UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2020

Consider the following statements: 1. 36% of India's districts are classified as 'overexploited' or 'critical' by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA). 2. CGWA was formed under the Environment (Protection) Act. 3. India has the largest area under groundwater irrigation in the world.

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 2 only
  4. 1 and 3 only

Answer

Correct Answer

2 and 3 only

Explanation

CGWA was constituted in 1996 under Section 3(3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (statement 2 correct). India has the largest groundwater-irrigated area in the world (statement 3 correct). The 36% figure for overexploited or critical districts is not supported by the official data, so statement 1 is wrong.

Topics: geography, groundwater - cgwa & groundwater irrigation, indian geography, water resources