Question

With reference to water resources in India, consider the given statements:
• India accounts for about \(4%\) of the world's water resources.
• Agriculture accounts for the highest share of total water used in India.
• Groundwater utilization is very low in the states of Punjab and Haryana.
• Lagoons and Backwaters are found along the coasts of Kerala and Odisha. Which of the statements given above are correct?

• A. \(1,\ 2\ \text{and}\ 4\)
• B. \(2,\ 3\ \text{and}\ 4\)
• C. \(1\ \text{and}\ 3\)
• D. All of the above

Hint:

Punjab and Haryana have: \[ \text{high groundwater exploitation} \] due to intensive irrigation farming.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Let us examine each statement carefully.
Step 1: Statement 1 \[ \text{India accounts for about }4%\text{ of the world's water resources} \] This statement is: \[ \text{Correct} \] India has nearly: \[ 18% \] of the world's population but only about: \[ 4% \] of global freshwater resources.
Step 2: Statement 2 \[ \text{Agriculture accounts for the highest share of water use in India} \] This statement is: \[ \text{Correct} \] Agriculture consumes the largest portion of water in India mainly due to:
• Irrigation needs
• Water-intensive crops
• Large agricultural sector
Step 3: Statement 3 \[ \text{Groundwater utilization is very low in Punjab and Haryana} \] This statement is: \[ \text{Incorrect} \] Punjab and Haryana have: \[ \text{very high groundwater utilization} \] because of intensive irrigation and tube-well farming.
Step 4: Statement 4 \[ \text{Lagoons and Backwaters are found along the coasts of Kerala and Odisha} \] This statement is: \[ \text{Correct} \] Examples include:
• Kerala Backwaters
• Chilika Lake in Odisha Thus, correct statements are: \[ 1,\ 2\ \text{and}\ 4 \] Option analysis:
• Option (A): Correct
• Option (B): Incorrect because statement 3 is false
• Option (C): Incorrect because statement 3 is false
• Option (D): Incorrect because all statements are not correct Therefore: \[ \boxed{\text{(A)}} \]