Social Science (087) — CBSE Class 10 board question

Overuse of Underground Water and Water Crisis:

Overexploitation of groundwater has created a serious crisis across India due to the following reasons:

1. Agriculture demand: Irrigated agriculture is the largest consumer of water. Farmers use own tube-wells and bore-wells to expand irrigation, leading to rapidly falling groundwater levels, threatening food security.

1. Urbanisation: Housing colonies and societies in cities use private groundwater pumping devices excessively, causing depletion of fragile water resources in urban areas.

1. Industrialisation: Ever-increasing industries exert heavy pressure on freshwater and groundwater sources.

Examples in context of Sustainable Development:

• In cities, overuse has led to groundwater depletion, making water unavailable for future generations — violating the principle of sustainable development.
• Atal Bhujal Yojana addresses this by promoting conservation in 8,220 water-stressed Gram Panchayats across 7 states (Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, etc.), shifting communities from consumption to smart water management.
• Sustainable solutions like rooftop rainwater harvesting (e.g., Gendathur, Karnataka; Shillong, Meghalaya) and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (per drop more crop) reduce dependence on groundwater.

Source: Chapter 3 — Water Scarcity and the Need for Water Conservation and Management

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• The question is split 2+3: 2 marks for explaining the crisis, 3 marks for sustainable development examples/solutions.
• Examiners expect you to mention falling groundwater levels, agriculture/urbanisation/industry as causes, and then link to government schemes or traditional methods as sustainable alternatives.
• Always name specific examples (Atal Bhujal Yojana, PMKSY, Gendathur) — these fetch marks in the 3-mark part.
• Avoid vague statements; be specific about consequences (food security, depletion, health hazards).