is correct because it accurately reflects data from the United Nations' World Water Development Report, indicating that India constitutes a significant portion of the world’s groundwater extraction, highlighting the country's intense reliance on groundwater resources. However, Statement-II is incorrect because while India does have a large population reliant on groundwater, the extraction rate does not necessarily indicate that India must extract more than a quarter of the world's groundwater to satisfy its drinking water and sanitation needs; this suggests a misunderstanding of the relationship between extraction and necessity, as groundwater sustainability is a critical issue affecting long-term availability. Understanding the balance between resource extraction and sustainability is crucial in the context of India’s water management challenges, as highlighted in various UPSC-level studies on environmental science and sustainable development.

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