[Solved] Consider the following statements: Statement-l: 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

Q26. Consider the following statements:

Statement-l:

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?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-1I are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Answer: C

Statement 1 is correct. According to the United Nations World Water Development Report 2022, with an estimated 251 km3 annual withdrawal from an estimated 20 million wells and tube wells, India is the world’s greatest groundwater user. This accounts for more than a quarter of the total groundwater extracted internationally.

Statement 2 is incorrect. India uses about 89% of this groundwater for irrigation. Major share of total groundwater extracted by India is utilized for irrigation purposes and not for drinking and sanitation purposes.