Read the following passage and answer the question.
Given the precarious condition of its ground and surface water resources (rivers, stream, lakes, wetlands and reservoirs). India could be a water-scarce country in the next 40 years. With 1,486 cubic meters (∼1.5 million litres) of water available per person, per annum. India falls in the water stressed category. A dip below 1000 cubic meters per person, per annum will push it into the waterscarce category.
The manner of water consumption also compounds the problem. Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) statistics show the indiscriminate use of ground water turned 4% of the total 7,809 assessed units in the country critical in 2022 while 14% were assessed as over-exploited. The situation was worse in 2017 when 17% of the units overexploited. Various recharge and conservation efforts have borne fruit but the number of such units remain high in state like Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
In India, 87% of groundwater is extracted for irrigation and experts say excess withdrawal round the year may be the biggest reason for depletion, as the recharge primarily happens in the monsoon. On the other hand encroachment of water bodies and the discharge of untreated waster water into rivers and streams have reduced the surface water resources.
India will become water-scarce country if the availability of water per person per annum falls below:
Correct Answer :
∼ 1 million litre
Solution :
The correct option is: ∼ 1 million litre
Step-by-step Explanation:
1. According to the passage, India will be pushed into the "water-scarce" category if the water availability dips below 1,000 cubic meters per person, per annum.
2. We need to convert 1,000 cubic meters into litres to match the given options. The passage provides a helpful conversion reference:
1,486 cubic meters is approximately equal to (∼) 1.5 million litres.
3. Let us establish the exact conversion factor:
1 cubic meter is equal to 1,000 litres.
Therefore, 1,000 cubic meters is calculated as:
4. 1,000,000 litres is equal to 1 million litres (or ∼ 1 million litre).
5. Thus, a dip below 1,000 cubic meters (which is equal to 1 million litres) per person per annum will make India a water-scarce country.
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