Q. Consider the following statements:
1.India has access to only 4% of the world’s freshwater resources.
2.India is the largest user of groundwater globally.
3.Water is a key component of the world’s clean energy transition.
4.Rivers are the primary source of soil moisture.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation –
Statements 1, 2 and 3 are correct. India houses 18% of the world’s population on 2.4% of the earth’s surface area and has just 4% of global freshwater resources. India is the largest user of groundwater in the world, accounting for about 25% of the global groundwater extraction. Groundwater is a crucial resource for irrigation, drinking water, and industrial use in the country. Water plays a significant role in the clean energy transition, as it is used in various renewable energy technologies such as hydropower, and some geothermal, solar, and bioenergy systems. Additionally, green hydrogen, produced through electrolysis using water and renewable energy, is seen as a promising carbon-free fuel source.
Statement 4 is incorrect. Precipitation is the primary source of soil moisture and water stored in vegetation (green water) and the water available in rivers and aquifers (blue water).
Source: The Hindu
