5) Water crisis in Shimla is a warning sign for  the trying times ahead with respect to water availability in India. Examine the challenges and discuss the role that traditional water storage systems can play in averting this crisis? (250 words)

Topic -Environmental degradation and conservation

5) Water crisis in Shimla is a warning sign for  the trying times ahead with respect to water availability in India. Examine the challenges and discuss the role that traditional water storage systems can play in averting this crisis? (250 words)

Hindustantimes

Reference

Why this question

The recent water crisis in Shimla poses several questions related to water management in the country. At a time when several reports have been highlighting the acute paucity of water facing India, it is regrettable that we haven’t moved fast enough in addressing this challenge. Hence this question.

Key demand of the question

The question demands us to incorporate the following points in your answer

• Describe the situation in Shimla
• Examine the problem facing India in general related to water availability and use
• Reports of various organisations which have harped on the need for effective water management in the country
• What are the water related issues we should be wary of
• Solutions to these issues in brief and the role of transitional water harvesting structures in detail

Directive word

Examine – When you are asked to examine, you have to probe deeper into the topic,  get into details, and find out the causes or implications if any .

Discuss – Detail out the benefits of traditional water harvesting structures.

Structure of the answer

Introduction – take the example of what is happening in Shimla and discuss the issues that it raises.

Body

• Examine the issues plaguing Shimla – reasons behind non availability of water
• Examine the challenges that it poses for water management in India – highlight other examples to prove that it is an all India problem
• Take help of reports like NASA’s, UN world water development report 2018 etc to prove that the challenge ahead is arduous
• Discuss solutions to these issues in brief
• Discuss in detail the role that traditional water harvesting system in India would play in averting some water related woes

Conclusion – Highlight the necessity to start acting immediately and the way ahead.